Am I the only one who sometimes feels like my head is going to burst with all the stuff swirling around in it?  Sometimes I know that I really need to think about something, but it just feels so “loud” in my mind that I can’t actually think about anything. 

Other times, I know I need to figure something out, but I feel totally blank.  I’ve no idea where to start, and everything feels foggy.

And still other times, it’s my emotions that are running wild.  It could be one of those days that I’m hit with several different strong emotions.  Or it might be one of those days where the answer to “What’s wrong?” is “Nothing.  Everything. I don’t know.”  (Please tell me that I’m not the only one who feels that way sometimes!)

For these moments, and oh-so-many-more, I turn to a tool that’s tried and true in my life.  I use it all the time, usually at least once, often multiple times, each week.  I’ve taught it to clients.  And this week I’m going to share this “life hack” with you.  It’s the process of mind mapping.  I’ve mentioned it in recent blog posts on Rest and Renew, but it’s such a useful tool that I thought a deeper dive might be helpful.

Maybe you’re familiar with the tool of the mind map.  Maybe you’ve used it in the past.  But when was the last time you used it?  Too often, we forget about the usefulness of stuff we learned some time ago, or we relegate it to only being used in certain settings or situations.  Well, friend, I’m here to say that the mind map is a tool worth dusting off and trying out in all areas of life and work… you might just be surprised by the results!

What’s a mind map?

For those who might be meeting my friend the mind map for the first time, let me offer a quick introduction.  Mind mapping – or a “doing a brain dump” as I sometimes like to call it – is a graphic way of recording stuff going on in my head (or heart).  It’s more than a list.  It shows relationships between thoughts or feelings.  It starts with a word or phrase in the center of a sheet of paper – the topic of the mind map.  I write down that word or phrase and draw a circle around it.  Then, somewhere near that center circle, I write down something on my mind that’s related to that topic, draw a circle around it, and add a line that connects it to the topic.  Then I’m off to the races! 

It gets messy.  That’s ok.  There are really no rules in mind mapping; the point is to get the stuff out of your head and heart.  There are no grades, and neatness doesn’t count.

Why is a mind map helpful?

There are three big reasons why I find mind maps helpful:

1.     It creates space for deeper thinking.

I’m not a neuroscientist, but I am pretty sure it’s true that our brains – while amazing – have limited RAM.  We can really only hold a very few things in our mind at one time.  For example, if I have three things to pick up at the grocery store, I’ll be fine cruising in and out without a written list.  If I need to get 5-6 (or more) items, I’d better write them down, or there’s no hope of me walking out with everything I need. 

So when I’m thinking about something (or worrying about something, or planning something, etc.), I’m going to keep thinking about the 3-5 things that are top of mind, and my brain is going to circle around to each of those thoughts in a continuous loop so that I don’t forget any of them.  I can’t add any new thoughts, because I’m “full” and I’ll likely forget one of my initial thoughts if I try to add something else. 

Enter the mind map.  Once I dump out the first 3-5 things in my head, my mind is now free to go deeper.  I can stop cycling through those few thoughts, and I start to follow each or any of those trails to think new thoughts, make new connections, or identify feelings that are coming up because of those thoughts. 

2.    It creates new ideas or perspectives.

There’s a reason that I was first introduced to the mind map as a tool in the world of creative problem solving.  Having the freedom to let my mind go and track thoughts and ideas as they come (without judgment) opens up the door for thinking more broadly, more creatively.  Being able to visually “map” those ideas and create connections fuels creative thinking.  And even if I don’t particularly need novel ideas and I’m simply using a mind map to help name the tasks that need to go into an action plan, a mind map often offers me a new perspective of “Oh, this is doable!” 

3.    It brings clarity.

Time after time, when I take all my squirrely thoughts and feelings and dump them into bubbles and lines, out of that mess comes newfound clarity.  It could be clarity about the next practical thing I need to do to start or continue a project.  It could be clarity about what’s really important to me or what’s really bugging me.  It could be clarity about a way to address a problem.  Regardless of topic, the mess always yields something to guide me.

Can’t I just make a list?

Sure, you can.  It just probably won’t yield the results above.  Lists don’t often help us go deeper or broader or get more creative, because we don’t see the connections as well.  And they definitely don’t help me get clarity.  Plus, lists imply priority, and priority throws us into a tizzy.  If I ask you to brain dump what you’re thinking about, and you start a list, you’ll get a few items into that list before you think of your spouse.  Then you’ll immediately feel a twinge of guilt because your spouse is midway down the list, somewhere between what you’re going to have for lunch, and what to do about the bugs that are destroying the plants in your garden.  A mind map is WAY more forgiving.  There’s no order or priority, just a messy dump that accepts all the stuff, in any order, and holds it gently for you.  Plus, mind mapping is way more fun and freeing for your mind than writing another list.

However, lest you think I’m anti-list, I should add that I do love a good list!  At least when it comes to creating action plans and getting stuff done.  But I mind map FIRST.  The freedom of the mind map helps me name all the action steps I’ll need to do to complete the project.  Again, when I’m mind mapping, I can start with the last tasks of the project and work backward or jump around in order because I don’t have to worry about listing them in order.  But goodness knows that I can’t use a messy mind-map as an action plan!  So I organize and number my mind map, and then transfer my action items into a lovely list, complete with deadline dates!

How should I use a mind map?

Don’t “should” on yourself, darling.  The question is “How could you use a mind map?”  OK, the list might be endless, but let me offer a few ideas: 

• You have a new project to start (maybe at work, or maybe it’s something you need to get done at home) and need to figure out where to begin and how to get it done.

• You’re feeling agitated (or stuck, or confused) and aren’t sure why or what’s behind it.

• Your life feels a bit overwhelming, and you need to sort out all the stuff that’s competing for your attention. 

• You want to start a journaling habit, but writing long-form isn’t your thing.  (Mind mapping is a great journaling technique!)

I hope those ideas help get you started.  Now I’ll turn the question around and ask you:

How could you use a mind map (today)?

(You’ll likely think of a different way to use it tomorrow or later this week.)  Pretty soon, you’ll be a mind map pro, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.