Monday, May 09, 2005
Mindmapping Your Presentation Checklist
Mindmapping: how I love it! Much better than a linear laundry list, a mind map is a series of pictures you draw to associate your ideas. For me, it works.
In high school and college, I would fill up my notebooks with doodles as my teachers and professors nattered on about their topics. My actual written notes didn't do much for me when it came to studying. However, I could look at the doodles and experience a great recall of the subject matter.
Later in life, I led a class on creativity, where we focused on mind maps. Think of it as word association -- but without words. With mind maps, you associate ideas with images.
One main advantage of mind mapping? You can experience better recall of ideas when they are laid out graphically. If you're like me, you can remember complicated ideas better by creating a picture, rather than by looking at words.
Another advantage: grouping ideas fosters creativity, whereas linear groupings do not. Think of it this way: suppose I asked you to tell me about your day yesterday. Now, try to tell me the story chronologically, i.e. what happened at 8:00 a.m. yesterday...then at 9:00...then at 10:00... ?
Chances are, you won't be telling a creative story if you choose to tell it chronologically. But if you group ideas of your day together, punctuating the highlights and eliminating the mundane, you'll tell a story that has a chance of excitement and energy!
So before you create your next presentation, try creating a mind map. You'll literally see the difference it makes!
PS - There are quite a few technology tools to help you facilitate mindmapping. Over the years, I have purchased three different mind mapping software, but my absolute favorite is Mind Manager by Mindjet. You can download a free 21 trial to check it out.
Bonus: Mind Manager can also export directly to PowerPoint. For an example of both a mind map and a Power Point presentation, I put a Mind Manager's Mind Map of a Presentation Checklist here. It outlines 8 areas you need to cover for your next presentation. ¶ 5/09/2005 08:07:00 AM
Mindmapping: how I love it! Much better than a linear laundry list, a mind map is a series of pictures you draw to associate your ideas. For me, it works.
In high school and college, I would fill up my notebooks with doodles as my teachers and professors nattered on about their topics. My actual written notes didn't do much for me when it came to studying. However, I could look at the doodles and experience a great recall of the subject matter.
Later in life, I led a class on creativity, where we focused on mind maps. Think of it as word association -- but without words. With mind maps, you associate ideas with images.
One main advantage of mind mapping? You can experience better recall of ideas when they are laid out graphically. If you're like me, you can remember complicated ideas better by creating a picture, rather than by looking at words.
Another advantage: grouping ideas fosters creativity, whereas linear groupings do not. Think of it this way: suppose I asked you to tell me about your day yesterday. Now, try to tell me the story chronologically, i.e. what happened at 8:00 a.m. yesterday...then at 9:00...then at 10:00... ?
Chances are, you won't be telling a creative story if you choose to tell it chronologically. But if you group ideas of your day together, punctuating the highlights and eliminating the mundane, you'll tell a story that has a chance of excitement and energy!
So before you create your next presentation, try creating a mind map. You'll literally see the difference it makes!
PS - There are quite a few technology tools to help you facilitate mindmapping. Over the years, I have purchased three different mind mapping software, but my absolute favorite is Mind Manager by Mindjet. You can download a free 21 trial to check it out.
Bonus: Mind Manager can also export directly to PowerPoint. For an example of both a mind map and a Power Point presentation, I put a Mind Manager's Mind Map of a Presentation Checklist here. It outlines 8 areas you need to cover for your next presentation. ¶ 5/09/2005 08:07:00 AM
