Mind Map Your Future

January 3, 2010 By admin 5 Comments

I had a dream last night about being lost and confused en route to the beach. It seems I jumped in my car and thought I knew how to get to the ocean instinctively. (In real life I reside in WI so that would be quite a trick). I took a few too many wrong turns and ended up in a diner in the middle of nowhere wishing that I had consulted a map and plotted my route.

When I opened my eyes this morning with the dream still fresh in my mind, I had this flash of “Yeah, I need a map!”. As the fog of sleep receded I realized what I actually need is to create a roadmap for my life and business aspirations for this New Year. You may be familiar with the saying; “If you don’t have a destination and a map to get there, how will you know when you’ve arrived?”

In working with clients in career and life transitions, I have found the Mind Mapping process to be invaluable as a method to open up new possibilities for fulfilling work, create business plans and orchestrate life changes. It is a technique to utilize both the linear, analytical, logical side of the brain with the intuitive, creative, artistic side. Definition: “the Mind Map is the external mirror of your own radiant or natural thinking facilitated by a powerful graphic process, which provides the universal key to unlock the dynamic potential of the brain.” (from mindmapping.com)

We are taught to make lists and write or type from the left to the right in rows. The brain doesn’t think linearly, it works by association branching out in many directions from each thought.

As you think about what you want to accomplish in the New Year, you may want to access both your intellect and your intuition, the left and right sides of your brain respectively. Give it a try!

How to Mind Map:
1. Use a large piece of paper, like flip chart size or poster board.
2. Place your topic in the center of the page and work outward.
3. Use color and graphics to represent themes, associations and to emphasize.
4. Play some invigorating music to stimulate your right brain.
5. Keep your writing hand moving, if you don’t know what to write next, add color or circle words of importance.
6. Consider using stars, arrows and icons to connect different ideas or elements.

Don’t censor yourself, as ideas pop into your head, get them down on the paper. Think of this exercise as making a giant doodle with a purpose; to utilize your whole brain! Use whatever arts and craft stuff you have on hand: crayons, markers, colored pencils, stamps, stickers etc. For some visual examples and more information on Mind Mapping check out these resources:

Books:
The Mind Map Book, by Tony Buzan and Mindmapping, by Joyce Wycoff are my favorites.

Software

Filed Under Featured, Self Development Tagged With creativity, Ideas

From Chaos to Consciousness

November 5, 2009 By admin 2 Comments

One of the characteristics of my Myers-Briggs type (ENFP) is that I thrive on possibilities. While this is exciting and often leads to glorious bursts of creativity, it also means that I frequently find myself awash with multiple interests and too many uncompleted projects. This is also characteristic of “Scanners,” as described in Barbara Sher’s book, Refuse to Choose.

In his post this morning, Jonathan Fields asked, “are you building a body of work or a cornucopia of chaos?” My natural tendency toward pondering the possible rather than concentrating on the concrete leads me toward the chaotic side of the equation. In explaining the difference between the two, Jonathan listed several dichotomies, here are a couple that hit home for me:

• One is about progressive, conscious building within a well defined area of interest, the other is about bouncing to wherever the next perceived opportunity lies without regard to growth and consistency.

• One is about being mindful, present and proactive, the other is about being disconnected, frenetic and reactive.

I often find myself “bouncing to perceived opportunities” and “being disconnected, frenetic and reactive.” These tendencies inhibit productive work and lead to greater confusion. Here’s my take on how to handle it:

1) Recognize what is happening. When we run around trying to keep too many balls in the air at once, we may think we are being productive when we are really just being way too busy. When you find yourself being forgetful, running late, or struggling to keep track of everything, you’re doing too much.

2) Stop, look, and listen. When you notice you are in the midst of frenetic activity, stop whatever you are doing, look at your surroundings, and listen to your breathing. You will naturally shift into a moment of mindfulness. From that place of centered awareness, you can regain your perspective and chose a less chaotic path going forward.

As Jonathan reminds us, “powerful legacies rarely if ever occur in the form of scattershot, piecemeal efforts…cornucopias of chaos… no matter how fun, windswept or purposeful they seem when we’re adrift with them.”

When you find yourself moving into chaos, what do you do to shift out of it?

Filed Under Self Development Tagged With creativity, self-actualization

Julie & Julia, Accidental Entrepreneurs

August 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

This past weekend I saw a fabulous example of following your passion: the movie Julie & Julia. The movie is based on the true story of Julie Powell, a frustrated state worker who spends her days in a cubicle taking incoming calls in the aftermath of 9/11. In search of a way to deal with her frustration and soothe her aching soul, she decides (rather on a whim) to prepare every recipe in Julia Child’s famous cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” She diligently works her way through the 536 recipes in 365 days and blogs about her trials and tribulations along the way.

In the movie we simultaneously get to view Julie’s experiences in modern day New York and Julia Child’s life during her years in France as she discovers her passion for cooking. As Americans in Paris in the 1950’s, Paul and Julia Child had a glamorous nightlife but when Paul went off to work at the embassy, Julia found herself looking for something with which to fill her days. After a few failed attempts at entertaining and educating herself, such as a hat making class which she found boring, and a bridge class with the same result, she decided to attend culinary school. Julia and her husband were enamored with the gustatory pleasures of French cuisine, and so it seemed natural that Julia would find her joy in taking classes at the renowned Cordon Bleu cooking school.

She delighted in the rigors of learning to prepare French cuisine, fearlessly attacking the tasks and holding her own in a class dominated by men. She thought about how wonderful it would be to have a cookbook in English so that “servantless” Americans could enjoy the pleasures of French cooking and collaborated with two French cooks in creating a mammoth manuscript.

Back in the states Julia Child not only got her book published but became the acclaimed “French Chef” on TV, introducing millions to the joy of boeuf bourguignon, chocolate soufflés, and the like. Julia never set out to become an entrepreneur, she simply pursued her passion and shared it with others. Similarly, Julie Powell rose to literary prominence after she was interviewed by the New York Times about her Julie/Julia project blog. Her story became a book and then a major motion picture. She has a new blog, was interviewed by Nightline (check out the clip, it has vintage footage of Julia Child!)and a second book soon to be released and isn’t working at that cubicle job anymore!

When we follow our passions, we flourish. We may find ourselves as these women did, making a living without a job.

“Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.” –Howard Thurman

Filed Under Finding Your Passion, Starting a Business Tagged With creativity, empowerment, Entrepreneurship, talents

Enterprising Ideas 2

February 24, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

Are you considering a business venture and need an infusion of creative ideas? Looking for some innovation?  You might want to get together some people and have a brainstorming session.   Writer Seth Godin and his team did exactly that and came up with over 999 enterprising ideas.  Here are a few I liked:

  • Disposable mittens made from biodegradable materials in vending machines I love the idea of disposables that are environmentally friendly.  Think of all the kids playing outside, losing mittens to thrown snowballs, or on tree limbs not to mention leaving them on school buses. With a mitten machine they’d be cheaper to replace and biodegradable in the snow.  Imagine the market opportunity in places with long winters.
  • Feng Shui online: Feng Shui has been gaining popularity for years, particularly with creative and healing arts facilities.  Imagine being able to upload your floor plan and other details and get input on how to layout your space and color your walls?  I know of an accounting firm in MN that said having their offices feng shui-ed increased their profit margin!  Do you know where your wealth corner is?
  • Herbal Flavored Gum: This one in my personal favorite! I suspect there are some currently on the market but what about adding ingredients containing health producing properties?  Along with the gum, introduce an alternative medicine or homeopathic online service that diagnoses your ailment and gives you the proper corresponding alternative treatment.

To view the entire list of interesting and sometimes wacky business ideas go to: http://www.sixmonthmba.com/2009/02/999ideas.html “Hamster Burial Kits and 998 Other Business Ideas”

I’d love to hear your ideas!  Please share them with readers in your comments below. No idea is too small or too outrageous.  Just remember the fortune made with patenting Silly Putty!

Dee

Filed Under Starting a Business Tagged With creativity, Starting a Business

Enterprising Ideas

February 9, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

I taught a class last week “First Steps to Starting a Business” at the Job Center.  You know, where everyone who has been “downsized” goes to file their unemployment claims.  The class was packed with both blue and white collar workers seeking an alternative to job hunting in a dismal labor market.  What many of them failed to bring with them was an idea of what kind of busness they could initiate.  I overviewed the contents in my last blog entry and then suggested they do some research.  Yep–market research on the web.

There are some terrific sites out there to help you get the gray matter moving.  One I frequently suggest is www.springwise.com .   They have 8000 or so spotters who “scan the globe looking for smart new business ideas delivering instant inspiration to entrepreneurial minds”.  What is so great about this is that many of the ideas that have been put into action are from Europe and Asia.  (Meaning that maybe no one stateside has thought of it yet). For instance, I recall a story of a clever enterprise using coin operated/card powered stationary bikes to charge cell phones at music festivals in England.  The attendees waited in line, cash/card in hand to jump on the bikes getting some exercise and the ability to text their buddies at the same time.  After the concert the guys simply packed up the bikes and moved on to the next venue. Brilliant!

Need some ideas?  Check out Springwise.  And if you find some other interesting sites, please post them in comments to share ‘em.

Dee

Filed Under Starting a Business Tagged With creativity, Entrepreneurship, Ideas, Starting a Business