Visual Productivity

When you look at it, it just makes sense!

Update to Mind Mapping Review Series Criteria

VisualMappingReviewSeries2014_thumb.pngIf you've spent some time watching reviews of mind mapping programs on YouTube, you've likely watched at least one of my videos. I've had well over 100 000 views overall on the series so far. The last batch of reviews (VMRS 2014) I did was way back in the summer of 2014.

I'm ready to start doing some reviews of mind mapping programs again. I'd like to take them to the next level, so I've spent some time doing research to see what viewers would like to see in a review.

What I found wasn't surprising, but it probably ended up creating more questions than it answered.

I found a huge variety of needs and wants across a wide spectrum of users. I would love to be able to answer everyone's questions and desires, but it's not realistic to review 100 individual points for each piece of software I look at.

That means I need to make some choices.

So here's how I plan on updating the mind mapping review series criteria

Format change

I've done several video reviews over the past two years. I tried to keep things simple by taking about my likes and dislikes. That worked fine, but even after I cut out things I wanted to talk about, I still ended up making videos that were in the 5-12 minute range. That's too long of a video for most people to watch (including me).

I'd really like to keep video length down to five minutes or less, and instead offer addition videos on particular points I want to expand upon. I'll also take the time to go more in-depth on the accompanying blog post.

Are charts useful?

I'm also considering making a big comparison chart to my site. My only hesitation is that I only want to make things you're going to use.

Sometimes I look at charts online and I think to myself, “Who cares.” I don't want to spend a whole lot of time working on a big chart that nobody will ever use.

In my mind, a comparison chart will take a lot of work to create and maintain. That's why I plan on doing a bit more research before making a decision.

I do think that charts can be eye-catching. That means that you might be willing to read the review based on what you see in a chart. In that sense, the chart doesn't provide the answer, but it works more like a launch pad for you to move off from and onto the individual reviews.

Here are some ideas of possible list items:

About the software

  • Version # Reviewed
  • Platforms
  • PC, Mac, Linux, Web, iOS, Android
  • Cost
  • Free version vs. Paid Version(s)
  • Mobile Apps
  • Visual Appeal

Features

  • Tagging
  • Notes
  • Linking (Internal/External)
  • Filters / Search
  • Import Formats
  • Export Formats
  • History Feature
  • Chat
  • Embed
  • In websites
  • Custom Themes
  • Backup
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Attachments
  • Web-Based
  • Number of maps
  • Storage
  • Online real-time collaboration

Other

  • Community available?
  • Links to templates
  • Notes
  • As a catchall

Leave me a comment down below to let me know what you think about comparison charts. Are they useful? Do you just scroll past them? How do you prefer to make a decision or learn about something new?

Name change

Going forward, I'll be making a slight chance. We'll now be referring to the Visual Mapping Review Series as the Mind Mapping Review Series. The change comes down to the fact that 1000X (embellished stat) more people search for mind mapping rather than visual mapping. I'm looking to get my posts in front of a few more eyeballs, so we're going ahead with the change.

I'll still use the terms mind mapping and visual mapping interchangeably, however, most of the writing will default to “Mind Mapping.”

Only positive/uplifting reviews

When I first started doing reviews, my goal was to “Tell it like it is.”

When someone says they're going to tell it like it is, it usually turns into a rant. That's what ended up happening with some of my videos. It definitely wasn't my intent. My goal was to help you find the best program, not to be someone blasting other people's hard work.

I've had some great conversations with several software developers and have learned a few things. Everyone I've spoken to is incredibly open to feedback. The developers are ready to listen to the good and the bad about their product. Several developers even reached out to me after my reviews and advised of how they would proceed to make changes based on my feedback.

That being said, I'm not going to whitewash a review.

I just won't review (or will limit) how much I talk about a product that I don't feel is worth your time looking at. It takes one to two days for me to do a review video and article, so I don't want to waste my time talking about something I don't want you to use. I'll still offer constructive feedback for the developers, but I'll do it using my real voice, and not try to be a know-it-all (which I'm not).

Reaching out to developers

Up until now I would do the review first without talking to the company that made it. I know that seems like the wrong approach, but in the past I felt too shy to approach the developers and wasn't sure what to expect.

After seeing how awesome they are, and knowing that they usually have cool insights and stories to share, I'll be trying to connect with each of them as I prepare the review. I might see if I can do an interview or a Q&A with them too. I'll see how things go, but it might be something cool.

I know I like seeing behind the curtain of places I'm interested in and I suspect you're the same too.

Do we need a rating system?

Up until this point, I've resisted going to a rating system. I know a rating can seem useful in choosing software, but I don't know how valuable it actually is. Since I'll only be doing reviews of products I already like, most of ratings would be in the 3-5 star category.

When I personally go to a site that gives reviews I usually laugh when someone has reviewed 10 products and they're all rated 5 stars.

The folks over at Fluent Brain use a rating system consisting of 5 categories (Visual Quality, Usability, Featues, Integration, Price) and an overall score. It seems to be working for them, so I'll keep it under consideration.

Anything else you'd like to see

That's it as far as my ideas. Is there something you'd like to see? Now's the time to make a suggestion as to how we can improve the mind mapping review series criteria.

I'm excited about all the new products out there. It's been about a year and a half since I've done a review, so there's plenty of cool changes to talk about.

Get Driver Fit

get driver fit

One of my goals when coming to Abu Dhabi was to make some changes to how I've been living.

I don't live a hard life by any stretch of the imagination but I haven't been as active since my two kids were born.

I started working out again about six weeks ago, and now there's something that I'm using to measure my progress in the short-term.

It's called Get Driver Fit.

If you're not into car racing you may not know that Abu Dhabi is home to a Formula 1 racing track.

Formula 1 drivers need to be in peak physical condition to handle some crazy g-force, resist fatigue, and stay sharp during a long grueling race.

The seven-week Get Driver Fit program leads up to the annual race that will be held here at the Yas Marina Circuit. The idea behind the program is to encourage people in the city to get out and be more active.

How I'm leveraging the program

Four Weeks ago I went to the Yas Marina track like I enjoy doing. It's usually open to the public on Tuesday evenings. They put the lights on and you can walk, run, or bike around the track.

Before hitting the tarmac, anyone who wanted to join the Get Driver Fit program was weighed, and measured. Then we were off for a lap of walking around the 5.5 KM track with five stations setup at intervals around the track. Most of stations involved some form of High Intensity Interval Training. We would perform an action for a minute and record the results.

This was a perfect chance to take a snapshot of where I was at, and see if I could improve upon my results.

What's the point of the contest

Get Driver Fit prizeWhen everything is all said and done, one luck person will win a trip to the Seychelles. That would be incredible, but in order to do that, you need to have good results (lower BMI and lost inches), attend the free classes provided, improve upon your five fitness tests, and complete what sounds like a cool obstacle course at the end.

My numbers weren't great, but I did my best to push to set an actual benchmark.

All of the results we wrote down were on the honour system. I could have coasted, but I'm 100% bought into the idea of getting fit.

I'm not going to sandbag the baseline

I went all out in the test because I know it's unlikely that I'll be anywhere close to winning. The biggest reason is that most of the free classes start at 7 p.m. or are outside.

7 p.m. is around the time when my wife and I are getting the kids ready for bed. The other issue with classes being outside is that I have vitiligi. That's not a big deal in itself – I've lived with it since I was 10. But it means I'm not able to be out in the sun very long without burning to a crisp. That reduces what I can participate in while the sun is up.

This isn't me quitting before I even get going. It's just being realistic about my goals and where I'm at in life.

My top two reasons for getting involved

Obstacle course

Who doesn't like an obstacle course. I would have signed up just so I could do that. I have no idea what it will look like, but whatever it is, I'll attack it with aplomb.

Improved fitness

I'm not focusing on weight. I know if I do the right things, I'll get a leaner frame. I'm focusing a lot on doing the right things. That mostly involves getting exercise most days. I'm making sure I say “Most days,” and not “Every Day.” When you say every day, it means missing one day torpedoes your whole plan.

When you say “Most days,” it  just means most days. It also lets me take some days off if I'm feeling particularly tired.

I've done a good job of doing around 40 minutes of cardio most mornings. I've also been attending the free Get Driver Fit classes about twice a week. We did some pretty crazy cardio last night and I could feel the difference in my body. Good things are happening.

I'm also not going to weigh myself until the final day. Sometimes people get fixated on weight. I'm just making sure I get to the most days and am cognizant about what I'm eating.

Thanks for reading

I really wanted to write about this and share a little about what I'm up to.

The two main habits I'm fueling are fitness and writing, so you'll definitely see and hear more about this as I finish up the program. Make sure you check back as I'll be publishing a post about how I plan on hacking the test at the end to maximize my results. No cheating. Just putting my focus in the right areas to succeed.

The Biggest Stumbling Blocks When You Start Mind Mapping

Start mind mapping

Some people start mind mapping and they're changed forever. They can't stop raving about it.

Then there's another group of people, which you might be in.

It's the group that tries out mind mapping, but finds there's something not quite working for them.

If I'm describing you, read on. I'm going to cover what I think are the most common stumbling blocks when first using mind maps for whatever you're working on.

And Fear not.

If you've come across a stumbling block that's not included in this article, let me know in the comments and we'll talk about it.

Deal?

Onward.

Block #1: I'm doing this wrong

Never. That's impossible.

If you think you're doing it wrong, then you're doing it wrong.

Alright. I'm kidding.

But I don't believe there's a way to “do it wrong.”

Most of your stress from mind mapping will come from you thinking you're doing something wrong and not wanting to make a mistake.

Don't stress out about it.

The process will feel a little weird at first. That's what happens when you try something new. If you keep with it for a few days, that weird feeling goes away and after a few more days of using mind maps, you'll feel like a pro.

Don't wait until you've learned everything about mind mapping before starting. Just get in there and do it.

And stop worrying about rules, or what someone says you should be doing. There's time for that later.

The best way to figure out what works for you is to try it first, without judging yourself. Then go looking for some info and compare it to what you've figured out on your own.

Block #2: I can't pick a program to use

I've tested out and reviewed a ton of programs, and you know what I've found?

Many are really good.

10 years ago there were only a few good programs. Now there are hundreds. In fact, there are so many new ones coming out, I can barely keep up.

The downside to all that choice is that some programs aren't being updated and kept current.

When you're first starting out, there are two things you should look for.

  1. Is there still development on the program you want to use and a community of other people who use it. A community means you can ask questions if you stumble again.
  2. Can you get your information out? Are you able to copy and paste your information out and into something else? If so, great. Once you know what you like and don't like, you can feel free to move to a different program.

Thanks Kevin,but you YOU choose for me?

Um. OK.

I like a lot of programs, but let me give you two names to look at if you can't get off the fence. If these don't work for you, then just find something else.  Don't stress out about it.

Check out XMind. It's what I personally use most of the time. It's not perfect, but it's easy to learn. I'm mentioning XMind because I've also done 60-70 video tutorials on it, so if you have questions, I might have already posted an answer for it. You'll need to download the program and install it (Windows/Mac).

If you don't like my first suggestion, then try Mindomo. It has an app, web interface, and a desktop client. I like it too.

Phew. How was that? I just told you what to do.

If you'd like to get the fire hose treatment and see what I think on a variety of programs, you can have a look at my Visual Mapping Review Series. It's a huge list of reviews I've done. Just don't get bogged down in the minutiae of choosing a program. I'd much rather you START with something, than spend months researching.

Block #3: Should I use Paper, whiteboard, or electronic?

I love this question. Now were talking about something I'm super-passionate about.

My easy answer is YES to all three. They're all great tools to start mind mapping.

Electronic

There are some tremendous electronic mind mapping resources available, and the offerings are only getting better.

This is a great time to be a mind mapper for sure. I highly recommend choosing an electronic mind mapping program as your main location to store information.

Electronic resources are great, because they're searchable, shareable, and “organizable.”

One thing you'll hear me harp on over and over again is the need to use your mind map to reorganize information you put into it. I suggest treating the map like a living document, and not something that's etched in stone.

Paper

I like paper. It's readily available in most cases, and if you want to be even cooler, you can get some flip chart paper at your local business supply store or Amazon.

I don't use it as much anymore, but paper rocks.

Whiteboard

I absolutely love using big whiteboards for mind mapping.

There's something about using up a whole wall to put your ideas on. When you're able to write your ideas big, those ideas feel bigger and more tangible. The downside to using a whiteboard is that you either need to use that board to take action, or you'll have to copy the info into an electronic mind map. In many cases, I take a photo with my phone and save it for later.

White boards are my cure for insomnia. When I can't sleep, I head over to my giant whiteboard and write out everything I'm thinking. Then I head to bed and sleep like a baby. The next day I revisit what I've put down and take action on the ideas.

Here's  a video I did a while back (2011) about flip charts and whiteboards. The video quality is a little messed up, but the content is still good.

I have a bunch of stupid ideas in my map, now what?

Leave them alone.

Or…

Delete them.

Do whatever you'd like. It's your mind map. I personally suggest using mind maps like scrap paper. I try to get absolutely everything out of my head and include it in the map. Then I scratch off (delete) the ideas when they're not useful anymore.

Here's why I think you should write out everything. Sometimes it's the weird or dumb sounding ideas that give you kernels of greatness. You might all of a sudden see a connection between a weird idea and one of your good ones. When you mash them together, the new idea might turn out to be a game changer.

Sometimes mind maps aren't the solution

What!

I know it sounds crazy coming from me – but listen.

I've tried using mind maps for absolutely everything in my life. Most things work brilliantly with them, while others are best served with another tool.

I love mind maps for getting ideas out of my head and organizing them. I also teach people how to take action using mind maps. What I don't want you to do is limit your thinking, by saying that mind maps are the only tool you're going to use from now until eternity.

When I'm writing new blog posts, I usually do my planning in XMind (my everyday mapping program), and then I copy and paste everything into an editor.

If you need to collaborate with others, you may need to choose something else. Part of the decision in what you use needs to be based around the comfort level of the other people in the group. You may end up using Google Docs, which is great, but not as cool as a mind map.

My overall recommendations

Start now – Don't overthink what you're going to use or how you will use it. Start right away and get a feel for what you like and what you don't like. Once you know, you'll be better able to figure out how to use mind mapping to fit your current style.

Don't beat yourself up – No matter what anyone says, there's no “Right” way to mind map. Don't worry about how long or short your lines are. Who cares about colours.

After you've made a few maps, allow yourself to ask, “How could this be clearer?” Then go and read a few more articles or try things out. Don't do that now.

Try it with everything and see what sticks – For a while, pretend the only tool you have are mind maps. It's like the old saying goes, if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like nails. Who knows. You might find a really cool use for mind maps you'd never thought of. I didn't know I could write a book using mind maps, but it was great.

But like I said earlier. If a use isn't working for your or your group, you have my permission to stop.

Do you have a new stumbling block?

If you're experiencing a stumbling block I haven't mentioned, let me know in the comments down below. We can look at it together and see if we can figure something out.

New Website URL, New Focus

Hi everyone,

I've made the decision to change the name of the site.

You're Making Me > Visual Productivity

Going forward, everything I produce will come under the VisualProductivity.net banner. I think the name gives you a much better idea of where my focus lies, and it's a lot easier for people to type in. It has been a point of confusion to have a site name with an apostrophe. The last reason is that I'll no longer have to compete with Toni Braxton's You're Making Me High video. LOL.

What was I thinking back then.

The original site name of YoureMakingMe came from a speech I gave several years ago. Here's a 5 minute version of that speech if you're interested.

I haven't presented that You're Making Me speech in years, but the name stuck around as I thought it would be too hard to change.

Now that I'm in Abu Dhabi, I've had the chance to focus on my next steps. Most notably, I'll be continuing the heavier focus on mind mapping and “Visual” techniques that relate to productivity.

I have a lot of content already in the pipeline, and now that I've made the changes to the website, I'll start rolling out the blog posts again.

Content focus

You can look for two main types of content:

Mind mapping from the ground up

We'll slow down and take a good hard look at some of the questions I often answer in emails, but have never done posts of. We'll talk about the specifics of mind mapping, like which programs to use and HOW to use them.

Intermediate and Pro tips – including more complex systems

I get emails all the time from people who have incredibly elaborate systems setup for their work flow. I love hearing about what mind maps and other visual tools are being used for, so we'll delve into that as well. We'll look into tips for intermediate to advanced users.

The podcast?

The podcast won't be going anywhere. I'm still not sure whether it's best to delete everything and start from scratch, or to just continue on. I'm leaning toward carrying on as before, but refocusing the show a bit.

Any more changes?

Nope. Besides still needing a logo, and verifying that all old links point to the new places, there's nothing else to change.

I'll be reviewing all of my products and re-branding them as I go, but if you've bought something from me in the past, you'll still have access to it like always.

That's it for now. If you have any comments, you can share them down below.

Thanks for your continued support,

Kevin

XMind 7 Public Beta Available for Download

XMind 7 Public Beta is here

XMind has just announced the release of the XMind 7 public beta. For a limited time, you'll be able to download the beta version of the software and possibly help the company make things better. The beta version includes all Pro features, allowing you to test out the program in its entirety. The full-featured beta version will be available until November 30, 2015.

I've had the good fortune of being part of the private beta, so I've already had a few weeks to test out some of the new features and see what's changed. Overall, I'm happy with what the developers have come up with.

I'll do a full review of XMind 7 shortly, but I wanted to let you know about the public beta in case you're interested in trying it out for yourself.

Continued refinements

The overall look of XMind has changed. There's a new flat look to it. This is good to see. One of the best parts of XMind is how good it looks using it's default settings. Many companies and websites are transitioning to flat icons, so this update makes the program look fresh.

A big win for me is the Gantt chart.

I've had email conversations with several of you over the past year about improvements that could be made to the Gantt charts. It's good to see how the developers have made some tweaks. Something as simple as printing the Gantt chart or saving it as an image used to be difficult, but now has been improved.

I also like the addition of extra fonts and styling options, so you can customize what your maps look like.

There are some new features (like timeline view and comments) that I'm excited about. Stay tuned for reviews of some of the new features.

Test out the Pro features

If you don't have XMind Pro and are curious about how the features would work for you, then this is your chance. During the beta period, all features are unlocked. This is your opportunity to go about using XMind for everything you've thought of.

The Pro features will stop working on this Beta version after November 30, 2015.

What is a Beta version?

Here's a brief rundown of what beta testing is in case you're unfamiliar with the term.

When software goes into beta, it means that it's usually in the final stages of testing before it's released as new software. This means that it's mostly ready to go, but you could still run into issues or bugs as you use the program. It's a way to get a lot of people using the software to try to identify and resolve any issues before releasing a final version.

If there's a comment you'd like to make to the developers or you've potentially found a bug, you can contact the people over at XMind via email – [email protected]

Keep in mind that beta versions usually work great, but if you need something for mission critical tasks, just wait until the next stable version is released.

Here's the link again for the XMind 7 Public Beta. This link will take you to their site where you can download the new version.

XMind 7 final version is just around the corner

If you're not into testing and playing around, I recommend waiting a few more weeks.

In the past XMind has released their new versions around November. If everything keeps on pace as per the last few years, you won't have to wait long unitl you have the official XMind 7 release.

New/updated in XMind 7 public beta

Here's a list of all the new features and updates you can look forward to in XMind 7:

1. Share to Biggerplate.com
2. Inspector View
3. Add another Matrix (structure) which uses topics as columns.
4. Show/Edit task info (Start/End Date, Assignee, Priority and Progress) directly in Gantt Chart.
5. Export Gantt Chart to Image/PDF.
6. Print Gantt Chart.
7. Add “hide collapse/expand icon” option while printing/exporting to image/PDF/SVG.
8. Export the entire workbook to Excel.
9. Show all notes in Notes View.
10. Copy/Paste style.
11. New Window Menu.
12. Only calculate work days for tasks.
13. Add a size hint while making a map shot.
14. New topic shapes: Circle, Parallelogram, Cloud.
15. New boundary shapes: Polygon and Rounded Polygon.
16. Wallpaper Patterns.
17. New designed color palette.
18. New color set for Multi Branch Colors.
19. Add Task Assignee option in Advanced Filter View.
20. Delete the same markers of the map.
21. Clear all the markers of a topic.
22. Add “Save As” option to Image/Attachment/Audio Notes.
23. URL/Email auto detection.
24. Support Microsoft Project 2010 file format for exporting.
25. Real previews in Theme View.
26. Many other minor improvements.

What is mind mapping?

What is mind mapping?

The idea behind mind mapping is an old process.

The first well regarded use was during the third century when Porphyry of Tyros graphically represented the various categories of Aristotle’s work (as per Wikipedia).

What is mind mapping?

In essence, mind mapping is a way to visually organize your ideas.

In this day and age, we’re constantly surrounded by information.

Mind maps maps allow you to quickly get ideas out of your head. They also help you “See” the ideas. Using maps is a great way to help you collect, connect, and act on your ideas more quickly.

The man credited with coming up with the term mind map that describes a visual web-like structure is Tony Buzan.

The power of seeing your ideas

mind mapping - main / sub-topicsOne of the biggest benefits of mind mapping is the ability to see your ideas. There's something amazing about having your ideas in a visual format right in front of you. It's much different than using a Word document, or writing things out on scraps of paper. I highly suggest you try out mind mapping for yourself to get a feel for how information is organized.

Try to think of mind mapping like organized sketching. When you sketch, you have unlimited choice in how you place your ideas. A mind map provides just enough structure so you can group similar ideas together. And it lets you go back to easily find what you're looking for later on.

“When you look at it, it just makes sense.” – Kevin Achtzener

“It's how our brains our constructed”

Humans are visual creatures. I think visually organized information is easier to look at and interpret.

There are a lot of mind mapping experts and aficionados who talk about how the neurons in our brains look like a web. Each neuron is connected to one or several others. The reasoning goes that because our brains are structured like this, and because mind maps look similar, that this must be the best way to learn and organize everything.

I don't personally subscribe to that theory. I'm not convinced that the structure of the brain should impact the structure of material we want to learn or understand.

I think that well-organized, visual information is easier to work with because it “looks good” and because it's easy to see similarities and patterns in what you've created.

In the end, the neuron and brain similarity conversation is a mute point. All the matters is how effective mind mapping is for you. Why it's effective is might be good to know, but it's not as important as knowing that “mind maps just work.”

How can you use mind mapping?

You can use mind mapping techniques for pretty much anything you'd like. They sky's the limit.

Here are a few of my favourite things:

  • Brainstorming
  • Organizing your ideas
  • Studying
  • Planning meetings
  • Planning speeches
  • Goal planning
  • Time management

If you have a use in mind, I suggest you try it out in mind mapping format. It only takes a few minutes to do a basic map. You can add more information later, but starting out is quick.

Which program is the best?

Visual MappingReview Series 2014I've tested out and reviewed a ton of programs, and you know what I've found?

Most are really good.

The downside is that since so many products have come out over the years, some have continued to be updated and refined while others have not.

I highly recommend looking for programs that are continuing to be developed. It can be very frustrating to spend time getting to know a particular mind mapping program, only to find it isn't being kept up to date.

If you'd like to see what I think on a variety of programs, you can have a look at my Visual Mapping Review Series. It has a lot of reviews that will hopefully help you make a decision. Just don't get bogged down in the minutiae of choosing a program. I'd much rather you START with something, than spend months researching.

I personally use a tool called XMind. It's worked great for me. I'm mentioning that because I've also done 60-70 video tutorials on it as well, but in the end it's best to go for the tool that fits into your current workflow.

My best advice

If you're having a rough time, don't stress out.

Give yourself a chance to get used to the program, the different look, and some of the basic features of mind maps.

There's a short learning curve to mind mapping as you're figuring out what you can do and how to do it. It's nothing you can't do. Besides, if you get stuck, you can always do a search in YouTube for a tutorial.

If something is bugging you, leave me a comment below and tell me about it. I'll get back to you with an answer… good or bad.

Mind Mapping Software Guide by Chuck Frey

mind mapping software guide

A fellow mind mapping blogger, Chuck Frey, has put out an eBook and I wanted to help spread the word.

It's called, The Essential Guide to Getting Started With Mind Mapping Software.

Do mind maps work in business?

Chuck makes a great case for using mind maps, electronic versions in particular to keep things together in the fast changing landscape of business. He gives some good examples of how businesses are changing and what executives, managers, and employees can do to step up their game using mind maps.

The eBook also covers how mind maps improve various aspects of your life such as productivity, analysis and critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

Something I think will be particularly helpful to readers is the good description of various parts of mind maps. Chuck covers more know parts like topics, notes, and boundaries which is great. He also goes deeper on parts like linked sub-maps and legends.

You'll also learn:

  • How to select the best program for your needs
  • Benefits and advantages of mind mapping software
  • Powerful business applications
  • Must-have features to look for
  • A glossary of mind mapping terms
  • 11 leading programs compared on 80+ features
  • Software developer profiles

How can I get it?

If you're interested in checking out Chuck's mind mapping software guide, you can head over to his site.

You'll need to opt-in to get the guide. It's a perk for signing up for his email list, which I think is worth it if you're into mind mapping.

Microphone for Home Recording I Brought to Abu Dhabi

The microphone I brought to Abu Dhabi

Preparing for my move to Abu Dhabi meant that I had to look at my whole work setup and figure out what was important enough to take, and what could be left behind.

I know I could have shipped anything I really needed over, but my goal was to have everything fit into the the luggage our family of four would take on the plane.

Did you really need to take a gigantic mic and stand?

Hmm. Good question.

The quick answer is no.

However. When you consider how much I'll be using this setup, then it was definitely worth it.

In a perfect world, there are a few more things I could have brought, and there other things I could have left. In the end, I'm glad I decided to bring my microphone and stand. Let me show you what I consider a good quality microphone for home recording or office use:

YouTube Link

What I use

Here are my Amazon links to the tools I use:

Yeti Microphone – I love my Yeti. It allows me to choose which direction(s) to record from (usually the front), gives me good quality sound to work with, and plugs right into a USB port on my computer. I mentioned a price in the range of $150-170, but it looks like they're an even better value now.
Pop Filter – They're pretty cheap. You'll probably pay around $5 for one. I looked at some of the ones listed on Amazon, and they all look the same. The exact model I have is a NADY MPF-6 (6″ Pop Filter).
Microphone Stand – Tripod – I suggest looking for one that has a boom on it so you can place the base away from you and then angle the microphone in front of your face. I can also make mine upright if needed by flipping to boom straight up. The brand I own is Apex.

I also brought my Edutidge lavalier mic, which I don't talk about in this video. Here's my review of it.

Technology simplifies and Complicates at the same time

If I had to choose only the bare minimum. I know I could have gotten by with just my laptop and my phone.

Everything else beyond that is icing on the cake.

The downside to taking only the bare minimum is that sometimes you need to put in more work than you would like in order to get the same result as a small gadget.

Why Don’t People Use Mind Maps For Taking Action?

Do you use mind maps for taking action?

The was a great survey put out a few months ago on Biggerplate.com. It provides some stepping off points toward meaningful discussion. It's lets us find new uses for a tool we're already familiar with, and helps us feel like our contributions matter.

I'd like to add a little commentary as to why I think some of the results came out the way they did. I jotted down a few notes when I first read the survey way back in January 2015, but then my planning for the move to Abu Dhabi took over my focus.

In case you're counting, this is the second response post to the survey. Here's a link to the first article titled Do You Only Use Mind Maps for Brainstorming?

What stood out to me?

One piece of data that stood out in my mind is the responses that suggests most people don't use mind maps for taking action.

OK, that's fair. I get it.

When most people think of mind mapping, they're imagining themselves brainstorming ideas and solving world problems. They might also be envisioning a document for review and study.

I also think there's a small, but growing segment of users who are taking action with their maps (Like YoureMakingMe.com readers). That's the group I want to focus on with the article.

Should people be using mind maps for productivity?

I'm bias when I answer this question, but I think it's a definite, “Yes!”

Using mind maps for productivity is great for a few reasons. One. It uses the same tool you brainstormed in, saving time. Two. It's incredibly simple to reorganize your ideas based on relevance and/or priority. Three. As you take action on your list (as long as it's prioritized) you can do the task at the top and work your way down. And four. You can delete each task as you finish it, giving you a sense of completion.

What's the best way to encourage others to try it out?

I think the #1 way to get someone interested in using mind maps for taking action, or at least, trying it for more than brainstorming or studying is to have them see the power of prioritization.

If you've heard me speak or listened to one of my interviews, you might be familiar with me constantly harping on prioritization. I love having the ability to drag and drop, copy and paste, and generally do whatever you'd like to the map. This lets you maximize the order and clarity of the ideas you've already put down and puts you in a great place to act on those ideas.

I find it slightly addictive (But I could stop anytime if I wanted… you believe me, right?).

Are you familiar with my quote:

“I don't care how hard you work. I only care about what get's done.” – Kevin Achtzener

Prioritizing can bit a bit of a slippery slope.

There's no doubt that you're being productive when you're initially staring at the rough draft. The trap of “Hard work” is what can lead to overworking the work.

Does that make me sound crazy? Overworking the work?

I think you get what I mean.

I bet I could confidently say that at one point or another in your life you've been caught by planning too much before taking action.

If not you then perhaps a friend?And if not even a friend, how about someone you saw on TV?

I know when I say it's possible to over-plan that I'll have some some people up in arms. Planning is clearly important.

But you have to agree. If all you did was plan, you'd never get anywhere.

Believe me. I'm a big proponent of planning. But there's a definite bump in the road during the transition from planning to action.

Remember the famous quote from Henry Ford. “You don't build a reputation on what you're going to do.”

Do people even remember what else they use mind maps for?

OK. I might have gotten a little off topic. Back to the Biggerplate survey…

Another reason for not having as many people say they use mind maps for something more than brainstorming is that perhaps they don't remember what else they use it for.

You could almost think of it as the “Cool Kids” effect.

Let me tell you a story.

I used to go to school on the bus.

You can tell who the cool kids are on a bus as soon as you walk on. If you've ever taken a bus to school, you know what I mean.

The back of the bus is usually reserved for the cooler… or at least the older kids. If one day I'm sitting in one of the back seats as a young kid, and someone three years older gets on, what happens?

They tell me to move.

And what do I do? I follow instructions.

I eventually moved to the back of the bus, and I became one of the big fish in my VERY SMALL pond.

The point I'm making is this:

Whenever anyone got onto the bus, they would take a glance back, and they instantly knew who the cool kids were.

There were always good kids seated at the front of to bus too, but they didn't have the street cred of the ones at the back of the bus.

I'm suggesting that survey respondents might have overlooked a few uses because they were so focused on how they use mind maps for a few core tasks. I would include brainstorming on the “cool” list.

But watch out brainstorming, 'cause action is making it's way to the back!

Let's connect!

I'll leave it there for now.

You can connect with me in the comments section below. Feel free to share or reinforce what I've said. Or, you can let me know what your view is. Just make sure to include the “Why” behind your reasoning.

With respect to this article, let me know how you use mind maps during your day.

  • Is it only for brainstorming?
  • Have you used mind maps for taking action?
  • What's the hurdle or reason for not using it?
  • Maybe there's an alternate tool you can suggest.

My Office Setup – YMM #51

My Office Setup

Preparing for my move to Abu Dhabi meant that I had to look at my entire office setup and figure out what was important enough to take, and what could be left behind.

In reality, I could have shipped anything I needed over, but my goal was to have everything we were bringing fit into the the luggage our family of four would take on the plane.

In a perfect world, there are a few more things I could have brought. On the other hand, there are also several other things I could have left.

This episode of the You're Making Me Podcast covers what I chose to bring and what got left behind. I'm hoping my experiences will help you out the next time you're deciding what's mission critical on your next trip or move around the world.

Right click to download podcast

In this episode you'll learn:

  • If I could only bring two things for my office setup, it would be these two.
  • What I regret not bringing the most.
  • Why I'm considering purchasing a portable hard drive
  • Why I still have a 3 year old iPhone. What???

Other items mentioned in the podcast:

Selfie stick doubles as tripod

Here's the selfie stick I mentioned that turns into a tripod. It's the IK Multimedia IP-IKLIP-GRIP-IN Grip 5-In-1 Photo/Video Stand Accessory for Smartphones. Seriously, that's the name. Here's my link on Amazon if you're interested.
The Blue Yeti and my office setup – See how I have my audio system setup. I cover the microphone, the boom tripod, pop filter, and ear buds for monitoring the sound.

I use the Edutidge lavalier microphone (EIS-003). Here's my video review

Any feedback about my office setup?

If you have a tip you'd like to share about travelling or moving in regards to equipment, technology, or your office setup in general, please feel free to join the conversation below.

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Image Credit:

This podcast episode was originally published on YoureMakingMe.com.