It’s A Feeling

I recently was asked on a podcast how I knew when it was time to pivot, try something new, or make an important decision. Given that the podcast’s audience is financial advisors, I don’t think the audience will love my answer because it’s not data-driven.

My answer was simple: it just feels right.

My intuition, gut, Spidey-senses, or however you want to refer to that internal feeling that tells you “yes” or “no”, is the final source I consult before making a decision—it is often the most influential.

“Intuition is the discriminative faculty that enables you to decide which of two lines of reasoning is right. Perfect intuition makes you master of all.”

-Paramahansa Yogananda

For as long as I can remember, the major decisions in my life, and even insignificant ones, were always guided by my intuition—for example, choosing Franklin College, a small liberal arts college, to continue my basketball career and study Economics. I visited a number of smaller colleges, similar to Franklin, where I was their top recruit (I was not at Franklin) and left every visit excited but not sure if that was the school for me.

As soon as we left Franklin College’s campus, I told my dad that was where I was going to go. My intuition immediately let me know that was the school for me, there was no need to look further, and I committed the next day—my intuition was right. My basketball career continued as I ended up starting the second game of my freshman year and ending my senior year as the only senior left on the team. But more importantly, Franklin College is where I met Ang thanks to a friend of hers who went there to play volleyball, and because of meeting Ang, and the decisions we’ve made together since, I end up sitting on my patio this morning writing this Daily Note living my authentic life.

Had I spent time analyzing potential playing time, the other recruits coming in, academic rankings, and other important data points I may have chosen to go to another school, never met Ang, and who knows where I’d be today?

My intuition made the decision easy and regret-free.

“Intuition does not come to an unprepared mind.”

-Albert Einstein

The decisions in my earlier years guided by my intuition were made without really understanding the power of intuition—or really what it was.

Today, thanks to aligning my spirit, mind, and body my connection with my intuition is stronger than ever and decision-making along my Pursuit has become easy and quick. This doesn’t mean that I don’t consult data, other individuals, and plan for the decisions I make, because I do, but I don’t move unless my intuition confirms the data, opinions, and advice I receive.

At first, it might be difficult and even scary to rely on your intuition to make decisions on your Pursuit but if you can learn to trust your intuition it will become natural.

If you find your Self struggling to go with your intuition on major decisions, begin to build a relationship and trust on smaller decisions—ones that don’t seem as significant and won’t create chaos if you “get it wrong”. Give your intuition the opportunity to show you it will not steer you wrong and also to learn how to read it.

If you find your Self struggling to connect with your intuition, spend time working on connecting to your spirit, mind, and body. As Einstein shared, intuition doesn’t come from an unprepared mind—you need to prepare your spirit, mind, and body to receive your intuition's message in a way you can interpret.

The more you connect with your intuition the more you will recognize it, even in the smallest daily decisions. And, as you strengthen the connection with your intuition you will be able to make decisions and act faster than you ever have because you won’t need to waste time beyond the beginning analysis, a friend and family check, and confirmation (or non-confirmation) with your intuition.

If my trust in intuition isn’t enough to move you to begin to trust your own, maybe another quote from Albert Einstein will help.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

-Albert Einstein

If you’re on your Pursuit you don’t have the mindset of a servant, or you are moving away from that role in society, so, remember your gift and use it.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC