Mind Mapping

EROP Mind Map

I am sure much of the world  already knows about the wonders of mind mapping.

I didn't.

I can't tell you how excited I am to learn about this amazing tool.

Did I mention I was excited?

If you are unfamiliar with mind mapping, like I was, it is, in a nutshell, a method of laying out data in a non-linear way so you can see large amounts of data at a glance. It is essentially a picture of data organized much like your brain organizes it, through connections.

Mind mapping can be used in many ways to help you mange data.

You can use it to take notes, organize a project, communicate a plan, organize a  brainstorming session, organize a presentation or speech, memorize information, etc, etc.

As Tony Buzan, who is responsible for popularizing the term, 'mind mapping', said, it is a "tool of geniuses." It is a method that has shown up in the journals and work of great minds of the past such as Leonardo DaVinci and others. A mind map is a way to put things down on paper in a way that is much closer to how your brain actually thinks, with makes it easier to get it down as well as easier to sort through the data. It is esp great for visual learners, although I think it can work very well for the other learning styles as well.

You can use a pen and paper, a white board, or software designed for the purpose. They can be elaborate or simple.

Since stumbling onto the concept of mind maps and learning a bit on how to use them last week, it has been amazing how this simple tool has impacted my life.

So far, I have used mind maps to:
Create accurate pictures of the long range and short range to-do lists that float around in my head. The stuff that would normally require flipping here and there in my planner to write down, is all on one page in my notebook. I can easily add to it at any moment. I look at and think, "Wow. THAT'S why I have felt like I had a lot to do and it was so complicated...." Now I can see it, and am hopeful to actually make progress, because I can a plan, not just a list.

Create and then communicate plans of action on how life needs to happen and function in a season that is frankly, hard to function in right now. I may be the only mom who has this issue, but I very often find myself feeling like I am the only one that sees the plan. In many ways, I am. I have said many times, "I wish I could show them the picture in my head so they could understand!"  I have tried to follow the great advice of other moms and get the info out where they can see it in form of charts, schedules, etc. This had had some measure of success, but has been a bit of a struggle to get people excited about. And it never really communicated the real picture in my head. This past week, I did it. I drew a picture of how things need to happen right now in our home and why. They got it. It was great for all of us. (The picture at the top of this post is from our first home managing mind map.)

Take notes on short research projects and webinars.Haven't used the mapping for this a whole lot yet, but am excited about the potential I see for it. I have always been a terrible note taker. I predict mind mapping will be a simple and yet massive tool to help me take better notes in any setting and hopefully retain the info better.

Map a passage of Scripture. This was fun, and really made me think through the passage. When you are reading and mapping the connections that are laid out in the text, there is a richness that emerges. I am looking forward to learning more about using mind maps for Bible study.

Here are a few things I found to be helpful in learning about mind maps.

Google- Google "mind maps" "mind mapping" "how to mind map" "mind mapping uses" Blogs, websites and videos galore will pop up.
YouTube- YouTube was a great resource for me in learning about this. Esp as a visual learner, seeing it done was, well, worth a thousand words. Put the same searches into a YouTube search box. The results that mention Tony Buzan are esp helpful.
Mindmapart.com- This site has a gallery of mind maps that show some of the more elaborate  types of mind maps you can create.

Do you mind map? I would love to hear how you use mind mapping or other visual aids to help you organize your brain! Leave me a comment!


Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

New Moms and Grandparents! Take Note...

I follow the Bragging Mommy, a great blog about great products. Today reading their feed, I just went, "Uh, yeah...!" when I read just a bit about this one.

The Itzbeen Baby Care Timer is something that would make a great new mom gift or would be great for a mom with a few kiddos and a new baby. As a mom, I can see that this little device would be awesome! One less thing on the brain for a new mom is always a plus. =) Designed by parents, everything is covered.

Right now you can hop over to the Bragging Mommy and enter to win an Itzbeen! They are actually giving away 2 of them Click Here to enter!

Time Leeches...

Image by Lars K. Jensen via Flickr

After reading this post over at Erin's Blog, I was elated to find that someone has made a free Firefox pluggin to help me mind myself.

I have often wished that there was a way to keep track of time while on the computer, a way to set some limits on where and how I spend my time online. An online timer, so to speak.

Thankfully, there is a help for fellow time-wasters who want to make a simple change. LeechBlock is a simple add-on for Firefox that is awesome for kids or adults to help manage time. I love this add-on. You simply tell Leech where you want to limit your time during the day. It can be as simple as limiting Facebook to 5 hrs a day instead of 10, or only allowing yourself, (or kids) to visit certain sites at certain times of the day.

So, a great tool to keep you accountable to yourself, or your kids accountable, install LeechBlock.

What will you DO with all that time you find?