Mind mapping is a buzzword used by innovative professionals all of the time these days. But what’s all the hype about? Does mind mapping really unlock endless troves of creative potential? Should you start using this tool to innovate right away?
What is it?
Mind mapping is the process of visually representing your thoughts on a diagram. The diagram centers around a central subject, say, buying a new car, and then branches off into subcategories related to that central subject, say, models of the car you’re interested in, car insurance prices, and loan options. More subcategories can extend from each of these, as well.
Why use it?
There are many uses for mind mapping. Some people find it helpful to display their thoughts visually. Others like how the map shows the relationships among different ideas. Still others find that mind maps uncover new ideas. People of all professions use mind maps to help them innovate, solve problems, and manipulate concepts.
Is it for you?
Ultimately, whether mind mapping is for you depends on whether it helps or hinders your creative process. Drawing a simple mind map on a piece of scratch paper only takes a minute or two, so give it a try and see if it helps you think clearer and more creatively! If it does, consider incorporating mind maps into your thought process. If it seems cumbersome, then don’t.
A few additional reasons you might give mind maps a try:
- Mind maps combine words, images, numbers, and colors, making the brainstorming experience more enjoyable and memorable.
- Mind maps can give you an overview of a large amount of information without overwhelming you.
- Mind maps can group connected concepts together, helping you discover deeper relationships between similar and seemingly dissimilar concepts.
- Mind maps mimic the way our brains think.
- Mind maps can be used to brainstorm ideas as a group.
Mind mapping tools to try.
While a basic mind map can be drawn with a pencil and some scratch paper, there are a number of more sophisticated mind mapping tools available online. Many of them, like Google Chrome’s MindMap, are free. Others with more sophisticated options, like Stormboard, require a monthly fee or a cost to download.
Looking for creative ways to solve your toughest problems?
At Safeguard, we offer creative business solutions that fit your needs. Give us a call today! We’d love to tackle any problem you throw our way.