The Conceptual Brain as described by Emergenetics® a brain-based profiling tool, likes novelty, is imaginative, is energised by the ‘big picture’ or larger goal, and has the tendency to ‘connect the dots’ across seemingly un-related topics to arrive at unconventional outcomes that resolve issues or at least, re-frame the issue such and allow the exploration of another way of working out the issue.
On the other hand, the preference of the Structural brain is the total “opposite” of the Conceptual Brain. The Structural Brain prefers having a plan, a framework, step-by-step instructions, and thinking up “what-if’s” that could impede the plan. It frowns upon the leap of faith or intuitive actions born of the Conceptual Brain where no steps are visible to get one from here to there. Don’t even think of asking about timeline and possible road blocks to fulfil the idea.
So a person with a Most Preferred Attribute (MPA) of Conceptual thinking could lead the person to start a new venture, one that no one has saw the possibilities of. And if this same person’s Least Preferred Attribute (LPA) is Structural thinking, it is likely that the person will feel a twinge of disdain to do the steps to clear the needed paper work with the authorities, or to come up with a plan for the week AND sticking to it.
Lacking the discipline to put together a well-thought through plan or working through faithfully on a well-thought through plan is a guarantee that that brilliant idea, born from the Conceptual Brain will die an early death.
So how do you stop that possibility from becoming a reality? It does require a heightened sense of self, of knowing what your mind is thinking and where it is likely to lead you. From that sensation, here are 3 anchors to ground and motivate your Conceptual Brain:
- Reognise the attraction of novel ideas
The Conceptual Brain is attracted to new and novel ideas and will pursue it like a race horse out of the gates bent on winning the race or in this case, pursuing the new idea.
Recognise the moment that your brain starts to go off and mentally do a Ask-Choose-Go. Ask – do you know you’re being lured away by this new idea that was not in your plan 3 seconds ago? Choose – stick to the plan or follow your impulse? Go – with your decision and consequence.
- Be clear of the effort and the objective of doing the routine or the plan
When you put down the plan, clarify to yourself why you need to do this. For example, I need to compare the price and quality of my closest competitors. I’ll set aside 4 days to complete this tedious work (effort). But at the end of the exercise, it will help me identify opportunities to offer something different from my competitors and make me stand out from them.
Articulating this end goal, making it clear to your Conceptual Brain will moderate its tendency to veer away from doing the routine work.
- Have that visual in your mind of the ‘destination’
The Conceptual Brain likes visuals or pictures; they are more effective than words actually. So that end goal that burst out from your inspiration could be a headline on CNA (Channel News Asia) website proclaiming your company as having the MOST SOUGHT AFTER product. On a smaller scale, a visual of your bank account with your desired amount could be just as effective.
For added measure, to sustain you on the journey, come up with visuals of what your interim points of success look like. It could be you hitting the gym once you complete 50% of the project by the end of today.
Making visible the inner workings of your mind goes a long way in harnessing your brain power to be successful and effective in your chosen areas of focus. I am discovering this for myself every moment.
Emergentics® is a scientifically formulated assessment that measures seven thinking and behavioural preferences.