Listen to your intuition

You've had it happen, probably more than once. You make a decision or take some action, but there is that little voice in the back of your mind telling you not to do it. Then latter on, if it turns out you made a mistake, you'll readily admit that you knew you shouldn't have done it.

But you proceeded anyway, in spite of your socalled better judgement.

Why? Is there something within your subconscious mind that is able to make better decisions than your conscious self?

Everyone has that little voice called intuition.

Too often, to our detriment, it's ignored.

Surprisingly, there are people who refuse to pay attention to their intuition, even when it's proven that it is correct. Repeatedly, these people ignore their better judgement only to continually make mistakes. There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. Ignoring guidance that could help avoid making the wrong decision is a waste.

Exactly how intuition works is not really known. However, its uncanny accuracy is proven time and time again. Some people develop a highly tuned sensitivity to it. Others block it out to the point that they are not even aware of its existence.

Your intuition is a special internal navigator.

Your brain has much more power than you consciously tap into. It's capable of doing things you don't really understand. Whether you call it a gut feeling, a little voice, a nagging inside you, or a bad feeling is irrelevant.

It is all the same thing.

Here's another example. Someone you meet

See GOLDEN, page A6

Bryan Golden Live Without Limits GOLDEN

From page A4

for the first time makes you feel uncomfortable. You can't put your finger on anything specific. The person is pleasant yet you don't feel right.

Your subconscious mind is picking up something you can't see. If you have enough interaction with the person, the reason for your uneasiness will eventually come to the surface.

You can develop your intuition. First recognize it exists.

Next listen to it. Your intuition works best when you step back and take some time to contemplate your situation while considering various options. Allow your mind to work to bring the best course of action.

Whenever your intention conflicts with your intuition, it's time to pause without taking any action. You first need to resolve why there is a conflict with your inner voice. If you proceed without further thought and analysis, you are increasing the odds for unfavorable results.

Your inner voice is there to serve you. It's your ally, not your adversary. People get into trouble when they act before they think. Often, they behave as if they are in a race with time. This haste is selfimposed causing them to act impulsively rather than prudently.

There is really no rush. It takes relatively little extra time to step back, listen to your inner voice, and fully analyze your various options. A little introspection yields big benefits. You don't want to lament having rushed into something.

If you analyze bad decisions you have made, you will probably find you acted hastily, didn't think first, and ignored your gut feel. This cycle doesn't have to repeat itself. It's easy to break out of it. People who reiterate this pattern invariably complain that they don't understand why problems consistently seek them out.

Everyone has intuition. Some have ignored it so long they don't realize it exists. Others pay attention when those internal alarms go off. You decide which category you want to be in. The more you use your intuition, the better it will get.

Now available: ' Dare to Live Without Limits,' the book.

Visit www. BryanGolden. com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E- mail Bryan at bryan@ columnist. com or write him c/ o this paper.