So, you’ve been playing around with MindManger for a while and think you’ve got the basics down pretty well. How do you take it to the next level?
Matt from Fluent Brain has answered that very question. In his post Supercharging your Mind Mapping, he goes over several key tips on how to really get the most out of MindManager and mapping.
Speed
Matt identifies two main areas that are essential to really become a mapping expert: Speed and Effectiveness. Speed is important to make sure that you’re able to quickly capture all those great ideas before they are lost. Matt breaks speed down into 3 categories:
- Typing Speed
- Software Speed – Knowing and using keyboard shortcuts, understanding your way around the software etc…
- Speed with using other tools – For example, software where your information may come from or reside later like Word or Excel
It’s important not only to know the mapping software inside and out, but also other programs. For example, you are a pro when it comes to MindManager but you are working with another team member who only uses Excel. If your Excel skills aren’t up to snuff, then all your efforts of mapping out ideas, conversations, suggestions are worthless, because you won’t be able to communicate them to team memebers who work in other programs. This is why it is so important to be familiar with not only the mapping program your using, but also other programs where the data is inevitably stored or shared.
Effectiveness
While it is important to be able to capture ideas, conversations, and comments quickly, you cannot forget the importance to be able to map effectively. If you’re able to capture everything in a map, but the map is impossible to understand you will have wasted your efforts. Remember, the goal is to be able to quickly record ideas in an easily understandable manner. This is why being an effective mapper is as important as being a speedy mapper. In his post, Matt identifies three categories that make up effectiveness:
- Creating a Map
- Navigating a Map
- Formatting a Map
Once you have mastered these two categories (Speed and Effectiveness), you will quickly be on your way on becoming a mapping mastermind.
Think there are some other essential elements to be a mapping mastermind that we’ve forgotten? Share them with us, we would like to hear your thoughts.
To see some great tips on incorporating Speed and Effectiveness in MindManger check out Matt’s full blog post.
Image Source: http://www.nineoverten.com/2010/04/19/mastermind-review-iphoneipod-touch/