Intuition is a highly misunderstood ability.
The woo-woo type stuff many people ascribe to it detracts from how useful an ability it actually is.
I work in the financial industry in an office – without one single crystal ball! I also follow the financial markets and watch CNBC. I’m extremely business minded and grounded.
The main reason I recommend developing your intuition is because it has many practical uses.
We all have this ability because it’s meant for us to use to help us live better lives.
It’s one of the primary senses for ensuring our safety. For example, isn’t it useful to have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you feel you might be in the presence of danger, like say a mugger? Yes, absolutely.
Why did your hairs stand up? Your body “knew” about the danger and was communicating it to you through the body’s intelligence. Your body is receiving information that you aren’t even consciously aware of, but it’s telling you to RUN all the same!
Just think how much information you would receive if you chose to develop your intuition and become conscious of all these cues and bits of information all the time?
Becoming aware of and then using the information coming through all the time might just put you in the category of genius.
According to Wikepedia:
A genius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight.
This certainly sounds like someone using intuitive insight to me.
Intuitive hunches play an important part in my business life.
I can sniff out a serious customer from one who will just consume my time. And that’s important when you work on 100 percent commission. You don’t get paid unless the deal closes – so time really is money.
There are many more practical uses for intuitive guidance. Here’s a short list to get you started:
1. You can tell if someone is lying, or trying to manipulate you.
2. You’ll know if someone is a phony and just using you.
3. You’ll pick the right mate, or life partner.
4. You’ll buy the right house or condo. Or you’ll know now is not the time to buy.
5. You’ll know if you should take a certain job.
6. You’ll know if you’re going to get along with the boss at the new job.
7. You’ll know if you should go out on a date with this person.
8. You’ll know if you should pursue a particular career.
9. You’ll know if you should hire one contractor over another to do the work on your home.
10. You’ll know to pick the right doctor.
11. You’ll know if your body is developing an illness and needs early preventive medicine.
12. You’ll know if you should order that expensive piece of furniture, or whether you’ll hate how it looks in your house upon delivery.
13. You’ll be able to determine which clients to call on what days.
14. You’ll be better able to pick what investments, or the right financial adviser.
15. You’ll know the exact time to call a prospect when they’ll be receptive to you.
16. You’ll know who is going to be of help to you and who isn’t.
17. You’ll know who is going to buy from you versus waste your time.
18. You’ll know if one of your child’s friends is a bad influence on him/her.
19. You’ll know whether you should take a certain class, or study with certain teacher or not.
20. You’ll know if this is the right time to get a pet for your family.
21. You’ll know if you’ve made the right decision about a partner in your business.
23. You’ll know if the product from one of those long sales pages that comes to your inbox all the time really delivers on all it promises (Thanks for that one Ande from: Up from Splat! If you haven’t read Ande’s blog you should check it out.)
24. You can get more information on anything you’re worried about and address your fears.
25. You’ll know if you should follow through on surgery, or get another opinion.
The usefulness of intuition is endless! I’ve only scratched the surface here.
The point is that you can use your intuition to get more information on anything you desire in order to make better decisions. Having more information when making decisions makes us more effective and being more effective means that we will be more successful at anything we attempt to do.
Here’s a quick way to begin incorporating your intuition into your decision making:
Quick-start for times you need a fast decision. Good for when your out in a public place:
1. Go into office, or somewhere private for a few moments. Close your eyes and ask: How am I going to feel if I choose to do XXX? (Do NOT ask if you’re making the right decision!!)
How do you feel after asking yourself this question?
Did a feeling of happiness come over you? Did you feel light and joyous? Were you tense and anxious?
2. Paying attention to your body is very important. Your body is intelligent and can “speak” to you if you learn its language. (Read my post on how to read what your body is telling you)
Check in with your body for clues. Did you’re body tense up? Did your heart speed up? Did you get a pang in your gut? Did you have difficulty swallowing? Were hot? Did you go cold? Did you notice if you held your breath?
Tension is the body’s sign for caution, or stop! It’s very subtle. We live in a very stressful society so most of us are used to feeling tense which is why we may no longer pay attention to these signals.
3. Or, did a fleeting image pass through your mind? What was it? Analyze what you saw – it holds the answer. You may have to go to the Internet to look up what certain symbols mean. (I recently wrote about a symbol – the musical clef - I was given that made no sense until I looked up its meaning.)
4. Or, did you hear an answer in your mind? What was it? Yes? No? Stop! A phrase from a song? A piece of a poem? Analyze what you heard. You might have to look up it’s meaning on the Internet.
After using technique a few times you’ll get much faster at getting the answers you need to live your most successful life. You really do have genius capabilities you know – you just need to start using them!
What other practical ways can you come with for using your Intuition in everyday life? Have you ever used it like this to make a decision? How did it turn out?
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Hi Angela,
I love your choice of words…”woo-woo stuff” haha! But what you say is true, intuition is a highly misunderstood ability which is not used as often as it should be. Because you have worked in the financial industry and are also business minded and grounded, I think you would know better than most how to balance logic and intuition.
I have personally used intuition to guide me in many of the choices for your 25 practical uses for intuitive guidance. I remember the “dark ages” before I learned to balance intuition with logic, I was always second guessing myself and making poor choices. I always reacted to events instead of pre-empting them. I usually jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. But learning to balance intuition with logic changed all that for me. I became surer and more confident of the choices I made. Sure, I still make mistakes from time to time, but these mistakes are minor and easy to manage. They were not the catastrophes of old.
I definitely enjoyed reading your quick start tips for using intuition to make fast decisions. They will certainly help me to refine my decision making process. I find that I usually rely on gut feel when I have to think on my feet. Using intuition is not something we can master overnight, but the more we practice it, the better we will become. I have found that it pays to think ahead and to consider the longer term consequences of the choices we make as well.
Thank you for sharing this article!
Irving the Vizier
The Vizier recently posted..Taming the 4 Inch Wild Beast
Hi Angela! Great tips on connecting with our intuition. I find it very helpful to listen to my intuition when making decisions. I feel it’s a way for me to connect with my higher self and receive wiser guidance than just using my logical reasoning. There is a magic in this process that I can’t quite explain.
Thanks for this beautiful reminder! Loving blessings!
Andrea DeBell – britetalk recently posted..3 Essential Ways to Positively Change your Future
Hi Andrea,
I’m so glad you don’t need to convinced of the value of using your intuition. It’s nice to know you’re already a convert as I am. I love the way you’ve phrased this too: I feel it’s a way for me to connect with my higher self and receive wiser guidance than just my logical reasoning. Many people confuse intuition with psychism (psychic ability) and they do not emanate from the same place. I’m so glad you understand that.
You’ve blessed me with your visit here. Thank you Andrea!
I definitely believe using my intuition would have saved me a lot of heartache and even financial stress in my younger life….you now how you realize after the fact that the person/thing wasn’t good for you and the signs were there from the beginning, but you chose not to see them….
BTW, the posts where you did “What’s in the box?”….I had commented about a friend and I doing stuff like that over the phone. I haven’t talked to her in like 10 years. Been looking on Facebook every now and then for her. She was never there. Last week, I found her!
We talked by phone for hours! And now she might start a blog!
Isn’t that an odd coincidence…or IS IT coincidence?????
Carolee a.ka. Blogging Biz Mom recently posted..Want a paid blogging gig
Hi Carolee,
I’m so glad you got in touch with that friend again. It’s so nice connecting with people we cared about, but lost touch with from the past. Did you tell her about our remote viewing experiment?
I’m glad she’s going to start a blog. I’m sure you’ll be able to guide her the whole way too
Hey, it may be divine providence!
Wonderful tips on getting in-tune with your intuition, if that didn’t sound redundant. I think when we trust ourselves, we always find ourselves winning in a game where most people lose.
jonathanfigaro recently posted..Another Guest Post
Hi Jonathan,
Thank you. I’m so glad you found the tips helpful.
I couldn’t agree with your more when we learn to trust our gut we will always have a competitive advantage.
Thanks so much for adding to the conversation here Jonathan.
First, thank you, Angela, for the mention of my blog!! I really appreciate that!
Second, it’s interesting that though I’ve studied intuition for years and DO have a strong connection with my intuition–I’m quite attuned to my body’s messages to me–I have had many occasions in which I got the intuition and ignored it. As a logic-trained former lawyer, I often logicked (yes, I know that isn’t a word) myself out of following my own guidance. For example, five years ago, reason told me that being part of an expensive coaching program was the right thing for me. All my research told me that it was the best thing for me. My gut said otherwise, but I ignored my gut. And the coaching program ended up being a BIG waste of time and money.
On the opposite side of the coin, I was got a STRONG inclination to find a man I used to know. It made no sense but I followed it, and the man is now my husband.
So intuition can be life-changing!!!
And a small bit on a decision. We had this tree that had fallen partway over in a storm and needed to be taken down. I had the most reputable tree company come out and they gave me an estimate, and normally I would have gone ahead, but it didn’t feel right in my gut. So I listened and told them I’d call them back. I ended up doing nothing for 2 months and then I got an idea one day to call a different company, one I knew nothing about. THAT company ended up recommending another one, and when that company came out, they gave me an estimate $350 less than the first one, and they took the tree down right then and did an incredible job. So intuition can really give great guidance!
Ande Waggener recently posted..Coregreen Inspiration Seed 1- Big Splat Big Strength
Hi Ande,
I was happy to mention you and Up from Splat! (Still love that name!)
I think it’s much easier to dispense intuitive advice than to follow your own advice.
Once we do start following our own intuitive advice we’ve entered a whole new level in our growth – the Sage Stage!
Some days I feel as if I might have toe in there and other days….not so much!
Ooh, I’m sorry to hear about all the money you spent on the coaching program.
One good thing came from it though – I’m sure you’ll never make that mistake again. Right?
A lawyer – yes I can see how you would have logicked yourself out of many decisions.
I’m glad to hear you followed your intuition with your husband though. That is a fabulous story! I love happy ending.
Wow – I also loved the tree service story too! You followed your gut and sensed there was something better, and there was.
Awesome. Now the trick is to keep it up! You will though. I know it.
Loved this list Angela. The older I get, the more and more I try to trust the God-given gift to all of us of intuition. It truly is a skill that can be developed and heightened…and not only that, but it can make a huge impact for good on our life if we’ll but only learn to listen.
Thanks again.
Marcus
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion recently posted..How to Learn to Love Writing- Blogging- and Content Marketing
Hi Marcus,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
You have summed up my post terrifically!
We all have intuition and we can all use it to help make our lives better, if only we learn how to hear it.
Thanks so much for visiting and adding to the conversation here.
Hi Angela,
I’ve been thinking alot about intuition lately, and how I might develop my ability. Thanks for the lesson in this post. I believe I do listen to my intuition, but would like to strengthen that. I’m planning to schedule a night soon to read through some of your posts that I’ve missed. Can you recommend a few that would help me along in developing my intuition?
Thanks
Jane Rochelle recently posted..All I Can Promise is that I Will Change
Hi Jane,
I’m glad you’ve been working on developing your intuition Jane. I learn something new each day myself.
I’m happy you found this post useful.
I’m putting together a free ebook on developing intuition. I hope to have it out in less than two weeks, if you want to wait.
Otherwise I can think of two off the top of my head: Do You Speak Intuition? How to Crack the Intuition Code & Why Your Body is Intelligent and Doesn’t Need You. Also: How to Tap Into Your Intuitive Genius.
You could also scroll down to below the comments section and search these categories: Intuition & Developing Intuition & Intuitive Insight.
Let me know if you need help finding the articles Jane, and what you think after reading them. I’d like to to know if they were helpful to you.
Thanks, Angela … I hope to find a quiet evening and a good cup of tea, and take in your suggestions
Jane Rochelle recently posted..All I Can Promise is that I Will Change
Hi Jane,
Yes, nothing like reading with a good cup of tea alongside you. Let me know how you’re doing with your intuitive work. I believe you’re very intuitive already – this will only help you believe it and have faith in your abilities.
Thank you! This is all spot-on. I am one of those woo-woo people (I didn’t used to be but now I am) and apparently I have ZERO CRED when I tell my clients that they can talk to their body as well as I can. I am going to point them in this direction for that third party, non-woo-woo perspective which is so useful in overcoming resistance.
btw, Louise Hay? QUEEN of the woo-woo. Interesting to see her become mainstream.
Hi Shanna,
I welcome woo-woo people here!
I’m glad you found the article “spot-on” too.
Yes, as a matter of fact I wrote a post not to long ago titled: Why Your Body is Intelligent and Doesn’t Need You.
I talk about the many ways our body “thinks” for us. Here’s the Link: http://www.poweredbyintuition.com/2010/12/02/why-youre-hard-wired-to-receive-information-intuitively/
Yes, I remember when I first starting reading Louise Hay – affirmations were thought to be so Woo-Woo back then. Yup – we now know that we can retrain our brains by repeating ideas until we believe them!
It’s great meeting you Shanna! Let me know if I can be of help to you anytime.
Hi Angela, just wanted to tell you how much I love to read your posts and so thankful mymintuition guided me to your site. I have a true story to share about using my intuition tahat may help others. Recently my brother had a major heart attack. He had been having health problems for months and believed it to be his heart (he is 43). He saw many doctors and specialists and had even been to an e.r. All experts told him it wasn’t his heart, in fact his own md saw him on the morning of the attack and told him with quite a bit of impatience that she was 99.9% sure it was NOT his heart. She believed he was suffering from anxiety and prescribed anti anxiety drugs. This big,strong, normally active guy went home in tears. Within a few hours his “anxiety” increased to the degree that he asked his wife to call me to their house. They told me their story and I observed his physical state. We all talked about all the experts opinions and waited for the zanax to help, I did relaxation breathing and visualization with him to no relief. It was a heart attack, I knew it, I felt it in my gut and finally convinced him to go back to the hospital. Turns out he was in the throes of the kind of heart attack cardiologists call “the widow maker” and one few survive without major permanent damage. Within hours he was rushed to a major medical center and had surgery in the middle of the night on 9/11/2010. I have my GED, never went to college and am in no way a professional nor have I been with anyone anyone else having a heart attack but my instinct knew it and I can’t tell you how happy I am I listened.
Laura,
All I can say is WOW!!! That is an amazing story. I’m so glad you listened to your intuition. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t? I’ve heard of the widow maker heart attack.
I’d love to share this story on the blog – would that be okay with you? I think it illustrates how useful our intuition is – nothing woo-woo about saving a person’s life, is there?
I’m so glad you enjoy the blog too. It’s a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to getting to know you better.
Sincerely,
Angela
Oh my gosh! Of course you can use my story, I would be so honored that it has merit! I was worried after I posted it that it sounded so “full of myself” which, it wasn’t intended at all to be. Thank you for sharing your knowledge it is so appreciated.
Thank you Laura. It is an amazing example worth sharing with everyone!
Angela,
I’ve never thought of how often we can or do use our intuition. That’s quite a list you have here.
Often times I sense when I’m not comfortable around someone and I notice how fast I cross my arms to protect myself. I’ll then take a deep breath uncross them and try to sense what’s going on.
I’m in the most trouble when I fail to listen to my intuition and the messages I do get. I pay atteniton more and take immediate action more today than I ever did.
Tess The Bold Life recently posted..Running- Why My World Revolves Around It
Hi Tess,
I think many of us experience that feeling of being uncomfortable around someone. We never attribute it to intuition though, but it is! It’s a perfect example of glossing over something that we can use later as a tool to build our understanding of how our intuition speaks to us. So for you – crossing your arms is a signal that you can remember and notice.
Tell me about it. Whenever I’ve not paid attention to my intuition I’ve paid a big price!
Angela, this is a truly fantastic post!! Intuition really can play an important role in everyones life. It may not seem that way – but as you point out, there are several areas in life that it can really help a person make the best decisions.
I really like how you suggest that we ask “How am I going to feel if I choose to do XXX? (Do NOT ask if you’re making the right decision!!)”
It seems more common to ponder the “am I making the right decision” rather than “how do I feel”
Fantastic post!!
Aileen recently posted..How Inspiration Created A Golden Opportunity
Hi Aileen,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and found it useful.
I think that’s the common mistake with intuition. We want a concrete answer – and the intuition doesn’t work that way.
We need to zero in on how the decision makes us feel and read out bodies’ reaction to it – than we’ll know what to do.
I heard Oprah say recently, “Doubt means don’t.” I really think that you can apply that to intuition. When our bodies tense up and we feel uncomfortable about something that’s its way of saying: Don’t.
Hi, I’ve been working on this for a while, learning to trust my intuition instead of my knee jerk reaction of second guessing myself. The thing about the physical connection: I have a history of panic and anxiety disorder, one that I have worked on and have more or less neutralized (years of work on that). Things are going well. But when I was in the throes of the disorder, I could not trust my physical reaction because “fight or flight” would kick in at the most banal moments and I would feel like running for cover. Now I am starting, just starting to reconnect with my body in the sense that I can trust its reactions. All of this is very complicated!! I am extremely sensitive to other people, something like an empath, and so I have to watch my physical reaction and energy – what goes out to others. I get drained to the max if I am not very careful. I found this post interesting because it made me realize how I don’t (yet?) really trust my physical reactions. hmmmm.
Diana ~ I deal with some anxiety, and a strong empathy, as well … just reading your comment made me realize that I have had a tendency to close myself off because I don’t trust myself, don’t trust my intuition and my reactions to take care of me. Flight was easiest. I’m learning how much to give, and how much to take, and that I sometimes just have to wait and see what truly feels right. So great that you have your hands in clay … must be very grounding, and I’m certain that holding earth in your hands helps restore your energy.
Jane Rochelle recently posted..All I Can Promise is that I Will Change
Jane – when you said having the clay in your hands/holding earth in your hands must be very grounding. My first guru I studied meditation with used to have us sit outside on the earth when we meditated. She said it was grounding and would pull the negativity out of you. The earth absorbed the negativity.
Hi Diana,
That’s very interesting coming from your perspective. I’m glad to hear that you panic disorder is getting better though. That’s very difficult to overcome. It’s like your body is hypersensitive and puts you in the fight or flight mode to protect you. I’m sure you’ve been delving into it for years to understand its origins. Honestly, I think if you can get it under control you’d be a natural empath – because as you said, you already are – just maybe too much so. I do think a lot of us intuitive types experience the same draining feeling about being with people that you mentioned. I require a lot alone time.
Maybe your right – the underlying message of this disorder is to get you to trust the signals that your body is sending you. Since you don’t trust it has to go way overboard to get your attention? Hmmm – let’s keep in touch. I’d like to know how things are going for you.
Thanks so much for visiting and adding your own fascinating history to the conversation here Diane.
Hm. I think you might have something there about my body having to shout at me. That’s a very intuitive (!) point from you. I have to think about that. (I can be such a block head and I just keep going like the energizer bunny even though I KNOW better). THank you very much for that bit of insight!!! Hugs from Italy!
Jane, all I can say is, clay is the best medium I have to get my head back where it needs to be. I do love working with it.
Lovely ladies, you are!!!
Diana Strinati Baur recently posted..AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Hi Diana,
Yes, that’s what I “heard” when I was reading your comment. I guess the Universe starts small with little things to get our attention, or teach us what we came here to learn and if we don’t hear its message it ramps up the volume. I’m so glad I inadvertently helped you! Hugs back from the frozen tundras of the NY suburbs!
Dear Angela, one of the most useful and practical posts you have ever given us – I loved reading all of these things, most of which I live by and do subconsciously and now I will focus even more on them. A million thanks to you (and your intuition
) for knowing the needs of your readers so well.
Farnoosh recently posted..Someday I Will Go Back to Iran
Hi Farnoosh,
I’ve missed you! I know you’ve been so busy being a world traveler, and super yoga maven though!! It’s nice to see you here my friend. I’m glad you enjoyed this post and found it so useful too!
Hi Angela,
“If only I had listened to my gut”…I don’t know how many times I’ve said that to myself over the years. Thing is I usually DO act instinctively and intuitively but every now and then I ignore that nagging little voice that’s telling me “wrong way…turn back” and always to my detriment as in my last (and I mean my very last…ever!) relationship. It is great to have your reminders in posts to listen,listen,feel and follow our intuition because I think that when we want something in life too badly and we think we’ve found out, those are the danger times when we might pretend we can’t hear our own instinctive warnings or just put our hands over our ears and that’s when we make mistakes! Great post and keep ‘em coming Ange!
Hi Rosemary,
I know – when I don’t listen to my intuition I could kick myself too! We always hear that little voice as you pointed out but choose to selectively tune it out. What a mistake, ay?
You’re right it’s especially prevalent that we tune it out when we want something too much.
Thanks so much Rosemary! I will.
Hi Angela – I was coming to back here to review your reply to my comment and I realized that I had no comment. I bet I forgot to hit Submit. Some nights I’m get on comment binges and forget to hit the button! I’m a mess sometimes.
Well I had to jump back in and share my thoughts after reading this article. I think it’s great – simple to understand and practice as to be. Intuition is within all of us…just awaiting us for capture its full power. I loved the list that you shared because it really simplifies the benefits in tangible ways that interest us all. Fabulous post! I’m all about getting more in-tu-it! cheers.
Jk Allen recently posted..Entrepreneurship- Learning to be Alone
Hi Jk,
LOL! I do that too! I’ve written comments and even replies to comments here that I forgot to post and then had to go back and do it again. When that happens I realize I need to slow down.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article and found it useful. It’s so funny everyone loves list post – but me! I much prefer a narrative. But, that said – I’m glad you got some good ideas out of all the ways your intuition can come into play.
I love your play on words too! I’m glad you’re in-tu-it~!
I have learned the hard way to listen to my intuition. I used to discount my intuition and be guided by rational analysis. Every decision I ever made where I let analysis trump intuition was a mistake. Once I started really listening to and following my intuition, my awareness of my intuitive guidance increased. It has made a huge difference in my personal and professional life. Great post!
Galen Pearl recently posted..Powerful Beyond Measure
HI Galen,
You can’t imagine how many of us have learned the hard way – me included! You’re in good company!
Yes, our rational mind is led by the nose of our egos – big mistake. I’m so glad you started listening and I don’t doubt for one minute that relying more on your intuition has made a huge difference in your personal and professional life.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Galen I’m putting together a post of reader experiences with their intuition – would you like to take part?
I am surprised to learn that you are working in the financial industry. I was formerly in banking and continue to look for ways to invest my money. So other than developing intuition, I’ve just found out that we share more common interests today
It’s great that you’ve show how using our intuition can help in the financial and business world. Wish i knew this previously! Your tips are great! Love them!
Evelyn Lim recently posted..Power Words for Intention Setting In 2011
Hi Evelyn,
Yes, I thought I’d mentioned that to you? We have that in common too!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for stopping by!
It’s a super-natural ability Angela: super as in amazingly powerful and natural as in normal and everyday and untapped. It is our inbuilt wisdom oracle that most go through life ignoring and wondering why they are never on track or never being happy and feeling alive. Connect to intuition and connect to the wisdom of the ages. This is your best post ever for me Angela it set a real spark off in me!! John the human firework ‘powered by intuition’.
John Sherry recently posted..Where Does The World Start And Where Do You Stop
Hi John,
I’m glad you liked this post. I can see that if it’s your favorite you prefer the read about the practical side of intuition – which is what I love to focus on too!~~Great. I love that you call intuition our “inbuilt wisdom oracle” too. What a perfect way to describe it. And, yes sadly so many of us go through life ignoring it. It’s only after a catastrophe that people will look back and say I KNEW I shouldn’t have done this, or that. Too late though.
Thank you so much for swinging over to join in the conversation here John!
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell is a very interesting book on this topic.
He gives some case studies that are interesting.
Hi Rob,
I’ve never read any of Gladwell’s books. Blink is one I have had on my list for some time, but I’ve never gotten around to buying it.
Thanks for coming buy. It’s a pleasure meeting you.
Using our intuition and bringing that connection in to all aspects of our lives can be so beneficial. We can use this vital tool in our relationships, parenting, working environments and more. We all have this ability we just have to remember to stop, feel and tune into ourselves.
Great post, thanks for sharing.
Hi Carol,
I’m glad you found this article worthwhile. Intuition can be used in every situation and in every relationship we have.
It’s true: we all have this ability!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.