Logical Creativity: 9 Left-Brain Activities to Help Enhance Creative Thinking
If you are a writer, designer, crafter, knitter, potter or any kind of “creator,” much of your day-to-day revolves around that mysterious, mystical word: CREATIVITY. In fact, some days may be spent putting too much focus on creativity — too much of what many people call right-brain thinking, and not enough utilization of left-brain thinking.
The left brain/right brain debate is a long and extensive dialogue. The general thought has been that left brain thinking is more logical and analytical and right brain thinking is more creative and abstract. The important thing we should take from these discussions is not a distinction and separation between the two, but the importance of the two sides working together to produce your unique creativity.
I’m guilty. Probably more than most. I tend to spend all my time focused on the abstract, divergent thought processes that are associated with right brain thinking. However, I think it’s incredibly important to take time on regular basis and focus on the analytical side too. Your creative nature will only be enhanced when both right and left brain are working so smoothly together.
So if you are right-brain focused as well, here’s a few ways to give some loving to the logical left side of your brain.
- Balance Your Checkbook —- I know, I know. I hate it too. But, it’s got to be done. So, why not think of it as a break from all that creativity you churn out each day. If you want to get extra “left brainy,” try doing it without a calculator.
- Logic Problems —- One of my favorite left brain activities. They require a linear style of thinking that’s good for you and even better for your development.
- Memory Exercises —- You’ll find hundreds of tips, tricks and advice on how to improve your memory. Test out a few of them. Test out some of the more interesting ones.
- Call Your Mom and Catch Up —- Social activity is a great way to stimulate your logical side. Not only does it help develop your cognitive thinking skills, but it keeps you sharp and perceptive. Dealing with people (especially inquiring minds like your mother) can challenge your left brain.
- Test Your Grammar Skills —- I bet you thought it couldn’t get any worse than balancing your checkbook, huh? But, seriously, everyone can use a little brushing up on English 101 essentials. Things like email, instant messenger and Twitter have made us lazy when it comes to this subject. Pass it around to your friends who don’t seem to know their keyboard has comma and period keys.
- Pick-Up-Sticks —- A classic! I remember some seriously competitive games of pick-up-sticks that took place at my house growing up. Employing logical, linear thinking is the only way you can come out on top in this game.
- Make a To-Do List —- Better yet, make lots of to-do lists. Make categories of to-do lists. The left side of your brain is a list-making fool.
- Plan Your Next Vacation —- This falls right along side the list-making. All the details and specifics that go into trip planning tap into the logical side of your brain. And, being immersed in pleasant vacation details for a few hours is often a nice little mini-vacation for your mind.
- Put a Puzzle Together —- The great thing about this is you’ve got so many choices! You can even choose HOW you do the puzzle: either on the computer or the old-fashioned way.
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