So, following on from last weeks' post where I shared my skepticism about the rush to immediately embrace "the next big thing", today I'm going to touch on another key principle I live by- and this is one that I've only adopted in more recent years. It came from a little bit of letting my guard down, and a lot of experience...
So here is Principle #2:
Trust The Little Voice Inside
In our modern, first-world society, we've been conditioned to be skeptical, almost cynical towards anything that can't be measured or comprehensively proven as "fact".
Anything that can't be broken down and analysed tangibly, we're told to disregard as nonsense, only fit for the gullible people out there to embrace and endorse. Anything that can't be measured, deconstructed and itemised, we're encouraged to dismiss as "hocus pocus".
When you're making professional or personal decisions, it seems logical that we insist on this same method of thinking. Analyse. Measure. Measure again. Compare. Research. Then at some point, make a decision. Regarding myself and many of the decisions I've made over the years, I've been a cautious person like this. At times I've been too cautious for my own good- and missed out because of it.
l'd meet people and often get a distinct feeling or impression of them quicker than you can boil a jug of water. But of course- how could I pass judgement so early? I had no factual or logical basis for holding that opinion on the person. I figured I was being too judgemental, too naive, allowing my own biases to colour in the large, vacant gaps of information about the person in question. How could I judge them so early?
So instead I'd hold off, decide to rely totally on cold, indifferent logic and deduction and allow the person in question to show that my initial optimism or hesitancy was blind prejudice and completely wrong on my behalf.
And yet....
The vast majority of times?
That initial feeling, that first impression of a persons' character or attitude- however vague my logic behind it- would turn out to be accurate.
Frighteningly accurate.
This is what you know as 'instinct'. This is what makes animals like dogs such great readers of a persons' character. I've heard of businessmen who won't do a deal with somebody until they meet their dog. If the dog likes them, they go ahead and seal the deal. If the dog growls and barks at them aggressively? Deals' off.
Mind you, feelings are too unreliable to make all of our decisions upon. This often leads to disaster. An alcoholic might feel like a drink or three, a problem gambler might feel like entering a venue and playing the tables until the sun comes up- but only the facts will save them. However, my experience has taught me to trust my instinct about people like I trust what I see in the mirror. The ironic part? I only came to this realisation through experience and learning. I came to a conclusion about a non-logical method of decision-making in a logical way.
I stress that I don't get these "impressions" about every person I meet. If we haven't met yet, don't go worrying that if our paths cross, the gears are turning in my mind and I'm immediately sorting you into the 'friend' or 'foe' pile. There are plenty of people I have a neutral feeling towards early on- and the important details only come later.
No, I'm talking about those people you meet and immediately sense a character aspect of them: warmth, arrogance, hesitancy, competency, tiredness, uncertainty, energy, passion, understanding- even aspects of their character that you can't directly put a word to. It could even be a feeling.
Does a person make you feel as if you've walked into a dark, stale room with the windows shut? You might want to hold back in your dealings with that person, whether professional or personal- unless they conclusively prove your initial feeling wrong.
Do they give you a pleasant, fresh feeling- like a warm summers' breeze? Delve deeper- take the time to find out what it is about that person- you'll probably be glad you made the effort!
So I encourage you- let your guard down.
Relax.
Trust that little voice inside.
Trust your instinct like you trust what's in the mirror.
It may be a leap of faith to do so- but I guarantee it's a leap to safety. It will save you time, money and heartache- and in return, bring great abundance and rich relationships into your life.
So here is Principle #2:
Trust The Little Voice Inside
In our modern, first-world society, we've been conditioned to be skeptical, almost cynical towards anything that can't be measured or comprehensively proven as "fact".
Anything that can't be broken down and analysed tangibly, we're told to disregard as nonsense, only fit for the gullible people out there to embrace and endorse. Anything that can't be measured, deconstructed and itemised, we're encouraged to dismiss as "hocus pocus".
When you're making professional or personal decisions, it seems logical that we insist on this same method of thinking. Analyse. Measure. Measure again. Compare. Research. Then at some point, make a decision. Regarding myself and many of the decisions I've made over the years, I've been a cautious person like this. At times I've been too cautious for my own good- and missed out because of it.
l'd meet people and often get a distinct feeling or impression of them quicker than you can boil a jug of water. But of course- how could I pass judgement so early? I had no factual or logical basis for holding that opinion on the person. I figured I was being too judgemental, too naive, allowing my own biases to colour in the large, vacant gaps of information about the person in question. How could I judge them so early?
So instead I'd hold off, decide to rely totally on cold, indifferent logic and deduction and allow the person in question to show that my initial optimism or hesitancy was blind prejudice and completely wrong on my behalf.
And yet....
The vast majority of times?
That initial feeling, that first impression of a persons' character or attitude- however vague my logic behind it- would turn out to be accurate.
Frighteningly accurate.
This is what you know as 'instinct'. This is what makes animals like dogs such great readers of a persons' character. I've heard of businessmen who won't do a deal with somebody until they meet their dog. If the dog likes them, they go ahead and seal the deal. If the dog growls and barks at them aggressively? Deals' off.
Mind you, feelings are too unreliable to make all of our decisions upon. This often leads to disaster. An alcoholic might feel like a drink or three, a problem gambler might feel like entering a venue and playing the tables until the sun comes up- but only the facts will save them. However, my experience has taught me to trust my instinct about people like I trust what I see in the mirror. The ironic part? I only came to this realisation through experience and learning. I came to a conclusion about a non-logical method of decision-making in a logical way.
I stress that I don't get these "impressions" about every person I meet. If we haven't met yet, don't go worrying that if our paths cross, the gears are turning in my mind and I'm immediately sorting you into the 'friend' or 'foe' pile. There are plenty of people I have a neutral feeling towards early on- and the important details only come later.
No, I'm talking about those people you meet and immediately sense a character aspect of them: warmth, arrogance, hesitancy, competency, tiredness, uncertainty, energy, passion, understanding- even aspects of their character that you can't directly put a word to. It could even be a feeling.
Does a person make you feel as if you've walked into a dark, stale room with the windows shut? You might want to hold back in your dealings with that person, whether professional or personal- unless they conclusively prove your initial feeling wrong.
Do they give you a pleasant, fresh feeling- like a warm summers' breeze? Delve deeper- take the time to find out what it is about that person- you'll probably be glad you made the effort!
So I encourage you- let your guard down.
Relax.
Trust that little voice inside.
Trust your instinct like you trust what's in the mirror.
It may be a leap of faith to do so- but I guarantee it's a leap to safety. It will save you time, money and heartache- and in return, bring great abundance and rich relationships into your life.