You’re standing at the edge of a choice. It might be a career decision, a relationship crossroads, or simply knowing it’s time for change. The thoughts swirl, opinions mount, and that familiar feeling creeps in—the weight of wanting to make the “right” decision.
Making choices doesn’t have to feel this way. Over a decade ago, I sat down with my mind-mapping software, trying to make sense of a single choice I’d made—attending an out-of-the-box coaching event. I wasn’t seeking a new methodology. I simply needed to understand what had come into my life because of that one decision. That moment of seeking clarity sparked something I never expected.
What is Choice Mapping?
A Choice Map is a visual representation of a singular choice you’ve made, are making, or will make. Unlike traditional journaling where thoughts flow freely across pages, mapping creates a focused dialogue with yourself through pointed questions and concise answers. Each map becomes a snapshot of your truth in this moment—a clear picture of what matters most about your choice.
Over the years, three distinct types of maps have emerged, each serving a unique purpose in bringing clarity to your choices:
People Maps: Understanding Your Web of Connections
Think of someone who opened doors in your life—perhaps introducing you to opportunities, ideas, or other amazing people. A People Map helps you visualize and appreciate these connection points. Starting with one person on the left side of your map, you trace the relationships and opportunities that have flowed from that initial connection. I’ve watched clients discover patterns in their networks they never noticed before, revealing how one meaningful connection often leads to countless others.
Unfolding Maps: Tracking Choice Over Time
Sometimes you make a choice and life responds in ways you couldn’t have predicted. An Unfolding Map captures this journey, showing how one conscious decision creates ripples of possibility. You begin with your choice on the left, then document everything that flows from that decision—the people you meet, the opportunities that emerge, the new thoughts and possibilities that open up. This map reminds you that while you can’t control everything that unfolds, you can stay awake to what emerges.
Exploration Maps: Diving Deep into Your Choice
When you need to understand a specific choice more deeply, the Exploration Map becomes your guide. Starting with your choice at the center, you explore essential questions: Why does this choice matter? What fears might hold you back? What becomes possible? How do you want to show up? The visual format helps you see patterns and connections that might stay hidden in pages of narrative writing.
Understanding Different Choice Points
Every day, you navigate hundreds of choices—from the smallest daily decisions to life-changing choices that shape your path. As I’ve worked with clients over the years, I’ve noticed three distinct types of choices emerge:
- Simple choices fill your daily life—what to eat, what to wear, how to spend your evening. While these might seem insignificant, how you handle them affects your capacity for bigger decisions. When you recognize these as actual choices rather than obligations, you free up energy for more significant decisions.
- Momentary choices appear throughout your day—whether to answer that email now or focus on the project before you, whether to have that difficult conversation or wait. These choices might feel small, but they create the texture of your life and relationships.
- Proactive choices are those conscious commitments that move you toward what matters most—starting a new project, deepening a relationship, addressing something that’s been bothering you. These choices deserve the focused attention that mapping provides.
Understanding these different choice points helps you recognize when to use mapping most effectively. While you might not map every simple choice, being aware of these different types helps you navigate them all more consciously.
The Choice Mapping Process
Each time I sit with someone beginning their mapping journey, I offer a simple invitation: bring one choice you’d like to explore. A client might be considering a career change, navigating relationship decisions, or sensing it’s time for something new. No matter the choice, we begin with that single decision at the center of the map.
From there, something beautiful unfolds. Each question leads naturally to the next as we follow the thread of what matters most. The visual nature of mapping means nothing gets lost in the process—every insight remains visible, creating a rich tapestry of understanding.
I remember sitting with Sarah, who came to me wrestling with a choice about leaving her successful corporate career. Her initial map began with practical considerations—finances, timing, next steps. But as she continued mapping, following the branches of what truly mattered, something deeper emerged. She discovered this wasn’t just about changing jobs—it was about aligning her work with values she’d held quiet for too long.
This is the power of mapping—it reveals layers of meaning you might miss in traditional decision-making approaches. What starts as a seemingly straightforward choice often opens into a richer exploration of who you are and what you want to create in your life.
Creating Natural Momentum
Choice Mapping invites you to notice something fascinating about choices—they create ripples. One conscious choice, made with clarity and intention, naturally leads to the next. I’ve watched this unfold countless times in my own life and with clients.
Remember that first mapped choice of mine—attending that out-of-the-box coaching event? Looking at the map now, I see how that one decision led to unexpected connections, new opportunities, and eventually to developing Choice Mapping itself. None of this was planned or forced—it unfolded naturally because I made one clear choice and stayed awake to what emerged.
This is different from traditional goal-setting where you try to see the whole path before taking a step. Choice Mapping helps you get clear about your next move while staying open to possibilities you can’t yet imagine. It’s about claiming your power to choose while remaining receptive to life’s natural unfolding.
From “Have To” to “Choose To”
One of the most powerful shifts I’ve witnessed in clients happens when they move from saying “I have to” to “I choose to.” This simple language change transforms how you relate to your decisions. Even in situations that feel choiceless, you always have the power to choose your response.
I remember working with Lisa, who felt trapped in her career decisions. Through mapping, she began to see how framing everything as “have to” was hiding her actual choices. When she shifted to “I choose to build my skills in this role” instead of “I have to stay in this job,” new possibilities emerged. The situation hadn’t changed, but her relationship with her choices had transformed completely.
Starting Your Mapping Practice
You don’t need special tools or skills to begin mapping. What matters is your willingness to pause, reflect, and capture what’s true for you in this moment. You might use a journal, your computer, or even sticky notes on your wall. The magic lies in the process of asking yourself pointed questions and capturing honest, concise answers.
Over the years, I’ve watched hundreds of people discover clarity through mapping. Some use it for major life decisions, others for daily choices. Some create elaborate maps with multiple branches, others keep it simple and focused. The practice adapts to serve you and your unique way of exploring choices.
Choice Mapping emerged from my own journey of seeking clarity in decisions. Through years of practice and refinement, it’s become a reliable companion for navigating life’s crossroads—both for me and for hundreds of others who’ve experienced its power.
The Journey Ahead
Each time I guide someone through their first mapping experience, there’s a moment I watch for—that subtle shift when confusion transforms into clarity. This moment looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s a quiet “ah-ha” as patterns become visible. Other times it’s excitement about possibilities they hadn’t considered. Often, it’s simply a sense of relief at seeing their choice laid out clearly before them.
Your mapping journey will be uniquely yours. You might start with a People Map to understand the web of connections supporting your choices. Perhaps you’ll create an Unfolding Map to track how one decision creates momentum in your life. Or maybe you’ll begin with an Exploration Map to dive deep into a specific choice asking for your attention.
What matters isn’t creating perfect maps—it’s discovering your own way of bringing visual clarity to your choices. This practice has shown me, time and again, that we all carry wisdom about our choices. Sometimes we just need a way to see it more clearly.
Taking Your Next Step
You might wonder which choice to map first. I often suggest starting with something that matters to you but doesn’t feel overwhelming. This gives you space to explore the practice while building trust in your mapping ability. Remember, each map you create strengthens your capacity for making conscious choices.
Explore more articles in this Choice Mapping series below.
In the articles that follow, I share specific mapping techniques, real examples of maps in action, and practical guidance for making this tool your own. Whether you’re facing a significant decision or simply wanting to bring more consciousness to your choices, mapping offers a clear path forward. Start with understanding how Choice Mapping differs from traditional approaches to reflection.
Begin Your Choice Mapping Journey
Get your copy of The Book of Choice or experience mapping firsthand in my free interactive workshop: The Creative Art of Choice Mapping.
Explore the Choice Mapping Series
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