Tuning In To Intuition at the Office

Part Two: Practicing Intuitive Awareness
(back to part one)

How can you attune yourself to receiving intuition at the office? These eleven practices will fit into even the most frenzied day:

1. Take advantage of your driving time to check-in with yourself. Turn off the radio and clear your mind of visions of dishes piled up in the sink or living rooms turned upside down by the morning hustle and bustle. Also avoid mentally charging full steam ahead into the future. Let your daily "To Do List" and stack of messages remain at the office. Just relax and listen in.

2. If you are not the kind of person who appreciates peace and quiet en route to a frenetic day, try listening to an inspirational audiocassette instead. A soothing voice with harmonious background music takes the edge off of a crowded or boring commute. Some recommended titles on audio for increasing intuitive skills are:

3. Goodfellow recommends doodling or writing down random thoughts during meetings, while on hold, or whenever you have a free minute during the workday. She says, "This exercises the mind and gets it used to the idea that you are listening more. The more you listen, the more insights you will receive. The first 20 notes you jot down may mean little, but the 21st could save you money, increase productivity or empower others."

4. Goodfellow also recommends starting an intuition journal where you note your hunches in a small notebook, on a palm pilot, or inside your weekly planner. This reinforces that you are paying attention to your intuitive power, recalls the ideas or warnings which are otherwise easily lost in the shuffle, and helps build confidence in your ability to know."

5. Unplug yourself when you're not at work. According to Gina Giacomini in her book "Bringing Intuition to Work," "Communication available at our fingertips has changed our nine to five workday enabling us to be accessible morning, noon and night. Although this development is financially advantageous, it can take a huge toll on the physical body." Unless it's absolutely critical, make yourself unavailable after hours and on weekends. Your family's appreciation will more than make up for whatever kudos you lose at the office.

6. Walking is another terrific way to alleviate stress and tune in to our natural rhythm. Goodfellow recommends, "At some point during the day, if something is bugging you, ask yourself a question that might lead toward a solution and then go for a walk. In bad weather, walk around your building or up and down the stairs. Don't try to think of the answer, just empty your mind instead. This will prompt a response from your intuition."

7. Cultivate good boundaries with employers and co-workers alike. Boundaries are about more than just being able to say "No". Having boundaries means standing only as close to someone as you feel comfortable, knowing who in the office energizes you and who leaves you feeling drained. Trying to deny these feelings in order to be nice or polite won't help anything. According to Giacomini, "During a busy workday, we are exchanging energy with those around us, taking on each others problems, stress and anxiety. Without a healthy boundary, this exchange of energy can deplete the physical body and leave us feeling drained at the end of the day."

8. Because your intuition is strongly connected to your feelings, it is important to stay in touch with how you feel despite a rigorous schedule. Susan Harris, a senior consultant at a global human resources consulting firm, shares "I'm not afraid to get personal with the people I work with. If I notice something is wrong, I will often ask if anything is bothering a colleague or a client to see if I can somehow help. On the other hand, if it's me, I'm not afraid to let someone I trust know when I am having a bad day. Having genuine relationships with the people I work with is part of what makes work worthwhile."

9. When everything feels like it is spinning out of control, stop what you are doing and take a five-minute meditation break. If you don't have soothing instrumental music available with natural background sounds, don't worry. Just focus on your breathing, taking slow, steady breathes in and out until five minutes pass. You will be amazed at how a five-minute break can shift your attitude and energy and help you get back on track.

10. Develop an acid test for your intuition. Career Coach Dr. Kathleen Wells shares, "For me the big thing was learning to discern my inner voice from all the chatter in my head. I have learned to be still and quiet and listen to what my inner voice tells me. I ask myself if the message I receive has heart and passion in it. If it does, then I follow the message."

11. Accept that making mistakes may be part of the learning process. As Briscoe says, "Over the years I have learned to always go with my gut instinct, but be flexible -- and apologetic, if necessary -- when it turns out I was mistaken."

Above all, don't be afraid to share your insights. Like a muscle, your intuition will get stronger the more you use it. In the long run, practicing intuitive awareness builds self-awareness, which eventually leads to more confident self-expression.

Reccommended Reading:
• Bringing Intuition to Work by Gina Giacomini
• Developing Intuition: Practical Guidance for Daily Life by Shakti Gawain
• Emotional Intelligence at Work by Hendrie Weisinger Ph.D.

Christina Katz is a speaker, author, and writing coach from Wilsonville, Oregon. Christina offers presentations on the topics of making time for yourself and writing and publishing nonfiction articles. She coaches writers, artists, and professionals to compose authentic, compelling communications and offers manuscript and copy evaluations. To subscribe to her free newsletter "Writers on the Rise," email christinakatz@earthlink.net. Christina's next book is "The Art of Making Time for Yourself," based on her article of the same name. For more information, please visit http://www.christinakatz.com.