## Workshop in Nov 2024 ### Sort out the complexity! Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by daily tasks, the many things which demand our attention, or struggle with decision-making? ### Mind mapping workshop Our interactive workshop will focus on paper and software mind mapping to help you capture and structure your thoughts and ideas. Explore the Getting Things Done and the Eisenhower techniques, and software such as Trello and SimpleMind. ![[november-flyer.png]] ### Reserve your place By email to [email protected] Via the [London Project Management group on Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/london-project-management-and-mindmapping-group/) ![[meetup-logo.png]] By telephone on 0737 620 5039 On [Facebook at mjl-tek](https://www.facebook.com/mjltek/) ![[facebook.png|200]] On [Instagram at mjl-tek](https://www.instagram.com/mjltek/) ---- ### What you will need Please bring an A4 paper pad and some coloured pens, or whatever you like to doodle with. If numbers allow, we can take some time to look at your individual projects. Hope to see you at the Woodfield soon, Regards, Mark Lewis ### More information Discover the [[Eisenhower Matrix - A simple decision making tool]]. Discover the [[Getting Things Done management framework]] method which invites us to capture, clarify, organize, and reflect on ideas. [[The many features of Trello]] and can help you structure your plans and collaborative projects. We might discuss personal information management and how to manage the inputs in life such as email, notifications. ### Reference In October, we hosted a workshop at the Woodfield Pavilion focused on using mind maps to capture ideas and themes. ![[woodfield-workshop.png]] We discussed how to [[Use Mind Mapping to describe any subject]], to clarify thoughts and gain perspective. We created a mind map in Simplemind, and identified themes for action. We discussed the importance of regularly reviewing your someday projects. And we looked at how Trello can be used to structure a project. ## Workshop October 2024 We were delighted to have held our October workshop in the [Woodfield Pavilion](https://www.thewoodfield.org/). ![[woodfield picture.png]] Here is a summary of the presentation which looked at using a mind map to scope a project and structure it in Trello. * Using a mind map to clear your mind and get perspective on any situation. * Identify potential actions in a Simplemind mind map * Reviewing your material regularly and capturing everything that is on your mind. * Using project management software like Trello to structure your plans. See [[The many features of Trello]] for more information. ##Trello ##Simplemind ### Sort out the complexity We were delighted to have participants from diverse backgrounds, one who is running a nutrition business, another is interested in creative writing and a third person, who runs an art studio part-time and is looking for work. We discussed their experience and interests. ### The workshop themes - What is mind mapping - A mind map in Simplemind - Identify action nodes. - Create a task board in Trello This is the plan for the Workshop which was to discuss mind mapping and to establish some paper mind maps, transfer them to Simplemind to identify potential actions and then into a Trello task board to structure a project. ![[woodfield-workshop.png]] ### The value of visual We briefly discussed the idea of visual stimuli and how seeing an iconic painting like Van Gogh's The Sunflowers, immediately stimulates the mind to make connections with other themes. ![[Van Gogh Sunflowers.png]] The mind thinks in images and makes associations. You may notice that after seeing an image of The Sunflowers the mind immediately makes connections with related themes such as flowers, the colour yellow, Van Gogh, thoughts of the painting in a museum, painters and paint in general. A mind map works through association and visual memory ### Simplemind mind mapping software ![[simplemind logo.png|250]] - What is [Simplemind](https://simplemind.eu/) and what it does - A software mind map - Rearrange nodes to create order. We used simple mind software to demonstrate some of the characteristics of a mind map which includes a central node with sub nodes which can be developed ad infinitum. Nodes can have checkboxes and notes. We discussed the attitude to have when mind mapping which is getting into flow mode and only using one or two words per node to allow the themes to develop. ![[example-mind-map.png]] ### Sample project We went on to discuss a sample project of purchasing and renovating a house. The pictures below show four clearly quite different scenarios, which invites us to think about the scope of our projects and our desired outcomes. ![[potential-houses-to-renovate.png]] We looked at this mind map which is an approach on how to scope such a project in Simplemind. ![[House renovation.png]] And started to develop a Trello board for this project. ![[trello board for house renovation.png]] ### Small nutrition business We also took some time to look at individual projects from some of the participants. We looked at the factors involved in one person's small business. We recognized that as a sole trader one has to focus not only on the core business but many other areas such as marketing, administration and researching themes to develop services and products for the future. ![[mindmap-nutrition-business.jpg]] ### Creative writing Another paper mind map considered one participant's interest in creative writing and the idea of capturing ideas as much as possible to develop into creative writing themes. Here the challenge is to capture these ideas when they occur so that later they can be developed when there is time available. There is a wide choice of capture systems available the simplest obvious one being paper lists, a mind map or a software capture system. ![[Brief mind map on creative writing.jpg]] ### The five stages of Getting Things Done (GTD) ![[gtd-logo.png|200]] We touched on the ideas in the [[Getting Things Done management framework]], in particular the ideas of capture, clarify, organize, reflect and engage. The essential point is to capture as much as possible. The recommended technique is a mind map and if you are trying to develop a project, clarify what things mean. Start a Trello board and - Capture: capture all your inputs - Clarify what inputs mean - Organize doable actions - Reflect: determine your commitment - Engage: select an item from the list To move forward on a project you need to organize your actions and activities. It is useful to reflect on the commitment that you have to do these while recognizing that you may not be committed to all the themes identified. This might help determine your priorities. When you engage with action, you then have a list of prioritized actions from which you can choose. Clarifying desired outcomes and breaking them down into manageable steps helps to limit procrastination. ![[The concepts in GTD.png]] ### What is Trello ![[Trello logo transparent.png|300]] [[The many features of Trello]] and can be used to - Manage projects - Organize and stand back from your projects and actions. - Present tasks in a Kanban format - Present Timeline and Calendar views - Create custom fields - Create checklists - Share items and projects ![[trello board with three areas of activity.png]] We looked at how [Trello](https://trello.com/) can be organized with columns & cards. - There are spaces for description and comments. - Checklists are useful to break down tasks. - Labels can help indicate the importance of some cards, and can be customized for any purpose. - Finally, we looked at custom fields such as resources needed, materials and cost. - Columns, cards - Description, comments - Checklist - Labels - Custom fields: resource materials, cost ### Timeline and Calendar views We briefly investigated the timeline and calendar views which show how you can view a plan as you schedule it onto the calendar. The Timeline view: ![[Trello timeline.png]] The Calendar View: ![[Trello calendar view.png]] ### Conclusion In conclusion, we discussed how task management can help to relieve stress and bring peace of mind. We talked about desired outcomes and how it is important to focus on the end game to know what you're aiming for. We looked at how Trello cards can display a next action field. While it is important to plan as many actions as you can, when engaging it is important to focus on the next action ==that you can actually do==. We mentioned the GTD concept of Mind Like Water which encourages us to capture a maximum of things that are on our mind to get them off our mind. Naming your cards and actions with appropriate verbs helps to clarify what things mean. You can use a column in Trello as an Inbox to capture the incoming items in life and work. A someday-maybe list is useful to record items that are not immediately actionable. Regular review help to determine whether items have become actionable.