“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it”, is accredited to the actor, Lucille Ball. This quote came to mind while chatting to a colleague of mine, Alain Jaques.

He used the concept of getting fit, in the work context. We work in a tough, fast paced environment with tight budgets and limited resources. He said: “… to work here, you have to become work fit…“, or something to that effect. (Really sorry if I’ve misquoted you, Alain.)

The idle person is the one that is more likely to complain when given more work, simply because the person is not ‘work fit’.

Since that quote, we’ve been using the concept of getting fit in many different situations. I would like to explore some of these situations today and then I would like to promote using Mind Maps as the tool to get you mentally fit.

I’ve been using and promoting Mind Maps for about twenty years now. During this period, I’ve always promoted the benefits that Mind Maps have for Memory, Recall, Reading, Writing, Presentations, Projects, Meetings, Personal Growth,  etc., etc.

I could talk for hours on the benefits of Mind Mapping and how it can give you the competitive edge.

Yet, I know so many people that have used it – and failed!

Despite trying Mind Maps, their memories are as poor as ever. They are not more creative. They are still disorganised.

And what is more troublesome for me, is that they are so caught up in the details. They simply do not see the big picture.

Mind Maps offer a solution to all of these problems and many others not mentioned here.

But, to get the benefits of Mind Maps and Mind Mapping, you have to use Mind Maps. You have to be Mind Map Fit.

And once you are Mind Map fit, you can become Mentally Fit.

Once again, let’s use running as an analogy. Let’s assume that I am thinking of getting back into running after many years.

I have a major problem in that I am not running fit. I’ve been doing Judo for over four years and over the period I was often ‘Judo Fit’, but in the last four years, I’ve never been running fit.

And to get running fit, what do I need to do? The answer is not rocket science. I have to run!

Sounds too simple? Many truths are so simple that we often deem it too simple and don’t apply it.

To get running fit, you have to run. The gym, weight training, cycling, swimming, or any other exercise won’t get you running fit. You will get fit and have the benefits of being fit. Your heart rate will come down, you will have more energy, you will feel better – But you won’t be running fit.

The same can be said for Mental Fitness. To get mentally fit, you have to exercise your Mind. The best tool to exercise your whole brain is the Mind Map.

To get good at Mind Mapping, start Mind Mapping. Don’t worry about theory, jargon, tools, or any other distractors. Start Mind Mapping today.

As you get fit, you will be able to explore rougher terrain. You can start doing hill work. You can do some Fartlek. You can train for speed. You can do marathon sessions.

This brings me to the next running analogy. Assume that I am now running fit, after a lay off of many years. I am running fit because I’ve been back into running for a few months. I ‘hit the road’ regularly and I’m beginning to enjoy running again. (After days and weeks of agonising pain.)

I am now thinking of doing a race.

Am I race fit? Probably not. If I have not been training for races, I will probably not be race fit. Even if I wanted to train to become race fit, what race do I train for? A 10km race is very different from a half-, full-, or ultra-marathon. Each race requires different race fitness levels.

To become mentally fit, you have to start Mind Mapping. Start using it for some basic functions. If you are not sure where to start, have a look at the website we’ve recently started about using Mind Maps. Perhaps you could get some ideas on where to use Mind Maps.

Once you have decided where you want to use Mind Maps, simply start using them. Create lots and lots of Mind Maps. Over time you will become Mind Map fit and mentally fit.

Let’s sum up:

• To become race fit, you first have to first become running fit. You become running fit by by running.
• To become mentally fit, you first have need to become Mind Map fit. You become Mind Map fit by Mind Mapping.

So, my advice this week, is simply short and sweet:

Keep it simple. Become Mentally Fit by exercising your Mind. And the best tool for that is the Mind Map!