COACH YOU BLOG

Balancing the Brain
20/1/2015

“Ouch, my brain hurts!” is probably the cry of many touchy-feely and creative business types trying to get their tax return in!  It’s all that logical, left brain thinking! The more highly logical, structured and numerical people are in overload, as they’re probably doing such work all day anyway …

 

 

We are mostly familiar with the logical left side of the brain and creative right. It’s far more complex in reality but the concept still works in principal.  What is required here is balance.  Exercising both sides of our brain supports clarity, problem solving and apparently staves off dementia!

 

On a practical basis then, what can we do?

 

I was having a chat this morning with a tax accountant.  And, contrary to popular belief, he was a very interesting chap.  He is currently working flat out, doing sometimes a seven day week as we approach January 31st and really rather enjoying it. We talked about the balanced brain and he was quite intrigued and then admitted that he played guitar and sang in a blues band as a hobby. In fact he keeps a guitar in the office.

 

This is perfect!  We sometimes schedule in “fun” things for the weekend or in the evening.  However, if you can fit in something you enjoy, that exercises that other side of your brain, you will be far more effective and focussed on returning to your normal work.  So creative types could take a ten minute break once in a while to do a Sodoku or crossword puzzle or record their expenses.  Analytical types could perhaps listen to music, write a blog, sing or dance!

 

If you imagine it like riding a bike and only ever using one leg, that leg with tire more easily and the other is going to get weaker and less use when called upon.  I suppose the same goes with our brains.

 

So, what do you do?  I’d love to hear from you. You can comment here or email me on jill@coachyou.co.uk