INTUITION.
In business, we are dealing with PEOPLE – people with different personalities, different beliefs, different opinions, different fears. Therefore, even though you may know all of the right "rules" and procedures and methods that you need while going through the sales process, the truth is that sometimes we choose to proceed in a certain way with nothing more than an "intuition" about what would be the right thing to do at that point in time.
You shouldn't downplay it's importance. In fact, being in tune with your own intuition can help you more than any business books out there. And even though it's said to be part of our "unconscious mental process", it can in fact be a critical tool when you find yourself in situations in which you have to make immediate decisions under pressure. Intuition can mean the difference between an "average" business person and a "brilliant" one. But, at the same time, some of us seem to be more intuitive than others.
Here's why.
Self Esteem and Intuition. As we all know, low self esteem can impact out lives in many ways. In dealing with intuition, the more you doubt yourself the less you will trust in any of those "intuitive" or "gut feelings" that you may have. We have also been in the presence of those people who have such an extremely high level of self esteem that it too can affect the way they act on their intution, by thinking that they are always right.
So, how do you find the balance?
It isn't easy. Self esteem reverts back to different events from out past, and it goes back to what I've talked about in my first book, in that the better you understand yourself, the better you will be out there in the business arena. You therefore need to "exercise" your intuition.
Here are some traits that go along with an Intuitive person.
1. Sees the world with an open mind. With so much mental stimulation going on, what's happened is that many of us have become "desensitized" to the world around us – hearing things, but not really "listening", looking around us but not really "seeing". Our senses are what allow us to keep the human element in our day, and the more in tune we are, the better we will be able to use this in communicating effectively with our prospects, clients, or just the other people we deal with every day,
2. They trust in their "gut" feelings and are also aware of the consequences. This means that their self esteem is kept "in check" by always being conscious of the responsibility that goes along with it.
3. They have a vision – a channel of directing their "voice" into the appropriate direction. Of course, we are always going to come up against opposition. But what keeps the intuitive persons focused and able to move forward is having the confidence to believe in those "gut" feelings.
Here are ways to improve your intuition:
First, you need to look at yourself in your everyday situations. You need to be honest with yourself in regard to your goals, needs and concerns. Be as clear as you can about your objectives. For example, if you say that you have to stay at your job, but are unhappy at work, these are two forces working against each other and will keep you from moving forward.
Next, give yourself time here and there to just "be in the moment" and do something for you. Allow times for this intuitive "voice" to be heard. Get rid of the "white noise" once in a while, and just listen.
Another way to improve your intuition is to nourish it with information. A brilliant idea can come from anywhere, as long as you looking for it everywhere. The stronger your knowledge base, the more equipped you will be to make informed decisions – rather than just shooting from the hip. Read..Read…Read..Read!
Lastly, spent time with people. Being around other people gives you the opportunity to make a first impression about them, and helps grow your intuitive level. You must know how to understand people and how to bridge together different personalities when working a deal, and intuition plays a part in the process.
Here's a quoteI heard once which will sum it all up….."A good judge of personality isn't just someone who is smarter, – rather, it's someone who gets out and spends time with people."
Marco Giunta
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