That's not quite right; I think trusting your intuition is a great idea, after say, age 35 or so.
More and more as I live it, I like the idea of "logging the miles." We used to be able to use the word "experience" and that would be meaningful enough, but when the word gets applied to theme park rides and expensive dinners, we've lost some of the punch. Logging the miles is accruing enough time in the pilot chair to get a feel for how things go. You don't have to be flying loop-de-loops. You just have to show up and log the miles.
Back to my original point: Intuition is a subtle collection of observations. You don't have to be old or experienced to be intuitive, but you do have to be observant in inobvious ways. The way a person talks and twitches, what doesn't get said as much as what does get said. It's not conscious, but neither is it magic.
Regardless of your naturally-gleaned subtle observation skills, the one thing that ups your intuitive ability for sure is more opportunities to make those subtle observations and have them confirmed or denied, i.e., learning.
When old people offer advice to young people and tell them to "listen to your heart" or "trust your intuition" that is dangerous advice. It's decent advice for those who've been listening to their hearts for 40 years. But someone who's only had a heart for 20 years barely knows what that sounds like.
Don't trust your intuition if you're young. Test your intuition. It's a great tool, but you don't have a magical voice inside of you that knows truth when you don't. An untrained intuition is as helpful as a coin flip. You have to break it in with a few upsets and victories, and learn what to listen for. Then it starts clicking for you.
More and more as I live it, I like the idea of "logging the miles." We used to be able to use the word "experience" and that would be meaningful enough, but when the word gets applied to theme park rides and expensive dinners, we've lost some of the punch. Logging the miles is accruing enough time in the pilot chair to get a feel for how things go. You don't have to be flying loop-de-loops. You just have to show up and log the miles.
Back to my original point: Intuition is a subtle collection of observations. You don't have to be old or experienced to be intuitive, but you do have to be observant in inobvious ways. The way a person talks and twitches, what doesn't get said as much as what does get said. It's not conscious, but neither is it magic.
Regardless of your naturally-gleaned subtle observation skills, the one thing that ups your intuitive ability for sure is more opportunities to make those subtle observations and have them confirmed or denied, i.e., learning.
When old people offer advice to young people and tell them to "listen to your heart" or "trust your intuition" that is dangerous advice. It's decent advice for those who've been listening to their hearts for 40 years. But someone who's only had a heart for 20 years barely knows what that sounds like.
Don't trust your intuition if you're young. Test your intuition. It's a great tool, but you don't have a magical voice inside of you that knows truth when you don't. An untrained intuition is as helpful as a coin flip. You have to break it in with a few upsets and victories, and learn what to listen for. Then it starts clicking for you.
1 comment:
Very insightful. As in the past, you're one of the few people that makes me think new thoughts. Save this post for your book. :)
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