The words in the left column are often associated with “left brain thinking” and the words in the right column are often associated with “right brain thinking.” These are simple generalizations, designed to get you thinking about the habitual thought patterns you use to approach your work. The more integrated we are, the more we access and use the elements associated with both sides of this list in any given situation, the more effective we can come up with elegant solutions and create new systems. Most individuals and most organizations lean more to one side or the other. Certainly, in our culture, most organizational systems use more “left brain” approaches and would greatly benefit from balancing their methods.

I have developed a short quiz to help you determine your most common brain usage. Quickly search the list for words that apply to you in your job. Don’t think about it or try to figure it out, follow your initial instinct. Keep track of how many words in each column describe your own. You don’t have to choose between the 2 columns, just mark each word that resonates with you as part of your own process, even if they seem opposite. For example, you may find that you already use both detailed and general thinking in your work. If yes, check both.

Questionnaire on the dimensions of the whole brain (TM)

left brain——————-right brain

Rational———————-Intuitive

Logical ———————– Metaphorical

Based on facts ——————- Aesthetics

Quantitative—————–Holistic

Sequential——————-Synthesizing

Detailed————————————-Large Image

Plan—————————-Improvise

Mathematical—————-Musical

Administrative—————Correlative

Language and words———Pictures

Technical———————Visual

Analytical——————–Emotional

Scientific———————-Spiritual

Abstract————————————Conceptual

Order————————Movement

Singular———————-Complex

Preparation—————-Incubation

Verification——————-Lighting

Subjective objective

Parts—————————Wholes

Evaluation—–Development

Deduct———————Expand

Precision———————-Randomness

Pattern Perception ——— Spatial Perception

Strategies——————-Possibilities

Safety and security———–Risk taking

Practical———————Impetuous

Remember——————-Fantasy and imagine

Add————————-Integrate

Successive——————-Simultaneous

Directed———————-Flow

Convergent—————–Divergent

Divisions—————————-Connections

Detection———————-Perception

Cause and effect ———-Correspondence

Straight lines—————Meanders

Verbal————————Kineesthetic

Isolated———————Interdependent

Deduce———————Expand

Awards—————–Relationships

Observe——————-Imagine

Discern——————–Generate

Categories——————Interconnections

Catalogs and labels——-Incorporates and assimilates

Sort and separate ——— Infuse and mix

Realizes—————–“Gets”

Conclusions—————–“Aha!”

Segmented—————–Contextual

Methodical —————— Spontaneous

Levels and stages————Dimensions

Lists—————————History

Elements———————Units

Add up the totals for each side to become aware of your dominant thought focus. What are your strengths? What are your dominant thought patterns? Where is there room for expansion in whole-brain thinking?

4 Whole Brain “Activation” Techniques

opposite functions – Spend some time doing everything with your non-dominant hand. Every time you break a dominance habit, you create new neural pathways and give the brain more options. It becomes easier to think in new ways throughout the day, and easier to adapt, respond, and create in high-pressure environments.

Colored markers and unlined paper – Instead of using legal lined paper and a pen in meetings, brainstorming sessions or any other work related function, try using unlined paper and colored markers (I recommend Sharpie fine point brand, they are vibrant and long lasting ). Without exception, once you get used to the exhilarating freedom of working “offline” and the new ideas it will produce, you won’t be mentally boxed in again. The lines have a subconscious effect on us that keeps the brain locked into habitual thought patterns. By removing the lines, the brain is freer to think multidimensionally instead of just linearly.

sensory immersion – Consciously engages all your senses. Instead of coming to a situation just by thinking, approach it from your sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch as well. The more senses you incorporate into a creative process, the more you will expand your thinking and awareness, and the more information you will receive.

incarnation – Become the project, problem, vision, product and act from your point of view. New ideas will flood your mind. This is easy to prove. First, try to imagine new features to add to any product in a given amount of time, ie 5 minutes. A number of features will occur to you. Then pretend you’re really the product, become the product, and start talking from he, again for 5 minutes. You will learn exponentially more about what you “need”. The act of incorporating a product, process, concept, etc. It will give you new insights and knowledge about the product, and therefore potential new features that you can’t get just by thinking about it.