Have you ever spoken with a person who likes to mindmap? They tell you probably one of the three lies I am about to debunk.
Mind mapping is something you can use as well.
You just have to understand what you realistically can expect from it.
That is what this article is all about.
Mindmaps Are Useful For Everything The deeper I got into the world of mind mapping and visual thinking, the deeper the rabbit hole seemed to be.
There was just no end to the things I could do with mindmaps.
The applications seemed endless.
Now I know this is true.
But that doesn't mean that mindmaps are useful for everything! Here's why.
As you know (or may not know), mindmaps are simply another way of looking at the same information.
By doing this, by changing your perspective and view, you can create other angles, ideas and perspectives.
The mindmap simply enables you to see information in a different context.
Does this mean you need to create mindmaps in every situation? I don't think so! I've seen people create a mindmap with the name of a person and his telephone number...
on a small piece of paper! This is so incredibly unpractical! Just write down the name, use something like a dash or minus sign and write the phone number next to it.
Don't overdo things! Mindmaps should make your life easier, not complicate it.
The same happens when people create a to-do list.
They put all kinds of tasks in a mindmap, directly under the main topic or title of the map.
The result, a centre called To-Do and a bunch of first level tasks...
Unpractical.
A mindmap becomes a practical tool when you have at least a 2nd level in your map.
If you don't have 2nd level nodes, please use lists with bullets.
Mindmaps can be useful in lots of situations, but they are not practical in every situation Mindmaps Are Useful For Everyone Mindmaps CAN be useful for many people.
That is, when people know how to use mindmaps and when not to use them.
I've met with many people who don't need the mindmap system because they are already visualizing their information using their own practical system.
They already let their left and right brains work together.
Hey, if it works for them and they don't really need mindmaps...
don't push them into mind mapping.
Mindmaps are just one of the many techniques for creating an overview of your situation.
So many people...
so many flavors.
Also, when you have to deal with information but you don't really need to memorize it or be creative with it, mindmaps may not be the ideal tool.
Next time you think about using a mindmap, think about this article.
It will help you to use mindmaps when you need to use them!