The Power of Intuition in Business Decision-Making
Yesterday I made a big decision. One that I have been going back and forth on for a long time. I finally moved forward and it was because I knew it was time.
Intuition is such an undesirable, generally untrusted way to of doing business. However, I am going to challenge that and say you can’t be successful without it.
Here’s why.
Balancing Head and Heart
I believe that a good business has a mix of both head and heart. A healthy mix of “what do the numbers say?” and what do you FEEL is the right thing to do? This is not free reign to quit your job without a back up plan when you can’t pay your rent to begin with. This is more about your intuition helping you making those decisions in your business that you agonize over and struggle with. Things like:
When can I hire someone?
When should I fire a client?
When do I know I need a bookkeeper?
When do I decide to move from freelancing to owning my own business?
These are all questions I have faced in the beginning stages of my business. I wish I could tell you that there’s an easy exercise to do and then you’ll have your answer. But I keep coming back to this: when you know, you know.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back...concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. ”
— Goethe
It’s a gut thing and mine has rarely been wrong when I’ve followed it completely.
I am a firm believer that when you start taking yourself, your business, your life seriously, everything moves for you. Everything moves in the direction you need it to. Every single time.
The Importance of Confidence
Your gut knows what you are capable of and it gets better with confidence. Confidence in your product, service or business. Do you know that there is value in what you are doing? Do you have paying customers? Do you have repeat customers? If so, you are doing something right. I cannot stress it enough: the more confident you are, the more accurate your intuition will be.
The Rewards of Taking Risks
I know we all have imposter syndrome sometimes. And being a business owner is hard. If it wasn’t, then everyone would do it. Putting out new products is scary. Pivoting your business is scary. But risks are rewarded in business when you know they serve you and your primary audience well.
When that next big question comes along, look at the data but don’t neglect to check in and see how you feel about it. Trust the feeling.
Believe me when I say from experience: you don’t need to be able to see the ending to make the first move. All you need is to do the next right thing.
By learning to trust your intuition, you can make confident decisions that lead to success in your business. Don't neglect the power of intuition in your decision-making process, and remember to balance head and heart for the best results.
