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Building an Empire Using Mind Mapping

When going through a plan or idea I have always needed to prepare a corresponding visual organizational chart.  In doing so it provides me with the ability to categorize priorities and flush out action steps.  I had no idea this type of behavior had a name, Mind Mapping.

Until recently I would do plan out my ideas using power point like when I created my family’s cash flow.  but I have discovered Mind Mapping!

What is Mind Mapping?

According to Wikipedia,

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studying and organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing.

The elements of a given mind map are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts, and are classified into groupings, branches, or areas, with the goal of representing semantic or other connections between portions of information. Mind maps may also aid recall of existing memories.

Basically it is the old school flow chart turned up a notch! Below is a great 3 min video introducing Mind Mapping:

Free Mind Mapping Software

I am all about open source software, but couldn’t find one that I felt comfortable with right of the box.  So after installing and uninstalling a few programs I found a great, free program called XMind.  Since Mind Mapping build off a central idea, I decided to name mine…EMPIRE.

For purposes of this post I wanted to focus on a new site I am building called Pregnancy Pool.

EMPIRE

As you can see, Pregnancy Pool is a branch off the mighty (well not really mighty just yet) empire.  I then break it up to various priorities:

  • Create the Site
  • Have the Art Work Created
  • Start Worrying about Traffic
  • MONEY

Below each subtopic are either actions or keywords to get me thinking or acting when I look at it.

Have you ever used Mind Mapping for a project? Do you use a different program?

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8 COMMENTS

  1. I absolutely love mindmapping. I have been doing it for 15 years or so. Anyone reading this would be wise to pick up Tony Buzan’s mindmapping book

    It is older but I think it is the best.

    I use Mindjet Mindmanager. It is not free but integrates very well with MS Office.

    In fact, I used it to write my book The Hero with a Million Dollars. You can export to Word very cleanly.

    I have used Xmind and it is very good. You do have to pay to get some of the cool features though.
    Freemind is also very good. Clean and simple.

    My favorite way to mindmap and possibly the most effective is the traditional way Buzan espouses. Colored pencils or markers and a big sheet of white paper. There is something about combing the art with the information that takes it to the next level. Once I am done, I key it into MM.

    Best of luck to you.

    -WR

  2. I haven’t used mind mapping software but I’ll have to check it out. My problem is I have so many ideas that its tough to stay on track and stick to a plan!

    • Then Mind Mapping is where it is at. Build a master Mind map and then build off that. You can always go back and edit the other arms.

      Wheen you build your empire remember the little guys like me

  3. I’ve used it once or twice I think. A map is great only if it forces you to stop down and think creatively about something. We get so busy and hell bent on just getting stuff done that we forget to think creatively and use that different side of our brain. A mind map assures you’ll take time to think that way. Good luck with the new site. Seems like a nice idea.

  4. Mind Mapping looks like something I could really use. Thanks for the insight. Now to draw my empire. 🙂

    BTW, the PP is cute – good idea for a site.

  5. Okay–I used to work in innovation for a marketing company, and it is the funnest job ever! I love to ideate, create, mind map, and everything else creative. Working in innovation even for the short time that I did was so beneficial to me in everything that I do now. I even have a large whiteboard in my office and let my mind wander–it’s amazing what you can come up with when you set aside time, energy, and space.

  6. I agree, Xmind is pretty slick. I used FreeMind for years until I stumbled across XMind. Using their keyboard shortcuts, you can bang out a mindmap pretty quick. Without having to stop and point and click, you can capture your thoughts and map them out pretty quickly.

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