CHAPTER 11

Your Presentation

Revisited

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In this chapter, you will do the following:

• Recreate your first activity from Chapter 2-only this

time you'll use an idea map.

• Compare your baseline note-taking attempt to your new

idea-mapping skills.

• Review the benefits of mapping a presentation.

In Chapter 2, before learning to idea map, you chose a topic

for a 30-minute presentation, created the notes that you

would take to the podium, and created them in your usual

format. I called these notes your baseline notes. The purpose

of this activity was to make you aware of your current notetaking

style. We are going to do this activity again, only this

time it will be done by using your idea-mapping skills. You

will then compare your initial baseline notes with the idea

map you will create in this next activity.

Presentation-Second Attempt

One of the struggles in the original activity was choosing a

topic that you could talk about for 30 minutes. You can reuse

this same topic or choose a new one. If you don't have a presentation

theme in mind, take a moment to create a small idea

map of possible topics. Next, decide on one of the topics and

take 5 minutes to create the notes you will take to the podium

using your new idea-mapping technique. The objectives are

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speed (pretend you're under a deadline) and volume of data.

Let the thoughts come naturally and randomly. Get them

down as quickly as you can. Don't worry about changing colors

or being neat. At the end of the 5 minutes, assign each

main branch a number to determine the order and sequence

of the presentation.

Now find your baseline notes from Chapter 2. When

comparing this map to your original notes, ask yourself the

following questions:

1. Did I struggle as much in choosing a topic?

2. Did I have a greater number of topics to choose from?

3. Which document contains a greater amount of information?

4. Which one is more organized?

5. Could I give a presentation from this idea map?

6. Were there any images in the map?

7. Which one looks messier? (Probably the idea map!)

Benefits of Presentation Maps

As you will discover if you use this map to deliver an actual

presentation, there are a number of benefits for using the

map for delivery purposes. For example:

• It gives you flexibility to adjust the order of or the importance

placed on a branch at the last moment. Maybe

when you arrive for your meeting you find out that a particular

part of your presentation is critical to the audience.

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225

• It gives you the ability to take the same basic topics and

adjust it to fit the needs and applications of different audiences.

• It gives you the ability to adjust the time. This is the infamous

original "20-minute" presentation that must

now be done in 10 minutes because some previous presenter

talked for too long!!

• It gives you the ability to read your audience as you

present, because you can look at them (rather than your

notes!). In addition you eliminate both the visual and

the audible distraction of shuffling through multiple

pieces of paper.

• It gives you a chance to express yourself more naturally

because you are looking at key thoughts. Most people

using linear notes sound like they are reading a from

script-and they are!

Next time you have an opportunity to speak to a group, use

an idea map. See Figure 11.1 for a map of the benefits for using

an idea map as opposed to using baseline notes.

Chapter 12 will provide you with many choices of ideamapping

applications-allowing you to practice your skills!

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Your Presentation Revisited

227

Figure 11.1 Chapter 11 Summary

CHAPTER

12

Idea-Mapping

Menu

229

The following menu of selections is a series of ideamapping

applications and suggested practice activities.

The various topics include:

1. To-Do List

2. Decision

3. Keeping a Journal

4. Personal Planning

5. Vision or Mission

6. Goals

7. Client

8. Project Plan

9. Problem

10. Book

11. Preparing and Delivering a Presentation

12. Article

13. A Person

14. Phone Calls

15. Job or Process Description

16. Gift

17. Writing a Document

18. Status Report

19. Team Idea Map

20. Study Notes

21. In-Box

22. "Real-Time" Notes

23. Interview

24. Capturing Notes During a Group Meeting

230

25. Designing a Website

26. Memorizing Information

27. Teaching Someone to Map

28. Organizing Your Thoughts

Try these maps in any order you prefer and commit to doing

at least one new application per week. This will help to solidify

your mapping skills. Try both hand drawing as well as

using software products to create the maps.

1. To-Do List

Creating a "to-do" list in the idea-mapping format provides

a fun and creative look at tasks. It can help categorize similar

items and assist in prioritizing. This is a simple way to practice.

Some people will argue that it takes longer to create a

to-do map than it does just writing a normal list-especially

during the early learning phase. This may be true. However,

mapping something familiar will get the focus off struggling

with content and further enable you to focus your energy on

learning to structure thoughts by association.

People frequently ask me how to "check off" the completed

items. Do this by putting a small box at the end of each

branch. As items are finished, check the box. I redraw the

idea map when it reaches the point where it is difficult to add

new branches or it is just so messy I can't stand it any more.

2. Decision

Making decisions can often occupy our minds as we wrestle

with all the possibilities. Try creating a map that shows all the

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issues affecting the decision. What are the key factors to consider?

What are all the alternatives? Does this decision impact

others? What will be the result of making the decision?

Are there financial implications? Who could provide advice?

What are the positive, negative, and interesting thoughts

that come to mind? Sometimes seeing the whole picture will

spark an idea that previously went unnoticed. Documenting

all the issues might even help you sleep better!

3. Keeping a Journal

A number of my workshop participants have changed how

they journal. Instead of using lined paper, purchase a sketchpad

with unlined paper, making sure that the paper thickness

is above average. This will keep markers from bleeding

through the paper. Create an idea map for each of the entries.

Linear notes can be included on the opposite page, if necessary.

4. Personal Planning-Wedding, Party,

Holiday Event, Shopping, Vacation

Idea maps are a great tool for any type of planning-from

huge weddings to Christmas shopping trips! They are great

for planning big events and family vacations. I've seen grocery

maps that use the store aisles as main branches and others

organized by food group-dairy, meats, cereal, fruit, vegetables,

household, and canned goods.

Planning with idea maps is a great way to get others involved

in the process. Keep them posted where others can

see them and add their ideas.

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5. Vision or Mission-

Individual or Organizational

In Chapter 6, I suggested creating a personal vision or mission.

This can be so valuable that it is worth repeating. However,

this one may be a work in progress, so remain patient.

The same idea applies for a group of people working toward

a shared objective. The creation of the central image

alone will bring clarity to the purpose and vision. Each person

will see how he or she fits into the overall picture and will

have a better understanding of the organizational direction.

The vision defined in these maps can cover the corporate

strategic plan, a 1-year vision, or a short-term project. Too

often professionals spend enormous amounts of time working

in isolation on their part of a project while the entire team

shares little communication. Taking a short amount of time

with the entire group to create this vision will save time,

money, and frustration. It will increase buy-in, understanding,

and interdependence among the team members.

6. Goals

Goals are different from vision. Goals are what you want to

accomplish at the detail level. Goals are how you intend to

achieve the set vision. Some people traditionally set goals

(resolutions) every New Year. New goals are set after an annual

performance review. Maybe it's easier to set monthly

or weekly goals. This is a personal choice. Just set them and

map them. It significantly increases the chances of successful

completion.

A goal map is a beautiful visual reminder of priorities. It

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keeps the creator from becoming distracted by unimportant

issues. These maps can also be documentation for past accomplishments.

7. Client

This is another large category of possible maps. Various topics

could include client meetings, proposals, products, issues,

presentations, business growth, or just a map of personnel

(names, roles, responsibilities, and other notable details

about each person). Years ago, the owners of a Pennsylvania

consulting company attended my workshop. They returned

for a visit the following year and brought some of their maps

with them. One was a spiral bound document with an idea

map as the front cover. It was a client proposal. The map cover

summarized the entire contents of the proposal including research,

requirements gathering, and recommendations. In

the subsequent text of the document were all the linear details.

It was the best of both worlds, but you can probably

guess what immediately captured the client's attention!

By using idea maps with clients, you will stand apart

from the competition by communicating with the customer

in a visual and memorable way. Caution: If you are taking live

notes in front of someone (customer or anyone else) not familiar

with idea mapping, explain what you are doing or it

may be distracting-especially if you come armed with all of

your markers!

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8. Project Plan

Try creating a map to track all the key components of a project.

This will assist the entire project team by providing a

visual reminder of upcoming deadlines, task priorities, problem

areas, budget, and client information, to name just a few

possibilities. Mindjet software would be another option for

handling large amounts of data, and it can export the map to

and from Microsoft Project, if applicable.

It is in some of these more complex applications that

you begin to experience the tremendous power, clarity, and

timesavings you can gain by having a tool to house all the

data in one place. Use the map to share the project status with

others or during meetings.

9. Problem

Choose a current problem to map. Include all aspects of

the problem and a branch for possible alternatives. When

did this problem start? What is the root cause of the problem?

What would it take to resolve the issue? Are there any

deadlines to consider? Document the individuals involved in

this problem, their roles, and contributions to the solution.

What are the worst- and best-case scenarios? Often what you

thought was the problem ends up being a symptom and the

map lets the underlying cause be seen more clearly-and of

course the possible solutions will be more effective.

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10. Book

How often do you read a book, then go back and try to find

a piece of information that you need but can't find? Putting

all the key pieces of data from a book onto a single map remedies

this problem. In addition, it presents a perfect way to

review the material. Organize the idea map by chapter or define

other categories. Add page numbers to the branches to

assist in referring to important sections of the book.

I've seen detailed book maps on flipchart paper and

smaller idea maps copied right into the front of the book

where there are typically two blank pages. The next time you

read a book, keep an idea map to track your major thoughts

and learning.

11. Preparing and Delivering

a Presentation

Mapping a presentation is a wonderful application. I use this

application multiple times a month. It is fabulous for collecting,

organizing, and prioritizing topics. It may take more

than one draft to get it right, but once it is complete you can

speak from the map. The delivery will be much smoother

and more natural compared to other presenters who must

shuffle through pages and pages of linear notes.

Don Lacombe was a course participant and a 30+ year

veteran (now retired) of one of the largest automotive companies.

Using the Mindjet software, he created a large map to

present complex data to the executives of a sister company.

The data covered 5 years of research on a competitor. He

gave an 11″ × 17″ version of this map to each of his attendees.

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Part way through, his presentation was interrupted to allow

time for another presenter. This person finished delivering

his information, and then it was Don's turn again. Using his

map, he did a quick recap of what he had covered prior to the

interruption and then finished the presentation. It was a

smashing success! He later used the same map to give many

internal presentations and still uses it periodically for his

own purposes today.

12. Article

Find an article that you need to read. Start by scanning the

article for themes or main ideas. If it is easy to identify the

main branches, do that much of the map before reading the

article. Otherwise, determine possible main branches while

reading the article.

People often ask whether they should read the whole

article first and create the map afterwards or create the map

as they read. It's completely a personal choice. The one thing

I definitely recommend is that you highlight key words as

you read. That way if you read the entire article prior to creating

the map, the potential key words are already there even

if they do not all go into the map. This eliminates the need to

reread the article. Remember-only capture the key words

needed to support the defined purpose and the words or images

you will need to remember.

13. A Person

There are many opportunities to create what I call people

maps. The person can be real or imaginary, living or de-

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ceased. The map could describe a client you want to remember,

a job candidate, a sales contact, a family member, a historical

or prominent figure, your ideal future spouse, a mentor,

or YOU! There are millions of people to choose from.

Begin by defining your purpose because it's tempting to

include too many details on this one! Some data will probably

be similar in all people maps. Those items make up the

essence of your relationship with that individual. Although

this is an incomplete list, consider including some of the following

information about the person when creating this map:

Hobbies

Where does and has this person lived?

Memories

Talents

Awards

Shared experiences

Dreams

Favorites (foods, destinations, colors)

How did you meet?

Education

Common interests

Friends

Work

Family

Personality

Activity involvement

Passions

Future plans together

Use your imagination to go wild with the possibilities. Enjoy!

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14. Phone Calls

For this application, create a phone map prior to making a

call. This will help focus the discussion and make sure all

pertinent issues are covered. As the conversation takes place,

add action items, decisions, and any follow-up tasks to the

map. The central image could be a combination of the person

you are calling and the date. If necessary, keep a binder

to store and document these conversations.

15. Job or Process Description

(Book of Knowledge)

Practice idea mapping by documenting your job. Try to

cover every aspect as if this document could assist you in

training a replacement. It will be eye opening to discover the

vastness and complexity of responsibilities.

Dan Drayton worked as a supplier quality specialist for

a large automotive company. His assignment was to create a

map for his specific commodity-bumper systems. The intention

of the exercise was to help his boss understand the

processes and complexity involved in the fabrication of a

number of commodities. It would establish a book of knowledge

and assist in understanding the product's process flow.

Dan's specific commodity, bumper systems, contained

many additional processes that were unique to this product

(polishing, chroming, painting, as well as impact performance

and warranty issues). He created a map that contained

all the different processes, systems, and key elements that

were critical in manufacturing a complete bumper system.

The map simplified and organized his thoughts, distin-

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guished each process, and created a semblance of order from

a confusing and complicated process flow. He was also able

to use it as a problem solving and root-cause analysis tool.

His idea map started out as a job description and grew

to a living, breathing document. The map was updated as the

processes changed. No more reinventing the wheel! Create a

map of your job.

16. Gift

Here are some gift ideas:

• A map of a person given to that individual (see the

description of making a PERSON map earlier in this

chapter)

• A map of a presentation given to the presenter

• Cards-birthday, holiday, thank you, and so on

• A map of an author's book or article given to the

author-(that is not a hint!)

I once had a client who was retiring from Chevrolet. An artist

created a map of his history with the company, his hobby

(fishing), his family, and other details about his life. He received

it as a retirement gift.

While getting into my car after work one day, I noticed

a huge basket of fruit in the passenger's seat. My first thought

was, "who broke into my car?" Amidst all of the fruit was an

idea map titled, "The Fruits of the Spirit." My husband had

created a map to brighten my day and left it as a gift. It is one

of the sweetest gifts I have ever received.

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17. Writing a Document

I can't think of a better way to collect and organize thoughts

before writing any kind of document. Remind yourself to let

the ideas come naturally. Don't get stuck feeling as if they

need to be captured sequentially. Once you've captured all

the ideas, decide on their order. This map will be a draft and

often never gets redrawn. From here you can create the linear

document. If there is value added, include a final draft of

the idea map with the linear document. You will be pleased

with the organization, the flow, and the speed at which you

were able to create the final product.

Consider developing a report, a proposal, a meeting

summary, a white paper, a contract, a BLOG, or a lessonslearned

document using this technique.

18. Status Report

Build a status map by adding information to a map over time.

Create a template of the major branches that you use every

week or month. Leave a miscellaneous branch for the unique

events during each period. When it's time to write the report,

it's all there! Keep the map as a historical collection of

accomplishments as described in one of the examples in

Chapter 6. Consider including the map with the linear document,

but don't turn in the map by itself unless you are

willing to explain the new format and its contents to the recipient.

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19. Team Mapping Process

See Chapter 9 for a description of this application. Gather a

bunch of markers and give it a try!

20. Study Notes

Whether it is getting a degree, taking a single class, learning

something new for the job, or earning a certification-it all

requires studying. Creating an idea map that includes new

information will speed up and enhance the learning process

and make the data more memorable. You can create a map

that covers a chapter, a lecture, or the entire subject. It's up

to you. If possible, post it on your office wall as a way to review

the material. It will make learning easier.

21. In-Box

One of the most discouraging things I hear professionals talk

about is the vast amount of information that piles into both

their physical and electronic in-boxes. Try creating a mail

map to collect pertinent information, and then delete the

mail! Scan each message or document for information you

need to remember. Create a branch for the information or

add to a previous one. Do this for each in-box message and

then post the map for review. What an easy way to keep the

necessary bits of information, without keeping the entire

message or article.

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22. Real-Time Notes

This is the most challenging idea-mapping activity. For a

complete description on how to be successful at this application,

see Chapter 13.

23. Interview

This map could be your preparation for conducting an interview,

taking notes as the interview is in process, or both.

In preparing for an interview, create branches for each topic

you want to cover. Use colors, symbols, or numbers to prioritize

critical information. Take this map to the interview

and add to it as the questions are answered.

For taking notes during an interview, refer to the suggestions

under the "Real-Time Notes" category.

24. Capturing Notes During a

Group Meeting

This is "real-time" mapping on steroids. Now the map isn't

just for your purposes, it's for the group and will help to facilitate

the progress of the meeting. Have you ever been in a

meeting where people repeatedly bring up the same issues?

Try capturing the important discussion points from a meeting

in an idea map. Use a flipchart, whiteboard, or software

to house the data. Keep it visible for all to see throughout the

meeting. If discussions become repetitive, you can point to

that part of the map and ask if they have thoughts in addition

to those already discussed. People will even begin to tell you

where to put their thoughts on the map.

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Occasionally individuals will disagree about where a

new subtopic connects on the map. This is a great opportunity

to further clarify understanding and then mutually agree

on its placement. You can then distribute the map to all in attendance

since it was a shared creation.

25. Designing a Website

A website is much like an idea map. The home page houses

the connections to all the main links. If you are developing a

website, start collecting possible ideas for your site in a map.

It's best to use the software for this activity because you can

then easily export your map to an html file and have the guts

of the work already completed! One of my clients, The Chattanooga

Advertising Federation, used a map to communicate

changes on their current site to the web designers. They

were told that their up-front work saved them $1,100.

26. Memorizing Information

If you need to memorize the information in the map, put as

many images into the map as possible. Use codes and color

to help trigger your recall. Do a mental review within an

hour of creating the map, and see how much you can recall

without peeking. Once you have gone through that exercise,

check your accuracy by reviewing the actual map. Do this

again 24 hours later, 1 week later, and 1 month later. This

process moves the information from your short-term memory

to your long-term memory. Post it where it is visible if

that is helpful.

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27. Teaching Someone to Map

There is no better way to reinforce your learning than by

teaching idea mapping to someone else. Show them one of

yours. Explain the benefits and a bit about the map. Find an

application that would be both useful and simple for them to

try. Maybe you can do one together.

28. Organizing Your Thoughts

This is a very simple-yet extremely useful-application.

Have you ever experienced a time when your thoughts just

seemed to go in circles and finding a good starting point

seemed very difficult? Purge your brain by pouring all the

(sometimes seemingly unrelated) items onto a map. This has

many advantages. First, your head feels less full! Next, you

can look at what is on the map and decide on the priorities or

the urgent items. You can take control. Now it is possible to

decide what to attack first, and you can think more clearly.

In all of the previous chapters, I provided a chapter

summary. This one is a little different-you create your own

review. Choose several applications from this chapter that

you would like to map. Use those as the main branches of the

map in Figure 12.1. You will have your own summary and

plan of action!

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IDEA MAPPING

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Figure 12.1 Chapter 12 Summary

CHAPTER

13

Real-Time Idea

Mapping-The

Final Challenge

247

This chapter will cover

• The Definition of Real-Time Idea Mapping

• The Five Keys to Successful Real-Time Idea

Mapping

The Definition of

Real-Time Idea Mapping

Real-time idea mapping is creating your map while the information

is coming at you in the moment. It combines

everything you know about listening, making decisions on

the amount of detail to include, boiling thoughts into key

words, using images to represent large portions of data or to

enhance recall, and deciding on your purpose for the map.

The watermark on the cover of this book was a realtime

map that I created in 1998 in front of a large audience

during a 3-hour presentation. Talk about pressure! I captured

the main points of the speaker's message even when

there were parts I didn't completely understand. You also

saw an example from Choon Boo Lim in Chapter 10.

This is the most challenging idea-mapping activity.

Tackle this after you have some experience with other mapping

applications. In a "real-time" note-taking situation

(such as a lecture), there can be many challenges present at

the same time, including:

248

• High speed of delivery

• No agenda provided

• Difficulty managing your markers

• Frustration

• Lack of defined purpose

• Disorganized presenter or facilitator

• Boring presenter or facilitator

• Hard to determine main branches and key words

• Desire to change back to linear notes

• Running out of space on the paper

First a note of encouragement-this is an advanced application,

and it will take a variety of attempts to feel comfortable,

so be persistent! Given all of these challenges, let me make a

few key suggestions.

The Five Keys to Successful

Real-Time Idea Mapping

1. Start Small

Make sure you are comfortable with idea mapping before

using it in critical or difficult scenarios. In the 2-day course

I teach, participants face a challenging activity like this on

the afternoon of the second day. Even with their thorough

training, I suggest they begin with small and safe "real-time"

applications.

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249

Start with a situation in which the sharing of information

happens at a relatively reasonable speed-a meeting for

example. The pace is slower because discussions can get

repetitive, there is usually an agenda, and sometimes (dare I

say) they can be boring. This provides an opportunity to

focus on trying the mapping technique and preventing boredom

at the same time. Your notes will end up being more

complete, succinct, and organized than anyone else's in the

room. Mapping the meeting will keep you engaged and provide

an opportunity to hone your skills at the same time! Tell

the group what you are doing so you don't become a distraction

by "doodling" through the meeting. Everyone will want

to see the map at the end of the meeting.

2. Purpose

Define your purpose for taking notes. This will guide what

information is included in the map and the amount of detail.

3. Pre-Draw Main Branches

If possible, pre-draw the main branches. You might find

these on an agenda, they could comprise your previous

knowledge about the topic, or they might summarize what

you would like to gain from the map. Even if there is an

agenda, this is no guarantee the speaker will follow it. Your

job is to keep your ears and mind keenly attuned to the main

and key ideas that are important to YOU. These will become

the main branches and detail branches of your map. When

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examining the map afterward, don't worry if in hindsight you

decide you want to change its organization. If the first map

has served its purpose, stop there. However, if there is a reason,

you can make updates later in a second draft.

4. Challenge Yourself

As you tackle more challenging "real-time" applications, the

issues and difficulties you will face will include: greater volumes

of information coming at you with an increased rate of

speed, greater complexity of the information, and disorganized

information. With higher speeds, I recommend sticking

to a single color or using a four-color pen (click quietly).

Don't waste time switching marker colors. If you run out of

space on your paper, start a second sheet with the same central

image and off you go! With greater complexity-just do

your best to catch the highlights. Fill in the necessary details

later.

If you find you are dealing with a disorganized speaker

who switches back and forth between topics, add new information

to the branch that seems most appropriate. If the

facilitator repeats thoughts multiple times, resist adding the

repetitive information to the map unless there is a purpose.

Use arrows or symbols to show connections and repetition if

it is helpful. Stay alert.

As you get comfortable, try longer and more complicated

events. Tackle a presentation in which there is no agenda

provided. I'll bet your idea map will end up being more organized

than the speaker's presentation!

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251

5. Stick With It!!!

Try to avoid frustration. Don't give up!! Taking notes in this

format almost guarantees capturing more data than linear

notes. Yes, it might look like a total mess, but you will be able

to understand it because it is your creation. The next time it

will be so much easier.

Meetings, sermons, presentations, conference speeches,

and videos provide opportunities to practice this advanced

skill. Give it a try. See Figure 13.1 for a summary of this

chapter.

Conclusion

We have finally arrived at the end of this book. Have you begun

to get a glimpse of your hidden brain power? Have idea

maps already helped you to learn, plan, think, or create faster

in any way? Have you enjoyed the process so far? Do you see

how idea maps can be a tool to achieve greater success in

business and life? If you answer yes to any of these questions,

you are well into this adventure.

My final charge to you is this-Practice! Although this

is still a new skill, you should feel a great sense of accomplishment

in seeing such progress. It truly is a process. Each

person is going to grow their idea-mapping skills at different

speeds. Some will use this tool for complex issues while others

will use it for more simple purposes. Remember, the measure

of success isn't the beauty of the map. Most of the examples

in this book look much more spectacular than the

majority of my own creations. The measure of success is in

finding, learning, and using a tool that will lead you to new

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ways of thinking. I measure my personal success by the degree

to which this tool helps you. I hope that the use of idea

mapping will make your work and life more productive, creative,

memorable, fun, clear, abundant, organized, imaginative,

colorful, and filled with possibilities!

Allow yourself to embrace and enjoy this new way of

thinking, learning, and creating. Give yourself this gift. You

have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I hope it enriches

your work and life as much as it has mine. Now get out

there and start idea mapping with a vengeance!