In the Mindmap Circles series, we enter the second circle.
In the previous article we discussed that most people start their lives as natural visual thinkers and visual mappers. After that, they learn how to think in a more linear format by using written words in their communications.
Especially in the Western world, we have to think in (linear) processes. I personally believe that people from for example Asia are much more holistic thinkers. They understand much better that everything is Part of the Whole and both the Whole as well as the Part interact with each other.
At the end, most people consciously or unconsciously integrate both the linear as well as the non-linear methods in their life.
Today, we look at the different stages of using visual mapping, mind mapping, summapping, etc. This all has to do with the mindset people have for using these techniques.
The Beginning
Most of us learned how to create mindmaps and apply the techniques in our own personal environment. Not many people start out mind mapping their business activities and academic courses. We learn how to create personal overviews, some even create grocery lists (again… don’t get me started on that terrible application!)
The Personal domain is the first and by far most important area in our lives that we use mind mapping in. This is not only true in the beginning, but also later on when using it.
One of the characteristics of the Personal domain is that maps are created for and by oneself. Not many people look at them (if you show them at all to others).
The Next Step In The Circle
The next step is usually that you use the map to show people some information. Perhaps you instruct them by using a visual overview.
(Note that I don’t explicitly write mindmap. I use the term visual overview. This is because there are other systems to visually map your information. Don’t limit yourself by using only a mindmap. We will discuss this in greater detail later.)
This second level in mapping is where you exchange information with others by means of a map. You might label this as ‘Academic’. Academic in this context indicates you share/show information with others. It is a one way direction of information.
Using your maps to create an overview of information from your studies is in this sense not an Academic application. The most important reason for this is that you use the map for yourself only (unless you share notes). There is no information exchanged. A professor sharing thoughts via maps is of course a good example of an Academic map, or a husband creating (Personal) and sharing (Academic) an overview of the upcoming holiday for his family.
The Third Step In The Circle
You created a map for yourself. You may have used it in studying. You started to share maps with other and moved into the Academic application of maps. Now you are ready to take the third step.
Imagine you are working with a group of people. You created a wonderful overview of the project (Personal). You share this with the rest of the group (Academic). Someone draws/writes the map on a white board (or uses a computer with a projector to show the map). What happens next is that you start working together on a map (Business).
This is the Business application of visual mapping. You exchange and capture thoughts and ideas of yourself and others, all in the same map. You work with at least one other person on a map. You visualize the data of the group. As you understand this can take place in:
- offices where people work together on projects,
- schools where teachers together create a curriculum for students
- families who plan a holiday or barbecue together
- and many other situations
Please don’t limit yourself because I named this step the Business application of mapping information.
The Fourth And Final Step To Complete The Circle
Now you need to understand that the circle is about to be closed again. Here’s why:
- First you used maps to capture your thoughts and recall information. This is the Personal side.
- Then you shared your maps and views with others. We call this the Academic side.
- The third step helped you to capture and enhance your ideas and data and that of others. This is the Business aspect of mapping.
The final step is that you go back to the personal arena. You take the map you created together with others and you start to use the ideas, thoughts and other information.
You USE it and make sure you move forward. YOU TAKE ACTION!
This is something YOU have to do. Usually nobody else does this for you.
As you do this, you will grow, gain new insights and enjoy new experiences. That experience is then again shared with others and people can give you feedback and thoughts. A new circle has been completed. Yet another circle is about to start.
What can we learn from this
To me, the Personal side of visual mapping and visual thinking is the most important one. We create images of who we are and what we are doing all the time. These are often created in our mind only. Still, this is what we use to frame ourselves. It tells us how we should perceive the world.
Make sure you balance the way you use visual maps. Share with others what you experience, feel and think. You’ll get feedback and you will grow.
Don’t limit yourself by using your own information in your own maps in your own (small) world. Start to grow! Move in new directions and embrace the new maps you are creating.
We will go deeper into this in the upcoming training courses at Mindmaps Unleashed. I completed the outline of a training programme which will help you transform your mind, life and environment in such a way that it will benefit you and the people you interact with. You receive more information on that later.
USE THIS FINAL NOTE: Each of the three steps needs a different perspective and attitude from you (and others). It is very difficult to create a productive/effective map with others when you are in the ‘Personal’ zone or mode. We have a look at this later.
My question for you
What is your mapping perspective most of the time (Personal, Academic or Business)?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Arjen
(let your mindmaps work for you!)
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