That voice that nudges you when you’re in the decision-making process or stuck between two directions. The “gut feeling” you are constantly telling others about? It’s worth paying attention to!
The simple definition of intuition is an inner knowing that goes beyond conscious reasoning. Simply, it’s the process of making decisions using our sixth sense rather than relying on analytical thought. While intuition can be difficult to articulate, we’ve all experienced it. A “gut feeling” – that strong signal that’s steering you in a specific direction – without clear facts driving the reasoning – is your intuition. It’s the knowing, well, because you just know.
Intuition, and the idea of learning to trust your own intuition, has historically been dismissed as unscientific because of its connection to the paranormal Now, even the US military is studying how troops use intuition to make decisions. Influential thinkers like Steve Jobs have touted that “Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect” and Albert Einstein stated “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant”. Entrepreneurs, business trailblazers and conscious leaders credit the power of intuitive intelligence to achieving profound results.
But it’s not only visionaries who can access intuition. Every one of us has the innate ability to awaken and access our intuition. Yet, intuition is still considered by many as a “spidey-sense”, something that should be left to physics buffs. It’s often associated with fortune-telling and predicting the future. Yet, it’s the cultural bias against following one’s instincts that has driven us to dismiss our own inner hunches, to ignore what we instinctively feel. The more we continue to tune out our inner guidance, not paying attention to the cues, eventually lead towards a disconnection – to our own detriment.
As our lives become more complex, decision-making becomes more difficult. Taking inventory of the moments in time when you’ve dismissed or distrusted your intuition is a simple intuition exercise to illustrate the role intuitive intelligence plays in our lives. Cognitive scientist and author of “Gut Feelings” the Intelligence of the Unconscious”, Gerd Gigerenzer notes people rarely make decisions on the basis of reason alone, especially when issues are complex. Leveraging our sixth sense is a part of reasoning, why not give it the recognition or attention it deserves?
We don’t have to reject scientific logic or abandon critical thinking to thrive from the benefits of intuitive intelligence. Quite the contrary. By learning to activate our sixth sense, training our sensitivity and learning how to discern – we naturally step into heightened states of creativity, innovation and success.
Imagine if we trained our sixth sense? What if we called upon these tools, nurtured them and integrated them into our everyday deduction and evaluation process? Finding harmony between all of our senses, the five that send information to our brain, with our sixth sense is a dynamic combination. If you’re hesitating to trust your intuition, you’re not the only one. By making the leap of logic, life can shift beyond your imagination.
Mindway guides courageous individuals and organizations to leverage intuitive intelligence for greater well-being, transformation, and mindset development.