Learn How to Make Mind Mapping Work for You

Updated: January 4, 2019

Organizing Your Ideas… With Mind Mapping!

Whenever I started a new project, I always had too many, or not enough, ideas. As you could probably guess, it usually didn’t work out all that great.

I would get caught up on the details without laying down the groundwork, or I would set up the initial stage of my project but have no idea where the heck I was going. Then I discovered the amazing concept of Mind Mapping.

Similar to brainstorming, you write everything down on a napkin, a white board, a PowerPoint slide, your friend’s hand… seriously, whatever is around. If you really want to stay on a computer, check out Mindmeister.com – it’s free!

A mind map different from brainstorming because instead of just writing down concepts that you already know, you can take it a step further and create concepts that you didn’t know were actually options.

And you’re not limited to just writing words – get as creative as you want. Draw your ideas. Use ALL the colors. Use curved lines. Or be as minimalistic as possible – make this technique work for you, not the other way around!

There are a few great websites out there if you’re interested in the finer details (listed at the end of this post for your convenience) but what it boils down to is this – relationships. How the different elements are related to each other, or how you can form a new idea by mashing elements together.

But I Need an Example!

The photo above was the result of a mind mapping session where I was dreaming of potential side jobs. I started with the bubbles labeled CREATIVE, COMPUTERS, and BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT. The next step was identifying potential jobs that I could branch out into. That would be the brainstorming segment – identifying elements that I already know about.

But the next step, the most important step, is to identify the possible relationships between those elements. As you can see, I was able to identify two such relationships – WEB BLOGGING and SECURITY. Sounds like a great step towards developing secure websites and teaching others along the way.

Looking at this mind map from all the possible angles, I was led down the path to start an online business. My personal goals direct me to help others, provide suggestions, inspire motivation, and build up capabilities.

Your personal goals are obviously your own. Mind mapping may help you identify what the next step will be. Now get motivated and get your ideas out there!

Do you need some help or want to discuss your opportunities? Contact me today!

Once you’re done, I’d love to know how you did your mind map! Put your comments in the section below ?

Additional Links:

• Personnel Today – Mind Mapping
• Prolific Living – Mindmaps for Career Planning 
• The Irish Times – How Tony Buzan Used Mind Maps to Doodle his Way to Millions