in·tu·i·tion – the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.
Our gut or intuition is our immediate understanding of something. We can’t really explain why we understand something a certain way, we just do. It is an inescapable, strong feeling of what we know in our heart is right – even if it doesn’t seem to make sense logically or there is evidence to the contrary.
I am a strong believer in trusting my gut instinct. I place a lot of faith in my ability to just know what the right path for me is. But, like everything, our intuitions aren’t foolproof. And there are some things that can interfere with what our intuition is telling us.
These four culprits below can really cause us to stray from the path we know in our heart we should be on. Here’s what to look for and how you can gain clarity during those times:
1.) Overthinking. Paralysis by analysis is indeed a real thing! When you find yourself overthinking things, determine what purpose the overthinking is serving. Often times, when we go over things again and again, what we are really doing is rationalizing or justifying something. Keep in mind that doing this often leads you away from your intuition.
2.) Getting caught up with the “shoulds”. I should do X, I shouldn’t do Y, etc. These beliefs of what we should or shouldn’t do can shackle us. Yes, it is important to be introspective and think about actions you are about to take. But when we become focused too much on “shoulds” it can cloud our ability to see what our intuition is telling us.
3.) External validation. When we worry too much about how others see us or what they will think of our choices, what our intuition is telling us can become unclear. We can lose sight of it because we’re so focused on how people will see us.
4.) Confirmation bias. We tend to seek out information that confirms our own world view. Be careful with this one! If you have a set of beliefs that supports the idea that you can’t do something, when your gut tells you to take the chance, your brain may try to convince you that you aren’t capable or that you don’t have what it takes to succeed.
The harsh truth is, many times the odds aren’t going to be in your favor. But you never know when the tide will turn, and when the odds turn back your favor. This happens all the time. There are so many variables in life, and the only way we really have a shot at anything is to keep trying.
If your heart is telling you to follow your dreams or take a chance at something, listen to it. No matter what your chances are. In the show, The Amazing Race, even when it seems like your team is going to be last, you keep racing. Because you never really know where you are in the race because other teams have setbacks, too. Giving up because you don’t think you have good odds of making it to the next leg, can cost you the whole race.
