Page 158 - DNBI_A01.QXD

1354 : STEP TWO – GENERATING NEW IDEAS

Tony Buzan in the 1970s, mind-mapping is rather like a visual version
of brainstorming.105 It allows your ideas to run wild, feeding off each
other, jumping around and creating multiple cross-references rather
than being constrained by the sequential linear style of left-brain
thinking.

When we think with our left brain, we tend to focus on logical
sequences of ideas, with the sequence often taking precedence over the
content. Crossword puzzlers recognise this when solving anagrams –
rather than leave the jumbled-up letters in a straight line which might
constrain thinking, successful anagram-solvers tend to arrange the
letters randomly in a circle precisely to avoid any fixed pattern forming
and to allow their imagination to have free rein.

Mind-mapping therefore focuses on generating content with the
sequence of ideas taking second place. Ideas really can run wild, branch
out in any direction, without the need to follow any predetermined
direction. The key issue is that individual ideas and the developing
branches of ideas should stimulate quantities of further ideas.

As with verbal brainstorming and all divergent techniques, remember to
suspend your judgement – securing a significant quantity of ideas is the
aim. It is often the case that the technique will unleash ideas which you
never knew you had, such is the power of association and memory.

The basic stages for mind-mapping are as follows:

G Stage One: in the centre of a large piece of paper, write down the
word or phrase which expresses the opportunity you want to
explore

G Stage Two: produce a mind-map of ideas related to this starting
word. Write down ideas as quickly as they come to you, adding to
existing branches and starting new branches as appropriate. Engage
your right-brain by using arrows, colour and other visual effects. The
key point is to keep driving forward, seeking associations, without
being overly reflective. You should keep jotting until your ideas are
exhausted

G Stage Three: continue drawing lines and adding topics until you
have run out of ideas. We used the mind-map in Figure 4.4 to
visually brainstorm this chapter.