That feeling in your stomach compelling you to do--or not do--something for no logical reason. It's what drives you to take the long way to work and miss the traffic accident or to accept the date with the guy who turns out to be the one. And while it may seem like a mysterious force,intuition is actually a highly specialized way of thinking." It's learned expertise--something we might not even be aware we had—that is instantly accessible, says David Myers, the author of Intuition: Its Powers and Perils.
The good news is you can find out how to tap into your gut, take control of your destiny, and start living a more rewarding life simply by answering these six questions.
1. Are you in tune with your environment?
To fine-tune this ability yourself, identify a few places you know very well, like your home, office, or neighborhood, and try to find three things in each that you've never noticed before. This simple act will help train you to be attuned to changes or irregularities. Once you've picked up on a message from your environment, use it to make a decision. For example, if you look around your home and notice that an electrical cord has become frayed, replace it. Even if you don't have a child, you may prevent a guest's toddler from having a serious accident.
2. Are you a good listener?
"In order to be intuitive, you need to actively pay attention to what others and your environment are telling you. The more information you take in, the more your mind has to draw from when it comes time to make a pivotal decision.
"Go with the solution that resonates most with you, even if you can't pinpoint why it seems right"
To become a better listener, start by asking yourself, "How often do I cut people off? Am I frequently trying to get my point across rather than listening?" If so, try maintaining eye contact with the person speaking to you. "You're less likely to interrupt someone you're staring at," says Whelan. This will help you really hear everything he or she has to say. Over time it will help you pick up on things others don't.
3. Do you pay attention to body language?
Highly intuitive people may seem like mind readers, but the truth is, they're just better at guessing what people around them are thinking--largely because they're adept at sussing out nonverbal signals.
"Being kicked out of the group could mean death, so people became very good at evaluating facial expressions and social cues,". Now a similar phenomenon occurs with people who have faced rejection (e.g., they've been booted out of a clique at school or gotten dumped. "They are generally able to recognize who is and isn't being genuine simply by scrutinizing their smiles." To become a better body language reader, stare someone in the eyes when they smile: "If the muscles around their eyes crinkle, it's the real deal. A faux smile only requires you to move your mouth." Rapid swallowing or blinking and restricted arm movements can indicate dishonesty.
4. Are you a risk taker?
The most successful were not those with the most experienced. Rather, they were the ones whose workers had the most diverse and unconventional backgrounds--in other words, the companies that made risky hires instead of just seeking out the strongest résumés. "Going out on a limb is another bedrock of intuition. When you take risks, you're being proactive, which helps you control events better than when you're reactive,". In essence, you're upping the odds that good things will come your way.
Get in the habit of actively seeking out opportunities to do things that are outside the norm for you. Take an unexpected route on your evening walk just because it feels right, or pick up the phone and call someone who inexplicably pops into your mind. Not only will this get you in the habit of listening to your gut, it will also help you get accustomed to making proactive choices. Chances are, some of them will eventually make a difference. Reconnecting with an old friend, for example, could result in a lead on a great new job.
5. Do you second-guess yourself?
Identify the things you probably know more about than most-- your health, family, and job. If you have a strong feeling about any of these, pay attention to it—and ask yourself as many questions about it as possible ("How long have I felt this way?" "What exactly am I reacting to?"). Then write down the answers and determine whether you're onto something that could warrant further action and ultimately lead you to a wise (aka intuitive) decision.
6. Can you let go and relax?
Scientists are discovering that when you’re looking for insight, taking a break from what you're doing is often the best approach.
"Consciously or not, your mind is always working. Giving yourself permission to let go of your focus and ignore all the maybes and what ifs can make room for you to follow more intuitive ideas,"
Doing something fun can give your brain space for insight, according to Jung-Beeman. So try to find 30 minutes a day for exercise, reading for pleasure, enjoying nature, or even squeezing in a catch-up session with a friend--anything that steers your thoughts away from daily stresses and patterns will help clear your head of clutter. During those times, force yourself to not think of anything in particular. Instead let your mind free-associate--and don't be surprised if the insight you gain leads to an outcome you never dreamed possible.
1. Are you in tune with your environment?
To fine-tune this ability yourself, identify a few places you know very well, like your home, office, or neighborhood, and try to find three things in each that you've never noticed before. This simple act will help train you to be attuned to changes or irregularities. Once you've picked up on a message from your environment, use it to make a decision. For example, if you look around your home and notice that an electrical cord has become frayed, replace it. Even if you don't have a child, you may prevent a guest's toddler from having a serious accident.
2. Are you a good listener?
"In order to be intuitive, you need to actively pay attention to what others and your environment are telling you. The more information you take in, the more your mind has to draw from when it comes time to make a pivotal decision.
"Go with the solution that resonates most with you, even if you can't pinpoint why it seems right"
To become a better listener, start by asking yourself, "How often do I cut people off? Am I frequently trying to get my point across rather than listening?" If so, try maintaining eye contact with the person speaking to you. "You're less likely to interrupt someone you're staring at," says Whelan. This will help you really hear everything he or she has to say. Over time it will help you pick up on things others don't.
3. Do you pay attention to body language?
Highly intuitive people may seem like mind readers, but the truth is, they're just better at guessing what people around them are thinking--largely because they're adept at sussing out nonverbal signals.
"Being kicked out of the group could mean death, so people became very good at evaluating facial expressions and social cues,". Now a similar phenomenon occurs with people who have faced rejection (e.g., they've been booted out of a clique at school or gotten dumped. "They are generally able to recognize who is and isn't being genuine simply by scrutinizing their smiles." To become a better body language reader, stare someone in the eyes when they smile: "If the muscles around their eyes crinkle, it's the real deal. A faux smile only requires you to move your mouth." Rapid swallowing or blinking and restricted arm movements can indicate dishonesty.
4. Are you a risk taker?
The most successful were not those with the most experienced. Rather, they were the ones whose workers had the most diverse and unconventional backgrounds--in other words, the companies that made risky hires instead of just seeking out the strongest résumés. "Going out on a limb is another bedrock of intuition. When you take risks, you're being proactive, which helps you control events better than when you're reactive,". In essence, you're upping the odds that good things will come your way.
Get in the habit of actively seeking out opportunities to do things that are outside the norm for you. Take an unexpected route on your evening walk just because it feels right, or pick up the phone and call someone who inexplicably pops into your mind. Not only will this get you in the habit of listening to your gut, it will also help you get accustomed to making proactive choices. Chances are, some of them will eventually make a difference. Reconnecting with an old friend, for example, could result in a lead on a great new job.
5. Do you second-guess yourself?
Identify the things you probably know more about than most-- your health, family, and job. If you have a strong feeling about any of these, pay attention to it—and ask yourself as many questions about it as possible ("How long have I felt this way?" "What exactly am I reacting to?"). Then write down the answers and determine whether you're onto something that could warrant further action and ultimately lead you to a wise (aka intuitive) decision.
6. Can you let go and relax?
Scientists are discovering that when you’re looking for insight, taking a break from what you're doing is often the best approach.
"Consciously or not, your mind is always working. Giving yourself permission to let go of your focus and ignore all the maybes and what ifs can make room for you to follow more intuitive ideas,"
Doing something fun can give your brain space for insight, according to Jung-Beeman. So try to find 30 minutes a day for exercise, reading for pleasure, enjoying nature, or even squeezing in a catch-up session with a friend--anything that steers your thoughts away from daily stresses and patterns will help clear your head of clutter. During those times, force yourself to not think of anything in particular. Instead let your mind free-associate--and don't be surprised if the insight you gain leads to an outcome you never dreamed possible.
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