Intuition

Today, I invite you to consider the times you've dismissed your ideas.

Take a moment and reflect on disregarded hunches that were accurate. How often do we assume that data defines all of our decisions when the realities of the organic and nonlinear are equally valuable?

Have you often rejected your inner knowing because you had no scientific proof or outside validation? Frequently, it is more about staying safe from ridicule. Ironically, great scientific advances have come from flashes of insight, dreams, or visions.

Albert Einstein said of his theory of relativity, "I did not arrive at my understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe through my rational mind." Friedrich Kekule von Stradonitz's discovery of the benzene ring came to him after a dream about a snake biting its tail. This discovery impacted the world because he honored that nonlinear insight.

There is a saying that our strength becomes our weakness and our weakness our strength. Similarly, acting on intellect without intuition is also a weakness. Develop your intuition, test it, and come to trust it. From this vantage point, we may merge intellect and rational mind with our intuition. Authentic power arises as we find our balance and act accordingly. Awareness and acceptance, plus correct and timely action, gives us the winning edge.

Beginning to Notice

The easiest way to develop intuition is to let go and get out of the way! In my experience, intuition exists within everyone and may be used to our advantage. How? Set aside expectations and trust your inner intuitive voice. What does it say? Make observation a habit! Begin by taking a moment, relaxing, and asking yourself who is calling when your phone rings. Suspend self-criticism and learn to trust your inner voice. Take a breath and relax when you catch yourself stressing. Over time, you will find your intuitive abilities growing. Following your progress by recording what happens when you listen, and reflect on how well you are progressing.

The second method to develop intuition is simple. Set aside expectations of what should happen and allow yourself to become still. You might repeat a word that represents a quality you want more of in your life, such as openness, love, peace, or creativity. As you become present, stay centered in the moment and focus on the quality you are cultivating. With practice, you will likely find information previously out of reach now comes into awareness.  

Paying attention to your body's responses is a third method to cultivate intuition. Become aware of your breathing, aches and pains, the knot in your stomach, or the sound of the air conditioner nearby. A minute or two will suffice. Pay attention to your body, and you will find it easier to stay in the moment. As you discipline your mind to stay present, you will let go of living in the future or the past. Both creativity and intuition come forward when we remove the barriers of preconceived thoughts and feelings. The body is a reference library of wisdom. 

A fourth method to develop intuition is that of play. Most children are naturally spontaneous, innocent, trusting, and open. They look at events around them without attachment to results. Unconcerned with right and wrong, children explore, take risks, and notice outcomes. Observe how easily children learn to walk. Now imagine yourself, an adult, learning to walk. Chances are we'd spend more time looking to see who is watching us rather than being immersed in the delight of learning something new.  

Look at intuition through the eyes of a playful child. Writing down intuitive hits and collecting data about the outcomes will strengthen your ability to trust the process. Stay honest, flexible, and open, and you'll likely become more aware of your biases, blind spots, and judgments. Above all, be willing to access and pay attention to your inner sense of knowing. Trust yourself! The data doesn't lie.

Lastly, notice how you nourish yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. What thoughts, feelings, and beliefs limit or expand you? Do you surround yourself with negative or positive people? Are you constantly judging and comparing yourself with some vague ideal? Do you live surrounded by the "what if" monster? Let go of the perfectionism that prevents spontaneity and creativity, and find a treasure hidden in plain sight.

Results in the Real World

I've used intuition to target and cold-call large companies and assisted them with what seemed like "insider information." It was—except that the inside information came from intuition!

I followed a hunch to fly first class and received a contract from an individual seated next to me. I also jumped on a plane to attend a party spur of the moment. While there, I met several people I'd been unable to reach by phone.

This article was born when I wandered into an American Society for Training & Development meeting during a convention. The first person I met asked that I write about intuition after a 10-minute conversation.

These examples are a few bottom-line results from following and cultivating my relationship with intuition. Most importantly, I learned that integrity is the key that unlocks the magnificence of this tool. It will change your life and the lives of those around you. Align with your outcomes and goals from a place of honesty, and you will be well on your way to a better-than-you-can-imagine life.

Each of us has within us the gift of intuition. It is your birthright. As you become more aware, awake, and accurate in tracking your data, your confidence will grow as you discover the many benefits of intuitive knowing.