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Mind mapping software and goal setting

Is mind mapping software a tool that you might use for goal setting? Well – yes and no. Depending on your definition it might be a tool to accomplish the whole process or just some of it.

What is goal setting

Many people have suggested that mind mapping is great software for goal setting. Usually titles like “Using mind maps for goal setting” leave me a bit puzzled, with a slight dash of “no way”.

After a closer reading however, I realize, that I agree with the author of said generic article, it’s just that our terminology is a bit different.

For me – goal setting should be set of actions that might include:

• Evaluating the current state of your life
• Brainstorming how it differs from the things you want
• Building up the motivation to bring your life up to par with your expectations
• Setting up a specific, measurable action plan
• Coming up with and putting up safeguards that make sure you follow through in those times when you might be tempted to quit.

“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.”- Albert Einstein

What mind mapping does

So what’s the problem with mind mapping? It only offers the means to brainstorm the actions/ideas needed to accomplish the above steps. You should use mind mapping software to overcome the logical restraints of ideas, for example – to come up with situations in which you would have to struggle to follow through with your plan. Also – you could come up with the actions you should take.

Ideas, however good they might be, will not get you all the way to your desired outcome.

This is why mind mapping is a terrific start, but in my book software that is used for mind mapping does not qualify as goal software per se. Use it to come up with good ideas and strategies, but use other systems to implement these.

Side note: If you do like mind mapping software, don’t use it exclusively – keep a stash of crayons and markers at hand ( and/or a whiteboard) and use them – you will have different ideas when mapping with different tools.

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