Since the death of Steve Jobs (and this week’s release of his biography), much attention has been placed on the mind, the personality, and the persona of a most remarkable man. Every interview, remembrance, and tribute includes the words “intuitive” and “perfectionist.” Many, if not all people, consider Jobs to be genius. But what exactly is a genius? Is it intellect? Is it wisdom? Is it foresight? Is it cerebral balance? While many of these post-mortem comments try to gain a better understanding of the myth behind the man, it’s quite obvious that Steve Jobs epitomized the balance of right (intuitive, imaginative, artistic) and left-brain (critical, perfectionism, logical) skills (a birthright given to everybody, but not practiced by many, which is why Steve Jobs seemed so rare). Casting aside the nature vs. nurture argument (Steve was adopted), it also becomes obvious that his right-brain influences did much to balance the left-brain imbalance of the American culture. Steve Jobs was many things indeed, but the epitome of cognitive balance is something we all should and can emulate.
Stress Management Tip for the Day
OK, let’s review: Right brain skills include (but are not limited to) intuition, conceptual thinking, imagination, spatial awareness, emotional thoughts, humor, and musical appreciation. Left-brain skills include rational, linear, judgmental, fact-finding, time-based thinking processes. Each hemisphere of thinking is essential to the whole. Moreover, right brain thinking styles are associated with relaxation, whereas left brain skill are used for survival (hence the fight or flight response). What do you do to cultivate your right brain skills? Pick one style and work on it today. If there is one thing Steve Job’s taught the world, is not to hide behind your own shadow. It’s no secret that the quality control factor with Apple was integrity, something we should all strive for. Consider living by the motto, “We go first class, or we don’t go at all.”
Links, Books and Movies Worth Noting:
From the sounds of things, the biography of Steve Jobs looks promising. Taking a peak at the mind of a genius can only help cultivate our own minds to travel in that direction. Here is a link to the Fresh Air interview with Terri Gross on Monday’s show, which includes a link to Terri’s interview with Steve Jobs himself back in 1996.
http://www.npr.org/2011/10/25/141653658/steve-jobs-a-computer-icon-on-life-death-and-apple
Quote for the Day:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” — Steve Jobs
Photo of the Day:
Normally I use my own photographs for this blog, but it was only fitting to have a photo of Steve Jobs for today’s blog entry, which I found on the web. Thanks to whomever took this photo…
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7E) and his forthcoming book, A Beautiful World; The Earth Songs Journals. He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
