Mind Mapping is a technique which gives you a visual overview on a certain topic.
Today I would like to share with you thoughts on the top 5 how you should not practice mind mapping. Hopefully this makes sure that you won’t make these mistakes ever again and we can move forward to using mindmaps
Here they are:
1. Mind Mapping is used as a quick fix
You probably didn’t think this and you may not even believe me when I write this.
There are still people who see a mindmap and think they can create effective mindmaps immediately.
Yes, read that again. People think they can create effective mindmaps from the first time they mindmap.
I think we all can create mindmaps from the moment we learn more about it. Just follow the few simple steps on how to create a mindmap and you created a mindmap.
But that’s not the whole deal.
When you create a mindmap, you should not just follow the mindmap rules. You should know:
- where to add information
- when to use color
- if you need an image or a word
- what format you use
- how to connect words
- etc.
Mastering that takes a little bit more than just following a few simple rules.
When you learn how to create mindmaps the right way, you will be able to create effective mindmaps. And doing that prevents you from making information management mistakes and stimulates you in mind mapping (and to continue using it).
2. Mind Mapping is used as a solution for every type of (information management) problem
Did you make a mindmap of that project? Did you mindmap that meeting? Where is your mindmap on that conversation?
Really, there are people who create a mindmap for every little thing they do!
When my wife attended a mindmap workshop in college, she created a mindmap for her groceries. PLEASE!!! If that is the best thing you can think of to mindmap…
When I write my groceries on a piece of paper, I write a normal list. I just need to get some things from the shop. I do not need to brainstorm on my food…
Something which ties in with mistake number one is the following.
Suppose you know how to create an effective mindmap. Sometimes, even the best mindmap won’t give you the complete story. You need to look at other and more effective ways of visualizing information.
Knowing when to mindmap, and most definitely when NOT TO MINDMAP, is important for you.
The means that mind mapping may even be decremental to your end goal if used the wrong way.
3. Mind Mapping is not learned the right way
Before I told you about mind mapping and that there is a big difference between creating a mindmap and creating an effective mindmap.
Most of the time, this is because of the way you learned how to mindmap and how you use it.
I completely understand that you are not in the business of becoming a mindmap master. You shouldn’t be in that business. You have far more important things to do.
Still, some basic knowledge on how to set-up a mindmap is needed if you want to use it in a beneficial manner.
What I do for instance during my online training is this: People go through all the lessons on how to mindmap. We have a look at different situations and applications.
Most mindmap trainers (hopefully) do that. Then we engage in something I have not yet seen online or while taking training courses myself.
You, as my student, send me your mindmap(s) and we start to re-arrange the information. We create effective and more powerful mindmaps together. Understand: I don’t optimize your mindmap for you. This is a process in which I advice and you do and experience.
People who tool this training found that one of the most valuable parts of the training. This is in fact where you really learn to create overview and product result-oriented maps.
Make sure you learn how to mindmap the right way. For more information on the training, Please visit: Unleash Your Mindmaps
4. Mind Mapping is used the wrong way
This mistake has a lot to do with the next mistake. Since it is very important to understand this, I made sure you read about this as well.
There are people who create mindmaps the way they learned how to create mindmaps. This means they use many, many colors. They use multiple images and few words.
I personally believe mindmaps are powerful tools to offer insight in many situations on a particular topic. Still… the goal must be clear. You need to gain insight in the topic, not to create a nice picture of that topic.
Of course, this ‘mistake’ may be seen by hard-core mindmap creators as something they don’t agree with. I am perfectly fine with that. Sure, if you want to create a picture which is a pleasure to watch, you can create a mindmap.
(Un)fortunately, most of us don’t use mindmaps to be artists or to express our most inner thoughts and views in a colorful way. We create mindmaps to understand, remember or manage information. If the image is good, that is something we like. If not, we take that for granted.
The second point in this (for me) has to do with time. I know only few people who have the time to create mindmaps filled with lots of images and colors. I simply don’t have the time to create those maps.
Sure, when I have to give a presentation or do a training, I create maps with more color and a few images. Even in those cases, my mindmaps are no artistic works of art.
The question is: Are you mind mapping in an artistic manner and do you have the time, or are you creating maps to have more overview?
5. Mind Mapping is used as a stand alone solution
Now isn’t this what we are all looking for. A tool which helps us to go from A to B.
Many people I introduce to mind mapping learn this in combination with speed reading and memory techniques. Even then, we do practical things with the mindmap. We take notes, organize information and present our information.
I am always surprised when I see that people (who know how to USE mindmaps) create mindmaps and then no longer use them.
These last weeks, I’ve trained again a large number of people in how to use mindmaps. Do you know what they most like? When I tell them that by mind mapping (and visual mapping in general) they can have access to their 24×7 Personal Assistant!
That is exactly what a mindmap is to me. It is my personal assistant. The visual map is part of my daily routines. I use it and I feed it information.
Just like a normal personal assistant the mindmap is not something I work on. It is something which supports me.
Later on this week, I tell you more about this when I open up my new online training course. This course is focusing on USING maps to move forward in life. We will know exactly how to use visual maps in order to achieve our goals and to be more focused.
I really look forward to this first training on the Mindmaps Unleashed website.
Arjen
(my mindmaps work for me)
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