Self-understanding it’s trickier than it might seem at first. If you don’t believe me, think about the thoughts that come through your mind. Do you know what triggers them? I’m often surprised by the sh*t that goes through my mind and that’s why I want to understand myself better. I need to know where those thoughts come from. Is it because of some frustrations? Is it because of some principles I have? Is it because of the path I’m now? Whatever the reason is, I need to know myself.

If you’re into this understanding yourself idea, than you might want to have a look at a mind map:

“A mind map is a diagram used to visually organize information. A mind map is hierarchical and shows relationships among pieces of the whole. It is often created around a single concept, drawn as an image in the center of a blank page, to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and other ideas branch out from those major ideas.” – Wikipedia

So how does this work? Tony Buzan, the creator of the map, tell us the steps we need to make in order to create a mind map:

1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
2. Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map.
3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
4. Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
5. The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The lines become thinner as they radiate out from the center.
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
7. Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also for encoding or grouping.
8. Develop your own personal style of mind mapping.
9. Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
10. Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy or outlines to embrace your branches.

This is mostly used for organizing information, but we can use it to understand how our mind work. And we can also use it from bottom-up by writing your thoughts when they came and then trying to get to the central idea by asking yourself what do those thoughts have in common.

So you can use the normal approach and you write the most annoying thought in the center and try to figure out with what that thoughts it is connected or you can write your thoughts in a circle and you try to find common themes or ideas that seem to connect them. Either way, it will bring you more awareness about what happens upstairs.

Have you ever tried a mind map? If so, how did it make you feel?