A wave of recent research revolves around the premise that your gut is smarter than your head. In our newer more complex world tapping into your deeper intelligence is a key to avoiding pitfalls and taking what is necessary to make a quantum leap.
Over the last few month's I've unplugged in order to dive into the mechanics of what makes the ground fertile for a big change. It is fascinating to see the most innovative organizations recognize that the best choices involve more than rational deliberation. (Women, of course, have known this for millennia.)
A Big Wig's Big Payoff
George Soros is one of the top investment managers in the world. His 32 percent annual return has earned him legendary status as a trader and speculator. Just imagine--if you had invested $1,000 in his Quantum Fund when he started in 1969, you would have found yourself worth $4 million by 2001. Dang! I wish I had.
George looks over the same financial data, statistics and market analysis as his competitors. What is his secret weapon? Listening to the intelligence of what I refer to as the town inside George's body. George-ville. Yep. In his autobiography, Soros on Soros, he writes about listening to the brilliance of his back pain. Whenever he felt a twinge in his lower back, he knew something was "off" in his portfolio. He would stop whatever he was doing, assess his strategies, figure out which investment was not productive, and correct it. George honored the advice of his body so deeply that he wouldn't allow himself to be disturbed while he was following his back pain's cues.
Why not take a few seconds to listen to your own early warning system?
If you think of your gut as a sort of radar, you will understand why airplanes use it and why you should too. Like George, you can have access to more of your own intelligence if you give it your attention.
A Country Western Song Waiting to Happen
Learning how to un-think and listen to your inner smarts is one of the best things you can do for yourself when it comes to relationships, too. Studies show that 82 percent of communication is nonverbal. Studies show that we form opinions about other people in less than three seconds. Those conclusions may be right or wrong decisions. You might assess them and ignore it anyway. Or you might make rash choice in three seconds and regret it later. Perhaps there's a new guy in your life. So what if he has been the town bad boy for years? He's cute. He's a good kisser. Who cares? Well, maybe he's saying all the right things, but have you noticed the tiny, icy pang in your stomach? Listen up! Your body signals may be telling you that Mr. Wonderful is actually a Country Western Song Waiting to Happen.
In a business context you need to check things out with your gut as well as your mind.
1. First Is Always Best
First impressions are really important (and often, always right). The biggest mistake folks make is second guessing their gut. Let yourself really honor that first impression. Sure, things can be changed if you feel like taking another look. Don't ignore your feelings if they are strongly negative.
2. When In Doubt Check It Out
The turbulent times we live in seems to be bringing scam artists. A underhanded-real estate agent approached our family about selling a property. It never 'felt' right to me. After doing some digging we discovered that the carrot he was swinging in front of our noses was actually rotten.
3. Push The Pause Button
Your intuition is a hard worker. But it works on it's own time zone. Don't rush your gut.
This morning I was getting ready for a meeting with an attorney. Since I just moved I needed to juggle that lunch with a meeting with the Gas company. I kept having the feeling that the lunch wasn't going to happen. This made no logical sense. We had confirmed an hour earlier.
I took some extra time before I left the house. Lo and behold the attorney called to say he wasn't feeling well and needed to cancel. Not going to that meeting saved me at least two hours of wasted time today.
How has listening to your intuition helped you?
You can receive notice of my blogs by checking Become a Fan at the top. Ask Eli a question at info@elidavidson.com or go to www.elidavidson.com today.
Eli Davidson is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and executive coach. Her book, Funky to Fabulous: Surefire Success Stories for the Savvy, Sassy and Swamped, (Oak Grove Publishing) has won three national book awards. Eli is a reinvention catalyst, who can transform your professional and personal life from Funky to Fabulous with her 10 trademarked Turnaround Techniques that create rapid and remarkable results. Check out her blog at http://funkytofabulous.blogspot.com/
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LIstening to our bodies messages and nourishing it both spiritually and physically, will improve all levels of our being, and those around us.
Thank-You for bringing this topic into the LIght of Awareness.
In Gratefullness,
Annette in Canada
Your intuition sounds like it guided you to save your life by checking out the lump in your breast!!!
I hope others read this. It could save someone's life!
Blessings to you!
Eli
I help my clients re-connect with their bodies and listen to their gut within the first 2 sessions. We all get busy and the next thing you know we are on auto-pilot, going through the motions. Our body is our best gift. It's our built-in GPS and when we remember it's with us always and start noticing what it (our body) is telling us (versus what our mind tells us) life begins to flow. Our body always steers us in the right direction!!
Love the examples you share - so powerful to understand when you paint a picture with a story. Thanks again Eli!
Your techniques sound very interesting! How do you help reconnect your clients with their body wisdom?
This is exaclty the kind of intuitive "facts" that we need. "Ordinary" people doing extraordinary things because they are tapped into their inner wisdom. When aligned with the deeper essence of who we are - and we listen - amazing results occur!
Thanks for sharing this!
How wonderfully wise! "Ordinary" people doing extraordinary things because they are tapped into their inner wisdom."
Each one of us is ordinary and capable of extraordinary things when we tap into our authentic nature! I look forward to hearing more from you!
Best,
Eli
On a more personal note.... I have a friend who has bought gold futures very profitably because he acts on the buy/sell signals he gets as he meditates. (must be doing a Lakshmi meditation).
The rewards of good communication are actually priceless. Jone
Thank you so much for this very valuable information!
Mr. Soros is certainly "a world-class example of a business application for a metaphysical principle." In my opinion the new paradigm shift is nudging more of us to follow his example.
As you know I am a huge fan of you and your work, and look forward to lots more wisdom from you!
I am fascinated by your gold futures story. Could you tell us more?!!!
Your Fan,
Eli Davidson
You get to decide if you want to give your power away. For instance, if you avoid conflict by not asking directly for what you want, or neglect to set boundaries with someone, who you know intuitively is stealing your energy, you are putting other people in charge of your life or business.
And, as you allow others to call the shots, you are sending one heck of a powerful message to yourself, and those around you as well, that you are not worthy of having your needs met.
So, rather than “going along to get along “choose standing up for yourself. Where do you need to follow your intuition and take a stand in your business? The next time you are about to have a conversation that makes you a bit uncomfortable, because someone has pushed your buttons intuitively in a negative way, keep in mind: how much more self-respect, energy, and personal power you will have when you stand up for yourself.
Your body never lies; it will always help you to identify when you need to speak up.
best ways to stand up for yourself when following your intuition is to remember that you are your greatest advocate and ally."
I hope that this article will help other remember that wisdom!
Eli
But our inner wisdom is real, and it is always available. Our 'knowing' is always with us, inside, quietly guiding us to our 'inspired action.'
I've had several businesses that express my passions and have given me the opportunity to share inspiration with others. In each case, I remember the precise moment when I knew I had no choice but to realize my dream. Each moment was announced by a physical sensation: a strong, visceral flutter, an energy surge that screamed "Yes! You got it! Go!"
In each case, I did jump on that feeling, that inspiration, that powerful inner momentum. And I have never regretted those choices, for each of these decisions has led me to insight, experiences, joys and learning I could never have connected with any other way.
My prayer for all of us is that we learn to tune in to our visceral 'knowing,' that we learn to recognize it, learn to understand it, and finally, learn to trust it. Your three steps to 'inner knowing' offer an excellent tool for getting in touch with ourselves and allowing our decisions to flow from a higher, more intuitive, and ultimately more reliable place within us.
Your prayer touched my heart!
"My prayer for all of us is that we learn to tune in to our visceral 'knowing,' that we learn to recognize it, learn to understand it, and finally, learn to trust it. Your three steps to 'inner knowing' offer an excellent tool for getting in touch with ourselves and allowing our decisions to flow from a higher,more intuitive, and ultimately more reliable place within us. "
Bless you for blessing us!
Eli
In my work with animals, I find that the more "in tune" I am and open to guidance, the more connected I am - and the more consciously aware, present and in the moment I become... just like our animals are all the time! You can listen to my interview here: http://animaltalk.mypodcastworld.com/1541/develop-your-intuition-with-lee-milteer-the-real-dr-doolittle-show-animal-talk-podcast-22
Thanks for bringing our attention and awareness to this important issue!
Val Heart
www.valheart.com
What great work you are doing! It sounds like your radio show is terrific!
Thank you for sharing such great tools- "I find that the more "in tune" I am and open to guidance, the more connected I am - and the more consciously aware, present and in the moment I become.."
Best,
Eli
Thanks for posting this article.
What a great tip!
Eli
A few years ago, I had a revelation that amazed me: I was about to go to the office supplies store to buy a dozen of those big, fat binders, when I heard my voice in my head say "Don't buy those today." I listened, although I was a bit confused, and the next day, when I went to work, someone came buy my office with a box full of fat binders and said, "I was just going to throw these away ... do you want them?"
Office supplies may not be earth-shattering, but the realization that my intuition speaks to me ALL DAY in all situations was! Since then, I have learned how to hear it. The most important step in hearing it is creating in-the-moment awareness, and the cheapest and easiest way to do this is developing a practice of meditation.
By the way, one of the most fun experiences I ever had in tuning in to intuition was when I followed the nudge to go to my piano. I then wrote my first song ... in 15 minutes! I wrote 12 more that way over the next 2 months. I love Easy Street!
Wow!! You have such a great example of living life on EASY STREET. I hope that you will continue
to share your wisdom with all of us.
Your story about the office supply store is mind blowing!!!
Love,
Eli
you ask:
How has listening to your intuition helped you?
Every important decision seems to come from my intuition.
It must be from my heart- I call it heart intuition! :-))
Hugs - Ed
I love this post Eli and I sense more and more people are becoming aware of their intuition then ever before. I'm curious though, as an executive coach, do you find Type A corporate execs tap into their gut and make decisions this way? Are they even aware of their intuition?
Wow! How interesting. It sounds like your stomach was telling you something...and it's wise if you listen to your body more often.
As an executive coach, I find the peak performers (yes- corporate execs) know that using their gut gives them a profound advantage in negotiating, managing and leadership. I was working with a top executive this morning, and was dazzled at how attuned he was with his attuned he was to his 'gut' instincts. He was #1 in his company 3 out of 4 years...and using his instincts played a large role in his success!
I'll be curious to hear how your experience of listening to your body!
Eli
I LOVE this article and the comments you have received. When I listen to my gut all is well. I was not trained to this way of living so I am loving learning now how to stay in touch and in contact with my own inner knowing. Deep breathing helps me a lot.
Blessings,
Anne
My Precious Sister!!! Thank you so very much for sharing your incredible wisdom....as always you inspire me.
Thank you for reminding us all to breath- deeply!
Your Fan,
Eli
I LOVE what you are writing here- funky to fabuouls indeed- I am all about us finding ways to tune in, turn on and access our sassy sexy wisdom style that is unique to each one of us. The challenge as we all know is making time to tune in- and make it a priority when there is just so much noise!
We all "know" deep inside what is true- the question is whether we are tuned in to listening to the infinite wisdom. I feel it in my fingers I feel it in my toes, in my nose, in my back, in my gut, in my heart, in the base of my skull, in the hair on my arms...this is what i get told every day by my dearest clients... Wherever we feel it - we all need to learn how to stop second guessing and tune in! I look forward to reading more of you and enjoying you!
love and blessings
Elayne Kalila Doughty
www.elaynedoughty.com
Thank you so, so much for helping people to tune into their own wisdom in their own sassy, juicy wisdom. Thank goodness you help others to stop second guessing themselves and enjoying their blessings!
Much Love,
Eli
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Shari Molchan
(Your Secret Money
I love that you listen to your 'spidey-senses'.
What is a specific way that you listen to your own 'spidey-senses'? I'd love to know!!!
How do you help your clients listen to theirs?
Eli
Shari Molchan
www.moneymomentum.ca