©Arlene R. Taylor PhD

altHuman beings often assume that there is one best way for organization. In truth, each cerebral division likely has its own energy-efficient style for organizing personal space. These styles are not necessarily good or bad and certainly neither right nor wrong. They can be light years apart in style!

In general, society and culture has defined what organizing means. Typically it is the style associated with the Left Posterior Lobes. For many individuals, trying to follow that organizing style places them at odds with their own innate giftedness. This can be especially true in terms of brain energy expenditures and one’s ability to maintain the organizing system long term. Challenges may be further compounded when one organizing style uses pejoratives to describe what works for other styles, or when one person feels less than or inferior to others based on his/her preferred style.

Following are examples of organizational styles correlated with the four cerebral divisions.

altPrioritizing Division

altEnvisioning Division

 

The purpose of this division is to help individuals make decisions quickly and accurately. Individuals who prefer using this cerebral division are usually somewhat objective and analytical about organization of personal space and may:

  • Center their organizational efforts to foster setting and achieving goals, and to facilitate efficient and accurate decision-making
  • Prefer a functional, uncluttered workspace with a clear desktop. Key tools are within easy reach (e.g., computer, calculator, fax, telephone)
  • Delegate filing, tracking of detailed information, and operational implementation whenever possible

Their personal space may be described by those with a differing energy advantage as stark or minimalist

The purpose of this division is to assit individuals in anticipating and making changes. Individuals who prefer using this cerebral division are usually somewhat eclectic and spontaneous about organizing their personal space and may:

  • Organize through recognition of abstract patterns that may result in brainstorming, change and innovation
  • Prefer the pattern of a visual stacking system with everything easily within sight (may become irritable and frustrated if others move their stacks)
  • Utilize lots of flat surfaces for visual stacking of papers, objects, reminder cues (e.g., disruption of a normal* pattern reminds their brain of something)

Their personal space may be described by those who possess a differing energy advantage as disorganized or messy
 

altMaintaining Division

altHarmonizing Division

The purpose of this division is to produce and supply dependably day-to-day needs (e.g., food, housing, clothing, services). Individuals who have a preference for using this cerebral division are usually somewhat structured and rigid about organization of personal space.

Individuals with an energy advantage in this division may:

  • Organize through routines and sequential details
  • Prefer to have a place for everything and everything in its place (e.g., files, cabinets, shelving)
  • Can easily file and track data alphabetically, numerically, by date, or assigned numbers whether in hard copy or on a computer
  • Tend to process information more easily that is perceived as linear (e.g., rectangular shapes)

Their personal space may be described by those with a differing energy advantage as compulsively neat (e.g., objects lined up precisely or segregated by type or filed away in literal or virtual folders) or even anal-retentive

The purpose of Right Posterior Lobes is to build trust, harmony, and peaceful foundations. Individuals who have a preference for using this cerebral division are usually somewhat subjective and relational about organization of personal space.

Individuals with a brain lead in this division may:

  • Organize around connecting with others and achieving harmony in the environment (e.g., objects tend to be grouped in a way that represents unity or commonality)
  • Prefer to be surrounded by plants, pictures of family/friends/pets, and perhaps music; may arrange/rearrange furniture based on color
  • May use functional tools (e.g., computer, phone, fax) as a way to connect with others
  • Tend to process information more easily that is perceived as oval or circular (e.g., shapes, smiles) and harmonically-related (e.g., colors, sounds, body language, flavors, odors)

Their personal space may be described by those with a differing energy advantage as busy and cluttered

 

NOTE: The word normal tends to mean “typical” or “commonly occurring” but not necessarily healthy, functional, or desirable.