Learn to trust your intuition.
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” – Albert Einstein
Everyone has intuition, and you can learn to tap into it with practice. People who have “hit their stride” in their careers have learned to trust their intuition when creating, making decisions or exploring new ways to do things. This isn’t something that happens overnight. Rather, there is a certain shift that takes place from relying on the input of others to relying on your rational mind to finally relying on your intuition.
Many people shy away from speaking about intuition in the workplace because it is faux pas or somehow lessens oneself intellectually. This is unfortunate because by not speaking about it we are delaying others from “hitting their strides” and contributing their talents at a higher level.
Gut feelings or intuitive hits do actually have scientific basis. When considering something, your brain subconsciously assesses your memories, past experiences, patterns of behavior, learnings and preferences to arrive at your best conclusion at a given point in time. So, you aren’t picking up on something out of nowhere; you are in fact synthesizing a great deal of information instantaneously to guide your next move.
Intuition often comes in a more subtle form of communication, as a sense, a vibe, an energy or a deeper knowing. That is why it can be difficult to describe to others. Here are some ways I use my intuition at work:
As a warning mechanism- sometimes something just doesn’t feel right about a situation or something being asked of you. Never ignore this gut instinct! Instead, use your rational mind to explore why your neurological system is sounding the alarm. Most often, you will find the reason, but even if you don’t, I would consider alternatives that are more agreeable to you than proceeding with whatever triggered you.
As a way to read a person- when you are around someone, you can usually pick up on a vibe or energy. Positive energy can make you feel light and energized, while negative energy can make you feel heavy and exhausted. When you are around someone with positive energy, you tend to feel more confident and at ease. Conversely, when you are around someone with negative energy, you feel uncomfortable and on edge. You may feel neither positive nor negative energy from someone. It could mean that the person’s energy is neutral or isn’t projecting strongly in either way. It could also mean they lack a sense of connection with you. Always pay attention to the vibes you get from others. In the same way, assess the energy you may be giving off in your personal interactions. If you sense negative energy in others or yourself, take time to reflect on what may be causing it, so you can address it. If you are interviewing someone or meeting a potential business partner and pick up on negative energy, it usually isn’t a good sign.
As a way to read a room- you can also read the collective energy in group settings. When people feel safe and encouraged, you can sense a positive energy and notice ideas flowing freely and productivity increasing. However, when people feel tense and confused, you can sense a negative energy and witness gridlock in the room with not much being accomplished. Here again, try to identify where negative energy is coming from. Is it an individual or individuals? Is there a lack of structure in the meeting? Is there a lack of clear communication? Addressing these issues should reset the energy in the room to create a more positive group dynamic.
As a means of creative inspiration- you are truly unique. You’ve experienced the world differently than anyone else. You also have innate talents that others do not have. When you trust in that combination (your intuitive mind) amazing things happen. Not only will you excel in your field, but you will project authentic positivity that will open up even more opportunities.
As a means of making a decision- if there is no clear course of action from a rational assessment, use your intuition to guide you one way or the other. You may not be able to rationally explain why you feel the way you do, however it’s important to have faith that your intuition is processing what you can’t cognitively and is leading you down the best path at this moment in time. A good exercise for intuitive decision-making is to write down what you are wrestling with at the beginning of your day on a piece of paper in the form of a yes/no question. Then, write “yes/no” below it. Go about your day, and then, when you get home, circle what you gravitate towards instinctively without giving it any thought.
As a way to anticipate the needs of others- sensing that a colleague could use help or that your boss is under pressure will make you a more supportive colleague and valuable employee, which can help boost your career over time. To predict the needs of the business or the preferences of its people, become familiar with behavior patterns, outcome patterns, work styles and cyclical business activities and see how you can proactively and positively affect them.
As a way to develop intuition within the team- lead by example. Allow your team members to see how you act on your intuition. Be transparent on how and why you are making a decision, especially if it is intuitive. Create an environment where team members can trust their own instincts and feel confident in their own creative expression, anticipation, predictions and decision-making.
In short, use your intuition along with your intellect to guide your actions. It’s a process to learn to trust yourself, but it can be one of the best gifts you give yourself. In fact, it’s very likely that you have the answers you’ve been looking for all along.