We all think in pictures. Some people will really benefit from drawing the picture they need/have/want on paper or in a mindmap. Others just don’t need that. The moment people really need to think in a different format, it is good to know they can visit people like you and me.

By the way, everybody who read this… visit Roy’s website. He created a wonderful resource at: http://www.informationtamers.com/WikIT

As I’ve used and loved mind maps and other information map types for well over 30 years, I’ve always wanted to get inside the head of people who don’t like the technique. Some just don’t think the way mind mappers do – I suspect that people with a whip-sharp memory just don’t need visual reminders and stimulus. Undoubtedly some have hardly tried it (or never?) and feel the ‘picture’ approach is off the wall without ever having experienced the flow of ideas and clarity that it can bring.

As for going mainstream, I think those of us who blog and tweet about information mapping just have to keep plugging away. I’m sure the Buzan Organization’s figures are correct in the sense that they cover the people who have passed through one of their school or public training programs. I seriously doubt whether that really represents the number of regular, active mind mappers.

I often see tweets and blog comments about mind mapping being something done at school, and not appropriate for work (how wrong they are).

And I regularly ask people if they know about it. Very few say ‘yes’.

I do agree, visual thinking is the key skill to learn and apply, and mind mapping is just one element of visual thinking, albeit a good starting point.

Roy
Editor, Informationtamers mind mapping wiki