Top Five Mind Mapping Tips to help improve Productivity and spend Less Time in the Office.

Mind Mapping is a process of getting ideas from your head down on paper clearly quickly and uniquely. Drawing a circle around an idea and then linking it to a bunch of other circles is the essence of mind mapping.
It can be used for organising dinner parties to blueprinting a multi-billion dollar company.
Mind Mapping adds a visual dimension to words and ideas, helping most people with the dreaded information overload.

Mind mapping can immediately enhance most people productivity and the more you use it the more productive your mind mapping will be.

There is a plethora of mind mapping software on the market today if one is uncomfortable with pen and paper and these software have several features that, when used correctly, can speed the process immensely.

1. Begin on Paper

I know I said there was several software to choose from, but nothing beats the first minute or two of doing a mind map with the good old fashioned pen and paper. Of course this is a matter of choice but I feel that using pen and paper to begin with allows me to work quickly on the core ideas and allows me to be messy. After that I will transcribe these to the computer in order to help with the more detailed parts and alleviate clutter.

2.  Use Different colours

A lot of Mind mapping software has the option to use different colours. This helps to make colourful boards but more importantly alters you thought process and allows you to think more clearly.

3. Use Templates

There is nothing worse than having a blank screen to work with and nothing easier then a good ole fashioned “Fill in the blanks”. Create different templates for different projects, blog posts, important phone calls, emails, shopping, newspaper articles, essay, speeches, anything.

4. Use keyboard Shortcuts

Mind maps are meant to be quick and organic, and nothing halts the flow of a mind map if you are constantly cycling through menus looking for the exact feature you want. Though there might be a slight learning curve but once you mastered it you will find it invaluable and your hands will never leave the keyboard.

5.  Be Visual

Most mind mapping software have the option to add images and graphics to your mind maps. These can help to emphasize importance and display progress. And like using different colours to stand for different things, using images alters your thought process and allows you to think more clearly.

Please check here for my top five FREE mind mapping software to get your productivity moving. J