Mind Mapping is basically a fun filled exercise to get your creative brain juices flowing. It avoids dull, linear thinking, gets you jogging your creativity and makes the note taking process interesting. Mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. But what can we use mind maps for?

• Note taking
• Brainstorming (individually or in groups)
• Problem solving
• Studying and memorization
• Planning
• Researching and consolidating information from multiple sources
• Presenting information
• Gaining insight on complex subjects

Start with the Center
The ideas documented in the mind originate from the center of the diagram and then eventually spread just like branches or a root system of a tree. Using at least three colours provides an extra edge and makes it easier for the brain to interpret data.

Use multiple colors throughout the Mind Map
Much like bus routes and subway maps that use color to distinguish between routes, use of color in a mind map will make it easier to follow the information. Do not live with the excuse that you are not an artist to experiment with colors. Do not let it stop you from using symbols, drawings and different colours as it encourages the flow of ideas. This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also helps you visualize the Mind Map for recall. Color also helps to show the organization of the subject.

Use images, symbols, codes, images and dimensions throughout your Mind Map
Words are important, but pictures make it easier and faster to communicate information visually.  Similarly, symbols, codes and dimensions provide mental shorthand to speed up the communication process.  Of course, these should be simple and easy enough for a wide audience to interpret. When a symbol or picture means something to you, use it, as it can help you to remember information more effectively than words

Select keywords and use single words or simple phrases for information
Single strong words and meaningful phrases in your mind map are best alone and sitting on its own line as excess words makes for a confusing mind map. Keywords compliment the images well to convey information, similar to the way hoardings and posters work. This makes it convenient

Keep topics labels as short as possible
Keeping them to a single word – or, better yet, to only a picture. Especially in your first mind maps, the temptation to write a complete phrase is enormous, but always look for opportunities to shorten it to a single word or figure – your mind map will be much more effective that way.

Connectivity between the Lines
The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines should be thicker, organic and flowing and becoming thinner as they radiate out from the centre. The idea is to give the reader a visual guide as to the level of detail they are at within a mind map. Vary the text size, color and alignment to highlight the important points. The lines should be of the same length as the word/image they support to ensure clear readability. Every little bit helps in engaging your brain.

Develop your own personal style
Your personal style allows you to create mind maps more efficiently and effectively as there is no such thing as a standard format for a mind map.

Use cross-linkages and show associations
This allows you to focus attention on key topics in the mind map and helps you relate to another part. You can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages as it helps you to understand how a part of the subject affects another.

Keep the Mind Map clear with radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines
Radial hierarchy is information organized by most important information in the center and more detailed information situated farther and farther away from the diagram’s center.

Conclusion:
If you do any form of research or note taking, try experimenting with mind maps. You will find them surprisingly effective

Just as in every great idea, its power lies in its simplicity. Since it is an activity that is both analytical and artistic, it engages your brain in a much, much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions.You can utilize mind mapping for just about anything. You can play around with it to plan your day or even plan your life, summarize a book, launch a project, plan and create presentations, write blogs posts. As such, they engage much more of your brain in the process of assimilating and connecting facts, compared with conventional notes.