ย
As we approach the end of 2017, you may find yourself reflecting on all that you have achieved in the past year. If you set them at all, are you able to recall your resolutions? Did you achieve any? If so, amazing! Give yourself a round of applause! If not, youโre not alone. According toย U.S. News & World Report 80% of new yearโs resolutions fail by February[i]. What exactly goes wrong in this process?
Are we fueled by superficial intentions?
Do we lack motivation and inspiration?
Are we rushed to set a handful of glib goals?
Does our track record cause us to lose hope?
โฆ or perhaps the idea of personal growth is a broad, vague, and intimidating concept.
Over the years I have tried many methods of goal-setting and to help you prepare for a prosperous new year I happily share my favorite method with you, mind mapping.
Whatโs a mind map?
Simply put, a mind mapย ย helps you brainstorm. Even though brainstorming has existed for centuries, the foundation for mind mapping began with Roger Sperryโs[ii]ย eye-opening brain research which promoted linking the left and right hemispheres of the brain with words, images, colors, and direct association. The left side pertains to sequences, analysis, lists, words, and logic whereas the right side pertains to imagination, emotion, color, and shapes.[iii]ย Inspired by Sperry, Tony Buzan[iv]ย coined the term โmind mappingโ and popularized the process which activates both hemispheres and causes an increase of productivity and memory retention in the brainstorming process. In the decades since, mind mapping has gained attention for its utility in several aspects such as comprehension, creative thinking, connecting details, collecting data, and exchanging information[v], all processes that are helpful for goal-setting.
So letโs go ahead and jump into that!
ย ย
How to make a mind map for goal-setting
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย Place the title in the middle of the paper.
oย ย ย Examples: 2018, New Yearโs Resolutions, #GOALLLSSSS
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย Use lines to branch from the center. Consider these to be the topic areas for your general goals.
oย ย ย Examples: Family, Work, Health, College
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย For each domain use branches to list general goals that youโd like to achieve within a year.
oย ย ย Examples: Maintain a 4.0, Find a new job
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย For each goal, consider the mini-goals that need to be in place to achieve the noted goal.
oย ย ย Examples: Create a study group for biochemistry, join a local networking group
Reflect, set, achieve!
Mind mapping is a helpful way for you to connect to your values, hopes, and dreams. In order to do so, you need to create some safe to reflect prior to beginning the process. Set your intentions in whatever way works for you. Maybe that means you need to make a playlist of your favorite jams, or begin with a guided meditation, or use candles and/or aromatherapy to establish a purposeful ambiance.
Go beyond words. Utilize colors, drawings, symbols, and pictures. This helps you to connect both hemispheres of the brain and allows you to customize the mind map to your liking.
Grab a sheet of paper and whatever craft materials you would like. It might be helpful to begin with colored pens, pencils, crayons and/or markers. Feel free to use any craft items you preferโฆon the spirit of New Years, gold glitter seems appropriate.
Allow your individuality to take the lead as you customize your mind map. Personally, I have found that I have been more likely to revisit the mind maps that I find be aesthetically pleasing, and trust me, Iโm no artist.
When considering the domains for your goals consider what is important toย you. What areas are essential to put energy towards? Itโs common to set physical goals and you may hear your family and friendsโ aspirations, but turn up the volume on your inner voice. If it isnโt an area of importance to you, consider leaving space for goals that will bring you happiness.
Allow your mind to do its thing.ย ย Instead of pressuring yourself to focus on one domain at a time, if you set your intentions your seemingly distracting thoughts may be your mind pulling you to recognize another goal.
When considering mini-goals it is helpful to think about what you need to accomplish to get to your general goals. Sometimes these may be necessary stepping stones to use to achieve the final goal.
Try to be intentional with your timing. If you already have dates (e.g., graduation) go ahead and add them. If not, no need to, technically you have an entire year. However, setting aspirational dates may help to keep you motivated and focused.
ย
ย
ย
[i]ย https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2015-12-29/why-80-percent-of-new-years-resolutions-fail
[ii]ย Sperry, R.S. (1968). Hemispheric deconnection and the unity in conscious awareness.ย Scientific American, 23, 723-735.
[iii]ย Tucker, J. M., Armstrong, G. R., & Massad, V. J. (2010). Profiling a Mind Map User: A Descriptive Appraisal.ย Journal of Instructional Pedagogies,ย 1-13.
[iv]ย Buzan T. (1976).ย Use Both Sides of Your Brain.ย E.P. Dutton & Co, New York
[v]ย Buran, A., & Filyukov, A. (2015). Mind Mapping Technique in Language Learning.ย Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences,ย 206(XVth International Conference “Linguistic and Cultural Studies: Traditions and Innovations”), 215-218. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.10.010
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.