Are You Right or Left Brained?

2010-06-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

I took the test. "You are 45% left brained, 55% right brained." Intuitively that sounds about right, and I do like the percentage breakdown to have some numbers to roll around in my mind. But what does it all mean? Let's have a deeper look:

"The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail and reasoning...communication, persuading others...good at math and logic." You get the picture. Here's the punchline: "Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet." Hmm. Well I do like dogs, I certainly love reading and I absolutely adore quiet. Or at least 45% of me does. Next.

"The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy and sports." Now we're talking!

Creative, flexible, daring, intuitive. Seeing the world for its uniqueness. Being a dreamer, a philosopher. These are the qualities that turn good philanthropy - which largely utilize those many important left-brain functions like reason, communication, persuasion - into great philanthropy. For me, it's about being an artist, in the larger sense of the word.

What makes someone an artist? In his wonderful book, Linchpins, author and artist Seth Godin takes a stab at an answer. "Art," he says, "is anything that's creative, passionate and personal. Art is about intent and communication, not substances. An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo. And an artist takes it personally. Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium doesn't matter. The intent does."

When you bring your artistic talents and sensibilities to bear on your work, breakthroughs occur, needles move, the world changes. Great philanthropists are great artists and so this is the subject of my blog. I hope it inspires the artist in you.

Right-Brain Philanthropy

Are You Right or Left Brained?