As you would expect, I’m an avid user of mind mapping software for many types of business applications. Project planning? Check. Brainstoming? Check. Capturing and organizing ideas? Check. Mind mapping notes during business meetings? Um, no.
Why not? Because I have never fully understood the benefits of doing so. Besides, my hand-written, linear note taking style incorporates a simple system of abbreviations and color coding (for tasks and important stuff) that has worked very well for me over the years. So I don’t have a whole lot of incentive to change.
Then there’s the matter of memory. I take fairly copious notes, because I have a leaky, middle-aged, ADD-addled brain. I’m afraid if I use a mind map to capture the major points of a meeting, I won’t remember all of the underlying details that I need to do my job effectively. So I have resisted the temptation to use mind mapping for this important business application.
Are my fears unfounded? Is there some compelling benefit that I’m missing? Or some simple method of taking notes visually that will help me capture all the important details?
What strategies do you use successfully with mind mapping (paper-based) or mind mapping software to take notes during business meetings? Please share your experiences in the comments area below. Thanks!
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