Most of the time we debate the benefits of left brain vs. right brain. Each of us has a little of both and should be taking advantage of the positives associated with each side. Find out how to use each side of the brain to your benefit.
Take Advantage of the Benefits of Both Your Left Brain and Right Brain
No doubt you’ve heard of this thing called left brain vs. right brain dominant, yes? We all have a bit of both in us, but almost every single person leans toward one of the sides of the brain as their more active element.
If you are more of a left-brain thinker, you will tend to be more logical, structured, linear and routine-oriented than a right-brain thinker who’s more circular, less structured and more free-flowing.
How Left Brain vs. Right Brain People Operate
People who are a little more on the right side of things, like me, my daughter and my son, want to get things done, and we understand that we need structure, so we try it.
“I’m going to get up at 6:30 a.m. I’m going to go to the bathroom, work out and meditate. At 8:00 I’m going to have breakfast.”
“At 9:00 I’m going to be at the computer, and I’m only going to do emails until 10:00. Then I’m going to start on this project. Then I’m going to make this call.”
“In the afternoon, I’m going to work on this other project. I’m only going to do emails from 4:00 to 5:00. Then I’m going to have dinner at 6:00.”
Ah, such wonderful intentions. Can anybody relate to this? You know what happens …
We get up at 6:30 a.m. because the alarm rings. We’re so tired. “I’m not going to be able to have a good day if I’m this tired. I should sleep for another half an hour,” so we sometimes do.
Then we’re up. “I’m so busy, and I’m late. I need to work out, but I have to get on this project.” We jump on the computer and there’s emails right in front of us, a couple of major ones. We have to answer them.
Before we know it, it’s 9:00. We’re hormonal and starving. You get the idea.
The same holds true trying to get left-brained people to chill and be spontaneous.
You left-brained folks who structure every minute and stick to it like it’s written in stone are not going to like this, but if you don’t let go of control once in a while, you are missing the creative magic of life! You may be way too rigid. You’ve put a stranglehold on what’s possible.
Use Your Opposite Brain to Reach Your Full Potential
So, what can we do to change our ways? How can right-brained folks take advantage of the structure of left-brained thinking, and left-brained people to let it all go, without feeling like it’s all too un-natural?
Left brained people, leave an hour completely unstructured. Every day you do whatever you feel like doing at the time. In fact, don’t even think about what you’re going to do until you get there. Just allow the universe to come through you.
How about the people like me who struggle with routine and structure, the right-brained crowd? Here’s what I’d like to suggest to you. You must have a little structure if you’re ever going to accomplish anything of significance, but within that structure you go with the flow.
Now what does that mean? Simple: write down three things that you are intending to do for that day that are very important to do that day. That’s structure enough for folks who tend to free-wheel.
What I like to do is say that I’m going to complete one business thing, one health thing–whether it’s working out, running, lifting some weights or whatever it is– and something like calling one of my family members, usually my mom. That’s the only three things. That gives me a starting point. At least I know that the three most important things for me will be done, so I do them.
If you are a non-structured person and you continue to strangle yourself with major structure, all you’re doing is giving yourself a reason to beat yourself up. The same goes for structured people who don’t function in the chaos that comes with spontaneity.
If you are doing something that you know doesn’t work for you, you are setting yourself up to fail. The reason you’re doing that is so your mind has a reason to beat you up.
Go with your flow and your energetic way of being in the world.
For Your Freedom,
Harv,
This is true! I am usually structured and logical, but for some time now, and intentionally, I have begun to let go of structure, to a degree, and just be a bit more spontaneous. Doing so has allowed me to be more creative; I now do things, on the spur of the moment, that I would not have thought of or considered in the past.
I also approach challenges in different, more creative ways.
Thank you for the helpful, effective information you always provide. It works,and I appreciate it.
I enjoy utilizing both hemispheres of my brain and also drawing from the Left hand, since I am right handed, but left brained it is very interesting what comes out of my drawings. Thank you for the great article. I realize that I micromanaged my life when I was the Director of a small day hospital, I lost my creativity, now it is back, and I am very creative.
I love the three things a day idea! I am right brained and it is so easy to have a pile of things I want to do and then get side tracked so I accomplish only maybe one! And then it is so easy to feel bad. Three things is do-able and then if that is the plan and I get it done, It feels great. Wonderful way to create structure that is do-able!!
Thanks!
Thats great and very helpful, I have realised i need a structure atleast to accomplish my daily goals.
iI AM VERY CONFUSED AS i CAN’T FIGURE OUT IF I AM LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED
i AM WORRIED NOW….
THANK YOU ANYWAY, GOOD IDEA THE 3 THINGS….
THANK YOU Harv, 🙂
Because without your knowing it, and without having been able to have contact with you and without having been able to attend your classes 🙁 still, you helped me, focusing on what I needed in each moment .. 🙂
I would like to share with you, what I achieved when I balanced my left brain part (which I have damaged by the two cerebral haemorrhages, given the pressure I experienced, by my past experiences) Versus my right brain, to enter into Balance, in my Center, and connect with my Being, with my Spirit, to transcend ..
He shared with you a nice gift, although if you want from September 13 in Israel they have been creating more;)
Always and as always from my Infinite and Eternal Love .. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-_5srV39qk&feature=share
I write in my Facebook for you, for new, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! 🙂
Otro gran y bonito Video que me llego, de ese mismo dia, y que he sentido que tambien queria compartirlo contigo, porque me emociono, y porque siento que es precioso 😉
(aunque ya se han hecho varios)
de nuevo, GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS.. <3
Sat Nam Namasté _/|\_
Thanks Harv,
I actually use my right hemisphere most of the time until I just decided to start structuring my activities, which I thought could enhance my output, and it did and still doing.
Thanks Harv,
I was actually using my right hemisphere most of the time until I just decided to start structuring my activities, which I thought could enhance my output, and it did and still doing.
Oh what a topic!! I blamed my right brain dominance for lack of algebra ability and Einstein became my buddy. My brother is left brained and seeing us communicate makes me chuckle. I feel it helps me go with changes easier and shrug off unexpected obstacles more easily than some people. Neither is fun but really structured people tend to find it difficult to bend. My daughter Jessica seems to be same as me but she balances the two so well. I once said if I could find someone who could handle the business part that I could keep passing the creations to sale….i.just wanna create. (Smile) Love the blogs!! Thank you.
Love this article. Great advice.
Thank you!
You are truly truly awesome n god send angel for me
From reading ur book n taking up online classes about business n mind/ warrior lessons it’s been an awesome journey
N it has completed changed me since past few months.
I m very sure to achieve the success I want in my life n yet be happy, peaceful, joyous
I m a right brain person n definitely gonna do 3 structured things u said
From today
Thanks