Think of the solution you intend to accomplish and what answers or outcomes you seek, then choose a random avenue via one of the branches to explore, or work through each branch in turn.

Total solution focus encourages shortcut to answer consider the solution and spark ideas and thoughts via the mind map branches, by asking probing questions such as:

• How can the solution encompass a timeless element?
• How might the solution be more exciting?
• What could be dropped from past unsuccessful attempts at a solution?
• How could the solution open new doors to fresh positive opportunities?
• In what way could the solution be celebrated?

Visual projection allows you to envisage the solution and work backwards like the brief image you have in mind of a meal, prior to preparation and cooking.

This mind map is just an example; you might prefer to create your own mind maps, to act as a turntable or central theme for idea generation and solution finding.

You might like to use these keywords to help generate probing questions or simply glance at the words and use them as an idea jogging mechanism.

Also of interest, check out my E-Book for encouraging ideation called “Idea Creation” – this illustrated E-Book contains over 20 mind maps.

See also:

Power words Mind Map

I’ve pondered this question for months and this mind map explores an idea that came to mind by considering the adaption of existing structures. Rather than instantly mind map this idea, I chose to visualise in my mind the unfolding and developing of the idea, adding extra ideas and incubating my thinking. This is a fascinating way to create mindmaps and goes against the instinctive common sense of getting ideas down before you forget them! What I discovered is that by incubating, the mindmap essentially built itself and branched out only when ideas came, almost like my brain were constantly revisiting the issue and further evolving potential solutions. For days, weeks even, the only image was the central image as thought drafts, practice strokes and blanks circled without landing. Another way to visualise ideas is to imagine a scale model on the ground in front of you – perhaps your mindmap as a 3D model.

Naturally, the mindmap you see above is not necessarily the final answer, and could of course be further improved by others. My attempt at visualising a potential cure for homelessness centred around the existing structure of a hotel complex.

I imagined how a hotel with paying guests could be staffed by previously homeless persons. An add-on idea came later to extend the hotel and surround it with product specific charity retail outlets; turning donations into dedicated shops for each type of goods.

The hotel structure would facilitate a system of taking homeless people off the streets, attending to medical issues, clothing, accommodation, rehabilitation, training and eventual placement within the hotel as an employee. Need it stop at hotels? What other existing structures could sponsor rehabilitation programs?
Hypothetical, yes, a possibility, maybe, cure, possibly, or as near as likely.

Takeaway idea 1 ~ Entertain possible cures to problems using imagination and association

Takeaway idea 2 ~ Try incubating mindmaps instead of instantly drawing them

Takeaway idea 3 ~ A possible cure for homelessness

I bet most, if not all mindmapping software users also create hand-drawn mind maps. Both methods clearly have huge benefits and advantages and occasions when each proves a better option.

As a hand-drawn mindmapper, I am sharing here my thoughts on the advantages of using the hand-drawn mind map method.

Hand-drawn mindmapping will always exist in the same way books will always exist – technology won’t, in my opinion, replace traditional methods; it will work alongside it. E-Books are an option not a replacement. Mindmapping software is an option not a replacement. Come back in 100 years time and perhaps things may look very different, yet I doubt it! The hands-on and personal feeling and satisfaction of reading a physical book or creating art or writing by hand on paper provides a body and mind connection that isn’t always there when using computers and technology. It could be likened to the difference between playing tennis on a computer or physically.

The hands-on method of hand-drawn mindmapping has a multitude of advantages – not “advantages over software”, advantages of the hand-drawn method itself. Rather than drawing comparisons between hand-drawn mindmapping and mindmapping software, I am focusing here specifically on what makes hand-drawn mindmapping so versatile, in and of itself.

What are the advantages of hand-drawn mindmapping?

Hands-on

You don’t necessarily need a computer screen to create hand-drawn mind maps; grab pens, pencils and paper and away you go! Naturally, scanning, colouring and sharing can be done on the computer, yet that often comes after the initial creation of your hand-drawn mind map or you may use coloured pens and pencils and finish the mind map completely by hand.

The physical creation is immediate and progressive; instantly you can have direct flow from brain to paper and capture thoughts and ideas before you forget them. Hands-on encourages body involvement, feeling as well as thinking, using your senses and combining physical, mental, personal, intimate, tactile and therapeutic elements. Hands-on gives you freedom of personal expression, tapping your unique brainpower and capturing your individuality right on the paper before you. Because you create a mind map from brain, through arm, via pencil or pen to sheet the creation of your content becomes highly memorable particularly when you add your own styling and design; essentially “drawing” how and as you feel.

Unique

Your style evolves as you create more mind maps and the look and feel becomes your personal method of expression much like an artist develops their own identifiable trademarks. Each mind map can be created differently in look, colour, design and style to make it special. You can create quick pencil mind maps right through to artistic, colourful and imaginative mind maps. Any mistakes or errors, as with creating art, can become part of the creation, part of the expression. Developing your unique style encourages both creativity and idea generation to flourish.

Memorable

Creating hand-drawn mind maps is highly addictive. They bring out your knowledge and experiences and uncover your hidden brainpower as well as capturing new learning. Because the creation is physical, pen to paper, your content becomes highly memorable, helping you clarify your thinking and explore and develop your creativity. Keeping your mind maps in a physical folder means you can revisit and review and refresh your thoughts and knowledge. The text and images having been created by your own hand in your own style also assist recall.

Portable

Hand-drawn mind maps offer versatility; you can create whenever and wherever you wish, instantly. Ideas come any time and you can capture them fast. You can also create your mind maps in a relaxing environment of your choice; anywhere quiet and comfortable aids the creation process. It might be a relaxing room or a wide open field.

Pens, pencils and paper are highly flexible – you can create a mind map on a small scrap of paper or a huge sheet. Over and above paper you can explore wipeboards, flipcharts, canvas, even blank walls. Create mind map murals on rolls of paper or walls. Hand-drawn offers unlimited potential to diversify and explore artistically.

Stylish

Developing your own style, you can create original and personal mind maps whether you are creating for yourself or to share with others. Drawing style and ability can be as unique as your fingerprint. You have the flexibility to create your mind map exactly how you want to; hand-drawn means 100% radial, twists, turns, flair and flamboyancy – multi-angle both in terms of direction and dimension.

As you develop your style because you are injecting yourself into your mind maps it encourages both the physical and emotional – it can be moving and therapeutic and really tap your inner feelings and ideas. The flexibility encourages your uniqueness. The connection between mind, body and paper taps your personal expression.

H Hands-on
U Unique
M Memorable
P Portable
S Stylish

Creating mind maps by hand is fun; when I started creating the above mind map in pencil, I suddenly noticed an acronym had developed from the main branches which helped me build a central image and theme. Hands-on, unique, memorable, portable, stylish, created HUMPS – a total fluke and it got me thinking about drawing a camel as the central image. The camel also symbolises longevity and reliability; a bonus association. The “memorable” acronym element came to me through the creation and process of mindmapping.

Of course, another “hump” to creating mind maps by hand might be thinking that you cannot draw.

Further useful links and resources:

Drawing a Mind Map from Start to Finish:
http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/drawing-a-mind-map-from-start-to-finish/

How to convert Text to Mind Map:
http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/how-to-convert-text-to-mind-map-paul-foreman/

Books about Mind Mapping:
http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/mind-map-books/

Takeaway

Keyboard

Building

Bed

Path

Television

lights

Star

It’s a pretty wild topic that scientists and cosmologists love to debate about. Right now, the most popular theory is that the universe will just gradually fizzle out and everything will even out, so there won’t be any more energy to do cool stuff like make stars or keep planets moving. But, another idea is that the universe might just collapse in on itself, have a big explosion, and then start the whole cycle all over again. The thing is, no one really knows what’s going to happen in the end. More research and observations are needed before we can say for sure.

Blinded by the light? seen on Jims Marketing Blog and Richard Branson: Secrets to my success seen on the IQ Matrix Blog where the words Action over hope jumped off the page at me!

Here is a concept which is not necessarily new, yet perhaps worth a revisit and rethink.

Presented as a concept, an idea; something to ponder.

Business bartering trading trades.

Economic crisis? Give your services away!

Give over you cry I need money, business, progress; I cant give it away free. Why not?

Not everything is given free all the time just some in order to generate more trade.

How?

Team up with other businesses and trade trades on a small or large scale.

Barter, help each other; swap services and it may keep you both in business and attract more opportunities without costing too much.

I could list dozens of ideas and possibilities; so Ill suggest one hypothetical situation as an example.

Business A is a painter and decorator, trade has slowed despite their outstanding quality of work. Business B a small independent DIY store struggles to compete with larger outlets despite offering personal service and extensive knowlege. The DIY store sells painting equipment yet ironically the shop hasnt seen a lick of paint in years.

Solution?

Painter trades a make-over for a range of equipment from the shop and an ongoing discount the DIY shop gets painted and the painter gets all the tools he needs.

Customers see both in action DIY shop getting improvements which gives them confidence and longevity; and the painter happily advertising his abilities. The negotiation has to be fair naturally, yet a partnership like this could encourage more trade.

The cafe next door hears about the trade so they start making free sandwiches for the painter thats his lunch sorted for a week or two they need him to put up a notice board in exchange and will allow him top position for an advert on the board once done. Painter likes the sandwiches and the fact that he hasnt had to make his lunch for two weeks for the first time in years, so he offers to paint wall before adding the noticeboard.

Everything above offers a visual advert far better than sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring.

Naturally, jobs and swaps can be negotiated on a smaller scale.

Are you really giving your services away free?

Yes and no overall you are trading possibilities, sharing, caring, helping, nurturing, seeing potential, seeing opportunities by thinking linking and trading trades and why not?

As you can see from the above, the ideas here came from Mind Map thinking; making associations and links, investigating possibilities and considering alternatives.

Hundreds of potential definitions exist. Here are four examples:

1. Adding unnecessary complexity
2. Over-analysis and trapped in thought
3. Worry and mulling over problems instead of seeking solutions
4. Seeing personal and World problems as permanent or unsolvable

Using the 5W 1H prompts you can devise lots of questions to help guide you to possible solutions. Think SOS – Solution Orientated Success.

5W 1H from different angles focusing entirely on solutions – example starting points and probing questions:

• Am I worrying about something I have no control over?
• If you or someone else can change it – change it – if you can’t, why worry about it?
• What exactly is required to eradicate the problem?
• Who can I ask to help solve it?
• Where can I find a solution?
• Why is this a problem – can I change my thinking?
• When is a solution likely – can I chunk down and solve in parts?
• How can I help solve it?

If you seek out solutions in anything, try keeping it simple, reduce your thinking and shift your focus from problems to potential solutions.

Think SOS – Solution Orientated Success.

Associated themes:

Shortcut to Answer

Time to Think

5W 1H as a 90-10 Solution Finder

Future not here yet

Stay in this moment

Just this one moment

The past has gone

Clock time does not exist

Now.

Feel free to chop and change branches this is just a starting point to make it easy.

Right click the image and save it to your computer and then you can print it out!

Get creative and start building some mind maps.

Enjoy

Three Mind Maps you can see at a glance!

Create a cardboard triangle by overlapping three pieces of card and gluing it together; or use one long piece and fold it neatly.

Affix your three Mind Maps with paper glue.

With a bit of ingenuity and creative flair you may be able to better this idea.

Perhaps design a different shape or, if you can afford it, have printed ones made out of one piece of card containing three Mind Maps.

It could be ideal if you are learning or constantly referring to certain Mind Maps.

Personally I have not used this system this is only a concept. I file my Mind Maps in a ring-binder or folder with clear pockets. Whilst this is only a concept – it brings to mind these questions:
Once you have created a Mind Map, be it Hand-drawn or Computer-based, how do you physically use it to refer to?

What do you find is the best way to use your Mind Map?