In the left-brain world of business — a world
dominated by facts and figures — a right-brain
revolution is taking place. Executives are turning more and
more to their "inner consultant," more commonly known as
"intuition." And the trend is being reflected in a number
of surveys and studies.
One such study, the sixth annual PRWeek/Burson Marsteller
CEO Survey, (2006) revealed that an amazing 62% of CEOS
indicate they're more likely to rely on intuition rather
than financial issues, competitive analysis, or other
metrics when making business decisions.
While almost everyone has had a "gut feeling" about one
thing or another, some might consider it risky to give so
much weight to instinct when it comes to making
million-dollar decisions. So how do you begin to not only
trust your instincts, but also hone the skill to use it
effectively for everyday decisions? Be Open to New
Possibilities Japanese Zen priest, Shunryu Suzuki once
noted, "In the beginner's mind there are many
possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few."
Sometimes all it takes to be open to intuitive insight is
to have a beginner's mind — curious, interested,
willing and inquisitive. Listen to music that is outside
your comfort zone. Choose a different route to the office.
Drive a little slower. Take a train or bus if you usually
drive the car. Try a different kind of ethnic food. If
you're usually an extrovert, try being quiet and listening.
If you consider yourself shy, practice being confident and
extroverted. Try writing the answers to some of the
exercises on this page with your opposite hand. Do
something creative. Learn to knit. Take a foreign language
class. Try a new recipe with a food you've never eaten.
Find a new hobby. Read a book on an unfamiliar topic. If
you're used to reading dense business tomes, try a murder
mystery or a romance novel. Have fun! The purpose of all
of this is to give your intuitive mind the message, "I am
open to new possibilities." It will reward you with rich
insight.
Question Your Assumptions-- You may be feeling stuck
because you're making incorrect assumptions about a person,
idea or situation. Challenge those notions. Ask yourself
questions such as "Is there another way of looking at
this?" Or, "What might cause someone to act this way?" The
obvious can disguise information that may be critical to
understanding your situation. Search for ways to look at
the situation differently by changing your perspective.
How might you view it from the other person's perspective?
If you were an outside observer how would you describe this
situation? Be willing to look at your challenge from a
number of different ways. When you find yourself thinking,
"Obviously..." question whatever words complete that
sentence.
Ask Upside-down Questions-- "The silly question is the
first intimation of some totally new development," states
British mathematician Alfred North Whitehead. He would
probably agree that if you think about your problem from an
entirely different or "upside down" perspective it may
provide some innovative solutions. To use this method, jot
down a business challenge you're facing. For example, "We
want to increase our sale of widgets in Asia." Now come up
with rapid-fire answers to the question, "How can we ensure
our widgets won't sell in Asia?" Have fun with this!
You're looking for outrageous, creative, harebrained,
off-the-wall ideas here. When you're done, choose a few of
the more intriguing ones and reverse them, i.e., write the
opposite and evaluate your solutions.
Let the intuitive muses provide answers-- Do you ever
notice that brilliant, creative answers don't seem to come
when you're really focused, intense, and serious? It
happens to all of us. You may as well take advantage of
this fact and let the muses help you by expanding your
options. "Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is
the only one you have" says philosopher, Emile Chartier.
To begin, choose a topic about which you'd like some fresh
insight. Write a line or two about it in your notebook.
Now take a fifteen-minute break and do something routine.
If you're home — take a shower, wash the dishes or
pet the cat. If you're at the office — take a walk
outside, grab a latte or simply take the elevator down to
the lobby. When the fifteen minutes are up, grab your
notebook again and jot down all the new ideas you have at
the moment. The great thing is that the intuitive muses
enjoy helping you. You just have to give them a work
assignment!
Whenever you're trying to come up with new ideas, it helps
to keep in mind the wonderful dialog from Alice in
Wonderland. Alice laughs and says to the Queen, "There's
no use trying. One can't believe impossible things." The
Queen replies, "I daresay you haven't had much practice.
When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day.
Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible
things before breakfast." May you believe impossible things
and create wonderful possibilities!
Copyright © 2008 Lynn Robinson
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Lynn A. Robinson is a bestselling author, speaker and
leading expert on the topic of intuition. She's a
sought-after consultant who uses her own highly-honed
intuitive skills to provide businesses with accurate,
on-the-spot insights into goals, decisions and strategies.
Her latest book is TRUST YOUR GUT: How the Power of
Intuition Can Grow Your Business.
800-925-4002 or Lynn@LynnRobinson.com
http://www.LynnRobinson.com
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