Hint #7 & Idea Map #13 - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Today's postings are a double whammy! I am going to contrast two idea maps. They contain identical data, but one of them also includes images. These maps were created in MindManager by Vickie Flis. She wanted to prove to her sons that you could create a map of a book. She read John Maxwell's book, Dare to Dream Then Do It, and then created these maps. Above is the map WITH images. The other entry today is the same idea map WITHOUT images.

I have heard some business people claim that pictures aren't necessary. Maybe not in all cases, but I would really have to think hard to find a scenario where images didn't provide a benefit in some way. But then that's me. What do you think? Which one do you prefer?

Click here for the pdf version that is larger and easier to read the details.

Hint #7 & Idea Map #12 - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Today's postings are a double whammy! I am going to contrast two idea maps. They contain identical data, but one of them also includes images. These maps were created in MindManager by Vickie Flis. She wanted to prove to her sons that you could create a map of a book. She read John Maxwell's book, Dare to Dream Then Do It, and then created these maps. Above is the map WITHOUT images. The other entry today is the same idea map WITH images.

I have heard some business people claim that pictures aren't necessary. Maybe not in all cases, but I would really have to think hard to find a scenario where images didn't provide a benefit in some way. But then that's me. What do you think? Which one do you prefer?

Click here for the pdf version that is larger and easier to read the details.

Hint #6: A Plethora of Markers

I have an addiction to colored markers. At some point in time, I think I've used nearly every marker created. If you've found yourself buying markers, and then not being particularly happy -- this posting is for you. Listed below are some of the brands I enjoy. I'll explain some of their differences as we go through the list.

1. Staedtler - These are my favorite markers (I think)! They come in both fine and medium tips. Best of all is the sturdy case that stands at an angle for easy use while mapping.
2. Stabilo - Also a high quality marker.
3. Sharpies - Vibrant colors. The only caution here is that they bleed through regular copy paper.
4. Fiddle Sticks - This 10-pack is a medium point and brilliant colors. Best part about these is that each marker has its own scent.
5. Pentel - Also a medium point with a wide color selection. The vinyl case is OK. Mine finally fell apart after many years of use.
6. TOMBOW Dual Brush-Pen - These markers are pretty clever. One end is a medium point, the other end is a wide brush stroke. There is a wide selection of colors and a flimsy plastic case that works well.
7. Mr. Sketch (12-pack) - These are thick, scented markers with nice color. I use these when teaching (flip charts) or creating large idea maps.
8. Crayola - These start out as fine points, but typically become medium point. I don't find the colors as brilliant as the Fiddle Sticks, but you can find them anywhere. Around August you can often find them for $1.00 or less during the "back-to-school" specials.

The worst markers in all of my experience are the packages of 20 or 30 that you can get at the dollar store. If they don't bleed all over, they will be dried up in about a day. Colors are not vibrant -- basically a waste. Let me know if you have other markers that you would recommend.

Idea Map #11 - Considered Colour by Steve

If you have been following the conversation between myself and Steve Rothwell (Reading, UK) on the April 13th posting, you will be excited to see Steve's maps today. Idea Maps #10 (posting below) and #11 prove that your maps don't need to follow any rules or be beautiful to be effective. I'll let Steve describe this map in his own words:

"I was reading a book and wanted to capture some key ideas. I drew these in the top half of the page. I then realised there were links with ideas from other sources and quickly made simple notes in the middle of the page. Note how I used colour and images to make the notes vivid. I then went on to create the map at the bottom to makes lists in response to some questions.

The purpose of this map was to remember some key concepts and how my interests and experiences relate to them. Although a number of rules are broken here also, it's fairly neat and I have taken time to use colour and images. I wanted to make the map memorable.

Interestingly this map inspired the ideas captured by Fast and Furious map. Its colourful image was so vivid in my mind that I was able to make mental cross checks to it as I scribbled away on the new map.

I must also stress that I have since learned to turn my notebook on its side to give myself a bigger, better space for mapping."

Idea Map #10 - Fast 'n Furious from Steve

If you have been following the conversation between myself and Steve Rothwell (Reading UK) on the April 13th posting, you will be excited to see Steve's maps today. Idea Maps #10 and #11 (above) prove that your maps don't need to follow any rules or be beautiful to be effective. I'll let Steve describe this map in his own words:

"This was done at the bottom of my garden in a bound notebook and using an old Parker ballpoint. I had been sitting idly when inspiration struck. The purpose of this map was to capture embryonic thoughts as quickly as possible before the moment was lost. I was constrained by the notebook shape and size; hence the maps have a tendency to grow down and to the right. In places the lower map wanders up and to the left. How many rules does this break, I hear you ask?

I drew these in less than 2 minutes (and it shows) however these simple scribbles have driven major developments in my career."

Idea Map #9: U of M Financial Accounting Class - by Jennifer Webb from Ford Motor Company

I'm SO excited to share this idea map and story with you. The posting on December 16, 2006 briefly mentioned Jennifer's map, but now you can see both the map and read the complete story in her own words. Two of Jennifer's pre-workshop maps are also viewable on my website if you want to see the before and after comparison. It's quite amazing. Here's Jennifer:

One of my first graduate business classes at UM was Financial Accounting. I struggled to grasp the intricacies of financial accounting throughout the semester. I did fairly well on the first exam, but failed the second exam. At that point I was extremely disheartened and actually considered dropping out of the MBA program! I put in so many hours of studying for the class, but I didn't see the results. I just didn't know how else to study more effectively and was at a loss for solutions.

Shortly after the second exam, I took Jamie Nast's Idea Mapping class at my workplace. I wasn't sure if I should apply this new skill to an old problem. Knowing how much time it would take me to completely review the entire book and create an Idea Map was daunting, but I decided to go for it.

The process of creating the Idea Map was an excellent review of the semester's material in and of itself. It allowed me to see connections between topics and 'how' and 'why' things were interrelated. I reviewed this map for several days before the final exam and used this map as my in-class note sheet for the final exam.

I'm extremely happy to report that I passed the class with a B+; a huge improvement from my grade at midterm! I found Idea Maps to be an excellent way for me to effectively study for my exam and to truly grasp the interconnectedness of the material.

Jennifer Webb

Hint #5 - If Your Idea Map Gets Messy, Should You Re-draw It?

What do you do when your map gets a bit sloppy? The purpose of your idea map or mind map may fall into one of several categories, so let me provide some suggestions for some scenarios.

1. This idea map is for my "to do" list. For some reason there can be a tendancy for people (myself included) to want these maps to look like pieces of artwork instead of seeing them as functional tools created to meet a purpose. I had to allow myself to cross off completed items and squeeze new items onto the maps until the map was such a mess I needed to start fresh. Recreating the map each time it got a tiny bit messy, became a waste of time. These types of maps should not be re-drawn until absolutely necessary.
2. This idea map is for an application that has a sequence to it (a process, a schedule, or a presentation for example). During the creation of a map the ideas are generated randomly, so it is unlikely that your map will be perfectly sequential on the first draft. The initial map provides the opportunity for you to step back and see the data from the big picture view. This enables you to re-sequence (maybe by numbering the branches), discover relationships between data points, and in some cases re-organize. If you are creating a linear document from this map, there is no need to re-draw. If you are using this map in the future or presenting from it, I would re-draw a final version.
3. This idea map contains a large amount of information. If you find the re-drawing process cumbersome or annoying, maybe you should use software to make the editing process extremely easy.

I guess the bottom line is to determine the purpose of your map before re-drawing it multiple times. Don't re-draw the map just for the sake of re-drawing. Sloppy idea maps can be just as useful as the most beautifully drawn example!

Idea Map #8 - Celebration of Life

Easter Sunday could not be a more appropriate day to show viewers this map. I've called this idea map "A Celebration of Life". I got a call from John Meyer asking if I could create a map for a friend of his. Yes, I could....but I knew someone who could do even better!

This map was created by Liza Jennings Seiner in response to a request from John Meyer, a dear friend and colleague of Lynda Goodremont who is fighting cancer. He had this map created as a gift for her in celebration of her life.

Unfortunately, this file in its current format is too large to upload. I will find a way to show you this amazing map!

Idea Map #7a - Fund Raising

Last night during Roger C. Parker's GMA (Guerrilla Marketing Association) call, we created an idea map as a group. Ron offered the topic of raising funds to support athletes who are visually impaired. Some of the other callers also contributed suggestions. This map is a work-in-process as last night's callers volunteered to provide additional information.

Ron - I heard you say something about Beijing. Is that one of the locations where the athletes compete or one of the camps?

Looking forward to adding more data to our map! I'll post a revised version once I have more of your input.

Hint #4 - How Much Detail Should I Put in My Idea Map?

Nearly every workshop participant struggles with this question at some point. Here are some suggestions.

• Before starting your map, determine the purpose of your map. Your purpose will be the main driver in the amount of detail you collect. (For example, is the map for you or will it be shared? Are you doing a brainstorm or is this information you need to learn/memorize? Will you be tested on the information?)
• Only include enough detail to enable you to remember the information you need. Often we include too much detail because we don't trust our memories.
• A picture can represent a thousand words, so remember to include them as well.

If you have a question or a struggle with your Idea Maps, reply to this post or send an email to info@ideamappingsuccess.com.

Idea Map #6 - Plants

Kaizad Irani, a professor from Parkland college in Illinois, created this idea map for his students. Kaizad teaches landscape architechture and uses idea maps frequently to enhance his students' learning experiences.