Creating Your First Choice Map: A Practical Guide

One of the things I love about introducing people to Choice Mapping is watching what happens when they begin putting their thoughts on the page.

Sometimes someone arrives with a very clear choice they want to explore. Other times, they have several things on their mind and aren’t quite sure where to begin.

And occasionally, someone is concerned about doing it correctly.

I understand that. When you’re trying something new, it’s natural to wonder whether there’s a right way to do it.

But one of the things I’ve learned through creating hundreds of maps is that the value comes from the questions you ask and what you discover through your answers.

You can begin with a piece of paper, a pen, and one choice you’d like to understand more fully.

Let me show you how.

Begin with one choice

An Exploration Map starts with a choice at the center.

It might be something you’re considering, a decision you’ve already made, or a situation where you’d like to understand your options more clearly.

Perhaps you’re considering a career change, thinking about a relationship, or wondering whether to say yes to an opportunity.

Choose something that matters to you.

Write your choice in the center of the page. I like phrasing choices as statements that begin with “I choose to…”

Notice that the statement doesn’t commit you to moving. You’re choosing to explore the possibility.

I appreciate this distinction because sometimes people hesitate to consider something when they’re uncertain whether they actually want to do it.

You can be curious about a possibility without having to make a commitment to it.

Start asking questions

Once you’ve written your choice, you’re ready to begin exploring.

Over the years, I’ve found five areas of inquiry particularly useful when creating an Exploration Map.

1. Why does this choice matter to you?
2. What fears or concerns might get in your way?
3. How do you want to show up as you make this choice?
4. What becomes possible because of this choice?
5. What actions might you take to bring your choice to life?

You can begin with whichever question interests you most.

If you’re exploring a choice you’ve already made, you can adjust the wording to look back at what mattered, what you were concerned about, and what you actually did.

Each question gives you a different way to look at your choice. And you may find that an answer to one question leads you somewhere you hadn’t expected.

Capture your answers in a few words

One of the things I encourage is keeping your answers concise.

Sometimes you’ll have a lot to say about a particular question. That’s wonderful. Give yourself time to think it through, and then see whether you can capture the essence of your answer in a short statement.

I find that the process of choosing your words can be revealing.

You may write something, look at it, and realize it doesn’t quite express what you mean. So you change it.

There’s value in that attention to your own words.

If you’re interested in the distinction between capturing a few meaningful words and writing at greater length, you can explore how Choice Mapping differs from journaling.

Follow what interests you

You don’t have to complete one section of your map before moving to another.

You might begin by exploring why a choice matters, then become curious about a fear that’s influencing you.

As you examine that fear, you may recognize a possibility you hadn’t considered. And that possibility might bring you back to the original question of why the choice matters.

I encourage you to follow those connections.

When I’m mapping with someone, I’m paying attention to their answers and listening for what might deserve another question. You can do the same thing for yourself.

If you write, “I’m afraid of disappointing someone,” you might ask whose disappointment concerns you and why their opinion matters.

If you write, “I want more freedom,” you might explore what freedom would actually look like in your life.

Sometimes a short answer contains much more than you initially realize. Give yourself permission to spend time with it.

Look at what you’ve created

As your map develops, you’ll begin to see your thoughts together.

You may notice that several branches relate to the same concern. Perhaps something you thought was important when you began no longer seems quite as significant.

Or you might recognize that two things you were considering separately are connected.

I like to pause during a mapping conversation and look at what’s on the page. You can do that too.

Read through your answers. Notice which ones catch your attention. Consider whether there’s anything you want to explore further.

You may discover something that changes how you understand your choice. Or you may simply appreciate having a clearer picture of everything you’ve been considering.

Both are worthwhile.

Your map can change

There’s no need to finish your map in one sitting.

You might spend twenty minutes exploring a choice and then return to it a few days later.

Perhaps you’ve had a conversation, learned something new, or simply had more time to think.

You can add branches, change an answer, or explore a different question.

I’ve returned to my own maps long after creating them and found things that interested me in ways they hadn’t before.

Your map reflects what you’re thinking and understanding at a particular moment. As your perspective changes, the map can change with you.

Make it your own

I’ve created maps using mind-mapping software, and I’ve worked with people who prefer paper and colored pens.

Some people love creating detailed maps with lots of branches. Others prefer something much simpler.

The visual appearance is a personal choice. What’s important is that you can see your answers and the connections between them.

If you enjoy drawing, you may want to add images. If you prefer working digitally, you can move things around as your thinking develops.

You may also discover that you like mapping certain choices in one way and other choices differently.

I encourage you to experiment.

What happens next?

When you finish exploring, spend a little time looking at your map.

Consider what you’ve learned about yourself and the choice you’ve been examining.

You may have a clearer sense of what you want to do. You may recognize a concern that deserves attention or a possibility you’d like to explore.

And sometimes you’ll finish with questions you didn’t have when you started. That’s part of the process too.

If there’s an action you want to take, capture it on your map. It could be a conversation you want to have, something you need to learn, or a small step toward a possibility you’re considering.

You can return to your map as you take those steps and continue learning.

I hope you’ll enjoy the experience of creating your first Choice Map.

And perhaps, as I’ve discovered so many times, you’ll find that one choice has more to tell you than you expected.

As you continue exploring, you may also become curious about what becomes possible after you make a choice and take action.

Continue exploring Choice Mapping

This article is part of a seven-part series exploring Choice Mapping, how it began, and the different ways you can use it in your life.

Next article: The Art of Possibility: How Choice Mapping Opens New Doors →

Explore the Choice Mapping Series

Continue exploring the stories, questions, and practical ideas behind Choice Mapping.