Believe

My intuition has been speaking up lately.  It’s telling me loudly and clearly that it’s time to write about intuition! J

Intuition is defined as “quick and ready insight.”  It’s a feeling of knowing that comes from within us, rather than from external cues or information.  Sometimes it’s described as a “tap on the shoulder” or a “tug on the sleeve” – those feelings you get when your subconscious is trying to get your attention.  I’ve found that when I follow my intuitions, I tend to make better decisions, whether they’re small or large. 

Just a few days ago, I felt the negative effects of ignoring my intuition when I chose to go to the closest post office instead of another nearby post office.  I had a little nagging feeling that the post office I was driving to would be closed when I arrived, but I ignored it.  I had just gotten my son out of his car seat when the doors to the post office were locked.  Now, for some reason my son LOVES going to the post office.  Try explaining to an excited not-quite-two-year-old that he has to get buckled back into his car seat rather than go into one of his favorite places.  Let’s just say that we were both very frustrated.

On the other hand, some of my largest life decisions have been guided by my intuitions.  For example, I decided where to attend college and then graduate school based on my intuitions about each school.  I can’t really explain my academic decisions with logic and rational thought, because all of the schools I considered were great schools.  I primarily made my decisions based on the fact that each school that I eventually attended just felt right for me.  I distinctly remember how I felt standing on the Albion College Quad in 1989 then sitting by Ohio State’s Mirror Lake in 1993.  Each time, I felt a flood of positive feelings and just knew that I was meant to be there.  I’ve never regretted either decision.

How often do you notice and act upon your intuitions?  Do you respond to those little “taps on the shoulder,” or do you brush them off in search of more solid information?  Very few of us act on every intuition we have, and many of us don’t even hear what our intuition is trying to tell us.  If our intuition usually steers us in the right direction, why don’t we follow it?  Although intuition is a “quick and ready insight,” there are a couple of obstacles between having a flash of intuition and actually acting upon that intuition.  Because of this, we fail to follow through with many of our intuitions. 

Recognize:  First, you need to notice your intuitions and realize what their purpose is.  If you haven’t acted upon your intuitions very often, it’s sometimes hard to recognize what an intuition feels like.  Take some time to check in with your feelings as you make decisions during the coming week.  A nagging feeling, a knot in your stomach or a lump in your throat, or, on the other hand, the lightness of your heart, the feeling of “sureness”, or the happy little inkling…recognize that all may be signs of an intuition.

Listen:  Next, you need to actually listen to the message that your intuition is sending.  Take the time to pay attention to the intuition.  Often, we’re simply too busy to listen to our intuition, even when we recognize that our intuition is calling.  Take, for example, my friend who was co-pilot on a recent road trip.  She’d left her own car behind at the start of the trip but brought along the keys to her car anyway.  Several times a day throughout the trip, she checked the location of her car keys.  Her intuition was telling her to put her keys in a safe location (other than in her coat pocket).  Although she recognized her intuition when it called, she was too busy enjoying the trip to really listen to the message.  Her keys disappeared somewhere between Ohio and Georgia.  When your intuition is calling (especially when it calls repeatedly), pay attention.  Listen to its message.

Act:  It’s possible to recognize your intuitions and listen to them carefully but still not act on your intuitions.  Why?  Fear or worry may hold you back.  If your intuition is telling you that it’s time to make a major life change with regard to your job, your relationships, or yourself, a fear of change may stop you from acting on the intuition.  You know what you’re feeling is an important message; you just don’t want to hear it.  And, because intuitions come from within, only you can truly understand your intuition.  Without external validation of your intuition or solid information in support of it, you may worry that others won’t agree with, support, or understand your actions.  These fears and worries may delay our actions or prevent them from happening altogether. 

When you have acted upon your intuitions, how often have they steered you wrong?  If you’ve found that your intuition has worked for you in the past, it’s likely it will work for you in the future…even if you’re feeling a bit scared.  So, feel the fear but do it anyway.  (More on that here.)

Put your faith in the value of your intuitions.  Believe that they are valuable messages.  Many of us are conditioned to value our thoughts more than our feelings.  We place greater importance on our heads than our hearts.  When you value your head more than your heart, something that can be rationalized, analyzed, and logically explained seems more worthy of your faith than something that you can simply feel.  Not true!  Your feelings are powerful and important, and they deserve to be valued.  Follow your heart.  Go with your gut.  Trust your instincts.  (Choose the figure of speech that feels right to you!)  Then, believe in the value of your intuitions.

Throughout the coming year, my hope for you is that you will listen for your intuition and believe in your inklings, feelings, and instincts.  Trust yourself, and you will succeed. 

“Believe in what you feel inside and give your dreams the wings to fly. 

You have everything you need, if you just believe.”

(From the song, “Believe,” performed by Josh Groban on the soundtrack to “The Polar Express” and composed by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri)

Life Navigation Coaching
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lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com

www.lifenavigationcoaching.com

The Explorer is published monthly to inspire curious people – people who love to explore, discover, and learn – to go out and get what they want.  It is written by Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D., of Life Navigation Coaching, who coaches people to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

You can contact Lisa at (614) 262-8820 or by e-mail at lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com.

Visit Life Navigation Coaching at www.lifenavigationcoaching.com to learn more about life coaching, Lisa, and opportunities for you.

You may use material from The Explorer in whole or in part, provided you include the complete attribution, including a live web site link and e-mail link.  Please inform me when and where the material will appear.  

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