If you've been reading my blog for very long you know that I use a product from MindJet called MindManager to do everything from product and project planning to brainstorming.

I'm sure most of you have never heard of Mind Mapping so you're really not sure what I'm talking about.  Here is how Wikipedia defines it:

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making.

It is an image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organizational task, eliminating the hurdle of initially establishing an intrinsically appropriate or relevant conceptual framework to work within.

A mind map is similar to a semantic network or cognitive map but there are no formal restrictions on the kinds of links used.

Mind Mapping really does work for people like me who are visually oriented.  It allows you to clearly and concisely organize your thoughts into a cohesive picture.

A couple of months ago I picked up a book called Idea Mapping, by Jamie Nast. In this book she covers how to utilize Idea Mapping ( a form of Mind Mapping ) to do everything from planning to note taking.

If you are new to mind mapping or you are using mind mapping and you'd like to see how to become more productive with your maps, I would recommend reading this book.  It has some background that is useful and some techniques that come from years of teaching the subject world-wide.

It also comes with a CD containing the demo version of the MindManager application.