When the right brain knows what the left brain’s doing
Today we’re lucky to have a post from Joanna Maxwell, owner of WorkInColour. Joanna specialises in helping people tap into their creative side and also coaches those looking for a change in career. In today’s tough times, standing out from the pack is more important than ever – so let’s get those creative juices flowing!
I’ve been a fan of Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping technique for at least 15 years. I use it most days for one thing or another. I plan workshops, map out articles to write, prepare my class notes – and daydream possibilities for fixing up the back yard.
Mind mapping has become so much part of how I think that I had really begun to take it for granted. Whereas I used to teach it to every group and most of the individual clients I came across, over the last year or two I had started to think it was as obvious and unnecessary as trying to teach someone how to make a shopping list….
So, for a while I got slack about it. (I even started to wonder if this Tony Buzan fellow was really worth all the fuss – after all, anyone could have invented shopping lists.)
But then a few weeks ago I went to the Happiness Conference in Sydney and heard Tony Buzan give a keynote. I also went to his post-conference workshop and was awestruck all over again with his presentation and examples of the uses for this simple technique. It only seems obvious because it mimics the way we think, the way the brain actually works. That’s the power of it, and its elegance.
Mind mapping allows you to tap into your left and right brains at the same time – to use images and association, logic and intuition, big picture and fine detail all at once. It’s a bit like making a street map to your destination.
(And it’s fun.)
So, starting with my corporate workshop in Melbourne on Wednesday, mind mapping is back on my agenda.
Here are some tips:
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Put an image in the centre for the main idea – add a word or phrase.
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Use a colour to draw a branch out from the centre…add a word that relates to an aspect of your project.
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One word or concept per branch, each branch connecting to the central image.
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Add sub branches around the main ones.
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Let your imagination go – you can always edit later.
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Use pictures to prompt your memory.
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Lots of colour is great.
Check out Buzan’s website for ideas, a gallery of maps and more inspiration: http://www.buzanworld.com/Mind_Maps.htm
Joanna Maxwell, Owner, WorkInColour
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Good on you, Joanna! It’s an honour to have a writer of your calibre here and I’ll definitely give mind mapping a proper go (having been a bit ’suss’ on it for many years).
I hope we get to hear more from you and I wonder if you have anything to say about Mr De Bono and his dress-up box of hats. Best regards, P.
Very interesting post, thanks Joanna. I had a mind map once, but I lost it.
DIG 40 FEET N.E.
Hi Joanna,
I liked that post. Have you completed any consulting work for the small business community in regard to decision analysis and what to do in Tackling Tough Times. MYOB and Deloitte ran a seminar on using their software to run their business better, but it gave little thought to the creative side of increasing revenue
Hi Jack
I run a lot of corporate workshops and team sessions on using creative thinking to tackle tough times – I absolutely believe that those who are prepared to adapt and change with the times, will not just survive but emerge from the other end better than ever. I believe creative thinking will increasingly be THE differentiator between successful and not-so-successful businesses.
Hi Adam
If you do a mind map, I’m sure you’ll remember where you left it
I once left mine on a little beach in Turkey, but we were eventually reunited…
Hi Paul
Thanks for your kind words…I am really delighted to be here! As for Mr de Bono and his box of hats, I do think the 6 thinking hats is a great tool, if used well (like all tools really…). I’ve used it in groups and on my own and had excellent results.
Kal-toh! :- )
Nice one Joanna. A great article…though I reckon in my a case, a ‘Mud Map’ might be necessary :- P
Kapla! :- )
Stephen G
Hi Stephen
necessary maybe…messy definitely!
Messy indeed :- )…many a noble thought has entered the heretofore uncharted territory of my head seeking realisation…never to be heard from again. :- )
Am I living proof that their is a ‘God’?…’cause it’s a miracle that I’ve survived this long! :- P
I reckon Google would have it’s work cut out with me…click the ‘Google Mind Maps’ link and follow the ‘Prompts’…Are you travelling by:
1) Prescription Drugs;
2) Illicit Drugs;
3) Express.
Yep! I reckon I’d have to be a prime candidate for the tools you have presented…thanks again Joanna :- )
Cheers
Stephen G
PS I like your website and the symbology (as I see it), embedded in ‘WorkinColour’. You even spelled ‘colour’ in ‘Osstraalyn’…nice…I especially like the Gold Fish. :- )
Hi Stephen
Thank for the kind words about my website – and of course colour is spelled with a ‘u’
I too have large uncharted regions in my head – I often think of it as a big mass of spaghetti (which is why mind maps are great for teasing out some of the strands…)
Joanna