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Write your name in the centre of a piece of paper, then draw a circle around it. You could also draw a picture of yourself or attach a photo.

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Add a first layer of ideas about who you are around the central circle. These should be words that you would use to describe yourself to someone. For example, you might use words such as 'passionate', 'precise', 'painter', 'music-lover' and 'problem-solver'.

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You may draw from categories such as your personal identity, values, beliefs, strengths, capabilities, passions, interests, social style, cognitive and working style, things related to lifestyle and career, culture, context and environment, and experiences. You can also add your own categories.

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Use different colours of sticky notes for ideas. They are easy to move around as needed.

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Build on each item in your first layer of ideas. Start adding further ideas to each one. Organise these into branches like a tree.  

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Add a few more layers in a similar way, always building on previous ideas and breaking them down into more detailed descriptions of yourself. This creates multiple layers of descriptions and ideas about who you are, organised by main themes.

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Once you are ready, look at your mind map. The ideas represent different aspects of yourself. What new aspects of yourself can you identify? Is there anything surprising?

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You may also combine existing ideas to generate new insights. What new aspects of yourself emerge from this process?

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Circle the ten aspects that you feel describe you best.

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Reflect on how creating this mind map has increased your self-understanding.

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