I had a session with a client who had so many ideas in her mind,different issues and concerns,she spoke a lot and I just listened.
listened and listened until she said:"You see I am totally distracted and overwhelmed,what should I do?I don't know how to make things work!to what extend focus on these concerns,these issues,they've lied in different contexts......!!!!"
And then she stopped talking.....
I W.A.I.T.E d for a while,then she continued:"I've been in these kinds of situations in different times and parts of my life and just passing the time has helped me to deal with them by now!"
Then there was a silence........I asked:"Is there anything else you want to share?"
She said:"No that's all".
I said:"Let me think"......What do you think about doing an exercise right now?
She said:"Please go ahead".
I asked:"Please bring a paper and a pen".
She said:"done".
I asked:"Please write down your major issue which is common in all of the issues your struggling".
- Draw a circle around it
- Write down your different issues around the circle and connect them by some lines to that circle
- Now describe a bit about each one briefly,just with the simple words,the description involves the answers to some Wh questions,like:Why?Where?When ?What?Who? and also a How?
- Add to them your ideas ,solutions that come up in your mind
Please give an appropriate label according to above stages,I mean 1~4
One more thing,REMEMBER TO MARK YOUR PRIORITIES IN THIS MAP WITH DIFFERENT COLORS.".
Guess what!!!!
She took a big silence so that I thought we've lost the connection......suddenly she said:"That's wonderful,I love this tool I found how to organize my mind".
The tool is called:MIND MAPPING
On the right side of this post you can find a simple example of a MIND MAP.
What do you think about this tool?When do you think we can use it?
Posts
I think mind maps are an amazing tool. I use them to take my notes during sessions with my clients. In a few brief words I can write down what is important, remember the session later, and not get distracted from listening to my client as they speak.
ReplyDeleteIf my client wishes, and some do and some don't, I share these mind maps with them in between sessions.
Right now I use a piece of free software called Xmind. It doesn't do everything I would like it to, but it is free, so my clients can also download it at no charge and we can share mind maps during our coaching relationship.
So, that is one way I use mind maps.
Jeremie
Thank you for the comment and sharing your experience of using mind mapping in your sessions.
ReplyDeleteYYYes,It's a great tool for taking notes:)