Even the most experienced people get stumped and struggle with trusting their intuition when it comes to making decisions. Instead of trusting their intuition first, they turn to others. Ones they feel are older or wiser in their eyes — ones who may have more education or experience.
Why does this happen? A lack of trust or belief in our decision-making can cause us to doubt ourselves. Doubting ourselves happens for several reasons. We may feel we don’t know enough to make a decision. We have made decisions in the past and it did not work out in our favor. The list goes on and on. And everyone’s situation is different. I have observed that seeking advice from others is a learned behavior. Early in life, we are encouraged to lean on others for guidance. We are encouraged to seek help from our teachers and guidance counselors in school. And at home, advice from our parents and caregivers. It is only natural for us to carry the behavior into adulthood.
Unfortunately, when we consistently lean on others for advice, it can chip away at our confidence to make decisions on our own in the future. Now, don’t get me wrong. Asking for advice is helpful. Others can provide solutions through their lens of knowledge and experience. But, when we receive guidance, it is up to us to determine the best way forward in the situation. We all have in us the ability to make decisions that are right for our circumstances. If we take a moment to assess our case, we can intuitively know our next best move.
Here are a few tips to help you begin to trust your intuition and make better decisions.
- Slow down — One of the best things you can do to begin trusting your intuition is to slow down. Find a quiet space and sit. Once seated, take a deep breath. Slow your breathing down to the rhythm of your heartbeat. Allow your mind to stop racing. With every breath inward, inhale peace. And for every breath outward, release negative thoughts and fears that may come up.
- Believe — Part of trusting in yourself and your decisions is believing. Believe you can make the best decision for yourself. And trust that regardless of the outcome, everything will work out.
- Ask — To get an answer, you have to ask a question. Ask yourself, “What is the best decision for me to make in this situation?” or “What is the best action to take?” It is just that simple. Use pen and paper to write down your question, or ask it aloud.
- Listen — Listening is critical. Listen for the answers that come. Write all of the options down.
- Go with your gut — As difficult or uncomfortable as it may feel, go with your heart and select the solution that feels right. The decision that brings you the most peace.
Trusting your intuition and believing in yourself doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and practice. It is just like a muscle that requires strengthening. I encourage you to seek advice when needed to make informed decisions. But, do not let advice from others be the hand that turns the key to your life decisions. After all, we have the answers if we look inward and believe we do.