3.0 Mind Map

Objective of First Lesson - Students will develop a Mind Map that will provide an insightful look into their own personal strengths and weaknesses. In the second lesson students will create another Mind Map looking at themselves as potential entrepreneurs.

A Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique, which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain using both sides (leftlogic, analysis, sequence, etc. and rightimagination, daydreaming, color, etc.) plus Gestalt (seeing the whole picture). It was created by Tony Buzan in the late 1960's and is used in many businesses today.

Depending upon the level of the student, a Mind Map could be simply explained as a tool similar to a road map that uses right brain logic and left brain creativity - a fun and unique way to examine themselves, a topic or a problem.

Resource materials attached Mind Maps.
Instructions or rules of Mind Mapping:
(Normally the person building the Mind Map creates the central idea and the key words. These have been provided in the prepared Mind Map in order to have consistency in thinking in order to make comparisons from the first lesson to the second. As much color should be used as possible. A completed sample Mind Map is also included in order for the student to view the finished product.

  1. The more branches created from the key words, the more effective the Mind Map.
  2. Use images, words, symbols, codes and dimensions throughout.
  3. Print in upper and lower case letters.
  4. Use outlines to embrace all branches from each key word.
  5. Look at the sample Mind Map for direction.
  6. Work as fast as you can.
  7. Let your thoughts go.
  8. Do not dwell on any idea.
  9. Write down each word on its own line and connect it to another.

Discussion: Describe the experience. Were you honest about yourself? How would you compare to any successful entrepreneur you might know? Did you learn any new about yourself?

Lecture Points: What do you think are the characteristics that make for a successful entrepreneur? Is there a "perfect background" to be an entrepreneur? What are the most common problems areas? How can weaknesses be corrected? Can anyone be an entrepreneur? (The first and second lessons go together. The students should leave with questions and ideas that are answered in the next lesson.)

Sources:
Make the Most of Your Mind, Tony Buzan
Use Both Sides of Your Brain, Tony Buzan
The Mind Map Book, Tony Buzan
Starting Your Own Business, Jan Norman
No B.S., No Holds Barred, Kick Butt, Take No Prisoners, and Make Tons of Money Business Success Book, Dan Kennedy
Entrepreneurship, Hisrich and Peters