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Tell Us Your Favorites

May 16, 2013 in General Readiness, Organizing Readiness by host

I’ve written recently about a couple of tools I use to do my planning and organizing (here, here, and also here.)  I’m very curious about what you do?   Whether it’s very simple or complex, I’d like to hear about them.  Are there particular steps or questions you use in preparing for either your day, your goals, events, etc that you have found very useful?  How about those things that haven’t worked for you?  Is there anything you haven’t had much luck with that maybe we should avoid?

We learn best by doing, I believe, but it’s wonderful to also learn from others’ experiences.  We can learn what others have either struggled with, or had success with, and then apply to our situations…that’s when we can truly understand the benefits of the procedure or technique.  So please comment with your successes or failed approaches.  I’d love to learn from them as well!

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Join Our Members’ Area

May 11, 2013 in General Readiness by host

Check out our Members’ tab and comment on “host’s” question regarding hurricane season.  Not a member yet?  Simply create an account and connect so we can discuss topics of interest to you.  Welcome aboard!

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Put Your Thoughts Together In A Mind Map

May 9, 2013 in General Readiness, Get Organized, Organizing Readiness by host

Whether you need to organize your thoughts, build a flow chart, get a picture of how issues interrelate, or simply keep track of your research findings, you probably could use a mind map. Mind maps are a great way to make your thoughts visual…like a visual outline. The mind map has a single idea as its center or hub to which other concepts, word, pictures, etc are added that associate with the center hub idea and radiate outward from the center in parent and child topics.  For example,

Mind map example Click on image to enlarge.  This mindmap was created using iThoughtsHD for iPad.

With a mind map, you simply drop your ideas down as you think of them and after your brainstorm session you can move the “thoughts”, regroup, and make relationships between them and more.  I’ve used flowcharting software and other mind mapping software in the past.  In fact, I created many mind maps with a desktop mind mapping software and I was able to import them into my iThoughtsHD software on the iPad…I just find this easier on the iPad.  It also allows me to create or edit existing mind maps when I have down time or rather unexpected time because I’m waiting for a flight or meeting to begin.

Mind mapping is used for problem solving, outlining, condensing material like while conducting research on a topic, and more.  I’ve developed one that I use to track my values and goals:

Goal setting example

 Click on image to enlarge

Whatever your need is, you’ll be pleased with how your thoughts flow when you simply begin to add issues to the center, parent, or child topics.  Find your mind mapping software and watch your thoughts about those topics flow and become better organized.  You’ll be able to explain your ideas to others more easily as well.