Reflection-Mind mapping

Challenge

The challenge in front of me was as personal as it was crucial. Resolving the life’s many dilemmas is  never a cakewalk. Case in point is the dilemma concerning the right way forward in which one  should take his career in. The decision gets even complex if someone is standing at that delicate age  point where the stakes are way higher than when someone is starting out. The decision-making  process in this case has many variables such as Interests, Skills & Capabilities required, work-life  balance, future outlook of the concerned sector/organisation, is work culture in tune with one’s  values & whether that path will help in achieving one’s purpose of life. On the face of it, it is  apparently an overwhelming proposition to find your way at the end of this maze. And using  conventional means such as making a list, then a sub-list might get quite overwhelming and clarity  may still be elusive However, one of the design thinking tools, Mind mapping, comes to the rescue.   Mind mapping not only brings in clarity & reduce the problem-solving time, but also helps one in  showing linkages and connections which were hidden before. And oft these connections act as a  guiding light towards the desired end goal.

Selection

Mind-mapping tool was selected because of its sheer power of acting as a conduit from abstraction  to clarity. The tool starts with the mapping out the core issue, and as one brainstorms and draws  down the varied branches, one can gradually see critical insights getting generated.

Application

The mind-mapping process began by the starting with the central issue at hand i.e. the best way  forward from here. Once it was mapped out on the white board, the different paths were then  mapped out. Then all my expectations, my skills & capabilities as well my ultimate purpose of life  was jotted down. Similarly, all the impressions that were there in the mind regarding the core  problem at hand were laid down.

Once all the maps could be seen in one frame, I could see some connections emerging, some insights  emerging from the data dump, which gradually helped me in eliminating many of the paths which  were not in sync with my critical expectations & goals. As I continued forming links and connecting  the points, I could eventually narrow down to that one path that is a right fit for me.

Insight

By applying the mind-mapping tool, the factors which I did not consider initially emerged as I worked  on the preparing the mind maps. For instance: The possible path of starting on your own and the  likelihood of getting what I intended, were the two factors which I incorporated into the mind  mapping process subsequently. Secondly, the process involved in mind-mapping helped me realise  that every action, no matter how small, has its consequences which we often don’t realise. This  insight not only helped me in solving the problem at hand, but also in doing some course corrections  at a rather personal level.

Approach

Given the crossroad that I found myself standing at, I think Mind mapping was the best suited tool. It  does a very good job in bringing order in an environment overflowing with ambiguity. Though, come  to think of it, visualisation can be a good complementary tool as well, for keeping up the internal  drive in an individual to remain steady on the path towards the end objective.


Reflection - Mind mapping Challenge The challenge in front of me was as personal as it was crucial . Resolving the life ’s many dilemmas is never a cakewalk . Case in point is the dilemma concerning the right way forward in which one should take his career in . The decision gets even complex if someone is standing at that delicate age point where the stakes are way higher than when someone is starting out . The decision - making process in this case has many variables such as Interests , Skills & Capabilities required , work - life balance , future outlook of the concerned sector / organisation , is work culture in tune with one ’s values & whether that path will help in achieving one ’s purpose of life . On the face of it , it is apparently an overwhelming proposition to find your way at the end of this maze . And using conventional means such as making a list , then a sub - list might get quite overwhelming and clarity may still be elusive However , one of the design thinking tools , Mind mapping , comes to the rescue . Mind mapping not only brings in clarity & reduce the problem - solving time , but also helps one in showing linkages and connections which were hidden before . And oft these connections act as a guiding light towards the desired end goal . Selection Mind - mapping tool was selected because of its sheer power of acting as a conduit from abstraction to clarity . The tool starts with the mapping out the core issue , and as one brainstorms and draws down the varied branches , one can gradually see critical insights getting generated . Application The mind - mapping process began by the starting with the central issue at hand i.e. the best way forward from here . Once it was mapped out on the white board , the different paths were then mapped out . Then all my expectations , my skills & capabilities as well my ultimate purpose of life was jotted down . Similarly , all the impressions that were there in the mind regarding the core problem at hand were laid down . Once all the maps could be seen in one frame , I could see some connections emerging , some insights emerging from the data dump , which gradually helped me in eliminating many of the paths which were not in sync with my critical expectations & goals . As I continued forming links and connecting the points , I could eventually narrow down to that one path that is a right fit for me . Insight By applying the mind - mapping tool , the factors which I did not consider initially emerged as I worked on the preparing the mind maps . For instance : The possible path of starting on your own and the likelihood of getting what I intended , were the two factors which I incorporated into the mind mapping process subsequently . Secondly , the process involved in mind - mapping helped me realise that every action , no matter how small , has its consequences which we often do n’t realise . This insight not only helped me in solving the problem at hand , but also in doing some course corrections at a rather personal level . Approach Given the crossroad that I found myself standing at , I think Mind mapping was the best suited tool . It does a very good job in bringing order in an environment overflowing with ambiguity . Though , come to think of it , visualisation can be a good complementary tool as well , for keeping up the internal drive in an individual to remain steady on the path towards the end objective .