Mind mapping is an incredibly helpful way to brainstorm, solve problems and actively “doodle” to see possibilities. Raj Dash has a good post over at The Freelance Switch, suggesting that mind mapping gets us into a new mindset, helping us to heed Einstein’s advice: “You cannot solve problems by thinking within the same framework or mindset that discovered the problems.”
Some people like using mind mapping software. I find that sitting on the floor with giant sheets of paper and drawing with different colored marketers opens me up to many more ideas. I guess sitting at the Mac to brainstorm is till too much of my usual framework.
PS — this is a useful technique when running brainstorm sessions. I often ask teams to “name” their maps at the end, which helps people articulate what they’ve created/learned/solved.
Lois!
I love mind mapping. It’s one of the best things I learned while studying at Goddard. I have to be honest and say I even did it on the floor with my husband when we were deciding he would leave his IT career and become an elementary school teacher. I just recently used it to mind-map out the “mid-life opportunity” I’m going through right now. (opportunity instead of crisis!) Love the stuff.
Nettie