Do you sometimes sense warning signs that something is ‘off’ but it is only with hindsight that you put two and two together? You tell yourself afterwards “I knew something wasn’t right.” or “If only I had listened to my gut.”
Right now, we’re navigating complex situations - personally and professionally. It’s important to listen, trust yourself and be brave to do things your way,
But how do we pay attention to those signs so we catch them in the moment?
Bring awareness - Like with anything, awareness is the first step. Journaling or writing down your feelings when things don’t feel right (even with hindsight) is so important to raise your conscious awareness around themes, relationships, conversations, subjects, events and situations.
Confront it - When you notice something doesn’t feel right, don’t brush it away. Ask yourself questions to try to uncover what is really going on. Where do you feel it? Is it a thought you’re having, or a message from your inner narrative? Do you feel it in your body? How does it feel? Is it in your stomach, head, neck, shoulders?
Get curious - Follow that feeling and dig a little deeper. What does it want for you instead? What is it afraid will happen? What could help this feeling feel heard?
Bask in stillness - We miss or discount those signs because we’re always thinking ahead to the next thing or rushing around being busy. Being still allows those feelings to surface. That’s when we can really pay attention and begin to understand. That’s when we can really start to connect to our intuition.
Be honest - With yourself. Listening to our intuition and being true is not easy. Especially when we’ve had years of saying yes to others, putting others first or being who and what everyone else wants us to be. When you’re trying to speak your truth, it takes time and practice but it is so important to be honest with yourself. Ask yourself, ‘If I wasn’t concerned with others, what would I truly want in this situation?’
If it doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't.
And above all, be kind to yourself.
Gemma Brown is an associate certified coach with the International Coach Federation, working with people to navigate successfully through transitions - be it career, relationships or life in general. Her belief is that when we confidently bring our whole selves to all areas of life, anything is possible. Transitions exist in both our personal and business life, and so often, the two fiercely overlap. Coaching with Gemma focuses on you as a whole, enabling you to identify your strengths, build confidence and to live a life with increased purpose and direction. Gemma is based in Cambridgeshire and carries out face to face coaching in the area as well as 1-2-1 coaching via Skype and Zoom. For more about Gemma, visit her 'About' page or contact her directly.