Stay Clear and Focused on Your 2012 Resolutions with Visualization
The New Year is shiny and bright. Now is the time when we can look back on past accomplishments and mistakes of the previous year and start anew. Whether you are building on your previous Thoughts and projects or starting a new Brain, visualization software and mind maps enable you to formulate clear and doable plans for the New Year in a way that captures your best thinking.
“Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.”
DeeHock
As we enjoy the warmer weather and relaxed ambience of summer, the season brings us an opportunity to be inspired and bring new ideas to life. Right now deadlines may not be as pressing as they are at year-end for some businesses, or you might be stepping in for a vacationing colleague, or travelling yourself. All these circumstances can trigger fresh ideas and allow you to explore uncharted territory.
Use PersonalBrain to make your summer shine, by capturing and growing your creative ideas and projects.
“Become more conscious of the creative power within your reach”
Brainstorming was popularized in 1939 by Alex Osborn. He was a partner in an ad agency looking to expand the boundaries of projects and create a better context for idea generation. Osborn developed several rules for a good brainstorming session: encourage large quantities of ideas, include the outlandish unusual ideas, minimize judgment, and build on each idea.
In 1939 brainstorming methodology was solid but technology was still disconnected. Alex Osborn could have his secretary type up the groups’ ideas (as most real managers in 1939 didn’t type) and hand them out on a piece of paper to everyone.
Semantic Networks Capture Mental Models
It was an honor to be on the Atlantic Guest Blogging Team. Here is my final post on Digital Introspection. In this article I talk about self-examination and the importance of creating digital mental models.
Flow tools versus Capture Tools
Digital flow or noise, if not handled properly, will destroy your focus. In this post I explore how to make the Internet’s deluge of information work for you rather than the other way around.
I’m thrilled to be guest blogging on the Atlantic this week!
In my first post I explore the history of how we store and manage our information — and why we can’t continue thinking in terms of files in the 21st century…
“An idea is not a single thing. It is more like a swarm.” 
Steven Johnson, Where Good Ideas Come From
Creating the right context for ideas and collaboration has led to unsurpassed breakthroughs. Whether we’re exchanging ideas in a coffee shop or online at our office, the heart of an idea’s growth and formation is environmental connections.
We are a society of overcommitted and far too busy people. Sometimes it can feel like our day is gone before we even get started. With so many responsibilities and projects moving at once it’s critical to manage and control the flow of your information, your time for each project and even the desirability of the projects themselves.
Last month we did a Webinar called “First Things First” that explored how PersonalBrain can be used for prioritization and focus of projects. Here are a few key principles that we discussed.
Topic focused Brains are ideal for sharing and publishing. They are a great way to enter into the publishing arena on WebBrain.com and are a ton of fun to create. Here’s how to create a compelling Brain in 6 simple steps.
1. Select the Right Topic: Breadth or Depth?
If you want to attract attention on your blog or webbrain.com choosing a topic that’s engaging is a must. If you are pressed for time and want to publish, keep your topic focused. For instance, instead of mind mapping out the entire history of the United States you could choose a more specific topic like “the Effect of the Industrial Revolution” or American Entrepreneurs. Narrowing down your topic will help you avoid any gaping holes in your content and ensure that your Brain covers all key ideas on your subject.
These days very few of us leave our projects at the office. Taking work home or working remotely, while giving you the convenience of writing a proposal in your pajamas, is not without its challenges.
When we work remotely our attention can become very fleeting: the call of domestic chores, the cat swiping at the cursor… We only need to gaze out at the yard and our mind wanders from completing the monthly sales report to weekend yard work.
