M-Map: How I Turn One Idea Into A Template

M-Map: How I Turn One Idea Into A Template

Read time: 4 mins

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Today, I invite you behind the curtain to unveil the captivating journey that birthed M-Map, the template that I introduced last week — a tool that started as a simple notion and blossomed into a groundbreaking project and goal mastery template.

From Personal Dashboards to M-Map’s Inception

Initially, M-Map was envisioned as a Personal Dashboard, a hub where individuals could seamlessly manage their tasks, goals, and insights. The idea was to create a centralized space for personal organization, a place where chaos transforms into clarity. At the time, the core idea in my head was trying to put several functionalities into one template.

The Shift: Pivoting to the Unexplored Territory of Second Brain

However, as I delved deeper, I realized the landscape of Personal Dashboards was a familiar terrain. I sought to innovate, to offer something that not only organized information but actively guided users toward their objectives, and more than anything: to be as unique as possible. Enter the concept of a Second Brain — a digital extension of your mind. It was a bold leap, but it felt like the natural evolution.

The Quest for Uniqueness: Second Brain’s Common Ground

Yet, Second Brain templates, while efficient, felt a tad generic or should I say static. People were already engaging in these practices, and it is like the template everyone should make to showcase that as Notion creators, we understand the complexity and how to use Notion to its fullest potential. It sparked a quest within me— a quest for uniqueness, innovation, and a tool that transcended the ordinary.

The Spark of Inspiration: ChatGPT and the Birth of M-Map’s AI Features

And then, inspiration struck during one of my brainstorming session with ChatGPT. If I was already using ChatGPT, why not bring it into a template to let it help me? Then, the idea of infusing M-Map with AI features, transforming it into a dynamic assistant, dawned upon me. Imagine a tool not just organizing data but actively assisting — offering insights, recommendations, and a personalized roadmap. M-Map was no longer just a template; it became a pioneering force. And everything is streamlined and stays within one workspace instead of us having to jump back and forth between tools.

I have mentioned this before: Second Brain is nice for organizing ideas and informations. M-Map compliments Second Brain by transforming ideas into something more tangible that the user can achieve. And with the power of AI, the work will become less daunting. No more fumbling about where to start or what to do. Notion AI will be there to assist you. 

This is also the most challenging aspect when I created this template. There were times I scrapped several databases. There were times I wrote and re-wrote the prompts for Notion AI to give better output. There were times that I actually get frustrated because Notion AI could not capture all the information I want it to. After spending a week ironing things out (at this point, I was also traveling for my job) and extensive testing, I finally got Notion AI to work the way I intended.

The Vision: M-Map as a Stepping Stone to a Grand Personal Assistant

With the infusion of AI, M-Map has become more than just a tool; it’s a stepping stone for a grander vision. I envision M-Map paving the way for a future where personal assistants are not just virtual but truly personal — understanding your goals, learning your habits, and guiding you toward mastery.

There are many templates in store for later release with AI features. I will try my best to work on them and enhancing my knowledge on AI to make better template. M-Map is far from perfect, and as I upgrade my skill and knowledge, I will have update for M-Map.

Embark on the M-Map Journey 

As I launch M-Map this week, I invite you to embark on this exciting journey with us. From Personal Dashboards to AI-powered mastery, M-Map has evolved, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. Thank you for being part of our community, and here’s to the beginning of something extraordinary. 

Check out my launch (where it will be 70% off) on Product Hunt on November 25 here.