Winter Morningš“
and using your opposite brain
I've been thinking a lot about left brain vs. right brain. Do you know the difference? Iāve always mixed them up, which, ironically, probably makes me more right-brained.
And if there was ever any doubt, a recent conversation with my business coach confirmed it:
"Will, you are very right-brained."
It wasnāt a calloutāat least, not in a negative sense. What he said next stuck with me:
"What if we helped develop your left brain moreānot just for business, but for marriage and life?"
The idea of intentionally cultivating my left brain fascinates me. Here are a few traits that probably wouldnāt surprise anyone who knows me:
I struggle to keep my car clean.
My brain shuts off when someone pulls up an Excel sheet.
From kindergarten through college, structured assignments were a constant battle.
If Iām not emotionally invested, I need multiple reminders to complete a task.
The list goes on. But the point isnāt to call myself outāitās to recognize my blind spots so I can grow.
Lauren and I are fans of the book, The Whole Brain Child, and itās made me wonder: If Iām wired this way at 32, is change still possible? Do adults really change?
I heard David Green, the Founder of Hobby Lobby, say something last spring that has stayed with me:
"Our personalities donāt change. But our character should change."
And if thatās true, then maybe thereās more left-brain in me than Iāve ever given myself credit for. Maybe itās not about changing who I am but developing new strengths where Iāve been inclined to believe they donāt exist.
While at dinner with a friend last month, he asked for a cup of hot water after our meal. Not decaf coffee or teaājust plain hot water.
It caught me off guard, but I followed suit (with a lemon, because straight hot water felt a little too...plain).
Since then, Iāve been on a hot lemon water kick this winterāmorning, evening, or both. According to the internet, the benefits include:
Aids Digestion & Detoxification
Boosts Immunity
Promotes Hydration & Skin Health
And in the end, itās something warm to holdāless work and more cost-effective than coffee or tea.
Since watching Inside Out 2 last year, this scene has stuck with me.
A beautiful reminder of what it means to play and lead with joyāwhere work becomes effortless, and flow state takes over.
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
First mustache-less family photo taken at the park this week!
Music: New Penny & Sparrow album, āLeftyā, seems appropriate given the aforementioned brain matter. Also, for an anniversary gift, Lauren got us tickets to see Forrest Frank this May in KC. Should be a fun show!
Food: Speaking of anniversary, Lauren and I both got āBlack Bean Tofuā from Blue Koi, which might be one of my favorite dishes in KC. Also, likely ordering wings from The Peanut (another tradition) for Super Bowl andā¦a giant bag of Doritos, which I reserve about once a year so donāt judge me.
Podcasts: Steve Magness on Rich Rollāvery good, and especially if you reinvigorating workout rhythms in 2025.
Reading: Chiefs content. Severance Reddit threads. On a more important note, Common Good has been a really fun (physical) magazine subscriptionāa local KC organization has broadened its reach, and rightfully so.