Making winning decisions.

Follow your heart. Listen to your inner voice. Trust your guidance. It all sounds so easy. But what do you do when your inner voice sounds like your inner critic, or worse, your inner child run amok!? How can you learn to depend on your intuition to help guide you to the right decisions?

1. What does your intuition tell you?

Your intuition can contribute "quick and ready" insight according to Webster's dictionary. Too often we discount the role of intuition in decision making. Begin to pay close attention to what your intuition is telling you; it could lead directly to positive changes in your life.

2. How does your intuition communicate with you?

Each of us has a predominant form in which we receive intuitive information. It may come through feelings, images, body sensations (gut feelings) or through your thoughts. When you are making a decision, pay particular attention to all of these ways that your intuition communicates with you.

3. Ask your intuition questions.

Many people believe that intuition comes completely unbidden. I have found that when you ask your intuition for additional insight it will respond with answers. Ask, "What should I do in this situation?" or "What do I need to know about this." Remember you may get the answers from a variety of sources: feelings, words, physical sensations and images.

4. Act on the information you receive.

Developing your intuition is like learning any new skill. It's not unlike learning an athletic ability. 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.

5. You may not receive information immediately.

If you don't understand something, ask for clarification. It is possible to get your guidance in dreams, for instance. Many people ask for intuitive guidance during a meditation and don't receive information immediately. You may find that the insight you desire will come seemingly unbidden at some point later in the day while you're involved in other tasks.

6. Learn to take small steps.

Most of us feel quite anxious when making big changes in our lives. We're afraid we'll make a mistake that we'll later regret. I've found that taking small steps towards a decision works great. You may find, as many do, that as you take those small steps the decision becomes clearer, your resolve becomes stronger and the fear begins to lessen.

7. Write down the guidance you receive.

Whenever you're facing a tough decision, write about it in a journal you keep for this purpose. Always jot down what your intuition is communicating. What feelings do you have about this decision? What images come to mind? Are there any body sensations that indicate a good or bad decision? Is there a still, quiet, inner voice that imforms you? It's helpful to look back at this journal from time to time to see how accurate your guidance was. Did you trust the information you received? Did you act on its wisdom?

8. Don't forget your left brain!

Remember to use your logical or rational mind in this process as well. There needn't be a competition between the intuitive mind and the rational mind. Your rational side can help you find out facts and assist you with details of your decision. Your intuitive or right brain, simply adds another level of information often described as--you know, but you don't know how you know.

9. What's your goal in making this decision?

When using your intuition, it helps to be clear about the outcome you want. Many people get stuck in the process by thinking of all outcomes they want. When you're clear about your goals, your intuition can inform you about the clearest, most direct path to achieve them.

10. Intuition is guidance from your higher self.

Your intuition is always there to guide you and provide you with support, encouragement and direction. Learn to trust it and act on its wisdom.

[c] Dawn M Osborn M.S.--Success Coach e-mail: [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Submitted by Lynn A. Robinson (lynn@Lynn robinson.com). Reprinted by permission from Extraordinary Times 5-17-99