“… there appear to be two
modes
of thinking, verbal and nonverbal,
represented rather separately
in left and right hemispheres
[of the brain] respectively.”
— Roger Sperry, Nobel Prize winning
brain researcher (1973)
The Logical Left Brain
•
It is the categorical brain, thinking
in neat linear patterns like ham and eggs or salt and pepper.
•
It is the brain that tells
us to be sensible or tells us not to go somewhere or do something
because it’s logical.
•
It is the survival brain working
on known principles.
Here are several exercises
to help you tap into your left brain:
Word Association Write down one word. Then for five minutes write
every thing that relates to the word. After five minutes, review
to see if there’s any new connections or relations that you
didn’t see before.
Expand Your Reading
Go to the library and find 10 magazines that you normally do not
read. Page through them and look for things that catch your attention,
surprise you, shock you, etc. Consider why each magazine does what
it does. Take notes of what you think works and doesn’t work.
History Repeats Itself
Think of a famous historical person from any era or country. Now
think about how that person typically dealt with problems. (For
example, Mahatma Gandhi applied passive resistance to many challenges
he faced.) Now how would that historical figure approach your problem?
And what solutions might that lead to?
