Finding your Balance

I am too organized & structured. That’s what a hiring manager recently said about me. Now, I don’t know if you’re familiar with the role of a Program/Project Manager (PM), but ultimately it’s our responsibility to ensure we plan, prepare, and problem solve, all in the name of successfully delivering a product or service. Wouldn’t you want your PM to be organized & structured? (The answer is “YES”)

Of course, you also want your PM to be resourceful, creative, and adaptable to any situation. Your PM needs to be very good at risk mitigation and problem solving. Even the best PM can’t foresee every problem (like a tsunami hitting Asia, shutting down all shipments!), but I guarantee you she’ll have a backup plan to overcome the problem!

Unfortunately, he will never know just how good I am. Yes, I am organized (it’s my job), but I am also extremely resourceful and creative (it’s my passion). I am always creating something; whether I’m sewing a blanket for a newborn baby, designing shirts, signs, & decals for friends & family, or writing a children’s story. My cup runneth over when it comes to creativity. This whole experience got me to thinking about the right-brain vs left-brain theory.

Did you know, in the 1960s, an American psychobiologist by the name of Roger W Sperry developed research on the concept of left brain vs right brain thinking. It was through his research, that he discovered humans have two very different ways of thinking. The right brain is more visual; processing information in an intuitive manner. The right brain thinker needs the whole picture first, then the details. The right brain is more verbal; processing information in an analytical manner. The left-brain thinker needs the details first, then pieces them together to get the whole picture.

So, I decided to take a test to see if I truly am the best of both worlds, or if I tend to favor one side of the brain. You can also take this test, by visiting http://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/3178. The below graph is my result. In this test, if you score closer to the right side of the graph, your personality is more characteristically right-brain (visual). If you score closer to the left side of the graph, your personality is more characteristically left-brain (verbal). If you score somewhere in the middle, you share characteristics of both sides of the brain. And just as I had suspected, I landed in the middle.

Both of my hemispheres harmonize. Instead of trying to dominate one another, they work together. I am spontaneous, impulsive, and free-flowing, while also able to make sense of it and keep track of everything. When faced with a problem or a tough decision, I’m not only able to break things down and make an informed and sensible choice, but I’m not afraid to go with my gut when necessary. I tend to express my individuality both in words and actions, and although I’m perfectly comfortable running on a schedule or planning things ahead of time, there are occasions when I love to throw in a little spontaneity.

With a balanced outlook and approach to life, I have a desire to not only understand the world, but to mold it as I see fit. With both my right and left hemispheres working together to guide me, I can understand myself and life in general from so many wonderful perspectives.

I know the perfect job is out there for me; it’ll come when the time is right. And when it does, I can promise my new work family will love all of me!  In the meantime, I will continue my search and continue creating!