Using Mind Maps to Supercharge your Creativity

Celia Falkenberg & Nina Pearce present a framework for developing creative intelligence through five key competencies: capturing, challenging, broadening, surrounding, and delighting. Blending personal stories, science-based insights, and practical exercises, they demonstrate how mind mapping supports these habits and helps embed creativity into daily life. The emphasis is on building small, sustainable practices that have a cumulative effect on creative growth. Timestamped Main Themes / Topics Discussed [00:00:52] Introduction & Concept of Creative Intelligence Definition of creative intelligence and the five core competencies; creativity as a skill that can be cultivated deliberately. [00:03:42] Capturing Ideas Before They Disappear Strategies for recording fleeting ideas—using notebooks, apps, or mind maps—and the importance of having tools ready at all times. [00:08:11] Challenging Comfort Zones & Fear Setting Using mind mapping to identify fears, possible prevention steps, recovery plans, and potential benefits of taking creative risks. [00:14:54] Broadening Knowledge & Experiences Seeking inspiration from outside one’s immediate field; mind maps help organise and connect these new learnings for later use. [00:21:19] Surrounding Yourself with Inspiration Introducing “artist dates” and other activities that deliberately expose you to diverse stimuli, environments, and people. [00:25:45] Delighting & Nurturing Your Inner Child Reconnecting with curiosity and playfulness; letting go of perfectionism to unlock creative flow. [00:32:10] Science & Storytelling in Creative Development Sharing neuroscience findings alongside personal stories to show the practical impact of these creative competencies. [00:37:14] Final Reflections & Encouragement Encouraging attendees to start small, embed micro habits, and use mind maps to track and expand their creative growth. Featuring MindMeister