Mind Mapping And How It Can Help You

Mind mapping is a fascinating way to get your thoughts out on paper. We feel stressed because our thoughts, responsibilities, tasks, opinions, beliefs, ideas, needs, wants, they don't all fit into neat little categories. When someone asks what's wrong, we rarely have an answer. If someone offers help, we rarely know what we need. BOOM Mind mapping. Mind mapping allows you to calmy release all the clutter from your head and onto paper. All your responsibilities are made clear so you can effectively prioritize. It then allows you to see, which tasks belong to which responsibility. You can use this information to streamline your efforts and accomplish your goals more quickly.

It puts your whole life (or mind's eye of your life) onto one page.

A big problem when it comes to productivity is we often come across a task that fits into two categories, "Danger Will Robinson!", These are the tasks that derail us during our day and spin us off into a different direction. Before you know it you have two unmet goals, and you don't understand why. OR another response when coming to these multi-purpose tasks, is to set it aside, (that's not a priority), at which point you cross it off a list, and this task doesn't get re-issued and completed later.

My mind map starts with me. (Draw a circle that says "me") Then I draw little lines to other little bubbles that I title with my responsibilities (more specifically one line leading to one bubble, entitled with the thing that is particularly stressing me out) then from that bubble I write all the thoughts, ideas, and tasks that encompass that topic. Then when another thought jumps into your head that doesn't fit, you can go back to your "Me circle" and draw a line to another task/goal/idea. No more thoughts flowing there? Call that category done and keep going. This method allows your mind to flow from one stressor to the next without getting overwhelmed. You keep drawing all these little bubbles until you feel calm and clear. Then you can step back and look at your page. Maybe your work bubble only has two links, but one of your relationship bubbles has ten. Maybe your good at work and need to prioritize the relationship. Don't have time? Look for tasks that belong in the relationship bubble, but also occur in other bubbles. BOOM! You just found the task that is most beneficial to your current situation. Completing that task today will be the most efficient and effective use of your time.

Life is busy and complicated and awesome. This resource may help you a lot or only a little. But its worth a try. Take advantage of every opportunity to improve your life, and your life will be great.

Jennifer Myers