Intuition: Final Thoughts (for now)

Recent studies in neurology, biology, and human behavior are reporting one thing in common –an individual (male or female) who works to combine reason with intuition seems to have a “leg up” in life. These individuals have more self-control and a better sense of humor, are more creative, and are able to solve problems, attain goals, and work much more effectively with people.

While intuition is inherent in the female species, the only way anyone is going to get a “leg up” is to cultivate what comes naturally. The first step may be to stop the life-long habit of suppressing your instinct in the workplace. The ‘mystery’ of intuition is now dust in the wind - you can work to be more aware of the vast quantities of external information you are constantly absorbing and storing in your brain. When a colleague or supervisor questions you on an issue, it’s going to fall to you to have processed your intuitive signals and be able to explain the reasoning behind your “feeling,” based on past experience.

Learn to listen to yourself deeply enough, and the reward is profound insight. This can't be accomplished if you are easily influenced by others, and it can’t be cultivated while standing in the middle of a rock concert. Try to recall times when your instinct has kicked in - when you’ve had a “revelation” of some kind. Is there any pattern to the times it’s happened? For me, it’s when I’m folding laundry, taking a meditative walk, and putting on my makeup in the morning. Those are times that I’m involved in a process that has a familiar, rhythmic pattern and requires minimum focus. I can just let my mind go where it will.

Try to find small, quiet moments when you can work to develop trust in yourself – even if it’s just five minutes each night as you lie in bed before sleep. Stop thinking and just “be.” This will lead to a more relaxed state of mind and a slowing down of thoughts. The slower the thoughts, the easier it is for them to cross over the bridge to the right side of the brain.

Start connecting with your emotion, experience, and those “in-between” spaces – it won’t be long before they will pop up and hand you your next “Aha!” moment.

“Women have been allowed by society to be far more whole than men; we have not been forced to repress our inner selves, our intuitive, imaginative, numinous side. We have been allowed to go down into the darkness of unexpectedness, whereas men have been forced by society to limit themselves to the reasonable, the rational, the provable.” - Madeleine L’Engle, author

Comments

[Dave Young]

Great series on intuition, Michele.
This last one tempts me to start folding laundry and putting on makeup, just for an excuse to do some kind of meditating.

[Wayne Hurlbert]

That was a tremendous series, Michele. You are correct, everyone can develop the power of intuition and following their instincts. The power is universal in humanity, but men have suppressed that ability. Women are using that inborn skill very successfully.

[Yvonne DiVita]

(I want to see Dave Young in make-up.) But, seriously, I credit my woman's intuition with my growing success in a field that fascinates me... writing about the Internet. I ignored the naysayers who pooh-poohed my ideas and instead followed the little voice inside that kept saying, "You can do it. You can do it." When intuition whispers, "Hey, look here..." I strongly encourage everyone to look because it's in the exploring that we find our true selves.

[Todd]

I also enjoyed the series.

You need to read Gary Klein's work. His most recent is Intuition At Work. He has worked with firefighters and neonatal nurses to understand these "feelings" and sense of ESP they have. Really good stuff.

Here is a primer from Fast Company:

http://www.fastcompany.com/online/38/klein.html