How to make better decisions by improving your intuition

Intuition is something that has a very ‘woo’ reputation. But you don’t have to be burning incense or living by the cycle of the moon (both of which I love, just to be clear) to engage with it. In fact, I’d suggest that - whether or not they ever talk about it - every person you view as ‘successful’ in any sense has mastered this to some degree.

Your intuition is not some kind of magic fairy dust that comes to you through the clouds but rather all the data and knowledge you’ve collected over the years, combined with self-knowledge and knowing what you need. In my coaching I describe it simply as “I can work out what the best thing is for me here.” And that’s it - it’s just about using everything you know, and everything you’ve learned, to make decisions that work for you.

Why use your intuition?

Because that’s how you’ll get the best results. And by ‘results’ I don’t mean you’re going to succeed at everything you do but that you’ll be making choices that are aligned with who you are and what you believe in. And you'll know what the best route is for you when it comes to goals and growth. The alternative is to go through life being driven by a whole load of external influences, from the narratives you collected in childhood, to what society around you says, the influence of friends, family and partners, or a series of obligations you think you need to fulfil. 

How to make better decisions by improving your intuition

Most of us don’t have a clue to start when it comes to intuition. In terms of how to make better decisions by improving your intuition do you need to go out and howl at the moon? Buy some crystals? Swim naked? I would highly recommend doing all these things for the fun and connectedness of them but you can also start by just spending some time with yourself. 

Put your phone down

Self-knowledge - and opening up the space in your mind to be able to hear your own voice - are vital to this process. The easiest way is to simply learn how to get quiet and calm. Put your phone down. Sit in silence. Meditate or just sit quietly. You don’t have to do it for long - even a few minutes a day will make a difference.

The biggest benefit of doing this is that you will start to hear your own internal voice. You’ll start to become aware of how you feel in your body, where you’re holding tension, where your mind goes when there are no distractions. There is a huge amount that you can learn from that about who you are and how you work - which is the secret to feeling more connected and in control of your life. After all, no one wants to get to the end of their days and feel like they had very little influence over the direction of their life. While none of us will ever have complete control we don’t have to be helplessly buffeted around by external forces and other people’s stuff.

8 steps to improve your intuitive connection

Once you’ve found a way to connect to what’s happening in your body and mind then try these too:

1. Examine ideas before accepting them. What do you actually think/believe? If you’re reading an article in the paper, listening to the news or browsing Stories on Instagram, stop and ask yourself whether you actually do agree with this idea or not. Literally put down the phone/switch off the TV/close the paper and sit and ask yourself “what do I actually think about this?”
2. Instead of just choosing what’s in front of you, ask yourself what you really want. What are you actually hungry for? Life is like a buffet table and if you’re not using your intuition then you’re just accepting the dried out egg sandwiches because they are right in front of your hand, rather than the dishes that really make your mouth water but which might not be so convenient. 
3. Express yourself. Relentlessly. Even if you risk standing out or not fitting in. Self-expression is about your truth and sometimes we don’t hear that truth until we express it. Get used to saying what you think and finding new ways to communicate what’s inside whether that’s through art, movement or words. Give yourself permission to change your mind too - you don’t have to be consistent, no one is.
4. Get clear on your values, thoughts and opinions and make this an ongoing journey. If someone asked you “who are you?” could you answer the question with more than just your name and job title.
5. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Or your mind. Follow your urges, whether that takes you to getting your hands in the dirt in the garden, exploring your desires or taking spontaneous actions.
6. Remember that you don’t have to listen to those who aren’t being brave with their lives. It’s so easy to give up on this kind of journey if someone laughs at you or tells you to be 'realistic.' That’s the point at which you need to go back to your intuition and ask yourself - not someone else - whether you really want this. If you get a sense of “yes” then keep going. It certainly helps to surround yourself with others who are living courageously and intuitively too.
7. Don’t be invisible with your feelings. If you’re sad, be sad. If you’re joyful, be joyful. Strengthen the connection between what’s happening on the inside and what’s happening on the outside so that you’re being authentic to yourself at all times.
8. Remember it’s never too late to bloom. You can go through this process at any age. I firmly reject the idea that any of us is ever too old or that it’s ever too late.

Intuition is an incredibly powerful tool. It’s something that pretty much everyone you admire will have tapped into and it's available to you too. Intuitive decision-making is the key to a more empowered, aligned - and less anxious - existence. Resilience coaching provides a firm foundation to start using your intuition more in your everyday life - to strengthen your ability to bounce back and to go on to thrive.