I’m a visual learner. So the idea of mapping something with my mind seemed amazing the first time I tried mind mapping. It’s visualizing your thoughts, after all! We have to have a way to get our amazing thoughts and visions on paper and make it a reality. Are you ready to tackle Mind Mapping? Let’s begin!
WHAT IS MIND MAPPING?
Mind mapping is a process to strategically map out what you want to accomplish in a very creative way for us creatives, creative people, and creative entrepreneurs. It displays how things are related to each other starting with a main focus. In my opinion, it’s a better-looking alternative to creating an outline. You can go old school and write it out on paper using bubbles and lines or do it online. If I write it out on paper, then I’m more likely to doodle and get slightly off-track. So, if you’re a part-time doodler like me, you may want to use the online alternative. Ha.
I’ve used MindMeister, an online version to create a mind map. Below is a simple mind map I created for a workshop I was presenting. On the website, you can get as creative as you want when designing the mind map. The website is www.mindmeister.com (no it’s not an affiliate link).
HOW TO CREATE A MIND MAP FOR SUCCESS
So, you’re probably like, “Okay, Tia. That’s nice that we can go to a website to create a mind map but how exactly do I create it and how exactly does it work?” Allow me to explain.
To create a mind map:
- You draw a big oval in the middle of a paper. If you’re creating it online, the oval will be there by default.
- Write inside the oval what you want to focus on for this mind map. Let’s use the topic of getting fit.
- Now draw four lines from the oval leading to a smaller oval that you draw with topics related to getting fit. They could be meal plan, exercise plan, items to get, mindset training.
- From those four topics, you can draw lines leading to the factors involved with that subject. For example, under exercise plan would be gym workout, walking route, biking route, etc. See below picture
WHY MIND MAPPING WORKS
This process works because the purpose is to see all the factors involved with your goal. This way you can give yourself enough time to accomplish the task. If you can at least map out all the factors involved in the process, you’re less likely to be blindsided while on the road of accomplishments. Also, you’re designing your strategy exactly the way your mind is envisioning it with the factors involved as opposed to writing it down step-by-step, it’s literally a visual representation of your thought process.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Mind mapping is great if you’re a visual learner who also loves to doodle. I was that kid in class who doodled often until our notebooks got checked for neatness, but that’s another story, and that’s what helped me to learn. Sometimes, I used symbols for notes. Mind mapping uses shapes and lines to plan!
You can use mind mapping for just about anything. You can use mind mapping to get your thoughts out of your and on paper from baby shower ideas to conference planning.
You will have fun in the process. You will begin to go down a rabbit hole of how many ovals you can add to the plan. Remember to stay on track with the relevant factors involved in the overall goal.
Ahh, it’s been years since I’ve created a mindmap, but I am such a visual learner, I don’t know how I haven’t come back to this for planning. Thanks so much for the reminder!
No problem! Enjoy, Sarah!
Great idea to stay productive! I am a very visual learner and stay on task better with visual reminders … this is GREAT!
🙂 and we can add colors! #gameover
Great post! My fiancée is also a visual learner so whenever we are discussing any plans, this is his go to for mapping it out. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to help and congrats on the engagement!
This is a great idea. My annual review is coming up at work and I feel like this would be helpful for planning goals for the coming year.
This was very insightful! I might have to use this in the future.
What an interesting topic and so helpful!
What a neat article! Thanks for the insights!
Thanks for stopping by!
This is really cool. I have never heard of this. Thank you for explaining it so clearly!
I find days when I mind map are legitimately more successful than when I don’t. I didn’t know there was app for that, so I’ll be checking that out. Thank you!
I love this idea! Im really struggling with content for MARCH — I know, a little late! So will definitely try this out! Re-focus my thoughts on the type of content I want out there!
I’ve never heard of this! Such an interesting read!
Great post. Mind mapping is definitely a great way to keep your brain sane.
Thanks! I really do think it’s a better alternative to the outline form for creatives.
Mindmeister is quite nice, we used it in a project I was working on last year. Using it for my personal goals is a really neat idea, thank you for that inspiration!
It really is just the best!
Very cool post.. Thanks for the insights
No problem! 🙂
Loved this!! 😍