Whether we recognize it by name or not, many of us have heard of the brain side dominance theory. It essentially states that certain halves of the brain are in charge of certain mental activities and that all of us use one side or the other more heavily. The idea is that those right-brained individuals are more creative and thoughtful while left-brained people are more logical and analytical.
Image Source: pixabay.com
All sorts of conclusions have been drawn from this theory, especially ones related to how a person should make choices that cater towards whatever side of the brain they rely upon most. For instance, left-brainers should go into computer sciences while right-brainers should be artists. There are even references suggesting how right-brained parents can raise a left-brained child and vice versa.
These broad-stroke assumptions can pigeonhole personalities or paint them black and white very quickly. For instance, it can be assumed that since right-brained people are more thoughtful and emotionally in touch, they are most adept at careers focused on helping to make a difference in the world. This couldn’t be further from the truth; there are thousands of means by which left-brained people can make a huge positive difference in those careers as well.
Hands-On Jobs
According to the theory, left-brained people are most likely to find joy in careers that involve a certain level of structure and organization. Jobs that follow set processes that lead to results can be ideal for these types of thinkers. For instance, a career as a chemist or other type of scientist can be great because the job involves following guidelines and meticulously taking notes on observed interactions and a bit of getting dirty at the end.
Certain jobs that involve a lot of hands-on work and attention to detail can also be great for those with a left-brained mindset. Careers such as becoming a pilot or mechanic are also typical of left-brained thinkers. These jobs can involve a lot of hands-on mechanical know-how and substantial analytical thinking that left-brainers crave.
All of these hands-on jobs can make a profound positive difference in the world. For instance, pilots play a significant role in wildfire management, healthcare transport, and electrical grid maintenance. Likewise, scientists of all types are actively contributing an unheard of number of discoveries that could lead to significant benefits to humans and the planet as a whole.
The Human Element
Not every job for left-brained people involves working in a more or less isolated setting, though. There are plenty of jobs that involve significant interaction with people and striving to make their lives better. The idea that a left-brainer isn’t extraverted is completely wrong.
One area where analytical thinkers are desperately needed is in the world of nonprofits. These organizations are generally built around trying to resolve a certain issue in the world, whether it is protecting endangered animal species, providing clean water to a regional area, or working to improve social welfare in local communities. Though all of these programs are designed to help the world be a better place, they still have expenses and need people such as accountants and other leaders with logistical thinking skills if they are going to be able to complete their mission.
Likewise, careers such as becoming a lawyer are also ideal for analytical, left-brained thinkers. Lawyers need to be quick and assess situations and respond accurately. The actions that they take can make profound differences in the lives of the people they are working with such as by reuniting families, helping a parent overcome bias during a custody case, or helping someone who makes a mistake get back on their feet without dramatically altering the course of their life.
Even Tech Makes a Difference
It may come as somewhat of a surprise, but even careers in technology can make an immensely positive difference in human lives and on the planet in general. Big tech is benefitting society in more ways than many of us can imagine from increasing survival rates in hospitalized patients to improving the sustainability of agriculture to cutting back on global emissions that impact climate change rates. All that in addition to the benefit of having a smartphone that does everything.
Many of these technologies are working to extend human life or reduce the negative impacts of diseases or injuries. For example, new technologies are emerging that can help blind people see and deaf people hear. These are all positive changes brought about by the meticulous, logical minds of left-brained thinkers.
The idea that there are left-brained and right-brained thinkers is an interesting theory that many people can broadly categorize themselves in. The idea that people who are more logical and analytical thinkers have a limited ability to make a difference is false. There are thousands of jobs for these individuals that are making significant positive changes in the world every day.
