Note Mapping Rocks!

One app I should really use more often is Mindjet MindManager (http://www.mindjet.com/us/). I never got into mapping my ideas, preferring outline form instead, but I need to make an attempt to turn that around. Here's the back story: the better half and I attended a home buying seminar today. Naturally, I brought my tablet to write notes. As usual, I popped open Windows Journal and determined whether landscape or portrait would work better in the setting. But then I figured I'd be jotting a lot of short points and linking them to subjects for context. Outlining would be too clumsy; I had to map it. I split the duties between the apps, writing notes in MindManager and action items in Journal. MM provides a relatively short inking space for map items, forcing me to stick to the points, split out overlaps, link properly to keep the points in context, and keep pace with the speakers. My extended thoughts were all actionable items scribed into Journal. In case you couldn't tell, I am quite pleased with the results. In reflecting on it, I understand now why mapping didn't really grab me before. I need to write when the inspiration strikes me, and often I get struck during the planning stage. In typing an outline, it was easy to load it with material when it came to me, but that doesn't quite work with a map of necessarily brief points. But after today's experiment, I realize I can take advantage of the open flow of a map and still flesh out points as the content comes to me. Seems like the sort of thing I'd have realized before now, but I guess I just didn't have a need before today's event.

CateGoogles: Tablet_PC general_tech Mood = excited