Of Mind Mapping

I’m a bit of a tech geek. I know. It’s a bit of a shock to you all.I’d always been broadly aware of a thing called ‘Mind Mapping’, but had always put it on my mental ‘must look into that one day ‘cos it’s kinda interesting’ list.And promptly never got around to it.I’m one of those people who have a lot of ideas popping into my consciousness, bouncing around, triggering other ideas (often unrelated), bouncing around some more then generally not coalescing into anything solid and workable. It has been a frustration as I have a vague recollection that some of them were really good.I had a coffee with a friend (thanks Rachel!!) who was talking about some work she had been doing for a client and she mentioned the Mind Map that she had created for them. Mind Map? And immediately the conversation started.So, what is Mind Mapping?From Mindtools.com: “Mind Mapping is an important technique that improves the way you record information, and supports and enhances your creative problem solving. By using Mind Maps, you can quickly identify and understand the structure of a subject. You can see the way that pieces of information fit together, as well as recording the raw facts contained in normal notes. More than this, Mind Maps encourage creative problem solving, as they hold information in a format that your mind finds easy to remember and quick to review.”I love that it is a process that draws on and stimulates creativity. I love that you can use it anywhere, with whatever medium is close to hand.Here are some examples of Hand-Drawn maps - as you can see, the use of colour, imagery and typography all help with the associations and clear presentation of ideas.I’ve purchased the iThoughtsHD app for my iPad after some quick online research and reviewing.It has been so useful as a tool to capture and control what is flying around inside the old cranium. In one map I’m exploring who I am (and yes, I’m a whole lot more complex than most realise!). In another I’m exploring what I’m doing/planning.I am able to focus on specific tasks and specific business opportunities. It enables me to get into incredible detail beyond what is achievable through use of a ‘To-Do’ list.Related - somewhat. Here’s a video clip - ‘Where Good Ideas Come From’ by Steven Johnson.  It is a good example of how to present concepts graphically.  And has a whole lot of very cool associated with it.I know I am just scratching the surface of this technique. I am thoroughly enjoying reading up on it and discovering how others utilise it. It makes a whole lot of sense to me - but then perhaps it’s how I’m wired after all.Any suggestions of use? Any reference material I should know about? All welcomed of course!- S