How do you trust your instincts, gut feeling or intuition? We all have these feelings and deep “knowing”. I believe our intuition is those whispers from deep within our soul.
In this video with Oprah she explains it so well.
I did my very first personal development course many years ago. This topic was covered in detail. The people running the workshop explained it that life sent us lessons and when we did not listen we were sent another, then another until eventually we were hit by a “Mack Truck”
It is a different way of saying what Oprah said.
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” ~William S. Burroughs
Trust your instincts – a lesson from my life
I started my career as an accountant or CPA. Accounting is a profession that requires a lot of logic. At the time it was also a very male dominated environment.
After accounting I became a Financial Planner and together with my husband and another partner we built a sizable practice here in Australia.
Our other partner was very much in his head. I will call him Fred (not his name) for this post.
Many times we were making decisions in our business and I would get a strong instinct we should not do what was being proposed. As Fred purely operated out of his head he would ask me to explain in logical terms. Now of course instinct and logic are polar opposite.
As I could not explain in logic over time I stopped trusting my instincts.
Although at the same time many of my instincts proved to be correct and often then Fred would ask me what my gut feeling was.
This quote by Julia Roberts is exactly how I feel when I have gone against my instincts.
“I choose totally by instinct. And the only time I’ve ever gone against my instincts, I’ve regretted it.” Julia Roberts
How do you trust your instincts?
If you have lived in your head for too long you may no longer know how to trust your instincts. How do you get back in touch with those life whispers as Oprah talks about?
“When I get logical, and I don’t trust my instincts – that’s when I get in trouble” Angelina Jolie
Here are some methods I have used.
1. Meditation
This is the best way I know to begin to learn to trust your instincts. Learn to go within and magic happens. By stilling your thoughts you can get in touch with your instincts or intuition.
2. Consider how you are feeling
If something makes your feel good and expansive then you are probably on the right path. If you feel negative and diminished you definitely are not.
3. Keep a Journal
This is something I have done on and off in my life. This year I have been doing it each day. Record your highlights of the day and your feelings. It helps you be in touch with your instincts.
4. Get out into nature
When we are in nature and actually present with where we are our instincts become sharpened. I am a beach lover. Some people love the country side or bush. Whatever you love do more of it.
5. Exercise
Doing something physical that gets you out of your head will help you to trust your instincts.
On exercise or sport. Sachin Tendulkar a former Indian Cricketer says it well.
“I get 0.5 seconds to react to a ball, sometimes even less than that. I can’t be thinking of what XYZ has said about me. I need to surrender myself to my natural instincts. My subconscious mind knows exactly what to do. It is trained to react. At home, my family doesn’t discuss media coverage.” Sachin Tendulkar
In essence it is about learning to trust your instincts and over time you will not override them.
A couple of final quotes on the topic:
“Follow your instincts. That’s where true wisdom manifests itself”. Oprah Winfrey
“Trust instinct to the end, even though you can give no reason.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you have any more tips on how to trust your instincts.
Have an amazing day!
Namaste
Sue
Ken Pickard says
Sue,
Learning to trust your instincts can have a profound affect on anything you do. When we allow outside influences to rattle around in our brand we do ourselves a disservice. when we tap into our centered self, then we bring a deep present awareness to what’s going on.
I’ve noticed on many occasions that even my quick reactions can be calmed by just asking myself a simple question on how to best handle this situation. Removing past hangups or future what ifs allows us to trust the present state a little more.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
Sue Price says
Hi Ken,
I like your idea of asking yourself how to best handle the situation. That would calm your reactions. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Helen Lingard says
I go with my instinct/gut sooo many times now.. sometimes I don’t know why.. but I just figure.. if Im being ‘inspired’ to do it – I must follow… Love Oprah too. and Nature is a must for me.. every day these days..thanks Sue
Sue Price says
It is great when we get to the stage you are at Helen where we do go with our instincts/gut. I loved the way Oprah put it. 🙂
Kristine Christiansen says
Awesome post Sue! All awesome quotes from some pretty amazing people that you shared here, on how to trust your instincts. I think the one I resonate with the most was Julia Roberts, definitely true for me! Great share!
Sue Price says
Thanks Kristine. I am like you and the Julia Roberts one is the one I resonate with most. I get annoyed at myself now when I occasionally go against my instincts. It always backfires. Thanks for your comment.
Rory Singh says
I have learned to trust in my intuition and this took a long time to start trusting it. In the past I would make decisions based on logic. Intuition never lets me down. It’s the part of the mind that is connected to God and knows everything that will ever happen in this matrix.
Intuition is ‘true’ knowledge. Thanks for this powerful post Sue.
Sue Price says
I love the way you have worded that Rory. It is the part of us that is connected with God and yes it is true knowledge. So well said thank you.
Akaahan Terungwa says
Hi Sue,
This is one area I am really, really poor with…I tend to think things over and try to involve logic in whatever I do.
However, of late, I’m beginning to listen to that ‘small still voice’ – even when it makes no immediate sense or logic. Usually too, I discover that the small still voice is my subconscious or some buried experiences. Following up, I have never had course to regret.
Sincerely, I appreciate this powerful message of yours.
Make the day great!
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
P.S.
Oprah has some real practical advice in her video…like Steve Jobs, this amazing woman has mastered the art of self communication and the linking with the subconscious. Thanks for sharing the video.
Sue Price says
Hi Terungwa,
It is very good you are becoming more aware of that “small still voice”. Yes it is our subconscious or the part of us that knows.
Many men especially use logic to figure things out. I think overall women are a little more inclined to listen to their intuition.
That is a great video of Oprah’s for sure.
Thanks for your comment Terungwa and have a great week.
Sue