Did you ever try to concentrate on something, only to find your brain jumping around in all sorts of irrelevant directions? It’s what meditators call “monkey mind”, and I know it happens to me all the time.
Groups suffer from monkey mind as well. With people constantly distracted by texts, emails, work concerns, and random daydreams, it’s tough for speakers and facilitators to keep attendees focused and on task.
I’ve found one of the best ways to tame my monkey mind is by taking visual notes. As soon as I start drawing what I’m hearing using text and images, distractions vanish and I immediately focus on what’s being said. It turns out that when you make listening creative, you listen a lot better.
The same thing happens when you make graphic recording part of your group process. It’s fascinating for people to watch a graphic recorder transform a presentation or discussion into a colorful visual chart. It focuses them on the task at hand, creating an “attention multiplier” that builds on itself. It sparks further conversation, encourages creative thinking, and provides a clear map of their journey to new solutions. And, after the event is done, graphic recordings can be shared and looked at over and over, reinforcing takeaways each time.
Graphic recording may not get rid of mind monkeys, but it sure does help them behave. Get in touch and let’s explore how we can help make your next meeting or conference more focused, productive, and fun!