You know what a mind map is, right? Some people call them spider diagrams or word webs. A mind map is a non-linear way of getting ideas out of your head onto paper so you can begin to formulate narratives, arguments, or make decisions.

It’s supposed to be easier than outlining (which I’m also no good at), because our thoughts are not naturally linear. You might need to get the ideas out in another form before wrestling them into linear shape. (Or not.)

The trouble is that they have their own aesthetic.

There are so many good looking mind mips out there. They use colour. Similar things are grouped together. When I set out to get all the ideas out of my head onto paper, I worry it’s going to be a total mess.

At least with a linear aesthetic you know where to write. Start at the top. Go down. Mix it up with some indents.

What if you don’t know what ideas go together before you write them down?

Sometimes mind maps start in the middle and go out. But you need to know your “central idea” to do that.

Part of the point is supposed to be that once you get the ideas out there where you can see them, you will see new connections between ideas. They will spark new ideas and you’ll need somewhere to write those.

• What if I write stuff on one part of the page and then decide it belongs with stuff on the other side?
• What if one side of the page ends up practically empty and the other side is crammed with ideas in teeny tiny writing so that they fit?

I freeze. And either don’t do it. Or do a pretty half-hearted job. And then don’t look at it again.

The other day, I read a post from Julie at Escape the Ivory Tower and the solution was right there.

Use sticky notes.

Get all of those clues in the same place, a place where you can see all of them at the same time. Me, I like writing each clue on its own post-it in Sharpie marker and then posting them all on a blank wall, in a big cloud. That way I can see them, but I can also interact with them. How do all of these clues go together? What do they have in common? Are there themes? Group the clues together in ways that make sense to you — and see what you learn.

Doh! ::slaps forehead::

Not very environmentally friendly but it just might work.

Edited May 27, 2016.