Super Creativity
As an introduction to the nature of Mind Mapping, compare and contrast the traditional linear Table of Contents on the previous page with the diagram below. Note the nonlinear,freeassociative nature of Mind Mapping — a technique that works the way your brain does.
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( The 32 page Guidebook has been reformatted to this 14 Page 8.5 x 11 PDF format. )
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SUPER-CREATIVITY
An Interactive Guidebook
By Tony Buzan
©1988 Audio Renaissance Tapes, Inc.
9110 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 200
Los Angeles, California 90069
Distributed by St. Martin's Press, New York
All Rights Reserved Mind Map and brain cell illustrations by Nancy Margulies
How to Use This Cassette/Booklet:
As you listen to the cassette, please keep this booklet and your Super-Creativity supplies
at hand. Throughout the program Mr. Buzan will refer to specific exercises contained in
these pages. To get the best results from the program, we recommend that you do the
exercises as Mr. Buzan suggests.
CONTENTS
Super-Creativity Booklet Table of Contents Mind Map.............. 2
Mind Mapping: The Power and Promise.................................. 2
Super-Creativity Supplies ......................................................... 3
Uses for Object: "Can" Exercise .............................................. 3
Uses for Object: "Cannot" Exercise ......................................... 3
Speech Preparation Exercise ..................................................... 4
Your Personal Creativity Problems............................................ 4
Your Current Left/Right Brain Knowledge ................................ 4
Left/Right Brain Functions ....................................................... 5
Uses for Your Cortical Skills .................................................... 5
How Champions Used Left and Right Brain Cortical Skills ....... 6
Planets Exercise: Part I........................................................... 6
Planets Exercise: Part II........................................................... 7
Diagram of a Brain Cell............................................................ 7
Mind Map Exercise: Sailing..................................................... 8
Sample Mind Map: Cinderella ................................................. 9
Sample Mind Map: A Business Meeting .................................. 9
Sample Mind Map: Household................................................. 10
The Laws of Mind Mapping ..................................................... 10
General Principles .......................................................................... 12
About the Author ..................................................................... 12
The Buzan Centre .................................................................... 13
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.d o
c u-tr a c k SUPER-CREATIVITY BOOKLET TABLE OF CONTENTS MIND MAP .d o
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As an introduction to the nature of Mind Mapping, compare and contrast the traditional linear
Table of Contents on the previous page with the diagram below. Note the nonlinear,
free-associative nature of Mind Mapping — a technique that works the way your brain does.
MIND MAPPING: THE POWER AND PROMISE
Because Mind Mapping allows such greater access to human intelligence, multi-national
companies are already beginning to use Mind Maps at an accelerating rate.
In the European headquarters of a major multi-national computer company, a 17-week
training course for new members of the organization is preceded by one week of training in
creativity and Mind Mapping. It has been found that when the participants in the 17-week course
are trained in these skills their retention, understanding and creative use of the information they
receive in the full course is increased by 100 percent.
In European parliaments, members are preparing major speeches in Mind Map form. They
have found that the Mind Map preparation takes one half to one twentieth the time for a standard
speech preparation, and that the Mind Map speech itself is more cogent, more organized, more
immediate, up to date, entertaining and flexible.
An international organization of chief executive officers of multi-million/billion dollar
companies has sponsored hundreds of family Mind Mapping and study days. Hundreds of
parents, children and relations have come together for three days of "family genius" training in
order to nurture the family as a learning unit, and to encourage a more cooperative and
harmonious interrelationship between family, business and cultural life. Already many of the
children, and indeed many of the parents who have taken the course, have increased their
academic performance beyond their wildest previous dreams.
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To get the most out of this program, and to continue developing and expanding your
Super-Creativity skills, please assemble the following supplies:
1) A variety of at least eight colored felt tip pens. Make sure the points are fine enough to print
words and draw small images.
2) At least four sheets of unlined white paper, approximately 16 by 20 inches. If you can get
larger sheets, so much the better; ideally, use Mind Mapping pads. Mind Mapping kits
are available from The Buzan Centre (see page 31 for information).
3) A number of sheets of unlined white paper, in standard 8 1/2 by 11-inch letter size.
4) Four or more highlighter pens. Recommended colors are pink, yellow, green and blue.
5) A stopwatch or a clock or watch with a second hand to allow you to precisely time yourself
on the time- limited exercises.
6) Additionally, before you do the exercises in this booklet, you may wish to make multiple
copies of them. This way, you will later be able to return to the exercises and repeat them to
both improve on and monitor your progress in developing your Super-Creativity.
USES FOR OBJECT: "Can" Exercise USES FOR OBJECT: "Cannot" Exercise
In exactly 60 seconds, write below as Using the same object, in exactly 60
many uses as you can think of for any object seconds write down as many things as you can
you choose to think about. think of for which you cannot in any way use
that object.
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In five minutes, outline on the space below your notes for a 30-minute speech on creative thinking and
innovation.
YOUR PERSONAL CREATIVITY YOUR CURRENT LEFT/RIGHT BRAIN
PROBLEMS KNOWLEDGE
In five minutes, outline in this space the Outline on this space what you currently
problems you have using your brain's creative know about the division of intellectual
skills. abilities between the right and left
hemispheres of your brain.
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LEFT/RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
A frontal view of the two sides of your brain and their functions.
RHYTHM WORDS
COLOR NUMBERS
DAYDREAMING LISTS
IMAGINATION LOGIC
SPACE AND THE ANALYSIS
ABILITY TO MOVE ORDER
THROUGH
DIMENSIONS LANGUAGE
MUSIC
USES FOR YOUR CORTICAL SKILLS
On the rest of this page, note all the uses to which you can put your vast range of cortical skills.
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HOW CHAMPIONS USED LEFT AND RIGHT BRAIN CORTICAL SKILLS
In recent history there has been a popular myth that those involved in sporting activities are
necessarily less involved in mental activities. The opposite is true, especially when it comes to
championship-level performance. In other words the Latin belief, "Mens sana in corporo sana" (a
healthy mind in a healthy body/a healthy body has a healthy mind) turns out to be true in our modern
age.
Not only do we now know that championship-level performance requires the use of all cortical
skills, we know that the great champions used their creativity and their imaginations to give them
that little bit extra which took them beyond the rest.
As recently as the 1988 Olympics, I was personally involved in helping to coach the English
Olympic rowing eight. Three and a half months before the Olympics the team came together, and
it was generally assumed that they did not have enough time to practice together to make Olympic
team selection.
By Mind Mapping their goals, by using their creative imagination to envision and repeat their
successes and positive characteristics, by creating well-organized goals for themselves, and
specifically by studying the nature and use of their brains, they were able to improve their performance
dramatically.
As a result, they won the English Grand Challenge final and the Henley Rowing Regatta, were
selected for the Olympics, and made the final! They are now established as the fourth-ranked crew
in the world.
PLANETS EXERCISE: Part I
On this page write down as fast as you can, in their correct order, the planets of the solar system.
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PLANETS EXERCISE: Part II
After listening to the memory exercise on the audio tape write down again, in their correct order,
the planets of the solar system. (You will find the answer on page 13.)
DIAGRAM OF A BRAIN CELL
Note the structural similarity between a typical neuron that exists
by the billions in your brain, and a Mind Map.
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MIND MAP EXERCISE: Sailing
According to the instructions on the audio tape, complete this Mind Map on sailing.
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SAMPLE MIND MAP: Cinderella
On these and the next few pages are examples of how Mind Mapping can be used by all ages and
occupations, to describe an infinite variety of subjects. Here is how a child might envision the classic
story of Cinderella.
SAMPLE MIND MAP: A Business Meeting
This Mind Map describes a meeting on the development of a new product line.
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SAMPLE MIND MAP: Household
Here is a Mind Map describing and planning the activity of a typical day within a household.
THE LAWS OF MIND MAPPING
The Mind Mapping laws are designed to help you more rapidly gain access to your intelligence
by giving you specific techniques that are brain-compatible. By following the laws, your memory and
creativity will be enormously enhanced.
Law One: A Mind Map comm ences in the center of a page within a
m ulti-colored ima ge or symbol.
Reasons: It commences in the center because this reflects the many-hooked nature of the brain's
thinking processes, and allows more space and freedom for developing ideas from the central core. Use
image and color because the old adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words" applies here in both
memory and creativity.
Law Two: Main themes are attached to the central image on six lines
using lar ge capital letter s.
Reasons: Main themes are attached because the brain works by association, and if the lines are
attached the ideas will internally be similarly "attached." The lines are thicker and the printing larger
to reflect the importance of these ideas.
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Law Three: Lines are connected to lines.
Reasons: The connected structure of the Mind Map reflects the associative nature of the brain.
Law Four : Wor ds are printed.
Reasons: Printing the words may take slightly longer in execution, but the immediate "photographic
feedback" and comparative clarity of the printed word give enormous advantage.
Law Five: Words are printed on lines.
Reasons: Printing the words on the line gives them connection and association to the basic structure of
the Mind Map. People often find that if they can reconstruct the general skeleton of the Mind Map, the
words immediately "pop in" to place.
Law Six: Single key words per line.
Reasons: Each key word has its own million-range of possibilities for association. Placing the key word
alone on a line gives the brain more freedom to branch out from that word. Phrases trap the individual
word, and reduce the possibilities for creativity and the clarity of memory.
Law Seve n: Use of color throughou t the M ind Map.
Reasons: Color is a major stimulator of all forms of thought, and especially enhances creativity and
memory. It also appeals to aesthetic sensitivities which increase the brain's pleasure in building the
Mind Map, and its interest in returning to, reviewing and using it
Law E ight: Im ages thr oughout the Mind Map.
Reasons: As Leonardo da Vinci recommended for appropriate brain training: "Learn the Science of
Art." The use of images can raise memory performance to near perfect, multiplies creative thinking
effectiveness by as much as ten times, and improves problem solving and communications, et cetera. It
also, over time, increases the individual's perceptual capabilities and skills.
Law Nine: Us e of codes and s ym bols thr oughout.
Reasons: Personalized codes using various shapes such as colors and arrows add a "fourth dimension"
to a Mind Map. They greatly enhance the Mind Mapper's ability to analyze, define, structure, organize
and reason.
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General Principles:
As Mind Mapping is a process of accessing and using the major cortical skill areas, it is important to
have a "brain-supportive" environment.
Wherever possible, the environment should have the following characteristics:
1. Natural light
2. Fresh air
3. High quality Mind Mapping material
4. Good work space
5. Posture-enhancing chairs
6. Physical objects and decorations that feed the senses
7. Temperature control
It is also recommended that the Mind Mapper organize at an early stage in the development of
his/her Mind Mapping skill a filing, cross-referencing and retrieval system for Mind Maps of differing
sizes, and for those which cover different subject areas.
With each Mind Map, it is useful to have as a continuing goal the ongoing development of artistic
and organizational skills. This makes the Mind Map not only specifically project-oriented, but also
an ongoing tool for personal mental development on all levels.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tony Buzan, the originator of Mind Maps and the Buzan Organic Study Technique, as well as
new developments in the theory and development of mnemonic systems and creativity, was born in
London in 1942. He emigrated to Vancouver in 1954 and graduated from the University of British
Columbia in 1964, achieving Double Honors in Psychology, English, Mathematics and General
Sciences. He then became Lecturer in English, Creativity, Communications and Psychology at
Simon Fraser University, where he was Charter President of the Student Union. Returning to
England in 1966, he worked on Fleet Street, also editing the MENSA (the high IQ society)
International Journal.
Since then he has published 10 books (nine on the brain and learning, and one volume of poetry)
including five that have recently been published in America: Use Both Sides of Your Brain
(Dutton); The Brain User's Guide (Dutton); Speed Reading (Dutton); Use Your Perfect Memory
(Dutton); and Make the Most of your Mind (Linden). His books have now been published in 50
countries and translated into 20 languages. Use Both Sides of Your Brain, published in England as
Use Your Head, has recently been termed a classic by BBC Publications, has surpassed worldwide
sales of a million, and is a standard introductory text for the Open University.
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A.E. van Vogt has said of Buzan's poetry: "In terms of the 21st Century, poetically expressed,
the beauty of the poetry, and the wealth of information about the human condition has never been
equalled in literature."
He has featured in, presented and co-produced many television and radio programs, both national
and international, including the record-breaking Use Your Head series (BBC TV); the Open Mind
series (ITV); The Enchanted Loom, a one-hour feature documentary on the brain; numerous talk
shows and many radio programs. His prize-winning video cassette learning courses (Business
Brain) his audio cassette Learning and Memory, and the Tarry town Tape have all been bestsellers.
His latest video course production, The Cornerstone Business Brain Series, for both corporate and
family use, is now available throughout the U.S.A. through the Buzan Centres.
In the last five years he has initiated a number of major business and educational projects,
including mass education projects in Africa, Scandinavia and America, in which he taught one-to
four-day courses to teachers, students and business people. Recently he lectured on creativity to
2,300 of the world's top designers at WORLDESIGN 85 in Washington D.C.
Universities at which he has given lectures, and companies to which he is a consultant and who
use his techniques in both management and training, include: Oxford University, Cambridge
University, Stanford University, IBM, Barclays International, Shell Oil, DuPont, Xerox, British
Petroleum, Digital Equipment Corporation, Nabisco, General Motors, AT&T, General Electric, Bell
Telephone and 3M. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Training and Development; a member of the
International Council of Psychologists, the Swedish Management Group, and the Jamaican Institute
of Management. He has recently been elected to the International Faculty of The Young Presidents'
Organization. He is sports psychologist to Great Britain's Olympic rowing team, and his hobbies
include athletics, swimming, Aikido, dancing, astronomy and charity lecturing for the World
Wildlife Fund.
Answer to page 16:
The correct order of the planets is:
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
THE BUZAN CENTRE
For more information about the books, courses and products offered by Tony Buzan, please
visit http://www.mind-map.com/ or contact
USA
Buzan Centres Inc, PO Box 4, Palm Beach, Florida. 33480. USA
Tel: 1 561 881 0188 Toll Free: 866 896 1024
Email: [email protected]
Or
UK
Buzan Centres Ltd, 54 Parkstone Road, Poole, Dorset. BH15 2PG.
Tel: 44 (0) 1202 674676, Fax: 44 (0) 1202 674776
Email: [email protected]
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