How do you normally make decisions?
Me? I'm a strategizer. I like to think of all the angles and think up very logical-sounding reasons for why I'm doing what I'm doing. I like to track my decisions along in a straight line to my end goals.
But that doesn't always work.
I'm learning that there is only so far you can get when you rely on your own logic and your own strength.
The biggest and best decisions I've made in my life have been made without relying on my logic, practicality, or strategy. They've been when I relied on a feeling deep within me.
The knowing that I was going to dive 100% into love with my now-husband, just a few days after we had started dating. That wasn't logic.
The gut instinct to go to Florida State University for graduate school.
The pull from within me to sign up for a yoga teacher training.
Your inner guidance, like a compass, is always trying to pull you in the one right direction. You just have to remember to look at it and trust it!
I've noticed that when I go with these instincts or hunches, or whatever you call them I end up, strangely, exactly where I'm meant to be. There might be perfect coincidences that present themselves (The first day of my yoga teacher training happened to be exactly one day after my planned move back to Tallahassee, and when I signed up it turned out I had gotten the very last spot!), or you might just feel happier, calmer, and more supported in your decision.
Recently I came across a job opportunity that I really wanted. It seemed like the perfect environment to support me while I started my own business on the side. More hours and a higher salary than what I could make in most part-time jobs, great perks, and wonderful people. Plus it seemed like it would really play to my skill set and start opening doors.
When I didn't get the job right away I decided to surrender to whatever the universe had planned. I trusted that if this job was meant for me, it would happen and if not then it wasn't meant for me. A few months later, when I finally got the ask of "when can you start" I was surprised that my initial reaction wasn't excitement.
My initial reaction was a deep, gut-pulling "No."
It was as if my inner guidance system was saying "Look, I know this looks cool, but this is NOT what you do next. Ok?"
I was so surprised by my reaction that I even took a night to sleep on it before responding at all. When the No was still there in the morning, I knew I had to act on it.
I'm practicing my ability to listen to and hear this guidance when it comes up and asking for it when I need it, which is maybe why it came so clear and strong this time.
It feels sort of like learning to read. At first, the words are just blurred and you aren't sure what they mean. But the more you practice finding the messages within that jumble of lines and spaces, the easier it is to find the clear meaning until one day you don't even think about it anymore.
I'm definitely looking forward to getting even better at hearing my inner guidance system!
And in case you’re wondering, this isn't just me with this ability. We ALL have it. This is one of the main things I work on with my clients - tuning in to that inner guidance system and learning to trust it! If this sounds like exactly what you need to practice, let me know! I'd love to chat!