This month I am very jazzed to be focussing on developing our right brain abilities. You might wonder why this excites me so much, and why in the world you would be interested.
Well, let me leap into that question and share what I am excited about.
Most people know that the left brain is responsible for what is called the “linear sequential stuff.” This is the numbers and organizing part of the brain, the list making and so on. I have loved and prided myself on this part of me, which was well developed as a child. I loved organizing things, and as my friends will tell you, it brought me more joy than it should! Unfortunately the left brain predisposition over-rode the right brain attributes in many cases. So developing my right brain seems like the healthy counter-balance. As you know from last month’s blogs I have been working on my creativity, so what other aspects of the right brain could I develop?
Reading Daniel Pink’s book A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, I was instantly curious. How could right-brainers, who are often considered scattered and off in “la-la-land,” rule the future?
Well, part of the answer is the changes that have occurred globally. The technology that exists today is taking over many of the left brain functions and doing a faster, more accurate job. Think of the calculator that many of us were NOT allowed to use in school.
The computer “out classes” the left brain in many of these functions. But did you know that the right brain, which recognizes patterns, context and the big picture, can recognize a face faster than any computer can or will. This is a pretty impressive!
So what else can the right brain do?
Well before I get into that, let’s talk about what we want! Because what we want drives everything. What are people wanting, buying, or valuing? What lights us up? According to Pink, the shift is away from just function and towards beauty, design, aesthetics, inspiration and meaning… in other words, we care about function, but that’s considered a given; our focus is on the other elements when we make our choice.
There are three factors Pink attributes to the big shift – Abundance, Outsourcing and Automation.
Abundance is a key factor because the standard of what is “available” to many people has increased exponentially. Many people have all the basics and are free to focus on what really inspires, excites, or resonates with them.
With the ability to outsource many jobs, lots of which are left brain dominant, and technology taking over automation, the focus on what is needed and wanted is very different from 100 years ago. So when you think about jobs, careers and skills and what will be valued in the future, the orientation is towards the qualities that the right brain offers. Good to know for anyone struggling with the question of what direction to take in life.
So back to what the right brain can do and how we can strengthen it.
Pink has identified 6 key qualities/aptitudes that he feels, based on research, are going to be increasingly valuable. We may not be able to stop the chronological aging process of our body, but we can unequivocally strengthen our brain function. Do you remember that the brain keeps growing right up to the day you die, if you are using it well? The six aptitudes he believes will be critical in the future are:
Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning
My plan for August is to describe each of these and share one or two of Pink’s ideas about how to strengthen the aptitude. If the ideas interest you please read Daniel Pink’s book as it is full of great information and resources.
So let’s start with design.
Pink says, “It’s no longer sufficient to create a product, service, an experience or a lifestyle that’s merely functional. Today it’s critically economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful, whimsical or emotionally engaging.” Well, many people do not consider themselves artists and this is where the problem begins.
In kindergarten lots of children feel creative and artistic and are super happy to share their artwork with Mum or Dad. This soon disappears and for many, before high school, it’s “out of style” to admit to being artistic. Here’s Pink’s take on this:
“The wealth of nations and the well-being of individuals now depend on having artists in the room. In a world enriched by abundance but disrupted by the automation and outsourcing of white-collar work, everyone, regardless of profession, must cultivate an artistic sensibility. We may not all be Dali or Degas. But today we must all be designers.”
The gauntlet has certainly been thrown down… design is everywhere, and so it’s just a matter of training our eyes and mind to notice design.
Why would I bother to do this? Because the more you can notice design the more viscerally you will be connected to the reality in which you live. It will strengthen your right brain functioning, and perhaps even deliver some delightful surprises. I hope people will share their experiences.
Here are some of Pinks’ suggestions/activities you can do:
- Keep a design notebook – keep track of designs you think really work… as well as the opposite… the ones you think are flawed. He also includes “design experiences” like getting a cup of coffee, taking a flight on a plane
- Channel Your Annoyance – choose a household item that annoys you in any way. Go to a coffee shop and think about how you would improve this item and write down all your ideas. (He goes one step further and suggests you send you ideas to the manufacturer – you never know what might happen).
- Become a design detective – go places like open houses and look at how people put things together and design their space. How would you do it?
Pink has many more suggestions in his book so if these either don’t click for you or you are fascinated… go read.
Have a great week and happy exploring!