One valuable business planning tool I use is mind mapping. Try using this completely free organizational and creativity tool to explore and expand your thinking about the future of your business.

This tool is infinitely useful; that is why I love this tool.The “rules” are flexible so feel free to improvise and adapt. There are many useful, instructional videos available on the internet. Feel free to search around and see what you can learn.

The Seven “Rules” of Mind Mapping

1. Start in the center of a landscape page.
2. Use an image or picture for your central idea.

The central idea is a concept. It is the topic around which all other ideas cluster. Using images to symbolize your concept is encouraged because images make the information more interesting and more memorable. Also, drawing will tap into the wisdom of the right side of your brain. By all means, add images if you want but do not avoid mind mapping because you are not artistic, or you do not have the time to find the right image.

3. Use colors throughout.

I do use color. I find colors help categorize and emphasis. I like color. And there is something just fun and more creative about breaking out my magic markers.

For the rest of the “rules” a picture is worth 1000 words.

The Other Rules are:

4. Connect main branches to the central image and second level branches from the ends of main branches and third level branches from the end of second level and so on.
5. Make branches curve and flow.
6. Use just one word per line and make the lines the same length as the word.
7. Use images throughout.