Are You a Right Brainer or a Left Brainer?

by Jayne Behman

One of the many benefits of an education in the arts is the development of the RIGHT side of the brain. This side of the brain lends itself to creative problem solving. Even though one may question the concept of cerebral dominance of one side of the brain over the other, one must admit that in today's challenging economic climate, financial success stories are about those tycoons that have performed their tasks "outside the box."

Andy Warhol's "Einstein"

A recent press release announcement;
"PASTA FEED, 5 to 8 pm.
Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, dessert and beverage . . . .
Benefits local charities. TAKE OUT AVAILABLE."

Surely this added notation "TAKE OUT AVAILABLE" attracted those who could not otherwise attend a benefit event that would require their time, along with the donation. Yes, I was one of those drive through donors.

When a person develops dominance towards one side of their brain, they tend to have certain characteristics and areas of interest. In fact, dominant right or dominant left, brain users herein referred to as "braincases," can be organized into various categories relating to jobs and interests.

The left side of the brain is often thought of as the logical, thinking side. left brained people are good at, or they like, things that are done in the left brain. They prefer classical music, are good at math, and like to read; preferably in total quiet. If you don't enjoy clowning around or you can't be hypnotized, you may be a "left" braincase.  Dog lovers are considered left braincases. Reading realistic stories but preferring to write non-fiction is also a stated quality of this side of the brain. (Sounds rather contradictory to me.) 

Although left brain thinkers are very logical, doing things in a planned orderly way, they can remember things only specifically studied and prefer instructions to be given verbally. Almost never absent-minded, left brainers are marvelous storytellers, but think better sitting down.  Music critics are often left brainers, so might be bankers and bacteriologists.

A cat lover, good at art who enjoys making up drawings and images, has the ability to be hypnotized, is good at sports, prefers visual instructions with examples, enjoys clowning around, prefers rock music, can listen to music or TV while studying, may be considered a dreamer about things that will probably never happen; these are all characteristics of a right brainer.

Right brain dominant people are good at geometry, prefer to be in groups, like to act out stories, and they think better lying down. Occasionally right brainers are absent minded. They are spontaneous, unpredictable, and philosophical, solve problems intuitively, and prefer to learn through free exploration.

The statistics aren't available as to how many left brainers to right brainers there are in this world. Nor are their statistics regarding how many of each type of these are or are not schizophrenic.

If the right brain controls the left part of the body and the left brain controls the right part of the body, then what the hell are we anyway? 

As a visual artist I would consider myself a right braincase, loving both cats and dogs. I possess good business sense and prefer instructions to be given to me visually, but rely on common sense. See where I am headed with this?  Add to this, I'm a Gemini.

To keep up with technology in all areas and to effectively market oneself regardless of one's business path takes a person who is ahead of the person who can multi-task. There is no other path except to become ambidextrous brainers . . . a word I have just invented, or we will be considered no-brainers!

SAVE the DATE - April 9th - meet Jayne Behman at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave in Los Olivos, CA  2:00-4:00pm