Mind mapping software is designed to aid in the somewhat complicated process of mind mapping. A mind map is a diagram used to represent ideas, words, tasks, or other items that are linked to and arranged around a central key word, idea or concept. Mind maps are used to structure, classify, visualize and generate ideas, and serve as an aid in problem solving, decision making, organization, study, and writing. As you can imagine, creating such a diagram by hand can be daunting to anyone new to mind mapping.
The cost of high quality mind mapping software starts at about $150, and many mind mapping programs have a free trial option. Two of the most highly rated and popular mind mapping software programs are iMindMap and NovaMind. If you want to get started right away, one of these two will likely meet your needs.
Buzan's iMindMap is designed by Tony Buzan who many consider the father of mind mapping. An obvious benefit of choosing iMindMap is that you are linked in to Buzan's techniques and innovations. For those unfamiliar with the process, there is flash movie explaining the concept. There are also a number of flash video tutorials explaining how to use the software. There are three editions of iMindMap: Elements, Professional and Ultimate. The software is compatible with Microsoft Office and Open Office.
NovaMind is another excellent example of quality mind mapping software. While you don't get the Tony Buzan stamp of approval, NovaMind does have some unique features not found in other programs. For instance, NovaMind is one of the only mind mapping software programs with a free layout mode where you can put branches anywhere you like. It also has rainbow colouring, an integrated branch suggestion system, and a special module for screenwriters. NovaMind also comes in three editions: Express, Pro, and Platinum.
The iMindMap and NovaMind mind mapping software both work on the Mac and Windows operating systems. You will find both systems workable and easy to use. The price structure is similar, so your choice will boil down to which features are more important to you as a user.
Before you purchase any mind mapping software, make sure that you first identify your needs. You should also consider your budget, and whether you can upgrade for a discount within the same family of programs. Once you've identified your needs you can start comparing the different mind mapping systems. Many programs come with a free trial which will greatly assist you in making an informed decision.
Most people who invest the time necessary to learn the mind mapping process become lifetime converts. Trying to accomplish the process on paper can be extremely frustrating and time-consuming. Good mind mapping software pays for itself very quickly in terms of saved time and frustration.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Positive Thinking Breeds Success
People can often be their own worst enemy, especially when they allow their negative feelings to create artificial barriers to achieving their goals, personally and professionally. We see this every day - person A begins talking enthusiastically about a new opportunity and immediately persons B and C shoot the idea down by focusing only on the negative outcomes that could potentially result.
In other cases they allow emotions like anger to cloud their judgment for no other reason than because they take everything that happens too personally. It's almost as if their egos won't allow them to miss an opportunity to get upset and start an argument. Coupled with a false sense of indignation they fail to realize that they are actually creating more barriers to resolving whatever the issue may have been in the first place.
While it's true in nature that opposites attract, in real life nothing could be further from the truth. Positive people tend to draw towards other optimistic people, and of course negative people cluster together like schools of baitfish. The difference between the two groups is that the optimistic ones tend to simply stroll through life knowing that whatever challenges they encounter they will quickly and easily overcome.
A good example of these behaviors is in reviewing two identical technical support requests with diametrically opposite results.
In the first case, the positive customer is experiencing a problem installing a piece of software. Quickly realizing that the problem is beyond their skill level, they call the support hotline confident that resolution to the issue will be forthcoming. They cheerfully and courteously explain the problem they are experiencing and patiently worked with the support staff to correct it, which happens in a mere 10 minutes.
In the second case the negative customer is experiencing a similar problem. Frustrated and angry they call the support hotline and immediately launch into a belligerent tirade about the quality of the product and the company that produced it. While the support staff attempts to help the customer, they quickly become frustrated at the customer's refusal to provide the needed information.
The customer insists upon escalating problem to a supervisor or manager where the tirade continues. After 45 minutes of arguing with various supervisors and managers and live no resolution in sight, the customer or threatens to sue or file legal complaints and hangs up without resolving the installation problem.
Optimistic people never worried about encountering problems with anything. They understand that things happen, more importantly they also understand that there is a solution out there somewhere. Their goal is to simply resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible, which they know they will be able to do some way, somehow.
It's for this reason that those who think positively and optimistically are far more likely to be successful in both their business and personal lives. They can't help but know that everything is going to work out the way they expected to, if not even better.
In other cases they allow emotions like anger to cloud their judgment for no other reason than because they take everything that happens too personally. It's almost as if their egos won't allow them to miss an opportunity to get upset and start an argument. Coupled with a false sense of indignation they fail to realize that they are actually creating more barriers to resolving whatever the issue may have been in the first place.
While it's true in nature that opposites attract, in real life nothing could be further from the truth. Positive people tend to draw towards other optimistic people, and of course negative people cluster together like schools of baitfish. The difference between the two groups is that the optimistic ones tend to simply stroll through life knowing that whatever challenges they encounter they will quickly and easily overcome.
A good example of these behaviors is in reviewing two identical technical support requests with diametrically opposite results.
In the first case, the positive customer is experiencing a problem installing a piece of software. Quickly realizing that the problem is beyond their skill level, they call the support hotline confident that resolution to the issue will be forthcoming. They cheerfully and courteously explain the problem they are experiencing and patiently worked with the support staff to correct it, which happens in a mere 10 minutes.
In the second case the negative customer is experiencing a similar problem. Frustrated and angry they call the support hotline and immediately launch into a belligerent tirade about the quality of the product and the company that produced it. While the support staff attempts to help the customer, they quickly become frustrated at the customer's refusal to provide the needed information.
The customer insists upon escalating problem to a supervisor or manager where the tirade continues. After 45 minutes of arguing with various supervisors and managers and live no resolution in sight, the customer or threatens to sue or file legal complaints and hangs up without resolving the installation problem.
Optimistic people never worried about encountering problems with anything. They understand that things happen, more importantly they also understand that there is a solution out there somewhere. Their goal is to simply resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible, which they know they will be able to do some way, somehow.
It's for this reason that those who think positively and optimistically are far more likely to be successful in both their business and personal lives. They can't help but know that everything is going to work out the way they expected to, if not even better.
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