Listen to Your Gut

Submitted by Erin Suess on Sun, 03/28/2010 - 8:08pm

Have you ever made a decision using your “gut” and it turned out to be the right choice? Have you ever contemplated over a decision using a more systematic approach only to find it probably was not the best choice? I know I certainly have. I think back to my days of when I use to hire people and it never failed. Every time I went with my gut I always made the right hiring choice. Although there were certain criteria that candidates had to meet and a somewhat systematic process but the bottom line was to go with my gut-and I was right 100% of the time.

So what does the expression “go with your gut” really mean anyway? In the end it really means using your intuition. Have you ever experienced a strong a reaction to something and you were unsure why? Did you make a decision just going on a hunch and were right? According to Wikipedia, Intuition is the apparent ability to acquire knowledge without inference or the use of reason. “The word ‘intuition’ comes from the Latin word 'intueri', which is often roughly translated as meaning ‘to look inside’ or ‘to contemplate’." Intuition provides us with beliefs that we cannot necessarily justify. Research also suggests that intuition relates to the way our brain stores and processes information on a subconscious level. Using our intuition when faced with a decision, new circumstance/situation, event etc. means tapping into our subconscious level to find our answers.

So would using your intuition be helpful in your job search or career development? Of course and in fact you probably would make better career decisions using your intuition. Have you ever taken a job that you were unsure of and realized later on down the road it was not the best choice? If you tapped into your intuition and trusted your gut you would have probably saved yourself years of unhappiness and found job that was a better fit. So if using your intuition for your career development is beneficial then how do you tap into this gift? Below are some strategies to help unlock your intuitive side:

· Meditate-if you do not meditate or have a hard time quieting your mind then start slow and take time each day to be still. Find a quiet place for 5, 10, 15 minutes and just let yourself be calm. You can also try yoga or a meditation class to help quiet your mind.

· Get outdoors. Getting out in the open air or taking a walk along nature trails can help get you more in tune with what you want. Being in nature can help connect you with your spiritual side or inner guidance. Listen to that positive inner voice :-)

· Embrace your Fear. When you feel the fear creeping in experience it. Do not resist your fear because fear blocks your intuition. Instead allow yourself to feel the fear and understand how it is serving you. If the fear is too great you will find it is not serving you well and in fact may be paralyzing. If you are looking for answers allow yourself to be comfortable with the fear.

· Sleep on it. Tapping into your intuition may be more difficult for some than others. However a pretty straightforward exercise you can do is ask yourself the question you are seeking answers for right before going to bed. When you get up write down what you dreamt about. Many times we will find our answers in our dreams.

· Trust the process. Learn to trust the hunches you get and over time you will become more in tune. When you ask a question expect to get an answer in a way that “speaks” to you. Understand that answers do not always come immediately but when you are open and trusting of the intuitive process they will come!

Using our intuition can really help guide us in making the decisions that are right for us. Be open and listen to your gut!!

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