Written by: Mira Taylor, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The word irrational has become one of those taboo words that most people believe describes a state of mind that we are intended to avoid. Yikes! As an integrative therapist and wellness consultant I can’t think of anything more damaging to the psyche of an individual or a business entity than to remove this type of thought and not practice or engage with it. One of the places that it is considered extremely taboo to think irrationally is in the business sphere. There is an unfortunately pervasive belief that thinking irrationally is unhealthy and that irrational thoughts and the irrational half of the psyche will damage or harm one’s business or personal success when worked with. To redefine and accept the importance of the irrational mind and thought process within one’s life and in business especially let’s consider some important defining points around irrationality that most are remiss of in their understanding of it.
Firstly, the irrational mind is the believing part of the mind and is therefore the part of the mind or psyche that is the most spiritually centered and creative part of how we think and experience life – in this way it is the root of divine experience and awareness. The irrational mind (as the spiritually creative center of the psyche) is also the part of our self that is most connected to our intuition and inner-voice or that part of ourselves that speaks from the heart, knows itself and its deeper more divine and transcendent truths most genuinely. I'll give the example of the many individuals in life who have found success in career fields and businesses that many others told them were ridiculous or a way that they would never make money, be successful with, etc. The list of these sorts of individuals is basically endless and includes all spheres of human experience – from inventors and artists to industry moguls and media and political influencers. These are also the individuals throughout human history who have worked with and honed the irrational and believing/ spiritual part of their psyche to be able to hold onto a deep and often irrational sense of self-belief that has been the inexhaustible emotional resource that has allowed them to not only dream but actualize their dreams.
The irrational part of the mind or psyche is also the part of the psyche that is most attuned with emotional energies – the underlying energies of creation and the creative process that we are intended to be aware of as a spiritual sense that is necessary for our most intelligent mind to be able to align with and navigate the journey of life with. As an integrative therapist and wellness consultant I have seen so many individual clients and businesses who struggle with things such as imposter syndrome and self-belief because they don’t spend enough time cultivating and balancing themselves with irrational thoughts and creative imaginal experiences. The more time you spend honing and developing your irrational mind in balanced awareness with the rational intellectual or reasoning mind the more you are able to access a more evolved state of conscious awareness and intelligence. This state of conscious awareness ultimately allows you to align with your higher purpose and create a perspective that is free of concern for your success because it has created the strength of believe necessary to be able to observe and release such notions. One of the other important aspects and truths of the irrational mind (as the emotional and creative mind) is that it is completely necessary for imaginal and creative thoughts. How many successful individuals or businesses do you know that are either lacking or devoid of these two abilities? Probably none.
Since most of the existing definitions of irrationality are derogatory or disparaging toward it as a part of the human psyche and intelligence, I wanted to make sure to include definitions in this article that speak to the importance of the parts of the irrational mind – such as creativity, imagination and inventiveness.
Creativity (noun): The ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new or imaginative.
Invention (noun): The act or process of inventing by the productive and creative imagination.
Imagination: The act or power of forming mental imagery or visualizations of something not yet known or present to the senses in an exterior way – something never before wholly perceived in reality. Creative ability in regard to one’s capacity to confront and deal with a problem successfully resourcefulness. The thinking or active mind has an interest as an emotional state.
Scientifically and spiritually we ultimately understand that irrational thought and irrationality is the part of the mind that is creative, imaginative, and inventive and is therefore unlimited by the constructs of existing ‘reality’. It would be entirely impossible for us to evolve and adapt as a species without an active engagement and development with this part of our consciousness and as a part of how perceive and to experience life. The same is true for business entities and the business industry generally as an extension and active expression of humanity and the human experience.
The truth is that the most successful and evolutionary person(s) and business(es) on the planet and throughout human history have been the ones to think outside the box (or to think irrationally) in a way that allowed for new ideas, concepts, and inventions. It's important to understand that the irrational mind is also the mind and intelligence that connects us to the most wholly realized and divinely intelligent mind of the body – the mind that includes the heart mind or the emotional mind. This emotional mind and the availability of the heart to be the lead to the logical mind in the conversations of intellect and intelligence (most especially in creative endeavors) is what also allows for a healthy development of emotions such as courage, fortitude and compassion. These aspects of the super intelligent and divine mind are the emotional (irrational) part of our most evolved state of conscious intelligence and are necessary for individuals and businesses to be able to be brave and bold about believing in themselves and their ideas. The people and businesses who have been willing to think from an emotional, irrational, and spiritually centered state of mind and who know how to effectively develop and work with the emotional (irrational) mind have always brought humanity to a space of important advancement and have been the people and businesses who have changed the world most for the better. Not so bad to think irrationally, I guess.
Even science understands at this point that without the irrational and emotional mind being intentionally developed it leaves little room for success in business or personal life because the rational non-emotional part of our mind only knows how to analyze logically – it doesn’t know how to trust or connect emotionally to the energetic and spiritual dynamics of business or personal life. Imagine trying to have an energetically connective relationship with someone who doesn’t think or make room for emotions as a part of their intelligence – it’s basically impossible. Now think about trying to invent something without the emotions of passion, purpose, wonder, creativity, or hopefulness? These are all emotions that are a part of a properly developed and practiced emotional (irrationally intelligent) mind and are key factors to our abilities with inventiveness and innovation. These are the emotions and parts of our intelligence that are not limited to the existing believes and concepts that are present societally, culturally, or scientifically and allow us to evolve as a species. Whether people want to admit it or not – the irrational and spiritual mind is also the intuitive mind (when properly developed as a part of our larger intelligence) and is also proven to be the most efficient part of our psyche. In fact, it is so efficient that scientific research in the fields of consciousness, neurology and cognition are still trying to understand how the emotional (irrational) mind works with such an amazing amount of speed and efficiency when properly developed. The speed and effectiveness of this intelligence admittedly still seems implausible to some (even from an aspect of science) and yet it is understood as being evidenced in its effectiveness and speed as a responsive part of our intelligence – meaning, we don’t yet fully understand how it works but we know that it works… very well.
Some simple ways that individuals and businesses can incorporate a regular practice of developing the irrational and emotive mind can be as simple as having abstract art around the office or putting on regular workshops in the office where individuals can perform or practice abstract art together – whether with therapeutic intention or not. Businesses and business leaders can also change their linguistic style in meetings to induce and promote more of an irrational and emotionally intelligent mindset around conversations that have to do with the business and business projects.
Examples:
“What does your gut tell you about this project or partnership?” and “How does everyone feel about this concept – what would you add or take away to it to help it feel better to you and others?”.
Leaders can also ask questions that help them better understand what appeals to the emotional intelligence of the individuals who they work with and who help keep the business successful.
Examples:
“What has inspired you lately and what felt the most inspirational about it?”
“What are some of the moments in your relationship with this company and company leadership that helped you feel a part of something bigger than yourself?”
Leaders can also get specific in asking about what emotional and linguistic styles have worked best for the company and the individuals who work there during meetings and through taking the time to have an individual and organic conversations with those who work at and with the company.
Examples:
“What language style and approach do you feel has worked best for you when we have been working on projects or business relationships together?”
“What are some of the mentors, leaders, coaches, teachers and alike in your life who you have found to be the most inspiring and engaging as a leader and why?
What can I do to provide this leadership style and emotional engagement for you?
Another wonderful way to promote and develop irrational thinking and emotional intelligence in business and personal life is to cultivate a sense of symbolic awareness within the business and the
minds of business leaders to appreciate the existing diversity of thought and perspective that is present within their business. When a business is willing to engage with a symbolic sense of itself it also helps to develop a more open mind to the ways that the business and business mission or purpose are being perceived.
Examples:
Asking leadership and employees of the business what such things as the business logo, brand identity and purpose symbolize or represent to them and why?
Asking what the individuals and employees want the company to symbolize to themselves, other businesses, and the company/ client base and why?
Asking how connected, inspired, and motivated individuals feel about the symbolic representation(s) of the business and if they feel that the business actions are congruent with its symbolic expression?
Interested in working with an integrative therapist and wellness consultant who can help you create a more emotionally intelligent mindset in your business or personal life so that you and your business can be more attuned and engaged with the irrational mind for your total wellness and success?
Visit here to learn more and schedule an initial consultation with Mira.
Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!
Mira Taylor, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mira Taylor is an Integrative Therapist, Subconscious Medium & Organizational Wellness Consultant who focuses on guiding clientele toward total wellness by combining concepts of psychology, spirituality, philosophy, and sustainable life practices. Mira is a member of the International Association of Therapists and master certified in Modern Applied Psychology, Cognitive Remodeling Therapy, Subconscious Integration Therapy, Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness, Wellness Linguistics, and Archetypal Psychology.
