I have used Mind Mapping techniques for the best part of 30 years. Without doubt it has helped me enormously throughout my career. I have also seen many colleagues blossom as they take the technique on board and yet seen first-hand, those who find it’s not for them.
With Mind Maps, it’s seems, you either “get it” or you don’t and there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground. A classic case of Binary 1 or 0.
So, what does Mind Mapping do for me?
I am certainly not qualified to determine that it appeals only to a certain thinking or learning style but as someone who sees most things in life as a visual, I can offer an insight as to what it does for me. Others may see it different and that is their entitlement.
4 Key Pillars of Mind Mapping
For me it helps me tackle any issue I face by allowing me to do 4 things really effectively.
- Gather information quickly and effortlessly.
- Understand what I know, learn and take from others.
- Engage and get better input from colleagues.
- Agree and plan what needs done to achieve what we need to.
2 Key Outcomes / Benefits
By doing those 4 things well, I found 2 key outcomes that became hugely beneficial. We became more Productive, able to accomplish more and learn faster. We were able to anticipate potential objections and problems early. More often than not, we ended up delivering what we had to, on time.
More importantly what I saw through time was how the mappers stood out and how they Achieved more. They came across as focused, knowledgeable, insightful and decisive. They were simply better organised, better at distilling and articulating complex ideas with great effect. Ultimately, they became better and more valued business professionals.
Conclusion
Mind Mapping might not be for everyone, but for me, it has been the single most significant enabler in my success in business and in life. As valuable as the 2 key benefits described are and as simple as the 4 key pillars are, I honestly think that the biggest benefit Mind Mapping has as a technique, is in its Flexibility. It can be applied to anything that needs to be thought through and guess what, there are no limitations to what you can think of.