My graduate school training was over thirty years ago now. I was in a scientifically oriented program. Therefore much of the training was geared toward my left brain. Facts, figures, scientific method, research data and analysis carried the day. In the end my master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation had to make a unique contribution to the scientific literature in psychology. All of this is left-brain stuff.
However, three decades later I remember only the experiences and the stories. I vividly recall my own perceptual experiences of my graduate school experiences. But I also remember the stories that contributed to my training as a clinical psychologist.
I remember the stories of B.J.’s remarkable abilities to interpret minimal psychological testing data in a way that gave him insight in to a patient’s issues well beyond what many young clinicians would have garnered after seeing that same patient for dozens of sessions. And I remember how Max would use paradoxical intention to slice through the resistance of court ordered treatment for a teen. I recall the stories my patients told me way back then.
My left-brain was trained as a psychologist but so was my right brain. My left was given the data and information. It was filled with the rationale and logic of psychology. My right brain was given examples of how applying this knowledge of psychology would create a story of the intervention in another person’s life.
The right brain prefers story. It understands life, even psychology, in terms of relationship, empathy, meaning and synthesizing, rather than analyzing, the big picture. And we remember story better than we remember facts. This is especially true if the story incorporates another right brain propensity: visualization.
So if you want to enhance your right brain and at the same time have a more powerful, more memorable impact on others then learn to tell stories. Whenever possible, when trying to communicate factual data, tell stories. And, for your own good, try to learn the important things you need to know in life by way of stories. You are more likely to retain and recall these lessons in times of need. Stories have always been the most powerful way to communicate ideas and concepts but the RightBrain Revolution has shown us just how powerful stories are.