Mind Map - What works for me

Ever wondered why it is so difficult to make connections when you are working on large complex solutions with interconnected elements? Because many of us build silos inadvertently between logically independent thoughts or elements as we work through them over a period. These silos blind us to the interconnections that may either improve the solution or shorten the time to get there. A wise soul once introduced me to mind-map, a tool that helps me break the silos of thought. For those that have not heard about Mind-Map - here is some information available on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map.

Recently, I've been working on putting together a set of standards and processes for creating learning content. That is a fairly complex task and I gravitated naturally to using a mind-map to capture my thoughts. This is my first installment post about it. 

Here is a list of things I did/do while working on mind maps. And they work for me every time I use mind maps.

1. I use a paper to draft my mind-map. I erase, rethink, redo parts until they make sense to me.

2. I use the mind map as I build on it. I let the mind map help me get a larger picture, and break the silos between parts of the whole idea.

3. Coloring the nodules helps me identify and mark related ones across branches. Moreover, I love coloring! It is meditative to me.

4. Recreating the mind map using a digital tool, such as MindMeister, helps me collaborate with colleagues and also validate it as I cast it on a digital platform from my paper version. Nope, I do not consider this as a rework and I never discount my first draft on paper. Beginning my mind map on a paper has always made me feel more passionate and real about it.

5. I try to quieten my mind before I resume my work. I build on my mind maps over a few days instead of pressing myself to complete it in 2 hours. However, I set a deadline to bring the map to a logical shape.