Maps of the world, some ideas and explanations

Maps of the world and perceptions of others and self!

I have summarised some of the main ideas about maps of the world and considered how they relate to the way that we live!

Each of us has and in fact operates from our own unique “map of the world”

This is formed from our:-

• values – the things that really matter to us in life
• beliefs
• attitudes
• past experiences
• current experience
• skills
• knowledge
• personality
• attributes
• qualities
• hopes and goals.

The map, however is not the territory (there is always more than just our map)

The great thing is that, every moment of every day, as we experience new situations and continue to learn, the map gets bigger! Whether we like it or not!


Filters

Whenever we experience anything, in order to make sense of all of the inputs, the brain performs 3 functions.

So,of all the inputs to our senses (too many for the brain to process), some are:-

Deleted
Distorted
Generalised

This helps our experience to make sense to us and to fit, to some degree with the map that we already have.

How we filter differently as unique human beings

We experience and filter our experiences through our own unique map.

This can be easily understood by comparing experiences e.g. of a holiday with another individual who has been to the same resort or a work colleague who has been in the same meeting with us for 2 hours.

Each will have filtered differently and will give different accounts!



Relating to others, socially and in a work context

When we get on well with people, relate well to them, feel comfortable with them, and like them it is because there is significant overlap between maps. We may share core values, beliefs and have had similar experiences. If we meet people where few of these are shared, it is less likely that we will get on as well! In every relationship we are effectively seeking out and adding to the overlap!

The maps of the people you like admire and easily relate to will to a great extent mirror your own.

Building rapport and engaging with people is important in order to build an understanding and appreciation of their maps.

Sometimes we can spend a great deal of time with someone at work or socially and yet be very out of touch with each others maps

NB. The skill of perceptual positioning is important here and is valuable to develop the ability to do this easily.


Communicating with someone else who has a different map!

Remember that they will be filtering differently to you! This is particularly relevant to communication!

What have you distorted, deleted and generalised?

What is the other person distorting, deleting and generalising?


This is another whole topic…and yet we can easily realise that it is a miracle perhaps that we ever communicate effectively!

It is crucial to refine skills purposefully as this reduces the huge potential for mis understanding and mis communication!


• Learning what is in our own maps and in those of others,
• Extending our own maps and
• Finding or creating overlap with others

…………is all useful in relating effectively and successfully to others.

Whether we are communicating in a work or more personal context, the potential for success is greatly increased when we pay attention to all of the above!

So, spend some time exploring your own map, what are the values that drive you and what richness is there? HOw is your own map expanding, celebrate what you are learning and how you are developing as the amazing "work in progress" that you are! Notice how big the overlap is with people you get on well with and ..... The next time you find it tricky to get on with someone, notice what is different in your maps and then look for the overlap. Start there and expand it, you'll get better results that way and have much more fun!!

Happy map reading

Bridget :-)