Intuition which is often referred to as “gut instinct,” or your “sixth sense” is a feeling to move in a certain direction (or not to move). There is no reason whatsoever to explain why we have this feeling. Intuition can keep you safe ( It’s the feeling you get when you’re walking down a dark alley and just have a “sense” that someone is following you) and it can also lead you to explore new and exciting opportunities outside of your comfort zone. Everybody has some form of intuition but it’s important to learn how to use and trust it. 

Social media, friends and family members are constantly telling us how we should act, how or who we should be or become that it gets exhausting. If anyone reading this has children of college age you might be able to relate to hearing a parent at one point in your life say something along the lines of “If you don’t go to college you’ll just end up being a plumber”.  Perhaps your child is merely trusting his or her gut and knows that corporate America won’t be right for them and they’d prefer to learn a trade. And what’s really wrong with being a plumber? 

This outside noise that is competing for our mind space is just that, noise or suggestions on what we should be doing. Instead, we must learn to trust our gut, stop second-guessing ourselves and make our own decisions.  

Here’s an interesting graphic from Heart of Substance that discusses the differences between pure intuition and instinct.

intuition vs instinct

 

How do we learn to trust our intuition more regularly? 

Here are a few things you can start to do today to begin using your intuition more to guide you during important situations. 

 

1. Step away and clear your thoughts

Take some time to remove yourself from the situation and clear your mind. We live in a frenzied world and miss necessary information at times due to this chaos. Take a walk, exercise or do what you love to do, whatever will give you clarity. A clear mind will allow better access to your intuition and allow you to make a better decision. Clarity and the ability to slow down will provide you the adequate time you need to process all the necessary information and make the best decision.  

 

2. Talk to yourself and be honest

Don’t ignore your feelings or push them to the side. This is quite possibly the worst thing you can do. Don’t focus on the negative, instead focus on the positive and all the fantastic things that can occur if you allow them to. Focus on what is important for you and what you will get out of this situation. 

“Ask what you need, what’s important and what outcome you would like to see”

3. Take note of your intuition

When you are learning to trust your gut, it’s key to take note of when your intuition shows itself in a situation. Write down the way you felt in that given situation to record your feelings and experiences so you can compare them from day to day and week to week. In this reviewing process, you may start to find some patterns that will help you understand your intuition better. 

4. Take action

You use your intuition on daily tasks that you don’t even realize, like drinking when you’re thirsty or eating when you’re hungry but when you are faced with bigger “gut” decisions it can take a little faith and practice. 

I never thought I’d run a half marathon in my life but one day while out running I was at the 10-mile mark and said: “let’s do one more mile”. Then the next time I added another mile and before I knew it I was at 13 miles. That was my intuition telling me to do it!  (My legs, however, were violently against my intuition and let me know it) This is how you train your mind to use your intuition. 

The more comfortable with trusting your gut you become the bigger the decisions you can make:

  • Finding a relationship
  • Getting married
  • Having children
  • Starting a new business
  • Buying a home
  • and so on…

 

The more you pay attention to your intuition the better it will become and the more likely you will be to pay attention to it when the need arises. 

Do you feel as though you have good intuition? Comment below and let us know. 

 

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