People are often categorized either as left-brained or right-brained, meaning one side of their brain is dominant.
In this article, we will explore specifically the left-brain characteristics, what they are, what it means to be a left-brain person, and how you can align your left brain using your knowledge, skills, and talents to reach your brain’s full potential.
What Does It Mean to Be a Left-Brained Person?
It is believed that people are generally inclined towards thinking one way over the other. If you’re analytical and methodical, you’re a left-brained person. If you’re creative and artistic, you’re a right-brained person.
Compared to a right-brained person, a person with left-brain characteristics is more verbal, analytical, and orderly.
In reality, both sides of the brain work in unison and are in constant communication. This means that most people are not entirely left-brain or right-brain oriented. Still, in some people, one of the sides can be more dominant than the other.
What Are the Common Characteristics?
The most common left-brain characteristics include language, analytics, and logic, making them better at things, like reading, writing, and computations. It’s known as the digital brain.
The left brain dominates the following abilities and aspects of our conscious mind:
- Thinking in words
- Linear thinking
- Facts
- Logic
- Sequencing
- Mathematics
What Is the Personality of a Left-Brained?
Left-brained people prefer cold-hard facts and real-life data rather than emotions and imagination. Their systematic and stable personalities make them good candidates for reliable team leaders. They often pace themselves and do not overreact quickly.
When it comes to daily life, left-brain personalities approach it the same way they approach their professional or academic obligations. They strive to be as clear and direct as possible. Left-brain people like order and organize their daily plans as neatly and systematically as possible.
They remember events chronologically, usually in great detail, and approach every potential risk with necessary caution. When facing problems, they immediately try to find the most efficient solutions, and they are not easily distracted by their emotions.
An example of a left-brained is when they watch a movie, they analyze it from a technical point of view. They evaluate the quality of a script as well as how good or bad the directing is.
How to Develop This Side of the Brain
Left-brained people often exhibit logical-mathematical intelligence, which is one of the nine bits of intelligence defined by Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. This enables them to be excellent mathematicians, scientists, and technicians.
Everyone possesses this type of intelligence to a certain extent. But people with left-brain characteristics can especially benefit from improving it. They can gain a better understanding of logic by solving mathematical problems and immersing themselves in novel situations.
They can also benefit from spending time with friends who are interested in math and science. Their logical thinking will naturally improve.
We need to know how our minds work so we can work our minds better.
— Jim Kwik
Exercises to improve your left brain
- Mental exercises: Since the left side of the brain is better with words and numbers, simple brain games and exercises such as Sudoku and crossword puzzles can help improve these skills.
- Physical exercises: Exercising the right side of your body will stimulate the left side of your brain (and vice versa), so simple exercises like breathing through one nostril can awaken your brain.
- Listening to music: A 2008 study on music and brain activity has shown that listening to music can improve verbal and memory skills.
So, no matter how good we are in specific parts of our talents granted by either side of the brain, finding a balance between the two can help unleash the full potential of our minds.
