Five Minutes to better Time Management – using Mind Maps

Posted by Faizel Mohidin on Apr 11, 2009 in Five Minute Mind Maps, Mind Mapping, Mind Maps at Work, Personal Mind Maps | 0 comments

Time is the one resource that has been given to every human being in the same quantity. How you use it is up to you.

By using Mind Maps as your main Planning and Time Management tool, you will always have a handle on your time.

There are numerous Time Management Principles which you can use with your Mind Maps to  ensure that you are always focused on the correct things. By using good time management principles you can actually ‘gain time’. Good Time management will leave you with more time on your hands to do what you really want to do.

I will cover time management principles in other articles. This article will show you an amazing technique that you can apply to all your important and urgent tasks.

For maximum results, do this daily. Spend the first five to ten minutes of your day to plan the day ahead.

Forget about yesterday and don’t worry about tomorrow. Plan today!

The ‘quick burst’ Five Minute Mind Map for better time management

When I am in a in a crisis situation, or just simply have too much to do, I often apply the following technique.

• Take out a blank piece of paper (A4, or 81/2 x 11 in), turn it sideways (landscape) and draw a circle in the centre.
• Put today’s date in the centre
• Add an image if you can think of one that suits the tasks at hand
• Spend five minutes jotting down what needs to be done on this new Mind Map using branches radiating out from the centre
• Take a short break (2 mins. max)
• Reorganise your Mind Map into categories that can be naturally grouped together on a new Mind Map
• Number the branches in order of priority

You now have a visual representation of everything that needs to be done with priorities assigned. You will be amazed at how powerful this technique is.

Do this once a day for a month; each time starting a new Mind Map without looking at your old one. You will be amazed at how your brain adapts and actually becomes better at managing your time.

If you are not sure how to Mind Map, enrol for our Free Mind Map classes at classes.mindmaptutor.com. The Principles of Mind Mapping and the Seven Steps in creating a Mind Map can be learned at no cost at all. You could also browse MindMapTutor.com for free articles on Mind Maps and Mind Mapping.