Making Your Gray Matter

June 2009

Contents This Month

·        Why I Can’t Idea Map

·        In Memory of The Canterbury Tales

·        Quotations

·        Update Your Email Address

·        Refer Madness

Why I Can’t Idea Map

Changing behaviors can be a challenging proposition. Changing a behavior that is as well-rooted as the way we make or take notes can be downright daunting. Here’s some help for you in overcoming my fave five concerns about Idea Mapping.

Concern

Overcoming the Concern

1.      “Changing colors is a ‘pain’”

Start by using just 3 or 4 colors. This is much more manageable. You can always add more colors later.

2.      “While brainstorming I wonder if an idea is a main branch idea or a supporting branch idea?”

This is an evaluative thought, so save it for later. Your first Idea Map should be generative (generate many ideas). Your next draft can be more evaluative. This can include how ideas are grouped, what the main branch idea is, color choice, and inclusion of more images.

3.      “I run out of paper.”

I used to when I first Idea Mapped too. When you are new (less than 50 maps) to it, start with large paper and get some colored pens you like. I like fine points because they help me write smaller and save space.

 

I’ve often had Idea Maps continue onto a second page. Then I combine them later. This provides an additional benefit of another review which will help your retention.

4.      “My pictures look like a 3rd grader drew them.”

If your maps are for you, who cares what they look like? Stick figures and commonly drawn symbols can be just as powerful for your memory as something more elaborate (and slower!).

5.      “People look at me funny when I map my notes.”

Here’s a magical phrase – tell them that you are using an accelerated learning technique. I’ve often found that people then ask, “Can you show me how?”

In Memory of The Canterbury Tales

The first day of my 8th grade English Literature class, Mr. Bertino (teacher) told us that about 1/5 of our final grade would be based on our ability to remember the first 18 lines of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English! We all dropped our jaws. He also told us that it would be three weeks before he asked anyone to do it, but that he would randomly call on us throughout the school year. In fact, one student had to do it during the final exam.

Every night, we all reviewed the ancient passage. The first person was called on exactly three weeks later. Eventually we all took our turns. Even after you had done your recitation, you got periodic reviews because the students who hadn’t taken their turn performed it for you to make sure they got it right! Amazingly, I still remember about 10 of the 18 lines. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what they mean.

Mr. Bertino helped us remember this passage by forcing us to periodically review the material. If you want to commit something to memory, follow this review schedule:

·        10 minutes after the learning

·        24 hours after the learning

·        7 days after the learning

·        30 days after the learning

·        6 months after the learning

Following this schedule helps to lessen the Ebbinghaus Effect (forgetting curve) and improve your long-term memory.

Quotations

“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal.” – Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister). [I’ve always liked it in reverse order as it feels more fluent and poetic]

“It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.” – Arnold Toynbee (British economist)

Update Your Email Address

Don’t miss an issue of Making Your Gray Matter. If your email address is going to change, let me know about it.

Refer Madness

Share the good experience you had in my workshop or seminar. Tell people in your company, organization, professional association, or non-profit organization about me. Have them get in touch with me or you can send me their contact information. If you give me a lead that generates new business for me

·        Your colleague/friend will get a powerful and fun learning event customized to their needs. I’ll deliver a session that will build skills and create positive change in their organization.

·        You’ll get a check for $300 (or your favorite charity) $300 (less if it is less than a full-fee engagement). Several people have asked that the referral check be donated to a charity.

 

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