My Mind Map Focus for 2010
This year I'm going to be using mind mapping for only four specific types of mind maps.
My aim is to focus on these and hone my mind mapping techniques for each one so that by the end of the year I will have hopefully mastered the techniques required for each type of mind map.
These are the types of mind maps that I will be focusing on:
- Note taking - I'm always taking notes and this is where I spend most of my mind mapping time. Whether it's going through my Google Reader, reading a book, or checking out some documentation, I've always got a mind map going.
- Problem Solving - As a software developer, I'm continually trying to solve problems. It's part of my job. Mind mapping helps me solve problems with programming by allowing me mind map components of a software application and visualise the problem. This gives me better clarity of the problem and allows me to create solutions to the problem.
- Writing - I would love to be a writer and have started using mind mapping to outline articles and works of fiction.
- Idea Generating - I'm always thinking about new ideas whether it's for a new web application or a work of fiction. This pretty much goes hand in hand with using mind mapping for writing. First all my ideas go into a mind map and then these ideas are fleshed out further in a new mind map before I start writing.
So why am I limiting myself to these types of mind maps?
Last year I tried mind mapping for all different kinds of things. What I found was that some of the places where I tried to use mind mapping didn't fit into my work flow or wasn't productive. This isn't to say that mind mapping won't work for these kinds of mind maps with other people. It just didn't work for me.
Mind mapping is a personal thing and the benefits you get from it depend on how you use it. In order to maximise my time and effort, I'm focusing on working with four different types of mind map. I'll still create mind maps for other purposes, but mostly I'll be focusing on these four.
Do you have a specific type of mind map that you're focused on? Has there been a time where you tried to use mind mapping and it just didn't work for you? Let me know in the comments.
Comments (4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ZlEk5oHzo
(Focus on pen&paper mind mapping)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_BlvM2vO0o
(Focus on mind mapping software)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT1vKbY7zIQ
(In German, focus on mind mapping software)
More material on my Scribd page
www.scribd.com/thomasteepe
Two of us use mind mapping and similar visual tools to capture new information for projects, and I use a mind mapping product that has good project/task feature to manage large projects.
However, mind mapping has not worked especially well for capturing and managing Web bookmarks. An old, traditional bookmark program that uses unlimited nested folders continues to be the best way to handle that data.
Also, many types of step-by-step processes can be illustrated better by using a flowchart diagram rather than a mind map with numbered branches.
As for writing, I like to create a mind map of the marketing strategy and planning concepts that I write about. Then, I have both an outline for my writing and an informative graphic to accompany my article.
@Cliff - I also used a mind map for bookmarks but found it too cumbersome to use and it was difficult maintaining it across different computers. I suppose it's all about finding the right tool for the job.
Mind Mapping is the 'Swiss Army Knife' for the Brain, and I use it for the tasks you are pursuing and more.
My contention is that Mind Mapping with someone who know the theory and is skilled with the software (I find doing it this way works best for me) will develop the maximum ideas and solutions to opportunities and challenges.
My only regret about Mind Mapping is that I didn't discover it sooner!
Fred E. Miller
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