Bernadette Balla's Blog, page 7

Intuitive vs. Rational: Are You Underestimating Your Intuition?

You probably know this all too well:

Something inside you screams this is the wrong idea – or the wrong place, or the wrong person.

You decide to brush it off. There’s no logical reason why you’re feeling the way you’re feeling anyway. Everything is right – and yet, everything feels so, so wrong. You blame your anxiety and move on.

Then right before you know it, bam – turns out that wasn’t fear talking.

That was your gut. And for some reason, you chose to ignore it.

Things like that have happened to me way too often in the past. And that got me thinking – why is that? Why are we so quick to dismiss our intuition?

It took me years to find the answers I was looking for. Let me save you time – and lots of stress and drama.  

Read on as we talk about more about the intuitive vs. rational and what you can do to blend those two worlds together.

 

Why do people favor the rational?
The answer to this question is simple really: it’s what makes the most sense to everyone.

The rational part of the world can be measured. It can be seen, and touched, and heard. In the world of logic, 2+2 will always equal 4.  

On the other side, you can’t measure intuition – you simply have to trust it. There’s no proof of how you got 4 – there are no twos on sight. The closest you can get to measuring intuition is counting how many times you’ve been right for something.

And for some people, that’s just not enough – which I completely understand.

But the thing is, your intuition is sometimes able to see what logic can’t.

The world isn’t always black and white. 2 plus 2 doesn’t always equal 4 – and that’s where all trouble starts.  

Can you imagine how simple life would be if everything worked the way our logic think it does?

 

Okay, all of that was probably confusing.

Let’s clear something right away:

I’m not saying dismiss logic altogether – that would be the wrong advice to give!

Instead, I say, embrace your intuition. Use them both – the intuitive and the rational. Blend those two worlds together.

Follow your heart but take your brain with you is the best way to explain it. Trust me, it’ll 

save you from a lot of unnecessary drama and heartache in life.

All happy people seem to be doing it – so why shouldn’t you?

 

How to blend those two words togetherHere are a few tips I’ve learned over the years to help you make the most out of the intuitive and the rational. 1. Don’t ignore the small hunches

Your intuition talks to you every day. All you’ve got to do is listen.  

In the beginning, don’t look for any major signs. Observe the way you think and act – and notice anything that stands out in a way.

Recognize the little bursts of intuition – decisions you’re doing without weighing the options too much.

Which exit to take on your way home? Where to eat lunch? What’s that friend of yours doing you haven’t talked to in ages?

Responding and acknowledging all of those small hunches is doing wonders for your gut.

It’s like going to the intuition gym. The more you train your intuition, the stronger it’ll get.

 2. Become fluent in body language

Our bodies talk – even when we don’t use words.

And I’m not talking only about your body here – everyone’s body is giving out messages.

ALL. THE. TIME.

Want to make the best of both worlds? Then become fluent in body language. It’s something you can actually see while tracking how that makes you feel. *win-win for those hard skeptics*

Start with your close circle of friends and acquaintances. Subtly observe. (so you know, you don’t freak people out or anything)  

What do they do with their hands when they’re relaxed? And what do they do with them when they’re talking something that makes them vulnerable? How do they act when mad?

It might take a while to get the hang of it but eventually, you’d be able to understand everything that’s not being said.

 3. Accept intuition as part of your intelligence

This is where most people have it wrong:

Intuition isn’t the opposite of rational. Following the gut doesn’t mean you stop using the brain. Actually, that’s the type of belief that stops people from trusting their gut in the first place!  

Don’t assign a bad reputation to intuition. Don’t think of it as a glitch in the system – think of it as your superpower.

Change the way you think about intuition – and change your world. Use intuition and intellect together as tools to shape your ideal life.

Accept intuition as another part of your intelligence. Combine all of your past experience and knowledge with present-day feelings – and you may just become invincible.

4. Find personal ways to measure intuition

If being able to rationally explain intuition to yourself matters that much to you, then find ways to measure it.

Seriously. You don’t have to run scientific studies to prove your intuition works. Personalize the measurements as much as you want!

Let’s say, track how many times your intuition was right about something. Or go to the park and observe people there – what are they going to do next? Or ride the subway – what’s the vibe you’re getting from the person sitting next to you?

Basically, play games with your gut – and don’t be scared to have fun meanwhile! Then, write everything down.  

Measuring how many times you “win” in games like this is going to help you build confidence and start trusting your gut a little bit more. Each time you score, the rational part of you will be convinced that yes, this really is working!

 

Do you struggle to combine both worlds into one?

I may be able to help you out here – follow the link to grab your copy of my newest book on Amazon, Intuition is Your Superpower! In it, you get to learn how to make the best of both worlds.

https://amazon.com/Intuition-Your-Superpower-follow-confidence-ebook/dp/B07MP7Z8L6

Bought the book already? Tag me in your stories for a chance to be featured on my profile and connect with other-minded people!

6 Warning Signs You’ve Lost Touch with Your Intuition!

Trying to hear your intuition but nothing comes out?

Don’t worry – your intuition is still in there somewhere.  

And you’re not doing anything wrong. It’s just that sometimes, everyday life creeps in – think the gazillion things you have to do during the day! – and well, that takes its toll.

You’re left clueless and confused – without actually knowing why.

Well, intuition doesn’t really work on demand.

But you know what’s the good part? There’s always a way to bring it back, as long as you know where to start out.   

To help you out here, I’ve made a list of some of the less-obvious signs you’ve lost touch with your intuition.

1. You’re unable to make a decision

Do your insides twist and turn every time you have to make a decision?

I mean, sure, making the right decision isn’t always easy but it shouldn’t paralyze you.

If you catch yourself going over back and forth on the what ifs and the how-tos without coming to an actual conclusion you’re content with, then take that as a sign.

Next time you’re confronted with making a major decision, take a deep breath.

Forget all about those spreadsheets and pros/cons charts you were making. Turn off your brain for a split second – let intuition rise to the surface. Most of the time, you will already have the answer within.

 

2. You regret decisions often

Since we’re talking decisions anyway…

How many times have you forced yourself to make a decision – only to find out you’ve made the wrong one?

The thing is, everyone has regrets about something in their life.

But if you’re somehow regretting every single choice you’re making lately, there might be something you’re refusing to see.

Chances are, your intuition is probably pointing you at that thing you’re not seeing – you just have to look more carefully.

Struggling to find the missing piece of the puzzle?  

Say what you want to do and observe how you feel. Sometimes, no matter how rational a decision seems, it feels like a heavy burden was placed on your shoulders. Take that as your gut literally screaming here that you’re making the wrong choice.

3. You hope others decide for you

I know what you’re thinking now – how does this have to do anything with your gut?

Well, it’s really simple:

Sometimes, especially when going through a rough patch in life, we’d all rather have someone else decide for us. You know, pass on the authority.  

For example, you know that guy you’re dating isn’t the one but you can’t really find the courage to break up with him, so you hope he breaks up with you one day.  

It takes guts to follow your gut. *see what I did here?*

You won’t always like the choice, it most definitely won’t be an easy one to make… but deep down, you’ll know it’s the right choice for you.

4. You don’t feel anything about anything

Going completely numb doesn’t always mean you’re depressed.

Sometimes, it may mean you’ve just… shut down your whole emotional system. I don’t blame you or anything – you’re probably doing it because you’ve been hurt in the past.

But if you’ve turned off your feelings, you might’ve accidentally turned off your intuition as well.

See, intuition relies heavily on emotions to convey you a message. That’s the way it’s worked for millennials – can you imagine humanity surviving if a caveman didn’t feel scared when a bear was chasing him?

You get my point now.

Let yourself feel – yes, even the bad things. Feelings are a great indicator of whether or not you’re doing the right thing.   

 5. You’re concerned about the future

How many nights have you spent wide awake, worrying about the future?

Don’t get me wrong – there’s always a tiny part in all of us that’s worrying about tomorrow. That’s natural – it’s basically a survival instinct.

But if you’re practically obsessed about what happens next life, then it may be another one of the major signs you’ve lost touch with your intuition.

Remember: no amount of overthinking can predict the future.

Ultimately, intuition is about learning how to trust yourself. Doing a free fall and knowing you’ll land somewhere safe – even though the how is not clear yet.

Have confidence in yourself – and your abilities. I trust that you’ll always have the confidence to catch yourself, even if you fall – do you?

6. You have to convince yourself everything is fine way too often

Giving yourself the occasional pep talk is all the rage right now.

But if you have lengthy conversations in your head on a daily basis where you have to convince yourself that you are happy, really happy but you feel like crying… then something’s not right.

Happy people don’t tell themselves they’re happy, do they? They are just… happy.  

The thing is, we sometimes feel obliged to be happy for reasons society expects us to be – and not for reasons true to us.

Learn from my mistakes. I had it all, when in fact, I had nothing at all.

Your intuition knows when you’re trying to fool yourself – even if you don’t want to admit that just yet.

Don’t waste your time looking for the secret to happiness – find it within. Hear your intuition. Trust me, what you’re looking to find is already there.

 

Do you notice any of the signs you’ve lost touch with your intuition?

I may be able to help you out here – follow the link to grab your copy of my newest book on Amazon, Intuition is Your Superpower!

https://www.amazon.com/Intuition-Your-Superpower-follow-confidence-ebook/dp/B07MP7Z8L6

Bought the book already? Tag me in your stories for a chance to be featured on my profile and connect with other-minded people!

5 Skills to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

The secret to a happy life?

There’s none.

But there may be one vital component in it – and it’s called being emotionally intelligent.

Not being convinced enough? Here, let’s crunch some numbers together.

Plenty of surveys and studies claim that up to 80-85% of those who thrive both in their personal and professional lives are emotionally intelligent.

But you know what?

Your emotional intelligence isn’t an inborn talent. Same as intuition, it’s a skill that can be grown and developed over time.  

And yet, no one has taught us how. Let’s make up for that now.

Stick with me here to find out what’s the big deal with EQ and what you can do to improve your emotional intelligence.

 

What’s the big deal with EQ?  

Plenty of people aren’t aware of the true importance of EQ simply because no one talks about it.

We’re not taught EQ in schools – you’re praised for your ability to solve equations or speak fluent Spanish within a year.

But no one says anything about knowing how to express anger properly – or how to push yourself through a bad day like a champ.  

I don’t think that happens on purpose though. Chances are, your parents and teachers probably didn’t know much about their own EQ either.

So why is EQ important – it just means you’re smart, right?

Well, being intelligent may mean you’re smart.

However, being intelligent is not the same as being emotionally intelligent.

Being emotionally intelligent means you’re doing an awesome job in recognizing and managing both your own emotions and the emotions of others.

By no chance does that mean ignoring your emotions – or limiting your given right to feel.

Being emotionally intelligent simply means you know how to get the very best of your emotions – and use them to your own advantage. You control your emotions – and not the other way around.

 

Where to start working on your emotional intelligence?

The best part about your EQ?

You can always develop it more and more and more – even if you’re just starting out.

Here are some of the skills you need to acquire to help you improve your emotional intelligence!

 

1) Self-awareness

The first step in managing your own emotions successfully? Learn to recognize them and find out how they affect you and your life.

To put most simply, self-awareness is nothing more than just being honest with yourself.

But there’s one crucial thing here: don’t be harsh with yourself. Don’t group your traits into strengths and flaws – just observe them as neutrally as possible.

The point is to acknowledge the wide spectrum of emotions – not to judge yourself for feeling them.  

For me, the easiest way to practice self-awareness was to journal for a while. For example, I’d write what I’d be doing that day and how I felt – and then look back to connect the dots between certain events and my mood.

Find whatever works best for you and stick with that.  

 

2) Empathy

Next on the throne to self-awareness sits Empathy – one of the most important components of emotional intelligence.

Empathy is being able to show kindness, compassion. Understand others – know what it feels like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes without going the actual mile.

It doesn’t take much to be empathic – simply practice being a nice person. Be kind to others – smile, ask about their day, don’t judge. That’s all.

Oh, and do you know what’s the most difficult thing about empathy?

Being empathic towards the most important person in your life – you.

It’s somewhat easy to be nice to strangers on the street – but it takes a lot of effort to be nice to yourself. So quiet down your ego. Shower yourself with kindness – and treat yourself the same way you’d treat others.

I promise you, that’s a good enough start.

3) Express negativity

I’d love to tell you that you won’t have to ever again feel miserable in your life by growing your EQ but unfortunately, that’s not the case.

But one surprising thing happens once you improve your emotional intelligence: you realize negativity is just another part of life.

Yin and yang, know what I mean?  

It’s okay to experience a negative emotion. Better yet, start thinking of them simply as emotions without the adjective – they’re just another feeling on the spectrum.

What matters is knowing how to express negativity. Deal with it. Get it out of the system – and make some room for happiness.

 

4) Recognize emotions in others

Remember how we were all shocked to hear about Robin Williams? But he looked so happy and full of life!

That shows just how much we, as a society, are lacking the ability to recognize the true emotions in others.

Don’t be so quick to judge. Sometimes, people who’re always angry are just hurt. Those who are always smiling in front of others may be fighting depression at home. And those with anxiety might be just scared of getting it wrong.

Remember this:

You’re seeing only the tip of the iceberg in every single person you cross paths with. 

There’s so much more going under the surface.

If you want to read others better, look at the little cues they give out – the look in their eyes, the way they play with their hands. Sometimes, body language speaks louder than words.

5) Developing resilience

If you do a basic Google search, you’ll find hundreds of success stories out there.

Do you know what’s the one thing all of those successful people have in common?

It’s easy: they never gave up, not even when failing hard. Instead, they picked up, brushed off and kept going.

Oprah was told she’s not good enough to work on TV. Walt Disney was told he’s not creative enough. J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 different publishing houses at first.

But would you know them today if it weren’t for their persistence? Of course not!

So build your own resilience. Adjust – be flexible at whatever life throws at you. It’s okay, you can still make it work.

Drop your perfectionism. Failures do not define your worth – they’re just very important life lessons the Universe doesn’t want you to skip.

 

Do you regularly take the time to work on your EQ? What do you do to improve your emotional intelligence?

Share with me in the comments and let me know – I’d love to hear from you!

What is intuitive eating?

Is food causing you stress?

Let me explain.

There’s a certain frenzy with healthy eating around the globe.

You eat “good food” – you feel good. You eat “bad food” – you feel bad.

That’s what we’ve been taught.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m absolutely NOT encouraging you to live on fast food alone.

But I have noticed just how big of a toll this seemingly “healthy” eating is taking on young women – especially on the relationships they have with their bodies.

Hating what you see in the mirror is not healthy in my book. 

And I want to help you overcome that. I want you to learn how to trust your body again – and learn how to trust yourself around food again.

The solution?

It’s called intuitive eating – and it’s one of the best ways to give your body what it needs.  

Follow with me here to learn what’s intuitive eating and how you can start practicing intuitive eating to improve your overall relationship with food!

 

What’s intuitive eating?

Intuitive eating is the art of knowing how to listen to your body and give it exactly everything it needs. There are no strict guidelines banning any types of food – nor pre-set meal times.

The only rule? Listen to your body – it’ll tell you what to do.

Your body talks to you daily – you just have to learn how to listen. Think about it this way.  

You’re combining the power of your natural instinct and your intuition with everything you know about foods so far.

Here’s how you can start practicing intuitive eating.1) Get back in touch with yourself – literally!

When was the last time you touched your body – without having to apply lotion, put clothes on or shave in the shower?

If you don’t remember, it’s time to change something. Get back in touch with your own body – literally!

Honor yourself. Show your body just how much you love it. Seduce yourself in the mirror if needed! Move your fingers across your skin – see, that’s you! You’re alive!

Work on yourself. Meditate – and all of that will sharpen your intuition.

The more in touch you are with yourself, the easier it’ll be for you to practice intuitive eating.

2) Make peace with food

Raise your hand – or leave me a comment, lol! – if you’re feeling guilty for eating specific foods your mind has labeled as bad. Think chocolate, ice cream, cookies – but also, even random foods like bread and potatoes.  

Remember this: there are no good foods or bad foods.

True, some foods are more nutritious than others but no food should cause you to feel bad. No food should have that much power over you.

Carbs aren’t always the enemy here – nor are proteins always your best friends. Think of it as only food – you have the last say in how much you let it control you.  

3) Fill the void

I’ll be the first one to say it – sometimes, I eat because I’m sad. Or angry. Or disappointed. Or bored! *yikes!*

Oh, yes – I’m very much human, just like yourself. But if you’re really want to master intuitive eating, you have to find ways to fill the void.

Don’t eat to satisfy an emotional hunger. See what’s missing and then, give yourself exactly that.

Trust me, you’re more than capable of providing yourself with everything that you need. You just need to trust yourself enough!   

4) Ask intuition for guidance

Okay, so here’s a witchy-woo alert for you guys!  When I first read this in a book about intuitive eating, my first reaction was W-H-AAA-T!?

Then I decided I had nothing to lose so I gave it a try – and somehow, it always seems to work for me!  

Each time you’re having the to-eat-or-not-to-eat dilemma, hold that food in your hand. If you can’t hold it, visualize yourself holding it.

Then close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and ask yourself – what do I get from this food?

Is this good for me – is this good for my body? Do I really want to eat this?

Let your gut talk back. What is your intuition saying? What’s your body saying?

Be honest with yourself – and you’ll make the right decision.

5) Practice mindful eating

Mindful eating goes hand in hand with intuitive eating.

Re-learn what it feels like to eat without doing anything else. Turn off your phone. Don’t Netflix your way through dinner.

Instead, focus on the food instead. Chew slowly.

With each bite, seek for texture and that burst of flavor all over your palate.

6) Predict the I-am-full signal!  

This has been one of the most uncomfortable childhood memories. I had to finish everything on my plate – EVERYTHING! – or I wasn’t allowed to get up.  

And then I wondered why it took me a while to master intuitive eating, huh?

Eating until there’s no food on your plate is the farthest away from intuitive eating as it gets. Instead of wiping each plate clean, look to notice the I-am-full signal your body sends you.

Trust me, it’s there – sometimes, in the middle of your meal!

Oh, and remember:  

Intuitive eating is much more than just eating until you’re full. It’s about eating foods that nurture the mind and the soul.   

What makes your body feels good? What leaves you energized? What makes you come alive?

There – those are the foods you need to provide your body with.

Do you struggle with binge-eating when stressed out? Have you given intuitive eating a try?

How do you learn to listen to what your body has to say? Drop me a comment and let me know – I’d love to hear from you!

 

How to deal with emotional triggers?

What are emotional triggers?

Emotional triggers can be anything – words, certain behavior, and even some people! – that manages to cause a negative emotional reaction in you.

Emotional triggers are strong and unpredictable. 

Anything can be a trigger – sometimes, even the way someone looks at you in the morning is enough to rub you the wrong way.

You’re not the only one!

I’ve been there and done that myself.

I have some tips to share with you on how to deal with your emotional triggers.

Have a listen and don’t forget to subscribe to Spirituality and self love in the modern world on your favourite platform like Spotify.

What to shop for the holidays?

The holidays - a time for celebrating family and friends or a time for extreme stress, panic buying last minute gifts, spending far too much and accumulating more pointless ‘stuff?’

We have become so accustomed to the media bombardment urging us to spend money around the holidays that the word festive now seems more closely related to pressure than fun. 

Too many people Christmas is now synonymous with the feeling of dread as we rush to oblige what’s expected of us and lose our sense of balance in the process. 

So how can we approach the season in a more mindful way? How can we replace the busy stress of shopping with a renewed emphasis on family time, compassion, appreciation and love? 

Here are some ideas for achieving a more mindful holiday season and re -connecting with happiness in the process. 

Set achievable standards.

I’m not suggesting that this year you do a total 180 and just give everyone a hug for christmas, (although maybe that’s not such a bad idea!?) but it is possible to still show your generosity in a balanced way without spending over your limits and getting way too stressed out. 

2. It’s the thought that counts.

Before you dash off to the department store sales or trawl online sites for fancy gifts, make a point to really consider what the people in your life would like. Do you even remember what you got them last year? Do they? Make the emphasis on the intention behind the gift. A cliche yes, but it’s important to remember that when it comes to gift giving, it really is the thought that counts.

Think about it, would you value a carefully considered present that shows the gift giver really put the effort in to think about tailoring it just for you? Or would you prefer a big expensive gift that didn’t really require anything other than a credit card? 

3. Be unique. Go outside the box when it comes to gift giving. Everyone likes originality. Think about supporting local artists or projects you are passionate about. Maybe you have friends who create, paint, write or make music. Sourcing your gifts from others you care about is a beautiful way to support both your friends and passions while contributing to the happiness of others. Buy tickets to a concert or an art exhibition or treat someone to a massage, there are many ways to be generous outside of the stereotypical mayhem. 

4. Find joy in giving.

We are all familiar with that almost blind shopping experience. That rush of adrenalin as you run from one store to another, your eyes desperately scanning for the perfect gift that you can get now, on your lunch break and be done with it! But is that really how you want to treat the people you care about? Start by seeing present giving as the act of love that it is. A symbol of how much you care about someone. Try to step away from the pressure of holiday purchases and the feeling of obligation and find the place within you that feels joy in thinking about each individual and finding them that special gift that they will treasure. 

5. Make each day count.

We get swept along with the annual Christmas complaining. “Oh I haven’t bought anything yet… I’m so stressed out...I’m dreading the day with my family we always argue, etc etc”. This year why not make a decision to change that tired old track? Start each day different. By changing patterns literally in your routine you can start to change patterns in the way you look at your reality.

Begin each day with a list of things you are grateful for this year.  Take five minutes to breathe deeply each morning and set an intention to savor the holidays this year, see them through refreshed eyes. 

6. Make lists of positive aspects.

If you always have family related drama around this time of year, take time to list each member of your family’s positive aspects. Focus on them each morning and visualize each person you care about laughing and full of love. Dare to imagine that this year might just be special, different, full of all the things you think other people have. Why not start creating that in your own reality instead of feeling envious of others? 

7. Remember to breathe.

Whether you currently have a meditation practice or not,  find a few moments each day to just become aware of the present moment. Sitting in traffic or waiting for the bus, take a few seconds to just become aware of your breathing. Notice how your body feels, are you tense? Are you frowning? Breathe deeply becoming fully aware of the sensations in your body. Allow yourself to slow down, just for a minute. Move on to the next task with an increased sense of present state awareness. 

8. Focus on self love first.

It can be harder to find balance when everyone else is indulging in the old patterns of holiday related panic and stress. Make sure you carve time out for yourself each day to focus on self-care. Everyone thinks of January as the time for new beginnings, new routines and detoxing.

The problem with that can be high expectations and setting yourself up to fail when, come the second week of January you still haven’t fulfilled what you intended. Instead why not start now?

Make new ways of living part of your normal routine rather than part of some big unobtainable resolution in the future. Start to incorporate new habits now, when it counts. After all, the future never really comes, it is always just today.  

Revolutionize the way you view the holidays. Make an effort to find the motivation and discipline to do all the usual things differently this year.

When you force yourself to change set patterns of behavior and thought, the components of your life start to shift before your eyes. In other words it’s amazing how people’s behavior towards you can change when you start to perceive things differently.

Why not give yourself that gift this christmas? The gift of awareness. The gift of starting to change. The gift of happiness right now, in this moment. 

 

Ways to be more spiritual

What is spirituality?

The word can carry so much weight and meaning to different people, especially when it gets associated with religion or new age jargon. 

Essentially spirituality means acknowledging that each of us have what it takes to be better and grow within us. Tending to that inner self as a means to a positive, happy life is what spirituality means to me.  Is it possible to be spiritual without assuming the identity of a hermit with a white robe? Yes, absolutely. 

Here are a few everyday ways to embrace spirituality.

Learn how neuroscience proves meditation changes the structure of the brain.

So much has been written on meditation with evidence of its benefits rooted in science. Experiments showing MRI scans of the brain before and after practicing meditation prove that grey matter density increases in areas of the brain associated with compassion, self-awareness, memory and learning.

It’s also proven to reduce blood pressure, stress, inflammatory disease and the list goes on.  As you cultivate a thirst of knowledge and understand just how much science crosses over into the spiritual, you’ll see a paradigm shift in your pre-conceived ideas. 

2. Create a go-to de-stress ritual.

It’s so important to learn how to soothe and heal yourself with loving behavior.  Try lighting candles around your room, listen to music that uplifts you, take time for a massage or soak in a relaxing bath.

We all spend so much of our lives rushing around, glued to social media and dictated to by what’s expected of us next. Maybe you think you don’t have time to relax, but the reality is you don’t really have time not to.

Do you feel guilty about doing something nice for yourself? We all need to allow ourselves time to properly wind down. When you are feeling blue or having a bad day, always use your ritual to relax and de-stress. Spirituality is about loving yourself.

3. Spend time with animals.

There is a reason that animals soothe and help us to feel calm. They are the embodiment of pure love. They don’t judge us, they don’t need us to analyze or explain, they just are. Hanging out with your pet, or that of a friends can be a total mood changer. There are proven theories here too.

Interacting with animals can relieve stress, loneliness and boost self esteem.

Petting a cat or dog helps your body release relaxation hormones.

Sometimes, when the people in your world are driving your crazy, an animal pal is really the best medicine. 

4. Daydream.

Take time to just do nothing. Now that can sound insane to most of us, like some far off and totally unobtainable fantasy. 

It doesn’t mean becoming lazy, the fact is, there are health benefits of daydreaming that may surprise you.

We make the mistake of thinking we always have to be ‘on’ and in high productive mode, when in fact many writers and other creatives say they are inspired to great ideas when they are just doing nothing.

Letting your mind wander can bring you to creative solutions you wouldn’t have access to otherwise.

Allow yourself time each day to drift into memory, visualization and imagination.

Albert Einstein said “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift; the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

In short, never underestimate the value of a bit of apparent time wasting. 

5.    Be childlike.

Play, create, remember what it was like to spend a day running barefoot in the grass. As adults we all too often forget what it’s like to have that sense of wonder and enthusiasm for life that children encapsulate.

Society imposes beliefs on us that force us to abandon that innocent pleasure. Just by observing kids in the park you can start to remember the pure fun of playing and losing track of time.

See the world with fresh eyes, be curious, live in the now a bit more and the past a bit less.

Lose yourself in fun activities and stop imposing limitations on your life. Let everything be just that little bit more free and never be afraid to dance. 

What’s Blocking Your Intuition: 5 Reasons You Can’t Hear Your Gut

Some of the most common messages I get on social media sound like this:

I can’t hear my gut! What’s wrong with me? Is my intuition simply not there?!

First of all – nothing is wrong with you. You’re wonderful.  

And second of all, you may be unknowingly blocking your intuition! Yup – this can happen!

That’s why I wanted to talk more about what’s blocking your intuition and tell you more what are the five most common reasons you can’t hear your gut.

Here’s a question for you.     

Do you feel confident when making decisions?

I used to struggle with doubt every single time I had to make a decision. It didn’t matter how big or small – I’d toss and turn at night, questioning myself until finally falling asleep from exhaustion.

It wasn’t until I worked on removing my blockages that I was finally able to feel okay with each decision. I still have my fears but the process is no longer burdening me and clouding my mind.

Imagine yourself doing the same – how effortless it’d all be!

Here are the five most common reasons! 

1. Your rational mind is too strong

Has this happened to you?

You KNOW you’re right about something but it feels just too wild to be true – and you decide to go with logic instead. 

If you want your intuition to work, sometimes you’ve got to trust what you feel – and not what you see. Listening to your gut means believing without seeing. Let go – and trust yourself to take you on the path where you belong.

 2. Your ego gets in the way

Nothing good happens when the ego gets in the driving seat. Your ego may easily block everything on its way - the voice of reason and intuition included. 

The thing is, your ego wants you to think you know everything there is to know. It can easily trick you to rely and believe only on what you see - and not on what you feel. (the completely opposite of intuition!) 

The ego is loud and demanding and wants you to be scared. That’s why ego-driven people are always closed-minded - they’re simply scared.

3. You’re feeling too anxious or depressed

Have you noticed that whenever you’re anxious or depressed there’s always this question at the back of your mind: What do I do?

It’s as if you feel this urge to do something to get better, even though you don’t even know what that something is. That’s just your mind being overwhelmed – and your body having a normal reaction to stress.

If you want to help yourself, slow down. Stress is blocking your intuition and clouding your judgment. Your intuition doesn’t work on demand – you can’t force it and you can’t look for it.  

4. You don’t trust yourself

Do you feel scared each time you have to make a decision?

There isn’t anything coherently bad about fear. After all, fear is what kept our ancestors alive. Unfortunately, fear can be one of the biggest reasons why you can’t hear your gut!

See, the thing is that plenty of people experience fear in the same part of the body where intuition shows up – in the stomach. Naturally, you later doubt – is it fear or is it my gut talking?

One of the best ways to trust yourself more is to build your self-esteem. Encourage yourself each time when you make a good decision. Spend time on your own personal development.

All of that will do wonders for your inner voice!

 

5. You feel disconnected from yourself

Talking about working on yourself… Do you regularly take the time out to work on yourself?

Everyone has an intuition. But you won’t be able to hear it if you don’t work on connecting with your true self.  

Start by tending to your emotional needs – nurture yourself. Be your own best friend. 

You’ll soon start noticing just how much more you’re able to rely on your gut.

 

Are you interested in learning more about how to sharpen your intuition? My book intuition is your superpower is on amazon for 9.99. I know it’s going to tell you a lot about your intuition that you didn’t know.

Intuition at Work: Take the Leap of Faith

Conducting a successful business isn’t only about crunching the numbers.  

Often, it’s about taking the leap of faith – and trusting your gut about your next big move.

Intuition is slowly emerging as one of the top skills of the most successful business leaders and entrepreneurs alike. Following the little voice at the back of the mind has helped people like Elon Musk and Bill Gates shape the world as we know it today.

But knowing how to hear the voice within isn’t only a skill a few rare are born with. Rather, it’s a major part of anyone’s emotional intelligence, something that you may be able to temper and develop over time.

Being aware when is the right time to take the leap of faith and rely on your gut might as well easily transform you into the savvy, quick-witted entrepreneur you’ve always aspired to be.

Follow up as we explain what does it actually mean to use your intuitive skills at work and when you might benefit the most from tapping into the subconscious.   

Following your gut doesn’t mean ignoring the obvious

One of the biggest misconceptions in the business world is that intuition and data don’t operate well together. Following your gut doesn’t mean ignoring the obvious – far from it.

As a rule, intuition and data complement each other. Business leaders know that the saying is true: life is never about black or white, it’s mostly about the grey.

Sometimes, fear may be misinterpreted as intuition – and numbers are the thing that will push you out of your comfort zone. Other times, even when numbers look good on paper – your intuition will save you thousands of dollars in debt.

Whenever having doubts about what your gut feeling is trying to say, meditation is your most trusted ally. Retreat and seek peace from the clustered world of numbers, data, and stats – and you might as well find the right answer within.

 

How to use intuition at work?

There are several ways you can benefit from using your intuitive skills at work.

Most of the time, your intuition appears as a compass – as a guide to lead you through the uncertainty and into victory. If you ever have trouble accessing your gut, take a quick meditation pause to break through the fog.

·   Follow creative hunches

You know how sometimes, a thought strikes you and you feel the urge to act on it? That’s a creative hunch.

Wonderful ideas can be born out of creative hunches, the ultimate playtime of intuition and intellect. Don’t be afraid to follow your creative hunches – most of the modern world has been based on the fact that someone, somewhere had a hunch.

But perhaps the most important thing about sparks of intuition like these is to be flexible.

In order to grow into an idea, a hunch will need to modify and develop further on. Follow your initial hunch but be ready it might evolve into something else.

 

·   Energy speaks louder than wordsHave you ever walked into a meeting and felt like all the air was sucked out of the room?

That’s energy – and often times, it’s much louder than words. Energy is what you experience while you talk to someone or while being somewhere.

Your intuition uses your body to signal away from moves that may not be the right for you. For example, if you experience chest tightening and a general sense of unease and discomfort of the mere thought of someone – or something – you might want to reconsider your choice.

On the other side, if something lights you up on the inside and makes you reach for the top even harder, that may be a good signal.

 

·   Intuition is a key element throughout the hiring process

HR managers around the globe are often praised for their intuitive skills – they know better than ignoring good or bad gut feelings.

Apart from only looking at a polished resume and references, they don’t shy away from taking a peek behind the curtain to better understand someone’s personality. Their biggest guide? Intuition!    

Starting from the initial interview all the way to concluding a contract, candidates are assessed for their body language, facial expressions but also – the energy they convey into the room.  

 

 

·   Intuition is your best advisor while major business moves

Gerd Gigerenzer, the author of Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Subconscious came upon a staggering discovery while investigating further upon the subject of intuition into the business world.

Approximately 50% of all decisions made by business leaders, c-level executives, and politicians were based on their gut feeling.

According to Gigerenzer, intuition is not a skill that’s praised in today’s business world. It often happens that companies spend a ridiculous amount of time and resources in an effort to justify the decisions made following someone’s gut.

But the more people explore the concept of emotional intelligence and intuition and as the interest in personal development continues to grow at a mind-blowing rate, it is my sincere hope that people start merging those two worlds together.

After all, the gut is never wrong, is it?  

Intuition: An Overlooked Business Skill

The business world hasn’t been built only on logic.

Actually, a good part of it was built on intuition.

You’ve probably heard at least a few mind-blowing stories of people who followed their gut to success. People like Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Oprah are known to have taken the leap of faith and trusted their intuition.

And judging by the looks of it, they weren’t that far off with their judgment. Turns out that the crème de la crème of business leaders know how and when to rely on their intuition.

But intuition isn’t only a trait you’re born with. It’s a skill that can be mastered and polished over time.

Learn how to use it properly and your gut feeling becomes one of your biggest assets in a business world that likes to look at figures and numbers alone.

 

How does your intuition talk to you?

You know that eerie feeling you get whenever walking a dark alley? Or the bad vibe that puts you off that guy at work? That’s your gut at play.

Your intuition uses your body to convey both positive and negative messages. Respectively, you experience different sensations depending on what your intuition is trying to say.

To hear your intuition, be mindful of:

·   Sensations in your chest. Depending on what your gut is saying, it can be an uncomfortable chest tightening – or a feeling of ease. ·   Stomach sensations. If something makes you feel sick, reconsider whatever you’re doing.

 

·   Chills down your spine – one of the biggest warnings your gut can give you!

 

·   Accelerated heart rate if something’s wrong – or a calm, reassuring warmth whenever a decision’s right. ·   A thought – or an idea – that stays at the back of your mind and never leaves.

Do note that there may be other ways your gut might try to communicate with you. Get to know your body better. You’ll be able to decipher messages from your intuition more easily.

How to hone intuitive skills at work?  

You can use your intuitive skills at work in business meetings, on product development projects or whenever you’re hiring new employees. But above all, use them as guidance to improve your emotional intelligence and become better at reading people.  

To sharpen your intuitive skills further on, observe and notice things like:

·   Energy

Energy is how you feel while or after interacting with someone. Your body is programmed to pick up the energy someone’s emitting. Don’t ignore it.  

Let’s say you’ve just had an interview with a potential employee. Notice how you feel afterward.

Do you feel lethargic, drained, and often with a major headache? Then think twice about that person. Feeling calm, reassured, and inspired? Then you might be moving in the right direction.

·   Body language

Reading other people’s body language may be one of the greatest skills you can learn in the business world.

For example, imagine you’re having a big meeting.   

Are other participants leaning forward, actively engaging in the discussion? You’re making progress here! But if they’re slouching in their chairs or playing with pens… then you better start wrapping it up quickly or making a major change in topic to achieve something.

·   Eye movement

Are you often struggling to find out whether someone’s honest or not? Then follow their 

eyes.

If lying, people often look down or to the side. They do it to avoid eye contact with you. The speech might also slow down.

But if someone’s looking you straight into the eye and speaking confidently, it might be a sign of honesty.

·   Facial expressions

Facial expressions often indicate how someone is feeling about something.

Whenever you have a major announcement, make it known and then monitor. How do people react upon hearing something bad? How do they react upon hearing something good?   

But be careful. Some individuals may be really skilled at hiding emotions from their face!

·   Tone of voice

The tone of voice is a major indicator of both mood and emotion. Notice how assertive the other side is when in a meeting or an interview.

Someone talking in a faster, more confident manner most often evokes a sense of confidence in the one that listens. On the other hand, speaking slowly and ending statements as questions might be a sign they’re not as certain as you’d want them to be.

Words of wisdom

There’s a major difference between knowing something deep within and assuming something. Be careful.

Assumptions are the biggest threat to your intuition. If you listen wrong, you may be discouraged from acting upon gut feeling in the future. It might not be wise to act on every impulse.

Instead, make sure to always observe and listen.

Use your intuition as a guide, like a compass that always takes you where you’re supposed to be – and you’ll soon notice positive reinforcement coming from within yourself.