★ Solve “doing the right things + doing things right” with a single picture – enhance your core workplace competitiveness: thinking power.
★ Incorporates the author’s over 20 years of practical training experience serving Fortune 500 companies.
★ Each chapter includes self‑assessment questions with detailed answers, plus a dedicated chapter on mind map templates for immediate application.
★ From new graduates to senior managers – suitable for both fragmented searching and systematic learning.

This book is a guide to improving thinking efficiency specifically for workplace professionals. Unlike traditional content organized around principles and layered progression, this book takes high‑frequency workplace scenarios as its main thread, aiming for “ready to use.”

The book consists of three parts: Scenario Chapters, Tool Chapters, and Principle Chapters. With mind mapping as the central thread, it connects high‑frequency workplace scenarios – a true “workplace encyclopedia.”

The “Scenario Chapters” start from the most common work scenarios, systematically introducing the application of mind mapping in time management, goal management, problem analysis and solving, creative thinking, work reporting, work review, meeting management, presentations, and more.
The “Tool Chapters” focus on commonly used mind map templates and tools, helping readers quickly master mind mapping methodology through practice.
The “Principle Chapters” place the more theoretical introductions at the end, allowing readers to first experience the effects of mind mapping in practice before systematically learning the principles and the core thinking mechanisms behind them.

Huang Yidong

Former Product Director of Mindjet China, participated in the development of MindManager 9 software, and is the only Mindjet‑authorized mind map trainer in China. With over 20 years of practical experience in mind mapping and nearly 10 years dedicated to workplace mind map training, he has provided mind map training services to more than 300 large and medium‑sized well‑known enterprises.

Preface

Chapter 1: Begin with the End in Mind – Clarify Your Direction
– Use Mind Maps to Efficiently Sort Out Work Tasks
Self‑Assessment / Chapter Guide / Why your work never ends / Start your efficient day with one mind map / The secret to leaving on time: catch the leader first / Time is not equal; use your brain’s “golden hours” / Wrong direction wastes effort: be a SMART professional / Three secrets to achieving goals efficiently / Reasonably “use” procrastination to reduce deadline anxiety
Chapter Summary / Self‑Assessment Answers

Chapter 2: Think First, Then Act – Apply Targeted Solutions
– Use Mind Maps to Efficiently Analyze and Solve Problems
Self‑Assessment / Chapter Guide / Problem‑solving ability determines how far you go / Define the problem: pinpoint core deviations / Trace causes: multi‑dimensionally deconstruct underlying triggers / Construct solutions: logic as bone, creativity as shape / Choose solutions: simulation and systematic decision‑making / Draft plans: hierarchical breakdown, risk control / Execute: closed‑loop iteration, dynamic correction
Chapter Summary / Self‑Assessment Answers

Chapter 3: Silent Wine Needs a Good Opening – Report Your Value Efficiently
– Use Mind Maps to Effectively Present Work Value
Self‑Assessment / Chapter Guide / Good wine needs no bush? Show your value / Be proactive and always ready: identify high‑frequency reporting scenarios / Begin with the end: clearly set your reporting goals / Know yourself and the enemy: deeply analyze your audience / Adapt to circumstances: design your reporting roadmap
Chapter Summary / Self‑Assessment Answers

Chapter 4: Past Lessons, Future Wisdom – Review and Solidify Experience
– Use Mind Maps to Efficiently Review and Extract Lessons
Self‑Assessment / Chapter Guide / Learn from experience, don’t fall into the same pit twice / Remember the past: restore the truth with mind maps / Lessons for the future: reveal the essence with mind maps / Practical review: grow from past experiences
Chapter Summary / Self‑Assessment Answers

Chapter 5: Plan Before You Speak – Achieve Communication Goals Efficiently
– Use Mind Maps for Efficient Workplace Communication
Self‑Assessment / Chapter Guide / How to communicate more effectively at work / Workplace communication strategy: think up, communicate down / Efficient workplace communication scenario: meetings / Efficient workplace communication scenario: presentations
Chapter Summary / Self‑Assessment Answers

Chapter 6: DeepSeek + Workplace Mind Map Templates – Explode Your Thinking Efficiency
Chapter Guide / When mind mapping meets DeepSeek, break through conventional thinking limits / Time and goal management / Problem analysis / Creative thinking / Communication and collaboration / Review

Chapter 7: Sharpen Your Tools – Introduction to Common Mind Mapping Tools
Chapter Guide / Choose your “weapon” to improve thinking visualization / Use AI to assist in drawing mind maps / Use online tools to draw mind maps / Use computer software to draw mind maps / Use mobile devices to draw mind maps
Chapter Summary

Chapter 8: Think Across Time and Space – A Comprehensive Analysis of the Core Value of Mind Mapping
Chapter Guide / Your brain’s operating system needs an upgrade / History and basic concepts of mind mapping / The four external elements of mind mapping / The four internal cores of mind mapping / The core value of mind mapping / Current status and future prospects of mind mapping
Chapter Summary

Preface

A Serendipitous Encounter

Going back to 1998, as a student I stumbled upon a “Bertelsmann Book Club” promotion at a bookstore. The staff said that by filling in a form to join, you could get two free books. “Free” was a novel concept in those days, so I filled out the form and selected The Learning Revolution from the recommended list.

About a week later, I picked up the package from the post office. Opening the book, I was immediately drawn to a tree‑structured illustration labeled “Mind Map.” Compared to traditional linear notes, this method of “hanging” information on branches was quite innovative – it not only clearly showed the relationships between pieces of information but also enhanced memory through a combination of text and images.

Soon I began trying to use this magical diagram to record what the teacher said in class. Before long, this “learning revolution” produced results – my academic performance improved significantly. This aroused the curiosity of my teachers and classmates, who asked how I did it. I shared mind mapping with them unreservedly, and soon this “trendy” note‑taking method became popular in my class. To this day, I still vividly remember everyone’s praise for mind mapping after the final exams.

An Indissoluble Bond

I never imagined that this chance encounter with mind mapping would become my inseparable companion for the next twenty‑plus years of my career. Starting by helping classmates master this thinking tool, I have consistently used and actively promoted mind mapping. After entering university, mind mapping became my weapon for coping with heavy coursework and internship challenges. I gradually developed the habit of drawing a mind map to clarify my thinking before taking action – a habit I maintain to this day.

With the development of the internet, major domestic BBS forums set up mind map sections, and I was fortunate to first encounter mind mapping software. My first job was as an IT support technician at a foreign‑owned training institution. To my surprise, many foreign colleagues were already very proficient in using mind mapping software. From subsequent conversations, I learned that in foreign enterprises, mind mapping enjoys the same status as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. When dealing with important work, people always use mind maps for systematic analysis and planning, then share the results via email with relevant personnel – it had become the “common language” of team communication. However, most of my Chinese colleagues knew very little about it and often joked that we were sending “classified documents.”

A few years later, as a product manager, I participated in the development of the famous mind mapping software Mindjet MindManager and was responsible for its market promotion in China. Over the following three years, I immersed myself in a culture where mind mapping was the core communication language, deeply appreciating the immense value of “think clearly, then act.” Due to work, I had the opportunity to visit the China headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies, introducing mind mapping and teaching related courses to Chinese employees, helping them work more efficiently with their foreign colleagues.

As the number of companies I visited grew, I increasingly felt the high importance foreign enterprises place on mind mapping: before major projects start, they often have already completed multiple planning iterations using mind maps, effectively avoiding the risk of failure due to hasty launch; important meetings from preparation to minutes are built around mind maps as knowledge frameworks, ensuring that when relevant personnel consult them, the decision‑making context is fully restored; daily work planning and reporting are visually presented using mind maps, allowing people at all levels to clearly grasp work progress. It can be said that mind mapping has become an essential tool for knowledge workers in these enterprises to improve efficiency.

Having perceived the gap in “thinking ability” between domestic and foreign enterprises, I began to devote myself to promoting mind mapping tools to more Chinese local enterprises, hoping to help more people master this thinking method, improve their thinking habits, and thus enhance their workplace competitiveness. To this end, I transitioned to become a professional trainer, and to date have provided mind mapping training to more than 300 companies.

Reasons for Writing

There are two main reasons that prompted me to write this book:

There are relatively few mind mapping books focused specifically on workplace applications
During my long‑term mind mapping training work, I found that trainees often asked me to recommend books suitable for in‑depth study of mind mapping. I usually recommended Tony Buzan’s foundational work The Mind Map Book, but trainees generally reported two shortcomings: the theory was rather obscure and lacked case studies; and because it was published earlier, it was less available on the market and difficult to purchase.

Further research revealed that mind mapping books on the market fall mainly into two categories: one focuses on introducing Buzan’s original theoretical system; the other targets basic education scenarios, mainly turning exam content into mind maps. Neither direction can fully meet the actual needs of today’s workplace professionals. So I decided to create a “ready to use” mind mapping workplace application reference book to fill this gap.

Compared to traditional training, books can reach a wider audience
As mentioned earlier, to help more local enterprises upgrade their employees’ “brain operating systems” with mind mapping, I became a professional trainer and travelled across the country to deliver training courses. However, as I grew older, the physical burden of high‑intensity travel teaching became increasingly heavy. Especially after the pandemic, I deeply realised that the model of visiting companies one by one could no longer meet market demand. Writing a book might be a wiser choice to promote mind mapping more efficiently.

Therefore, I have systematically organised the knowledge system, thinking achievements, and practical experience I have accumulated over more than twenty years, using multiple modalities such as text, mind maps, and audio‑video courses to help workplace professionals become “better versions of themselves.”

Target Readers

This book is aimed at knowledge workers in all industries and workplace professionals who need systematic thinking and want to improve themselves. Readers can use this book to enhance their thinking ability and work efficiency.

New graduates: Quickly familiarise themselves with high‑frequency workplace scenarios, use mind map templates to rapidly adapt to team collaboration, and meet the basic requirements of new employees.

Entry‑level employees: Systematically learn mind mapping tools and applications, significantly improve daily task efficiency, and grow into high‑potential reserve talent.

Middle managers: Master the application of mind mapping in team management, thereby improving overall team collaboration efficiency (especially in problem analysis and solving, meeting management, report writing, etc.).

Senior managers: Understand the value of mind mapping at the strategic planning level, strengthen strategic thinking capabilities, and through organisation‑wide tool promotion, systematically improve overall operational efficiency, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.

Content Overview

Chapter 1 focuses on using mind maps to sort out work tasks, putting limited energy into “doing the right things” to improve time management and goal management effectiveness.

Chapter 2 focuses on using mind maps to analyse and solve work problems, covering six stages: problem definition, cause tracing, solution construction, solution selection, plan drafting, and execution – ensuring “doing things right.”

Chapter 3 focuses on using mind maps to analyse the emphasis of work reports in different scenarios, so as to be targeted and hit the mark, fully demonstrating work value.

Chapter 4 focuses on using mind maps to review work, covering six stages: process sorting, goal review, outcome evaluation, cause analysis, lesson summarising, and follow‑up improvement – helping readers efficiently extract lessons and apply them to future work.

Chapter 5 focuses on using mind maps to improve workplace communication effectiveness, adapting to different people, situations, and times in meetings, presentations, negotiations, etc.

Chapter 6 carefully selects 50 high‑frequency workplace mind map templates, paired with the latest DeepSeek AI model, to help readers multiply their thinking efficiency.

Chapter 7 selects several mind mapping tools from a practical perspective, covering AI‑assisted drawing, online collaborative drawing, and drawing on computers and mobile devices – helping readers find the right tool for them.

Chapter 8 introduces the history of mind mapping in an accessible way, analyses the core thinking modes and mechanisms behind it, and helps readers more fully understand the past, present, and future of mind mapping.

Reading Advice

This book abandons the traditional content organisation based on principle explanation and layered progression, instead taking high‑frequency workplace scenarios as the main thread, aiming for “ready to use.” Readers can either use fragmented search to quickly solve problems for specific work scenarios, or systematically learn mind mapping knowledge chapter by chapter. The self‑assessment questions at the beginning of each chapter are designed for readers to think about first, then read the subsequent content with those questions in mind. Answers and explanations are provided at the end of each chapter.

Due to the author’s limited ability, errors and inaccuracies are inevitable. Readers are kindly requested to offer criticism and corrections.

Huang Yidong
March 12, 2025, Shanghai