Have you ever been asked to think outside the box? Creativity is a skill that can help you tackle tricky situations, like starting a side hustle, making your house a home, or conquering a new project at work. Not only does being creative exercise your right brain, but it forces you to trust your intuition and think logically with your left side too. Balancing your left brain and your right brain is a learned skill, so we talked with Taylor Spellman from Bravo’s Yours, Mine or Ours for some tips on exactly how to do it. Scroll on for everything she’s learned from building a super successful creative biz.
How to Use Your Right Brain at Work
The owner of a well-known interior design and staging firm, Spellman tells us she often has to be creative on the spot while working with clients. “I love creating homes that inspire, and experimenting with artwork,” she says. “These things come from my right brain.” Wondering how you can tap into yours? Spellman gave us three tips.
1. Remember that it’s a creative process. You’re not a machine! Spellman says, “Churning out designs without allowing space for inspiration tends to make it hard to produce results.” What do you do instead? “Allow yourself to be a human who blasts good music, makes jokes with colleagues, and actually remembers to eat or drink something other than the huge coffee on your desk,” she suggests. Amen!
2. Find your rhythm. “Rhythm is a soul companion — you can feel it everywhere,” Spellman says. How do you find your rhythm? Spellman says, “Pay attention to when you work or create well, be it first thing in the morning or late at night with a glass of wine.” Also, figure out how you communicate best. Do you work better one-on-one or with a group? The more you learn about yourself and what inspires your creativity, the more efficient you’ll be at the office. “This means you’ll build better relationships and can actually crush it when you’re most productive,” Spellman shares.
3. Know what inspires you. Spellman shares that imagination fuels her right brain and connects her to the future, reinforcing her dreams and goals. “I always try to use my imagination to create meaning not only in my designs and in running my business but to connect to the world around me. I look at my favorite quotes or sketches for inspiration to remind me why I am doing what I am doing, be it work, life, or love.” Follow your creative vision to success!
How to Use Your Left Brain at Work
When it comes to being a business owner, Spellman is quick to credit her left brain for her success. “The analysis and logic I use every day put this side of my brain to the test,” she tells us. “My best advice is to be open and trust that your brain will provide you with the analysis of your left-brain logic and the imagination visualized from your right-brain creativity. Together, they will reach an equilibrium that will lead to your success.”
1. Plan in advance. “While it’s been said that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, I think that you need to plan, plan, and plan some more,” Spellman tells us. Sticking to a timeline when creating helps her delegate projects while keeping the team on track, no matter what pops up. “Figure out what your processes and procedures are so you’re fully prepared to make big game-time decisions when you need to,” she advises.
2. Do the math. Optimism is amazing no matter how much cash you have, but Spellman says it’s important to look at your company’s profit to analyze its success. Even if you don’t own the company you work for, you should always be thinking about how the work you’re doing will affect the bottom line.
3. Communicate clearly. “Language is a phenomenal thing. You can let your colleagues know exactly how you feel and exactly what needs to be done to reach success,” Spellman shares. There are so many communication tools available now. Use the ones that work best for you and your team, and help you communicate more clearly and effectively.
How do you use your right and left brain at work? Tell us on Twitter @BritandCo!
(Photos via Fran Parente Photography)
