My Secret Weapon for Creative Project Planning π΅π»ββοΈ
Hey gang, Welcome back! π We chatted a little last issue about capturing non-creative tasks to help keep our mind clear during creative blocks of time. But what do we do when our creative ideas are flowing in all directions? Today I'm going to walk through my favorite tool for developing ideas, planning multi-phased projects, and communicating complicated ideas with my team. To do this, we're going to dive into MindNode, one of my favorite, lightweight apps that I first learned about listening to the Mac Power Users podcast years ago. By the end, I'll share a way you can incrementally unpack your wildest ideas so that they're ready for production and action! Letβs move the needle. BACKGROUNDMost creators I know have to fight really hard to find practice time, writing time, composition time, etc. There is a lot going on in life, and I'm a big advocate of blocking that time out at the beginning of each week to make sure it doesn't get replaced with errands, meetings, emails, and other things that aren't part of our creative vision. More on that down the road. π£οΈ But even more creatives I've worked with struggle with having a plan for when that window of time actually cycles around. Musicians go to the practice room with no plan, so they start at the top...again. High school English teachers have been getting grey hair for years working with students who don't organize their writing beforehand. It can be so tough to make it into the room to do the creative thing...that then we often find ourselves swimming in a sea of ideas without clarity of how to move forward. If you're like me, this can be supremely. frustrating. The session doesn't feel productive, which can very quickly turn into "if I answer these emails at least I know I'll have something to show for my hour." When this happens, I've learned to turn to mind mapping, a creative technique that involves visually organizing ideas and concepts around a central topic. It can help creatives generate new ideas, explore connections between concepts, and identify patterns and themes. Typically, it begins with a central idea, which is then surrounded by related ideas and sub-topics, connected by branches and lines. It's a flexible and non-linear approach to brainstorming that can be used for a variety of purposes, from project planning and problem-solving to creative writing and personal growth. And most importantly for me, it builds momentum. I can see how to move forward, and am anxious to dive in again tomorrow. Sorry email π₯, tomorrow isn't your day either. The Tool To do this I use the MindNode app. I've been using this app for a long time and have nearly one hundred mind maps stored in Dropbox at the moment. Sometimes these become the backbone of future projects, and sometimes they just become a way for me to empty my brain's CPU so I can get clear-minded and focus on what's next. Use Cases I've always been a person who benefits when I can see the entire structure of a thing. [I'm sure this is linked to some learning style or personality trait - ping me if you have a great resource for this, I've been wanting to learn more.] Perusing my ".mindnode" files via a hard drive search, here are just a few things I've used mind mapping for:
I found maps dating back to 2011 for the first ever Nief-Norf Summer Festival I organized and directed. Wow! This tool has clearly provided me a lot of value, which is what I'm hoping to share with all of you via these writings each week. MOTION = MOMENTUM (YOUR CTA)Let's try something together over the next 2 weeks. Are you in?
If you're interested in getting started with mind mapping, I can't recommend MindNode enough, which you can get as a part of SetApp (affiliate) for $9.99/mo. SetApp is a a subscription service that provides users with dozens of apps for one monthly price β I'll certainly unpack all the apps I use in this suite in future writing. It's likely the best value of any of my subscriptions. Alternatively, it's also available for only a few dollars on the App Store and you can be up and running in minutes. Also, the MindNode Blog has some amazing articles and examples of other creators and entrepreneurs using mind maps to enhance their creative output. Tons there to get your creative ideas flowing. You got this! As always, thanks so much for reading. If you're enjoying the discussions, please consider sharing with a friend! Andy π RECENT FAVORITE THINGS
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