Learning To Learn - Portrait #1

In each 2-day Idea Mapping Workshop, "learning to learn" is a real experience -- not just a bunch of theory. Professionals are taught several skills which many think to be impossible! One of the exercises teaches participants how to draw a portrait of a human face (no tracing allowed). You may think, "Well that's nice, but so what? I don't plan on becoming an artist." The point is to face your disbelief, understand the impact disbelief has on learning, and then with some instructions, improve in each skill. This then becomes an analogy for learning other skills -- skills that you may otherwise have not attempted. This workshop includes many valuable skills including Idea Mapping.

So just so you can see for yourself, I'm going to show you several typical results of this exercise. This first example, drawn by Madhu, is from a recent workshop I taught at ACH.

Idea Map #22 and a Miraculous Re-Connection

On Friday June 22, 2007 I posted a map from Janet forton -- a friend of mine that I had lost touch with. I had searched for her extensively when I was writing my book because I wanted to include this map which you see now. Two days after Friday's posting, I got an email from Janet Forton! I couldn't believe it! Yesterday we were able to catch up on the phone, and I learned that she hadn't even seen the posting. She was doing some research on mapping for a presentation and ran across my website. She and her family had moved to Pennsylvania where she is now the Director of a library.

Janet created this unique map when we both worked at EDS. She was going to China on a 3-month assignment. To help her young children, Janet created a window-a-day (90 days!) that could be opened on the various branches. Behind each window was a message to them for that day. I've never seen anything else like it -- and she told me she still has it today.

Serendipity in action...just had to share this story.

Idea Map #21 Featured in the News-Gazette

On June 23, 2007 the News-Gazette in Champaign, Illinois featured an article and the above map in their local paper. Kaizad Irani is an expert in landscape architecture and design, and long-time Idea Mapper. He uses MindManager software to begin every landscape design. You can read this and the associated articles by clicking here. The above map was in the actual hard copy of the newspaper, but was not included in the online version.

"Learning To Learn" -- The Needed Skill For A Flat World

In Thomas Friedman's book The World is Flat, he states the following:

Being adaptable in a flat world, knowing how to "learn how to learn," will be one of the most important assets any worker can have...the more those with specialized education, or the ability to learn how to learn, will be in demand... (page 239).

It is my opinion that "learning how to learn" is not taught in most of our businesses or educational systems. Employees are no longer guaranteed lifetime employment, but they can enhance their employability. Friedman says, "But we can guarantee you that government and companies will focus on giving you the tools to make you more lifetime employable."

I don't know of any other workshop that teaches individuals to "learn how to learn" than the 2-day workshop titled, "Idea Mapping: A learning Workshop." This is not a sales tactic, but is a plea for you to pursue furthur education in what ever field of expertise you are called.

Idea Mapping is one component of "learning how to learn". But to get a full education, register for a 2-day workshop that will go way beyond Idea Mapping. Give yourself or your company this gift. You'll leave an eternal mark.

Idea Map #20 - Effects of Caffeine

This map was created back in 1995 by a workshop participant at EDS who I have since lost track of. She was studying the effects of caffeine. Janet Forton -- if you're out there somewhere, I'd love to meet you for coffee!

Idea Map #19 - Our First Map in Spanish

Today's idea map was created by Roberto Vidales from Mexico City. His map outlines 8 principles applied to help writing a text correctly in Spanish.

Loose Ends

Yesterday's webinar generated a few follow-up items for me. http://www.usamemorychampionship.com/ is the link to some memory resources along with Scott Hagwood's site. I do have some good articles if anyone is interested. Just email me (info@ideamappingsuccess.com) and I can send them to you.

The other question that came up is about finding good clip art sites to add images to your maps. If anyone has a favorite, could you please post a comment to this? Many thanks.

The Memorability Factor & Idea Map #18

This posting is dedicated to the attendees of today's Mindjet webinar which will begin at 1PM EST. This map is the overview that participants will see as I walk them through several activities. Following the webinar, please feel free to share any comments or questions here.

Listen to the recorded event (which lasted 45 minutes) by clicking here.

Idea Map #17 - Youngest Mapper Yet

I received a note from Lisa who is one of my previous clients from BMC Software. She was going through her daughter's end-of-year folder. Isabel is 7 years old, and wrote a paper about her mom. Lisa found this map that Isabel created prior to writing her paper. Thank you Lisa and Isabel.