Where to Now?

Let's discuss a practical creativity tool--mind-mapping. Mind-mapping is the free association process of generating a big picture view of a subject. This creative technique can be used in an unlimited number of ways: a speech, a presentation, a proposal, self-improvement, a vision, strategic planning, planning a day, problem-solving, or figuring out what you want to do with your life!

The technique was originated by Tony Buzan and is practiced in a number of ways that differ from his original process. The objective is to generate a final figure which resembles the structure of a brain cell--a nucleus and several major axons (tentacles) with information strands from each axon relatiing to that particular axon. (Sorry I don't have a picture, it's something like an octopus) You will need colored pencils and paper to get maximum value from this description. Let's get started!

1. Get a sheet of paper and several colored pencils (five to ten, or more)

2. Begin by drawing a circle in the middle of the page and write in it the one-word subject you want to gain creative insight into. For example Spirituality.

3. Now, think of five or six major words that are personal to you relating to your subject that may assist, relate to, or block your access to your subject's success. For me, using Spirituality as my subject, these words would be: Exploration, Consciousness, Barriers, Meaning, Purpose, and Expression. These words should be evenly arranged around the center circle as tentacles or straight thick lines in different colors. Your six words should be written along these tentacle lines (axons). You are restriced to use only single words in constructing your mind-map. (Although I know you will do what you want! That's what's true about the creative process: There are no rules!)

4. Now, we begin construction of the mind-map. Starting with the spoke Exploration, I would write extension words (like branches on a tree) Sleep, Program, Request, Download, Answer, Interpretation. For the spoke Consciousness, I would write the words Open, Learning, Illusion, Reality, Empty, Meaningless, Oneness. For the spoke Barriers, I would write the words Fear, Change, Relationships, Truth, Honesty, Examination, Decision. For the spoke Meaning, I would write the words Let-Go, Seek, Invalidate, Seek, Invalidate, Nothingness, Being! For the spoke Purpose, I would write the words Explore, Within, Feel, Fear, Nothing, Empty, Love, Intuition, Aha!, Transformation, Global, Skills, Express. And for the last spoke Expression, I would write the words People, Non-Judgemental, Enemies, Acceptance, Love.

5. Obviously, each of the words in my mind-map sequence have personal meaning to me. I would gain greater insight by sharing these thoughts with someone I trusted and who I thought had the skill of insight. Then ask his or her feedback as to the specifics of each "Spoke" as well as the overall meaning of spirituality in my life, at present. As you might guess, these words and their meanings change as we grow, learn, and gain greater wisdom. My example above is only one extension from a "spoke word," you normally have several branches for each spoke.

6. You might practice constructing a mind-map using my example above, then apply this creative process to a subject of interest to you.

7. Remember, what is often missing in the use of this technique for business or commercial purposes is the insight and big picture perspective it can give to your personal and professonal life. For me that is usually the most valuable aspect, rather than simple organization, for therein lies the creativity, insight, and wisdom.

If you have any problem with this technique, write a comment or email me directly at waguillory@qwest.net.

Have fun! Please excuse the typos, I simply don't have the energy to correct them now! In addition, the content is where the value is.