WELCOME to the final station of 2011! Amidst all the excitement, it’s also a time to pause for a bit of reflection and re-evaluation before embarking on new goals and new heights. And it’s one of the best ways to gear up for the fresh promise that the New Year can bring. Nothing is off-limits, and this is a blog for “Next Generation Blogging”, so let’s take some lessons learned and start 2012 with an action plan!
Nothing sets off the start of the year like a well-thought out gameplan for your goals. Have you started yours?
First off: Brainstorming, and specifically for me, this means Mind Mapping. It’s a tried-and-true method that involves creating a map of your ideas and plans, with ‘branches’ organized around a central key word or topic.
For those list-makers out there, let’s put the steps in a linear format.
- Start in the center with an image or a central topic.
- Use images, symbols, and key words
- Each word/image should be connected starting from the central topic.
- You can start with thicker lines in the center, and thinner lines as you radiate outwards — much like tree branches.
- Use colors for distinguishing, emphasis and highlighting.
There can be many ways that a mind map can be visualized, and Alex has shown his before:
But mine would look like this:
You could grab a pencil and paper, or use the stinky whiteboard, but I created my mind map by using MindMaple. It’s a mind mapping software that makes task management intuitive and easy to do. You just type away your game plan, and all the other principles of classical mind mapping are already pre-programmed for you.
MindMaple is also highly customizable wherein you can insert photos, art, links, and attachments. The number of topics can be expanded indefinitely, and when things get too crowded you can collapse subtopics with a click without losing any data. In fact, you can just click and drag any detail of your plan to organize it accordingly, creating appropriate relationship lines if it cycles back around.
Creating a mind map is much easier with the right tools. In my case, I used a user-friendly software that allows me to be playful and creative with my task organization.
It’s pretty much like drawing your plans on your trusty whiteboard, only without the mess and ink fumes. Better yet, you can save your map so you can export it in number of formats to share with co-workers, friends, or even use in a presentation.
Using MindMaple is eye-catching and engaging, and for me, it’s a comfortably fun tool that motivates me to think creatively while staying on point.
So for your 2012 blog, what will your mind map look like?
Here’s to a more productive and rewarding 2012, fellow bloggers!
Photo credits: lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com, www.macreportmedia.com
The Discussion
Leave a Comment Read Again?Finally I am the first to comment! Good Post By the way…
Great post bud
This is a great post. I was just sitting down to write my new years goals (I know, it’s a little late but better late than never, right?) and I came across your post about setting up for success in 2012. I am fairly new to blogging and look forward to learning more from you in the future. Thanks, again.
That’s a cool software. Mind mapping is really complicated but with the help of this other than drafts on a peace of paper, it would make things a lot easier. It’s really vital to set plans as early as the first month of the year.
I’m having good thoughts about setting my plans this year, gonna improve my ways on marketing my business online.
Yes, I had a lot of fun playing with this software, and with the export capabilities of Mind maple I am to able to share them with all my colleagues, add notes and feedback, and really come up a detailed executable plan.
Good Luck on your brainstorming session!
I like the export capabilities of this, maybe I won’t have any hassle sharing my thoughts to others.
Thank you! Good luck to you too, Nancy.
Same here, I’m having a blast using Mind Maple with organizing my tasks for this month. I’m actually considering using this software to introduce homework management (or at least the concept of task organization) to my 9-year-old, because it’s really fun and easy to use. Will let you know how it goes.
Carmela
It would be a must-have software this 2012. I’m starting my goal setting session for this year and I find Maple really interesting. Thanks!
Nice post, what better time to start a blog than the start of a new year!
Having a plan before blogging is very important, your blog will promote well if you have a right plan, I think using MindMaple is the best way to promote your blog,
That was explained in a well manner. I looked into the website mind maple and think they will be useful for me as I’m a technical writer and think can make use of them. Thanks again for this article.
I’ve decided to start using mindmaps as a way of organising my blog for 2012, I simply add to it when I get a brainwave, I used to use OpenMind but I’m certainly going to give MindMaple a go. Thnaks for sharing the article
It’s nice coming to this blog. Thanks for the good posting
thnx 3 the awesome post
its helped me a lot thnx again
I LOVE mindmaps. My favorite software for mindmapping is FreeMind.
Interesting article which reminds me that I have to do much more to be a better blogger in 2012.
Nice Article! i like the way you explain points with such a nice graphics. Post give me some cool idea for my new blog for 2012.
This is a great article. It is very informative.
I came across your post about setting up for success in 2012. I am fairly new to blogging and look forward to learning more from you in the future.
Having a plan before blogging is very important, It’s nice coming to this blog
Mind maps are great! I discovered them in college. Really great way to get all those ideas out and on paper.
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