Taking Advantage of Your “Spidey Sense” (aka Intuition)

In 2007, Ann* the Vice President I was supporting asked for my opinion on the organizational structure of the new division she was tasked to create and head up. Now, it wouldn’t be the first time a VP had asked my opinion, it was my job and I loved it. The difference this time was that she asked me, “Silvia, what does your ‘Spidey Sense’ tell you about this structure and the players I’m considering for my staff.”

Seriously, wasn’t it taboo to talk about gut feelings or intuition in Corporate America? For the first time I felt exposed, I had never told a soul that the reason I was so successful at my job was that I first drew on a gut instinct then mentally tested the validity. Almost instantaneously the feeling subsided and I regained composure and my “Spidey Sense” and gave her my opinion.

In my own life and in growing a successful business, I have relied heavily on my gut instinct. It has never steered me wrong. In fact the times I’ve gotten into trouble were when I let my mind override a gut instinct. It’s interesting to note that the “gut” is actually a sort of brain too. It has more neurological pathways than the nervous system and from an evolutionary stand point has been around longer than the brain. I mean we even refer to intuitive hits as a “gut instinct”. How much more evidence do we need to trust it?

This is why I think it’s important for you to build a connection with your gut. Be sure to feed it well (you don’t want to confuse “gas” caused by the meal you just ate with some sort of gut instinct). In all seriousness, I spend a lot of time with my 1:1 clients helping them to reconnect with their gut. Sure we verify and validate by using other tools, but often starting with that initial hit is more insightful than listening to the last fad in business building.

So I challenge you to:

1. Sit down
2. Connect with your intuition (you can just say to yourself “I’d like to create a conscious connection to my intuition)
3. Ask yourself a question regarding something you’ve been struggling with this week
4. Listen to the answer (or for some it’s easier to journal the answer)
5. Then trust your gut

And then let me know how it goes!

*NOTE: VP’s name has been changed to maintain anonymity

How to prepare for a happy vacation and stress free return

When going on vacation there is a great excitement that is followed by a BIG amount of fear: Will you get it all done before you go? Will you be able to truly unplug? Your to do list seems to grow exponentially and you wonder why you scheduled time off in the first place. Then you often fast forward to all the work that you will have to get done when you get back and worry if you shouldn’t just take your computer along to stay on top of it all.

Does this sound familiar? Well you aren’t alone. There are millions of women just like you, struggling with this very same predicament. The need to get time off coupled with the overwhelm of what it takes to make it out of town without pulling your hair out upon your return.

Here are a few tips that have helped me have extremely satisfying and stress free vacations. In fact, I’ve shared some of these tips with a few clients and they have commented that it changed how they approach vacations!

Preparing to Leave:

1. Remember, there is no emergency so great at work that you can’t get to it upon your return. For most of us, our clients and colleagues will survive just fine without us! In fact, I’ve noticed that by the time I’ve returned from vacation, most emergencies have been downgraded to minor inconveniences, so don’t stress out about something that will be a moot point upon your return.
2. Have a list created for all the things you need to pack. I have two lists already prepared that are my base line – one for short trips and one for long vacations. They include a list of toiletries, electronics, and print outs that I like to be sure to have with me, making packing a whole lot easier.
3. Be sure to block of at least half a day for short trips and a full day for long trips upon your return. This half/full day is for you to unpack your bags, do laundry, grocery shop, clean out your email (not answer email just dump excess emails and junk) and sort through mail. It is much better to book this day into your “vacation” time, so that you aren’t overwhelmed up on your return.

Coming Back:

1. Use your “extra” vacation time, to do those things listed above in number 3. This is a great way for you to slowly transition into the “real” world. You will feel better if your life is back in order with everything in its place prior to going back to work.
2. Before doing your real scrub of email, get out your calendar and see what needs to get done and organize a to do list for yourself. It has been said that emails are other people’s agenda and this is absolutely true. Therefore you want to be clear about what YOUR agenda is, before getting to other’s agenda.
3. Once your home space and office space is clean and you know what you need to get done, execute on your actions. Nothing feels better coming from vacation, than knocking off a few to dos. So get to it.
   Let me know what comments, questions or additional insights you have about smoothly transitioning in and out of vacation. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Let me know what comments, questions or additional insights you have about smoothly transitioning in and out of vacation. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

31 Days of Giving Day 31

In today’s 31 Days of Giving video (6:13 minutes) I give you a business tip on: Setting goals and visions that you will actually accomplish!

Watch this video to get a detailed process to setting an ideal goal or vision and creating your step by step action plan that will help you achieve it!  Tip: Use your New Year’s Resolutions as a way to practice this activity.  You’ll be surprised by the results, I guarantee it!

Stay tuned to some great announcements from me in 2012!

Your Actions:

1. What are you celebrating? Let me know by leaving me a comment!
2. Need more support? Apply for a FREE Business Strategy Session this December where you get 30 minutes with me ($175 value). Learn more and apply here: http://outsidethecubicle.com/strategy/

31 Days of Giving Day 30

In today’s 31 Days of Giving video (5:09 minutes) I address the question:  How do I stay focused when life seems to be happening around me?

Learn what I did to balance my business and life during the time in my life when my father fell ill and passed away.  There are ways to ensure your business is sustaining you (or not this is your choice). Even if things aren’t “happening” learn what you need to do to be prepared for times of crisis.

 

Your Actions:

1. What are your follow up questions or comments on this topic? Leave me a message!

Need more support? Apply for a FREE Business Strategy Session this December where you get 30 minutes with me ($175 value). Learn more and apply here: http://outsidethecubicle.com/strategy/

31 Days of Giving Day 29

In today’s 31 Days of Giving video (4:22 minutes) I address the question:  How do I uncover my relationship with money?

Understand how your relationship with money might hinder you in your business and how to overcome them to bring in the kind of success you desire.

Your Actions:

1. What are your follow up questions or comments on this topic? Leave me a message!
2. Journal to uncover your money patterns
3. Need more support? Apply for a FREE Business Strategy Session this December where you get 30 minutes with me ($175 value). Learn more and apply here: http://outsidethecubicle.com/strategy/

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