Natalya Edwards
Making decisions can be a tricky thing because it brings about uncertainty.
While some people rely on facts and logic, intuitive people choose a different route, using their emotions and experiences to help inform their decisions.
This can be useful, though! Especially if you don’t have a much time to make a choice and are under a lot of pressure. Sometimes, you just don’t have time to stew over the facts.
This article will explore 8 ways intuitive people make decisions differently. Plus, some handy tips along the way to help you tap into your intuition.
1) They trust their instincts
Do you sometimes get that feeling in your gut that something isnโt right? Youโre not sure what it is, but you canโt quite put your finger on it?
Well, thatโs your gut instinct kicking in!
When making decisions, intuitive people tend to trust their instincts.
They might have a cushy job at a company that pays them well. However, their gut feeling could tell them they’re better off doing something else, like starting their own business. They can’t explain it, but it feels right, even though doing so is risky.
Often when intuitive people follow their instincts, they make decisions they’re better off for.
And when they go against that instinct, they may end up in situations they later regret!
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is someone who has used her instincts to help guide her decisions.
In an article, she said, ‘I take in all the information I can gather. I listen to proposals, ideas, and advice. Then I go with my gut, what my heart feels most stronglyโ.
2) They consider the big picture
Itโs not just instinct intuitive people lean on. They think of the bigger picture as well.
What will they gain long-term from making a particular decision? Will they be better off than they are now? Happier?
Letโs go back to my first point about starting a new business.
Sure, itโs risky, but an intuitive person may feel like they’d be happier and more fulfilled in the long run than in their current job. Or that their business idea has a much bigger earning potential.
As I said, they can’t shake off that feeling in their gut!
If you went to university or college, you probably remember how daunting it was to decide what you would study for the next 3-4 years of your life.
You would have wanted to study a course you enjoyed, but at the same time, you would have to consider the career possibilities of that course. How easy or difficult would it be to get a job in the field youโd be studying?
The big picture is something intuitive people bear in mind – one of the many ways they make decisions differently.
3) They refer to their personal values
Another factor that intuitive people consider when making decisions is their personal values.
If one of their choices goes against this, they may be more likely to head in the other direction.
Hereโs a scenario for you. You have multiple job interviews. After they are over, you’re lucky enough to be inundated with job offers. Now, youโre hit with a difficult choice. Which job do you accept?
This is where personal values may come into play for intuitive people.
Letโs say one of their personal values is to have a good work/life balance. That means they will have enough time to spend with their family after work.
They don’t want a job that will constantly spring more work on them than they can handle. Or a job that forces them to do overtime four out of five days of the week.
Though their job offers may be for the same role, some may not align with their values.
In that case, an intuitive person is more likely to accept the job most closely aligned with their values. I.e., the position that offers the best work/life balance.
4) They embrace uncertainty by taking risks
Sometimes, no matter what decision you make, you wonโt be sure if itโs the right one unless you take that risk.
Thatโs why intuitive people are willing to dive head-first into the field of uncertainty.
They wonโt always make the right decision, but honing your intuition takes practice.
If intuitive people are uncertain, theyโll try new things and build their experiences to see what works and what doesnโt.
So, if they really donโt know what job offer to accept, for example, theyโll take a gamble.
If they find that they made a mistake down the line, intuitive people will learn more about the type of job they donโt want. This makes choosing the next role easier in the process.
5) They use their creativity and imagination
Intuitive people tend not to rely on tried and tested formulas or logic. It might be no surprise then that the intuitive tap into their creativity and imagination to help them make decisions.
They use their big imaginations to think of the possibilities of their choices. They also experiment with various processes to help them learn what works and what doesnโt work so well.
Intuitive people can then modify and fine-tune their processes as they go along.
As you can probably imagine, this creativity works particularly well in creative roles since being innovative and creative go hand in hand.
A job in marketing is an example of a career where you have to think outside the box, consistently finding new ways to engage audiences.
6) They identify patterns and connections
Intuitive people may also identify patterns when it comes to making decisions.
Looking into patterns can help them understand what has worked in the past, which will help them certify their lingering choice.
Back to my marketing example, they may identify patterns for viral pieces. Letโs say Youtube.
By analyzing every Youtube video that has gone viral, they may spot specific trends that every viral video has. This may then help them decide how to create their own Youtube video.
If they aim to create a viral Youtube video, spotting patterns in other viral videos may help them!
7) They learn from their past experiences
When you try new approaches, youโll inevitably gain experience from them and with experience comes knowledge, too.
Itโs these past experiences that help intuitive people when making decisions.
Reflecting on their experiences helps them understand what is likely to happen based on what has happened before.
Letโs use past relationships as an example. An intuitive person may use red flags that popped up in previous relationships when making decisions on their current ones.
Someone theyโre currently dating may have red flags that their former partner had. Because of that, they choose to ditch the person they’re dating rather than take things to the next level.
Alternatively, partners in their former relationships may have had traits they were incompatible with โ this, in turn, could help an intuitive person decide whether to date someone based on their personality traits.
8) They listen to their inner voice
Getting advice from your friends and reflecting on your past experiences can help you make decisions. But at the end of the day, the final decision comes down to you and that inner voice in your head.
Intuitive people listen to their inner voice and let this guide them in the decision-making process.
How do intuitive people tap into their inner voice?
If you’re having difficulty hearing that voice, it helps to drown out outside interference, including your racing thoughts!
Practising mindfulness techniques like meditation can help with this.
By clearing your head and focusing on deep breathing, you can listen to your inner voice.
Joanna Hulin, a meditation and wellness coach, says on meditation, โThis moment of quiet can help to put all the heaviness and confusion surrounding a big decision into better perspective. This allows you to really connect with what is right for you and let that inner clarity govern your decision making once you come to consider your choices again.โ
That, along with that gut feeling, is sure to help you to come a decision that’s best for you.
Final thoughts
Intuitive people make decisions differently because they don’t predominantly base their decisions on facts and logic.
They make decisions by trying new approaches, reflecting on past experiences, and following their instincts and inner voice.
To hone your intuition, it helps to try new things, so you can learn what works and what doesn’t. Tapping into your inner voice also allows you to get to the core of what you really want.
By honing and fine-tuning your intuition, it can help you make better decisions down the line that lead to more fulfilling results.
