Whether you’re running a business or managing your personal life, making decisions requires a balance of logic and intuition. Learning how to trust your gut instincts can be an important skill for both.
However, intuition shouldn’t be your go-to for all decisions. You need to listen to it, evaluate it and combine it with evidence.
Your gut is a built-in best friend who's always looking out for you. So when you get a stomachache, a tingling in your chest, or even a little bit of fear about a situation, that's the body's way of telling you to take a pause and think things through.
A study by PsychTests found that people who trust their gut instincts are more confident, ambitious, and resilient. They are also better at making good decisions, especially when they are faced with a difficult decision.
You can trust your gut instincts in certain situations, like when you're dating or considering a new job. However, it is important to note that your intuition can sometimes be influenced by cognitive biases or prejudices.
Regardless of your reasons for following your gut, it's always better to make sure you are making the best decision possible. Taking some time to weigh your options and thinking about why you're feeling the way you do will help you trust your intuition more easily.
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand what’s triggering them, and help you express yourself in a healthy way. Keeping a journal is also proven to improve your mental health and reduce anxiety and depression.
You can keep a simple diary or notebook, or even try a more elaborate one that includes doodles and illustrations. It’s important to choose something that feels natural and comfortable for you.
The best journaling practices are those that you find meaningful, and that give you a sense of self-expression. The act of journaling can also boost your immune system and reduce stress.
Gut feelings aren’t random, but are a highly curated system of predictions, snippets of memories and information that your brain uses to predict what will happen next when you encounter certain stimuli. They can come out of nowhere and seem unrelated to the situation at hand, but they’re not just a coincidence. They’re based on experiences, and can be a warning sign when it’s important to pay attention.
Rapid cognition is an important part of a person’s thought process. It helps one make rapid decisions that are often better than those made slowly and carefully over time.
Gladwell argues that rapid cognition is important because it can be used to make quick assessments of people and situations. This is especially useful when one doesn’t have a lot of time to think.
In Blink, Gladwell explains how a person’s mind is able to make fast decisions with limited information. This process is called “thin-slicing,” and it allows one to make an accurate decision in a short amount of time.
This ability can be a real life saver, particularly in times of crisis. Fire fighters, police officers and nurses have all been shown to be able to use rapid cognition to make critical choices in emergency situations.
When it comes to making decisions, we all have our own unique set of priorities and constraints. That is why relying on gut feelings alone can be a bit of a gamble.
But if you are willing to take the plunge and let your intuition guide you, you might just find that your well-honed senses lead to some truly remarkable results. A gut feeling might even nudge you into making a decision you would not have otherwise considered.
But what is the best way to actually make use of your gut-derived insights? The best way to do that is to ask yourself a few key questions and then act on those answers. Using your gut is not for everyone, but if you are willing to give it a shot, you might just find that it can save you from making a decision that is both risky and regrettable. Having the confidence to use your gut is a great way to achieve your goals and live your best life.