Idea Mapping How to Access Your Hidden Brain Power Learn Faster Remember More and Achieve Success in Business
Praise for Idea Mapping
“Nast’s work in Idea Mapping enables those with creative minds to clearly lay out their thinking process and those who are more process-minded to become creative. If your organization is looking for a pragmatic, step-by-step guide to idea mapping, this is it.”
–Chris Brown, Executive Vice President, DTE Energy Resources
“I have used idea maps for thirty years and have taught MBA students, employees, and my children how to harness their power. I strongly recommend this book and believe you will feel it to be one of the best investments you have ever made in your own growth.”
–Stephen C. Lundin, coauthor, FISH!
“This is a book that everyone should read. It’s an interactive, thought-provoking book about the brain and learning that will expand your mind. Nast, an accomplished and well-respected instructor, has guided me into a new realm of learning experiences and possibilities. I’m sure you will feel the same upon reading her insightful work.”
–Simon Tai, CEO, Buzan Centre Taiwan and S&J Media Intergration Co. Ltd., Host of News Discovery on NEWS 98 Taiwan
“Nast shows you a revolutionary method to capture your thinking processes. Don’t underestimate the simplicity of idea mapping because therein lies its genius.”
–Scott Hagwood, four-time USA Memory Champion, author, Memory Power
“The ability to visually capture and organize thoughts and ideas has enabled millions of people around the world to do their work with greater creativity and productivity, run their businesses more strategically, and manage complex projects more efficiently–even map out a sales process or new product roll-out. Nast’s very practical, readable book will get you quickly up to speed on one of the simplest but most powerful ways to organize your ideas, your work, and yourself.”
–Mike Jetter, cofounder and CTO, Mindjet Corporation, coauthor, The Cancer Code
“The principles Nast writes about in Idea Mapping have become a staple for me over the past fourteen years. I was turned onto the concept of idea mapping in 1992 and have been a student and practitioner ever since. This has absolutely transformed the way I learn, design learning, and prepare for public speaking. I have never been more confident in my recall, knowing the content is nicely tucked away in my brain as it was designed to be. Get ready for a life-changing experience for yourself and those you influence.”
–Will Flora, Senior Manager, Chick-Fil-A University, Atlanta, GA
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Should be common knowledge for learners and workers.
Giving the book five stars because I didn’t already know everything the book tells you, but feel like I should have. A pretty light read and, I would say, on a 6th grade reading level, but all of the concepts in the book should have been explained to me by teachers in my secondary education.
I have to assimilate volumes of information, and mapping the info out in the manner taught by this book is the perfect way to do it. This use of the technique is only one of the applications described in the book.
5 Stars 1 Map Vs. 50 Pages… I’ll take 1 Visually Appealing Map
I’ve been impressed by Jamie Nast and her philosophy of Idea Mapping. I especially like the concept that you can put a complex idea on one page, and Jamie is running with it. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather see a business plan on one gorgeous map than 50 droning pages. I’m also happy that Jamie considers software a legitimate venue for mapping (I especially like MindManager, which Jamie endorses at her website). A resource idea mappers at all levels need to checkout.
4 Stars Idea Mapping
A useful guide to this concept and support for those interested in buying MindJet mind mapping software
5 Stars Help Put Some Colour Back into the Workplace – and Your Life
This is a most accessible book. Almost by stealth, it introduces people to a very powerful personal and business tool. Idea mapping can help put the fun and creativity back into work – and open your mind to a technique to access ideas you didn’t know you had.
The book takes an evolutionary approach to teaching mapping. Concepts and rules are introduced, examples given and lessons reinforced – then on to the next concept. Happily it’s in plain English, with no business consultant-speak, and is easy to read and comprehend. Rules are introduced at the beginning to help the novice get started – later on these are overturned as experts are encouraged to be flexible and take account of the situations they are in and the purpose of their maps.
The focus is very much on business applications of the tool. Guidance is given on how to approach creativity, strategy definition, planning, preparation for presentations, planning and drafting articles and papers, organising your schedule and even 1-1 meetings with staff.
One of the most powerful applications of idea mapping is in learning and memorising information, books and manuals – whether simply to help retain more for day-day application or for passing professional exams or achieving certification. Maps provide visual clues to aid memory and readers are encouraged to embelish their maps with colour and images to enhance retention and recall.
What really makes the difference here is the inclusion of many real life examples. These are not dusty academic references but actual maps produced by real people to help them achieve more in real life business situations. More examples can be found on the author’s website – extending the value of the book.
One of the recurring themes throughout is to consider the purpose of a map before you start it. Often maps will be fast and furious scribbles by way of an instant brainstorm, such as last minute preparation for an imminent meeting. At other times they will be developed with care, full of colour and images, as an aid to learning and recall.
Jamie Nast also introduces us to situations where maps need to be refined, developed and shared – and for which mapping software is a must. Advice is given on how to choose your software, the benefits and concerns and when and how to use.
Elsewhere in the book Jamie also explains how teams can use mapping collaboratively. A software tool is invaluable for such work. As a professional facilitator, I use software idea mapping with my groups. The map is projected onto a wall and ideas are captured, reviewed, restructured and so on interactively until the group are happy. Because the map is captured electronically it can be distributed immediately after the session as a map or exported into a text file, presentation or project plan.
Jamie also gives us a tool to help with group brainstorming. If you have caught the increasing number of articles on ‘why brainstorming does not work’, you’ll know that getting every person to shout out every idea they have is unrealistic. Idea mapping offers a perfect solution where the brainstorm begins with individuals getting their thoughts down on paper before sharing with the group.
As mentioned earlier, idea mapping puts mind mapping firmly in the realm of business. In addition to being a tool to help organisations and teams, it is also a personal tool which managers use to identify and review their personal goals, manage their schedules and prepare their individual plans and presentations. Many of us are becoming increasingly aware of the inter-relationship between work and the rest of our lives (Doh!). There are examples given in the book of how people have assessed their careers and life goals using these techniques.
This book offers real encouragement to people to try the technique and access the creativity and fun they could experience in even the crustiest of workplaces. It’s easy to learn following Jamie’s well thought out step-by-step guide. Inspiration is offered by the many real life examples included – all of which can be viewed in colour on Jamie’s web site. I have come across people at work who have seen mind mapping as something to be used by creative, clever people. You don’t have to be clever to use idea mapping but you might become so if you do.
2 Stars Very little substance
This book is yet another example of 15 pages worth of substance spread over 240 pages of fluff. A person would be much better served downloading the trial version of “Mindmanager” software and just following the included tutorial. It will teach you everything this book has to offer in a fraction of the time.
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