"Intuition: Your Personal Success Coach"

(Reprint from an article by Lynn A. Robinson in Balance Magazine — November 2003)

Think of someone you know who leads a successful life. They exude an aura of calm and inner peace, yet you can almost see their "spirit." They crackle with infectious energy. They may have millions or they may not, but their success is obvious in their "presence." They enjoy life and they love to share that joy with others. Does that sound like you?

It could be, because you have within you a mechanism that can guide you unerringly to a positive and vibrant life. That mechanism is intuition — the compass of the soul. It's available to you 24/7, fifty-two weeks a year, ready to point you in the direction of energy, passion, and joy. And best of all, you don't have to be a "gifted" intuitive to take advantage of all that it offers. You can get started on a successful life — or a more successful life — right now by following these simple suggestions:

Trust Your Inner Wisdom — People who believe in trusting their intuition tend to be more successful in life. Intuition is often referred to as a "gut feeling." However there are many more ways to receive this vital information. It may come to you through feelings, words, physical sensations, images, fleeting impressions, or dreams. Learn to pay attention to how you receive these impressions and check in often with your inner "Intuitive Success Coach."

Ask Your Intuition Questions — When you're in the midst of a difficult life situation, begin the habit of asking questions of your intuition. "What is it that I am here to learn?" "What is the best possible outcome for this situation?" The answer may not always leap into your mind. It takes time to train yourself to "hear" the subtle messages from your guidance system. You may find that the answer comes in an impulse to try something different, or a gradual awakening to a new way of dealing with an obstacle. Remember that your intuition can help guide you to peace in any situation.

Learn to Take Small Steps — Developing your intuition is like learning any new skill. It's not unlike learning a sport. The more you practice the better you get at it. If using your intuition is new for you it may be best to use it in relatively low risk situations at first. This will help you develop your "intuitive muscles." Most of us feel quite anxious when making big changes in our lives. Small steps are important. You don't need to take a huge leap of faith. You may find, as many do, that as you take these small steps, that a decision becomes clearer, your resolve becomes stronger, and your fear begins to lessen. That's your intuition guiding you step by step!

Discover What You Love to Do — Each of us has chosen to come into this life with a mission that will bring us joy and enthusiasm. The root of the word enthusiasm is entheos. It literally means "God Within." When you feel enthusiastic about your dreams it means that God is speaking through you and saying "yes" to your goals! The feeling of enthusiasm is one of the ways intuition speaks to us. Successful people pay attention to what they feel passionate about. They commit to spending time each day doing what they love. For some it's a job that pays. For others it may be volunteer work or a hobby. When you feel excited about something, that's a hint about what to pursue.

Spend Time in Prayer and Meditation — Intuitive answers often come to life's questions through self-reflection. Prayer and meditation are two ways we have of slowing down enough to listen to the still, quiet voice of our Higher Self. Someone once said that "Prayer is when you talk to God and intuition is when He answers." Remember that the answers don't always pop into your mind fully formed as you meditate or pray. You may find them slowly evolving over several days or weeks as you ask for insight. Communing with the Universe doesn't need to take hours of time. Get in the habit of taking brief "prayer" breaks throughout the day, asking for guidance and wisdom. A prayer can be a simple thought: "Allow me to feel at peace." Or "Help guide me in my meeting this afternoon."

Get Clear About Your Goals — We are often quite clear about what we don't want. Spend time thinking about what you do want. What does your ideal life look like? Draw pictures or cut out scenes from magazines that illustrate the life you want to create. Write in your journal, envision. Spend time each day imagining your ideal life. Envision the details of that life. Imagine you are living it now. What are you wearing? What are you feeling? Who are the people around you? The power is within your mind and heart to bring forth the new life you desire. Your intuition will show you the way.

Practice Gratitude — Ample evidence exists that you get what you focus on. Do you often whine and complain about what you don't have and ignore the abundance all around you? Begin to notice and appreciate what you attract easily into your life. Perhaps you have a healthy body or a wonderful group of close friends. Pay attention to small things around you — the new flower in your garden, the sound of your cat's purr, the laughter of a child or the beauty of freshly fallen snow. Before you know it, abundance in all forms will begin to flow into your life. Intuitive guidance comes more easily when you are open to and appreciative of life.

Shift Your Thoughts — If you accept that whatever you focus on becomes intensified in your life, why not put all your attention on what makes you happy, challenged and healthy? One of the techniques that works for me when I'm feeling upset is simply to ask myself, "Is there another way to think about this issue/concern/worry?" I catch myself in the early stages of worry and negative thinking and begin to focus on what I want instead of what I don't want. Become aware of the inner dialog you have with yourself. Ask for guidance if you need help with this. One client asked in prayer, "Please guide my thoughts, my words and my actions. I wish to think, speak and act with love." She was astonished at the difference this simple affirmation made.

Don't Be Afraid of Fear — Fear is the biggest hurdle that stops most people from achieving their dreams. It happens when you move out of the comfort zone of the life you've known and into a life on the borders of your dreams. Many of us feel the fear and say, "I'm not going one step further." Or "Give me a guarantee of success and then I'll move forward." Or even, "I feel scared. This must be my intuition telling me that this direction is wrong." As you take action on your dreams you may feel as if you're on the edge of a cliff. You're about to take a leap of faith and no one is there to catch you. But you're not alone. The inspiration and direction from your intuition is there to guide you safely to your hopes and dreams.

Create Positive Self-Talk — Pay attention to what you tell yourself about yourself and your life. If the general tone is hopeful and positive you feel better and are more optimistic. William James said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." It's easier to create a life you love when you give yourself affirmative messages and follow your intuitive guidance.

Choose to Be Happy — Part of learning to trust your intuition is remembering to ask, "Does this decision make me happy?" or "Do I feel energized by this decision?" There are many ways to ask the question and experience the answer, but here's the truth: your intuition will provide you with information to make positive choices. Research has shown that happiness is a choice. It is not necessarily dependent on life circumstances. There is always a positive and a negative aspect to any change that occurs in your life, but you get to choose your focus. Get in the habit of asking, "What's good about this situation?" You'll be surprised at the happiness that brightens your world.

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