Oh wow. Now I've found "bubbl.us" and created my first mind map.

What is this, you ask? It's my first Mind Map. You can read all about what this means, over here, at the Wikipedia. And unlike the ones you might already be familiar with, this kind isn't limited to your paper or whiteboard. Yes, babies, with bubbl.us, we can map whatever topics are on our minds... on a computer. What fun! (You can play with this one, too - just click and drag it around to peek at what's there! If you're able to see embedded flash objects, that is.)

The term  "brainstorming" was thrown around my childhood home. Liberally. And that is because I was reared by a creative, visual woman who craved organization and focus as much as I do now. 

Brainstorming for visual people usually needs a visual component. And some people call those "Mind Maps." Although I was already familiar with the term, it was at a workshop with writer, Dena Harris, where I first saw mind mapping in action... collaboratively. Cool stuff. Very cool stuff.

Of course that doesn't mean I went out and started mind mapping. I didn't. On paper or otherwise.

Today I decided to try out bubbl.us. I'd found the site before while searching for online mind mapping options, but these things have their own timing, don't they?

When you start a brainstorming session About Brainstorming... well, let's just say it will definitely breed more opportunities for future brainstorming sessions. Lots of them! Mostly this was just an experiment to see how I feel about using this free little tool. Gotta' tell you, I like it. A lot. I sure hope the site hangs around for a while. I'd like to keep this mind map and the future ones I'm confident I'll be creating very soon.

What can you do with the bubble.us tool? Well, you can:

• Enter text then later go back and edit it if you need,
• Detatch bubbles and anchor them to other ones,
• Drag them around to new locations,
• Change their colors,
• Delete those that don't work,
• Add new bubbles to any bubble you've created...
• Print it. (Though good luck if it's the size of my first one!)
• And more. Try it yourself!
• Oh. One more thing. One more important thing. Even though I've already embedded the code here in this blog post, I've gone back to my original mind map and edited it. The changes? Yea, they appear here. So while my usual and customary pattern is to publish something on my site then leave it as is, this time might have a caveat. If I decide to play with my first mind map further, what you see on the site will change too. Woo hoo!

I'm just sayin... plain fun. With potential for great, great productivity, too. That is if you stop mapping and actually start doing. Because toys tools are just tools until you take them out of the toolbox, right?

Comments

[Wrenda Goodwyn]

Thanks so much for giving me one more reason to put off work!!!! Love this!!!

Hope you and your mom are doing well.

Should I network my blog on Facebook...noticed yours.

Best!

[Melody]

Wrenda, Did we ever speak about your question here? I'd thought sure I responded, but perhaps I did so off line. In case not, we will discuss networking your blog when we speak next week. Also, I'm not surprised you loved this - I definitely think of you as the kind of person who would enjoy mind mapping.

Cheers!