Monday, March 30, 2009

UPDATE: TPAssistCapture - new name, updated and enhanced


We have taken advantage of the need to fix an issue with working Mindjet Connect maps and released an update. In addition we have added a significant enhancement and also changed the name of this TPAssist 2007 companion product to align it more appropriately with our future plans.


The new functionality extends the existing ability relating to sending whole maps, by allowing you to capture and send topics and topic trees. The new name, TPAssistCapture, is aligned to our TPAssist 2007 future plans. So whilst not essential, if you aren't working with Mindjet Connect maps, we would encourage you to visit our Download pages on the web and update your installation as your earliest convenience.


Remember, before applying this update, process all captured items, then close Mindjet MindManager and the capture tool in your System Tray (Right-Click on the capture icon and choose "Close"). The update will install quickly and easily, and your settings and configurations should stay the same, providing you clear down your capture items, close MindManager and also close the System Tray Capture tool.


Click here to download TPAssistCapture version 1.1.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

NEWSLETTER - Announcing TPAssistCapture and the GTD Template

Today we are launching part 1 and 2 of our 3 part approach to aligning ourselves with the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach developed by David Allen. Part 1 is our GTD Template. Part 2 is a new add-in for MindManager, TPAssistCapture. Part 3 is the next update of TPAssist 2007.

If you are not familiar with GTD or wish to continue using your exiting approach, don't worry because we are also committed to our roots and to providing tools that help you get context, get organised, stay organised and be fulfilled.

In this newsletter we outline the following:
  • Who and What is TPAssist?
  • TPAssistCapture For Mindjet® MindManager®.
  • Getting Things Done (GTD) Template.
  • Product Release Update (TPAssist 2007)
Who and What is TPAssist?

As you may have already discovered our resources and software add-ins aim to extend your investment in MindManager® and/or Mindjet® Connect. Here is a snapshot of how and where:
  • Instantly capture, store and process your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions.
  • Automate and Integrate your task based mind maps
    • Automate task dates with finite control.
    • Get multi-map task detail roll-up.
    • Capture and roll-up financial information.
    • Create workplace Dashboards.
    • Manage work / life balance.
  • Export task and financial information to Microsoft® Excel®.
  • Integrate action mapping with Microsoft® Outlook®.
  • Work with complex projects and task based maps in Multi-map mode.
  • Roll-up & Publish multi-maps to Microsoft Project.
  • Enable multi-user workflow and auditing with Mindjet Connect.

We deliver this capabilities with two products: TPAssistCapture and TPAssist 2007.


TPAssistCapture

TPAssistCapture helps you realise the concept of instantly capturing, storing and processing your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions.

Whilst not limited to, TPAssistCapture is a must have for anyone utilising MindManager with the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach developed by David Allen (http://www.davidco.com/).

TPAssistCapture for Mindjet® MindManager® is FREE
Download TPAssistCapture Today!


Getting Things Done (GTD) Dashboard Template.

Download our FREE Ultimate or "run-way" Dashboard for Getting Things Done(tm).

This dashboard map is based on the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach developed by David Allen (http://www.davidco.com/).

Additionally, the "My Life" group of template mind maps included in this download are provided as part of the TPAssist's First Steps FREE online webseminar for Life Management using mind mapping.

Find out more via online resource.

Product Release Update

As outlined previously, in 2008 we released four minor updates, the latest of which, version 1.5, focused on Mindjet Connect interoperability and also working with financial information with-in your maps.

Our first update for this year, version 1.6, will takes us back to our roots. It will focus on bringing you tools that help you be more productive and fulfilled.

This will include, but is not limited to, making TPAssist a must-have for MindManager users following David Allen's Getting Things Done systematic approach to productivity and happiness (REF: http://www.davidco.com/). This update will be "part 3" of the GTD alignment program eluded to above.


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Mindjet and MindManager are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mindjet, LLC in the United States and/or other countries.GTD and Getting Things Done are registered trademarks of David Allen & Co..

Friday, March 20, 2009

How I use MindManager for Getting Things Done (GTD)

UPDATE: 3rd June 2009: Version 2 of my implementation is now in the blog. Read about it here...

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Having been asked on several occasions to explain how I use Mindjet MindManager to implement the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach developed by David Allen (www.davidco.com), I decide to provide a summary of I do it for all to see. Please feel free to share your experience and give me feedback. Whilst still learning, the one thing I am clear about regarding GTD, is that it is an evolutionary process of continuous improvement.

So here it is...

I have an extensive implementation of TPAssist's “My Life” template and also the TPAssist role based Dashboard, resulting in near on 150 linked maps, some of which are whole projects and some of which contain lots of mini-projects.

My GTD runway “road map” or as I am calling it, my “Ultimate Dashboard” mirror’s GTD’s “Organizing Categories” (see/download template here). This is now my default map when MindManager opens. I have linked the Outcomes section to separate maps for a cleaner picture. I have linked my “My Life” and workplace dashboard to the “Areas of Focus”.

Adding in projects and actions is presently achieved using two methods. Firstly I am instantly capturing, storing and then "sending" new items to the Dashboard by using TPAssistCapture. These capture items are sent to my roadmap "IN-TRAY" for further clarification, sent directly to the ACTION category or even directly into a project map (if it isn't the next action or is more an idea). Secondly I am manually maintaining the Projects List and Actions list.

Maintaining context of my projects and next actions is achieved by dropping into the focus area map, locating the project or next action and then using the Topic-Right-Click “Copy as Hyperlink” MindManager capability to extract the linked topic. I then insert this hyperlinked topic into the project list or in the case of each project’s next action, in the appropriate category of the Ultimate Dashboard. In this way I can just follow the hyperlink back to the My Life or Dashboard map to process the action, using TPAssist’s existing journaling capabilities to record my progress and success.

As I complete actions, I drop in the next action and then I just delete the completed topic listing from the Ultimate Dashboard. With completed projects I just delete them from the Projects list, knowing that my monthly reviews of Areas of Focus will show up anything that is new.

In addition, I am using TPAssist 2007's Outlook Integration to keep some of the next actions synchronised with Outlook and therefore my mobile device.

There are some aspects that are for now a little cumbersome, however I feel "spinning the wheels" myself, at least for now, gives me a great idea of what needs to be automated in the next update to TPAssist 2007.


GTD and Getting Things Done are registered trademarks of David Allen & Co..

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

GTD Summit, MindManager® and TPAssistCapture - Capture, Process, Reduce Distraction

We've published a new video demonstrating TPAssistCapture.

This video uses participation at the recent GTD Summit to illustrates how TPAssistCapture for Mindjet® MindManager® can be used to instantly capture, queue and process your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions.

See it on the TPAssistCapture product page on our web site.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Introducing TPAssistCapture For Mindjet® MindManager®: How Does it work?

TPAssistCapture For Mindjet® MindManager®
Instantly capture, store and process your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions.

The purpose of TPAssistCapture is to help you keep focused on the task at hand, by giving you the means to instantly capture, store and process your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions(1).
How does TPAssistCapture Work?
TPAssistCapture operates on Quick Links which is a method to send ideas, tasks, notes and next actions directly to the mind map you use to manage them (STEP 1).




You start by configuring your categories or tags and defining where in your mind maps these items should be delivered. As you uncover, discover or receive ideas, tasks, notes and next actions, you simply use TPAssistCapture to store them to a basket for processing (STEP 2).




Then when ready, you use TPAssistCapture to extract the items from the queue and send them to your mind maps (STEP 3).


TPAssistCapture uses a mind map, the "Quick Links Map" to store and manage your capture categories/tags. The capture process is performed by the Capture Tools (i.e. System Tray icon, and the Send Topic and Send Map capabilities in MindManager). These capture tools are purposely "decoupled" from MindManager for efficiency and speed, and also so that you can work away in MindManager on key focus items independently of your capture process.










(1) "Next Actions" are a concept widely associated with the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach developed by David Allen (www.davidco.com http://www.davidco.com/).
Mindjet and MindManager are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mindjet, LLC in the United States and/or other countries.

GTD and Getting Things Done are registered trademarks of David Allen & Co..

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Introducing TPAssistCapture For Mindjet® MindManager®: What is TPAssistCapture?


TPAssistCapture For Mindjet® MindManager®
Instantly capture, store and process your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions.

The purpose of TPAssistCapture is to help you keep focused on the task at hand, by giving you the means to instantly capture, store and process your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions(1).

What is TPAssistCapture?

Is this familiar?

You are working away on your highest priority when something new arrives... an e-mail, the phone rings, a knock on the door or your mind wonders.

You realise that you can't deal with the item quickly because it needs further attention?

This is a potential distraction because this new thing has your attention and it may not be the best thing to be doing right now. Therefore you must capture it for consideration at another time...

Is there an answer...

Sure, single-Click TPAssistCapture Capture, type in your note. Tag it. Send it.

Great, in an instant you have recovered your focus.

So later, when your high priority items complete, you'll be ready to process your "In-Tray" again. Just open MindManager, choose TPAssistCapture "Process Basket" and collect your ideas, tasks, notes and next actions. Then use your maps to manage your next actions as suggested in the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach...


Download TPAssistCapture For Mindjet® MindManager® right now... its FREE!



(1) "Next Actions" are a concept widely associated with the Getting Things Done (GTD) approach developed by David Allen (www.davidco.com <http://www.davidco.com>).


Mindjet and MindManager are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mindjet, LLC in the United States and/or other countries.


GTD and Getting Things Done are registered trademarks of David Allen & Co..