In an inspiring conversation this morning, we talked about INTUITION. I have learned that our intuition is one of the most undervalued tools we have – and we need to learn to listen to it more.
Our intuition very often can tell us things, warn us about situations or people, long before reason, facts and active observation and general assessment will come to a conclusion.
I vividly remember a situation a few years ago, where shortly after starting a new contract, my intuition knew that something was wrong.
But, as we often do, I ignored my intuition, explained it away, rationalised my discomfort because on paper and in fact for the first few days and maybe even weeks, this contract was something I knew I would be thriving in. All indicators would suggest that I would enjoy the challenge, was going to be able to deliver great results and grow myself. In fact, I even remember thinking that I had found a team to work with that was ‘my tribe’, ‘my type of people’.
Everything, technically speaking, looked like it was a dream assignment. I very quickly built great relationships with my peers, got to know and cherish clients, and generally was able to work my dream job.
BUT….
Within a few weeks, I realised what my intuition had already known: The back end of the business was highly dysfunctional: a narcissistic leader was damaging and abusing everyone in the team. So, whilst I had build strong bonds with my peers, and clients, delivering fabulous things together, I made the decision to leave this dream job to preserve my sanity, my integrity and mental well-being.
A long time has passed since, but I still observe that certain behaviour patterns will TRIGGER (cause an alert in me) – this TRIGGER is my personal ‘narcissist alert’. This trigger is a great tool for me to avoid getting into a similarly harmful situation again! A real gift!
So, when we chatted about triggers and intuition this morning, we both started to wonder whether those triggers, so the sum of alert our body collect to protect us from harm, builds our intuition. From shared experiences, we both agreed that this felt like a strong theory.
So, then I put it to you: if your intuition is the sum of what you learned to be cautious off, what your body has stored to protect you from harm, why should we not listen to our intuition with more trust and intention?
If this resonates with you, I would absolutely love to hear from you. Let me know what you think where you have listened to your intuition and found it saved you from a ‘dangerous’ situation, or where like me, you ignored your intuition at your peril. Let's learn from each other!
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