Trust Your Instincts

Dear High Achiever:nnHAVE YOU EVER SAID: “I should have gone with my gut.” Or “I don’t have a good feeling about this.” Or “That person gives me the creeps, I don’t like their vibe.” Or “I’ve just got a hunch this is the right decision”.nnI‘ve got a feeling: That you’ve said at least one.nnIn fact, my own Spidey Sense tells me you’ve said or thought more than one. You’ve probably had experience with all of them. And -nnYou were probably right.nnHow often do you go with your visceral instincts? I hope you answered, “Always” or at least “Almost always”.nnTrusting your instincts takes courage and belief in self.nnFYI ACTION IDEA: I often talk about the importance of developing a bullet-proof belief system because it’s the foundation for everything you do.nnYou and I are exposed to thousands of messages everyday from multiple mediums. Of course, we filter many of them out but we also internalize many of them.nnWhat do I mean by “internalize them?”nnI simply mean, we process, think about and evaluate new information and then make some sort of decision as to whether or not we are going to take any action on the information we’ve been exposed to.nnWelcome to the 21st Century. Technology has forced the hand; it challenges us to process more information today than any other time in history. As a consequence of the frequency and volume of information that is available every day our daily “gut-check meter” should be going off constantly.nnI’ve worked hard at controlling the flow of information I expose myself to and I’ve developed some new disciplines that help me stay focused on my priorities, activities and behaviors.nnIf I can recommend a book that’s been a great resource and has helped me tremendously with controlling and prioritizing information, it’s The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss. I highly recommend buying the book or, at a minimum, Google Tim. Also read his blog and take a look at his Not-To-Do List: 9 Habits to Stop Now and see if you get a “Good Vibe.”nnDollars-and-sense decisions. Some “gut-checks” are more valuable or more costly than others. I place high-value on high-priority “gut-checks” and I encourage you to do the same. I don’t just mean financial value, although speaking from experience, it’s an important one. Consider what the cost might be in terms of time-value, emotional-value, life- and career-value.nnI am certain when I tell you: There were two times in my life I went against my instincts. One was in a personal relationship and one in business. Both ended up costing me a fortune in every area I referenced above.nnWhat’s funny (actually not so funny) is that I knew it going in to both situations but I didn’t have the guts to trust my instincts. I started a heck of a personal sales pitch on myself detailing why I should enter into both scenarios. And, hey, I’m a good salesman. And the salesman side of me was very convincing and won.nnI also have to tell you: At the time I made those decisions my self-confidence and self-esteem were low. I was down and I didn’t feel good about ME, overall.nnFast forward to today and things are radically different.nnNow I always trust my gut. Here’s what’s different:nn• My Personal Energy is at a peak. (I train/exercise, eat and sleep right.)n• My Self Belief is bullet-proof. (I work hard at personal development every day.)n• My Goals are clear and concise. (Written down with a solid “Why.”)n• My Time is prioritized and focused. (I have a high price tag on every waking minute.)n• My Communication is direct. (My conversations are pointed.)n• My Relationships are real. (I spend time with people I truly love.)n• I am Personally Empowered. (I give without expectations of reciprocity.)nnYou and I know our personal truths. We all know the difference between right and wrong and the actions that are right and wrong for us. I believe that inherently.nnI also believe: Being aligned and congruent with your core values and beliefs will help you remain consistent and help you to “Trust Your Instincts.” It’s about being clear in each of the areas bulleted above.nnIf your gut is telling you to forward this FYI to five friends, I’d go with it!nnMake It Your Best Year Ever!