Information Management with Mind Maps
Are you struggling with information overload? Do you have piles of articles, brochures, magazines, and other information overflowing from your inbox, hoping to get to it some day? Do you get emails and think to yourself, "I really need to read this," but then you can't find the time?
I've answered yes to these questions more than I care to admit, but I can tell you from experience that mind mapping can help you manage your information more effectively than you can imagine. Not only manage your information, but understand it and have it at your fingertips.
Whether you prefer mind mapping software, or hand drawn mind maps, both can be very effective for managing data and making it more accessible. I have two sources of mind maps that I use - handwritten (primarily for personal goals, book outlines, and hobbies), and software generated (mainly for business).
I keep my handwritten mindmaps in sketch pads that I can flip through with ease. If I want to refresh my memory about a book I read last month or last year, for example, I flip to the outline and within a minute or two, I can remember what I read in great detail.
The mind maps I create for my work are stored on my workstation and printed and stored in three-ring binders. One of the many benefits of software-generated mind maps is that maps can link to other maps - this makes it REALLY easy to manage and find information. I also can share electronic mind maps with clients and friends by exporting them into PDF format.
Using Mind Mapping to Manage Information
As a consultant in a rapidly-changing business (Internet development), I am bombarded with new, relevant information every day. If I determine something is valuable, I include it (or links to the source document) in mind maps setup by topic. Then, when I'm ready to really dig deeply in a particular topic, all the information I've been exposed to for months is readily accessible.
I also use mind maps to manage other informational maps ("meta mapping", if such a term exists). For example, I have a "strategic marketing" map that lists seven topics and relevant information about each one. Those seven topics link to other mindmaps that I use to manage information about each (and three of the seven manage information in other maps). In seconds I can open the first "meta map" and find exactly what I need in exceptional detail. I can't imagine managing information without mind maps!
One piece of advice - think of mindmapping as a system for managing information, not just a sporadic method. Create a mind map with a central topic named "important information" (I suggest using mind mapping software for this task), then start brainstorming the types/categories of information you need to know in your job. (Hint: look in your inbox for ideas!) When you're comfortable with the list you've developed (don't worry, you can always add to it later), create new mind maps for each of the topics you created. Repeat the same exercise by creating subtopics for each topic. When you're at the appropriate level of detail, include facts, data, sources - anything important to you - in your mind maps. Whenever possible, use our mind mapping software to link to the actual documents (including documents on the Internet!)
As his system for managing information expands, you'll soon realize you can find just about any information you need in seconds simply by browsing the various levels of your mind maps. Your brain (and your boss or customers) will thank you.
Information Management Resources
This list isn't complete - I'm only comfortable recommending resources I've personally used or read and found valuable.
- Mind Maps at Work, Tony Buzan. About 90% of my mind maps are business related (presentations, project management, time/self management, etc.). Buzan's Mind Maps at Work is a good resource for understanding how mind mapping helps specifically for business.
- Mind Mapping Software.
- The Mind Map Book, Tony Buzan. Outstanding introduction to mind mapping.
- Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software ebook by Chuck Frey. If you want to learn about mind mapping right now, this is the place to start. Available for immediate download, Power Tips & Strategies is loaded with basic and advanced strategies for getting the most out of your mind mapping software. In my opinion, you simply can't go wrong with Chuck's ebook.