How do increase or improve my left-brain usage?

Question

I took some test a few years back that indicated that I'm about 85% right brained (creative/intuitive). I'd like to balance it out to include more left brain (analytical/rational) activity.

Answer 1

Increase your vocabulary. The basis for logical thinking is language...all the language centers are on the left side of the brain and they condition how we think. The ability to perceive reality, name it and categorize it is the very foundation of the ability to be logical. How could a person be logical if he or she had no way to categorize and think about the world?

Chess is a great conditioner for logical thinking. While vocabulary builds the left-rear cortex, analysis and planning build the left-front cortex. Join a debate group and learn debate skills. Organization, planning, problem solving, analysis, critical evaluation...these are the activities that build up the left side of the cortex.

And you're right. You can develop parts of your brain. And you'll be a more effective person if you have balance.

Answer 2

How To Increase Brain Usage

Answer 3

Why on Earth would you want to do that?

If you are truly dysfunctional, in arithmetic for example, then changing your left/right brain balance would simply down the right of brain capacity and leave you right of brain alone. You might be able to veg out on menial stuff but will have lost what makes you you, a see/saw routine that is obviously dumb.

I emphasised arithmetic as opposed to mathematics which is a much more right of brain activity along with painting ,music and all of those things. The right of brain is also analytical and rational in a way different from the way the majority of people (left brained dominant) are. It may be possible to actually damage your analytical/rational thought patterns by trying to think in a left of brain style ( exercising etc) not good for you.I am a very right of brain person and consider myself most fortunate. Isn't this answer rational?

Whoever gave you those tests may have been irresponsible or time has clouded your memory but I recommend that you should value what you have

Answer 4

most people who will advise you (teachers/careers advisers etc) that you are 'left-brained' or 'right brained' are muppets that don't know what they are talking about.

the left-right dichotomy has some basis in fact. like the rest of the human body the brain typically displays difference in function
depending on which hemisphere you look at- this is called lateralisation.

linear reasoning (like analytical functions) TENDS to be lateralized to the left hemisphere whereas holistic-creative functions TEND to be lateralized to the right, although in some people the opposite is true, and for all people most functions are shared between both hemispheres.

i wouldn't base my perception of my own abilities on a single test i took a few years- lateralization is a contentious issue in psychology and neurology, and i doubt the test is fair measure of your abilities.

if you want to be more analytical do some crosswords or your own tax returns etc but most of all be happy with who you are.

if you really are creative like the test says then it shouldn't be too hard for you to think of a way to prove your other abilities....