Time has come to tell you how to draw Mind Maps. Here are the steps to draw a mind map.

1. Take a blank piece of A4 paper and put it down in landscape mode.
2. Start in the center and draw an oval or a circle (why not square, any shape that you like) and write the topic you are working on.
3. Leave your brain to wander around the topic and see what all it brings. It could be images or any other sensual aspects that might come to your mind. Take an example, say you want to mind map about “Sun”. Close your eyes and think about Sun and what all your mind brings. Coolers, beach, baywatch , sun bath, water melon, ice cream were few that comes to my mind. But if you are mind mapping a topic that you have learnt from a book, grab the relevant pieces that comes to your mind and any important associations. These associations could be part of the context or out of it, doesn’t matter. The idea is to bind that association and make it stronger.
4. If the central topic is like a book name then main topics around the central topic are like chapters of the book. Draw thick lines, which connect to these chapters or sub topics to the central topic. Optioinally write one word associated with each of your sub topics in CAPITALS next to the line.
5. Start to add another level of thought, using thinner lines, linked to each sub topic. These are your associated thoughts.
6. Attach words or images to the sub topics at any level.
7. Be creative and add your personal touch. Make your map artistic, colorful and imaginative.
8. Add humor, exaggeration or absurdity wherever you can. Your brain will delight in getting enjoyment from this process.

Look at the MindTools article for an elaborate explanation on how to draw mind maps. Here is a mind map of the mind map series so far we have discussed about. Click on it for a larger view.

I used a software called MindManager from MindJet. There is a also a freeware tool called FreeMind which you can use to create mind maps. If you are a beginner start practicing by drawing it on a piece of paper rather than using tools.