Comments on: Managing all the Advice that You Read http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/ Thoughts and Stories of an Entrepreneur on the Web Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:11:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Argey http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-10960 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:20:56 +0000 http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-10960 I've used mindmaps to organize information for years, but the problem is that they work on one-file-per-node. So as soon as you collect a quite modest number of files, the whole thing is jammed and unreadable. The solutions suggested are usually "Have many interconnected maps" or "Collapse the nodes". problem is, these ideas don't let you see the big picture, just when things are getting messy and you need it most. My solution is to use Topicscape (http://www.topicscape.com ) which lets you have as many files at a node as you want, and uses an approach that anyone used to mindmapping will find familiar (even if it does work in a 3D mindmap). It's good for organizing ideas, all those tips and hints that you find on the web that you mentioned, and for project management materials. I’ve used mindmaps to organize information for years, but the problem is that they work on one-file-per-node. So as soon as you collect a quite modest number of files, the whole thing is jammed and unreadable.

The solutions suggested are usually “Have many interconnected maps” or “Collapse the nodes”. problem is, these ideas don’t let you see the big picture, just when things are getting messy and you need it most.

My solution is to use Topicscape (http://www.topicscape.com ) which lets you have as many files at a node as you want, and uses an approach that anyone used to mindmapping will find familiar (even if it does work in a 3D mindmap).

It’s good for organizing ideas, all those tips and hints that you find on the web that you mentioned, and for project management materials.

]]> by: Deon Botha http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3364 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:29:29 +0000 http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3364 Looking at things from the other end and going from proposed solution to problem <a href="http://www.otavo.com/" rel="nofollow">Otavo</a> describes themselves as an intention engine. You have the intention in other words to learn entrepreneurship or making the best sponge cake but how to accomplish this is an art of science fiction. Otavo lets you start a quest, others join the quest and then the band of merry men and woman search for the answer. Rather like Google with full sentence search terms. Other tools that have recognised this information overflow is a company called <a href="http://9rules.com" rel="nofollow">9rules</a> and they have project management Web 2.0 apps online. There are some others that I have come accross but can't recall them now. I mention these because I know mind mapping/spider diagrams don't work for some people or aren't a one size fits all solution. Looking at things from the other end and going from proposed solution to problem Otavo describes themselves as an intention engine. You have the intention in other words to learn entrepreneurship or making the best sponge cake but how to accomplish this is an art of science fiction.

Otavo lets you start a quest, others join the quest and then the band of merry men and woman search for the answer. Rather like Google with full sentence search terms.

Other tools that have recognised this information overflow is a company called 9rules and they have project management Web 2.0 apps online. There are some others that I have come accross but can’t recall them now.

I mention these because I know mind mapping/spider diagrams don’t work for some people or aren’t a one size fits all solution.

]]> by: Mel. B. http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3318 Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:27:51 +0000 http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3318 One problem with "managing all the advice that you read"... it's that you're just reading it! True knowledge comes from doing, and you're absolutely right about the internet being a library of its own -- it's not worth storing the information in your own little library. Personally I'd rather be facing a challenge, find the actionable (and relevant) information online (ie. the "library"), then put it to action! Most people easily remember later how they "did" something, but I can't say that's true for everything we read, organize, sort, or just stare at. I'd say that's one bottom-line commonality between all entrepreneurs: that they're doers. They have the best stories, and amazing solutions, because that's what they "do". I mean, just think about the adventures that entrepreneurs on Dragon's Den must be having? (http://www.insidethedragonsden.com/), they made it to auditions, get to meet with VCs, and *hope* to get enough money to walk away and build their business... The real stuff isn't sitting on your computer screen; use it for referrence, but move on! One problem with “managing all the advice that you read”… it’s that you’re just reading it!

True knowledge comes from doing, and you’re absolutely right about the internet being a library of its own — it’s not worth storing the information in your own little library. Personally I’d rather be facing a challenge, find the actionable (and relevant) information online (ie. the “library”), then put it to action! Most people easily remember later how they “did” something, but I can’t say that’s true for everything we read, organize, sort, or just stare at.

I’d say that’s one bottom-line commonality between all entrepreneurs: that they’re doers. They have the best stories, and amazing solutions, because that’s what they “do”. I mean, just think about the adventures that entrepreneurs on Dragon’s Den must be having? (http://www.insidethedragonsden.com/), they made it to auditions, get to meet with VCs, and *hope* to get enough money to walk away and build their business…

The real stuff isn’t sitting on your computer screen; use it for referrence, but move on!

]]> by: Yuri http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3312 Tue, 08 Aug 2006 07:19:22 +0000 http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3312 So, in essence, to be able to absorb more information you need to practice more. Simply doing what you are told in books won't get you far. You need to think and work out of the box and try everything new as it shows up. Such is the work of marketing, at least. So, in essence, to be able to absorb more information you need to practice more. Simply doing what you are told in books won’t get you far. You need to think and work out of the box and try everything new as it shows up. Such is the work of marketing, at least.

]]> by: TheBizofKnowledge http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3302 Mon, 07 Aug 2006 13:08:41 +0000 http://mattinglot.com/blog/2006/08/07/managing-all-the-advice-that-you-read/#comment-3302 You brought up a very important topic in this post. You're absolutely right that we need some way to manage all the information that we get. For me, it's particularly difficult because I have many projects on the table now, and more that I can't start until I finish the ones I'm already working on. So when I come across information that I know will help me with future projects, I've got to find some way to store this information until a later date. I think I may try your mind mapping tip here. It sounds interesting! You brought up a very important topic in this post. You’re absolutely right that we need some way to manage all the information that we get. For me, it’s particularly difficult because I have many projects on the table now, and more that I can’t start until I finish the ones I’m already working on. So when I come across information that I know will help me with future projects, I’ve got to find some way to store this information until a later date. I think I may try your mind mapping tip here. It sounds interesting!

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