Has there ever been a situation in your life that you look back on and think ‘if only I listened to my gut’?
As many of us learn (and unfortunately learn the hard way), that gut feeling; that wrenching feeling in the pit of our stomach telling us if something is right or wrong, should never be ignored. As Albert Einstein once said “The only real valuable thing is your intuition.”
I have felt this sensation many times and looking back on some of the choices I have made; relationships, jobs and even some friendships, I now wish I listened to my gut! Well luckily every wrong choice has resulted in a lesson learned and I am working on developing a keen sense of intuition.
Truthfully, this “sixth sense” certainly doesn’t happen over night! It is a little intimidating to rely on instinct rather than on logical thinking, but you may want to consider it. Ok at least consider using your mind and body the next time you have to make a decision. It just may turn your life around!
As I mentioned, there are countless times I wish I had listened to my intuition. Here’s an example; I took a job last year after working for a large Insurance company for a while. I was just looking for a change and the chance to put my education in Communications to use.
This new job was entry level but on paper seemed to promise opportunity for me to move up and work in an industry I believed in. Looking back, I should have declined the offer. I remember feeling physically ill as I spoke to my new boss. I just knew this person wouldn’t be easy to work for and something inside of me was not only telling me, but screaming that the position wouldn’t be right for me. Well, I brushed it off as just nerves and talked myself into accepting .Sure enough, within the first month I was absolutely miserable.
Yes this job did lead me to where I am today, but I like to think I would have ended up where I am today regardless. And I might have saved some of self dignity in the process!
How do you feel about what you’re doing with your life? Perhaps there is a nagging tug inside of you telling you something isn’t right? Or maybe you feel on top of the world; knowing everything you are doing in your life is spot on. If so, that is truly amazing and I commend you.
For the rest of us, here are some steps I have found helpful to take in order to use that “gut” feeling to your full advantage:
Take out the Mind Garbage
Our minds are so full of ‘garbage’ these days; it’s hard to find the clearing within the mess! Many of our lives are so busy that’s it hard to hear that intuitive voice. Take time out of your busy schedule to shut off that blackberry, turn off the laptop and take a quiet break. When you relax, you tend to make more sound decisions.
Listen to your Body
As I mentioned, when I accepted that job offer, I felt sick to my stomach. If you feel physically ill about a decision, or have a big lump in your throat, it’s important to listen to your body! On the other hand, also look for clues that something is right. If something is right for you, you might feel relaxed, calm and energized.
Pay Attention to Your Dreams
No I’m not saying your dreams are ‘magical’ and will hold the answer to your life decisions. However, your dreams often do reflect how you are really feeling on any given day.
Are you dreaming of being naked in front of a crowd? Perhaps you are feeling vulnerable. Or maybe you are running in your dream. Are you running away from something in your life perhaps?
Pay attention to your subconscious to help you understand what is really going on in your busy everyday life.
Exercise Your Way to a Clear Head
Have you ever felt the urge to punch a pillow when you’re feeling frustrated? Well, while punching a pillow isn’t a bad thing, why not try running or lifting weights? Exercise has been proven to relieve stress and will aid in clearing your mind. A clear mind will allow intuitive thoughts to be heard.
Write it down
Practice using your gut feeling to make decisions and write down how you felt at the time and what the outcome was. Look back on your journal to see how often you were right about something. Your confidence will grow as you learn how to use your gut feelings to your advantage.
Posted by vipassistants2008 
