Right Brain vs. Left Brain | Which Do You Use Most?

It’s the age old question, which is better, to be right brained or left brained? I ask, “Why do we have to be one or the other?” I don’t like being put into a box and labeled, and I truly believe anyone can develop whichever half of their brain that they choose.

We are not predisposed from birth to be predominately either right or left brained. It is something we develop. Unfortunately, most traditional schools encourage children to think mostly with the left side of their brain, thus discouraging creativity and creative problem solving. Contrary to popular belief, one is not better than the other. Right brained and left brained simply just refers to two different ways of thinking.

Left Brain Functions: uses logic, detail oriented, facts rule, words and language, math and science, can comprehend, knowing, acknowledges, order/pattern perception, reality based, forms strategies, practical, safe

Right Brain Functions: uses feeling, “big picture” oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, philosophy and religion, can “get it” i.e. meaning, believes, appreciates, spatial perception, fantasy based, presents possibilities, risk taking

Typical examples of left brained careers include: lawyers, accountants, scientists, engineers, librarians, programmers, clerks and bankers. Typical examples of right brained careers include: entrepreneurs, athletes, sales, artists, musicians, craftsmen, designers and dancers.

This video below will help you assess whether you are primarily a right brained thinker or a left brained thinker. If you see this dancer spinning clockwise, then you use more of the right side of your brain. If you see her spinning counter clockwise, then you use more of the left side of your brain. According to what I’ve read, if you focus, you can change the direction she is spinning.

I believe I am both, but lately, the right side of my brain has completely taken over. Hence, I only see her spinning clockwise and I am unable to figure out how to get her to spin the other way. Which way is she spinning for you?