TRUST YOUR INTUTION

"You don't belong here!"

There were many times in my life I had "gut feelings" about situations, but this was a completely visceral experience the likes of which I had never experienced.

As the elevator closed and began its ascent to the top floor where I was set to interview for the biggest job title of my corporate career, I was overcome with nausea and lightheadedness. It wasn't a case of nerves, as I was always confident in job interviews and knew how to sell my gifts and talents to potential employers.

The feeling was one of panic and was accompanied by a clear voice within myself that told me, "You don't belong here. Turn this job down."

Back in those days, I allowed my need to please others block me from trusting my intuition. I tried to rationalize my feelings away, saying the company had already gone to great lengths to fly me to Florida and put me up for the weekend at a nice hotel. How could I walk in and tell them this opportunity didn't feel like a fit before I listened to their pitch?

I didn't want to appear like an ungrateful jerk who was just looking for them to foot the bill for a 3-day getaway. So, I walked in and decided I should at least hear them out and then politely turn down the opportunity later.

But as the afternoon wore on, I allowed myself to be seduced by all of the things that looked great on paper.

The money...
The bigger job title...
The appearance of significance to my family and industry colleagues when they saw me move up the ladder... 

Within hours, my intuition was drowned out by my ego. I accepted the position and moved to Florida for what was supposed to be the pinnacle of my executive career. 

Within 6 weeks, I knew I had made a terrible mistake. The culture of the company was suffocating and the autonomy I was promised was non-existent. 

After 6 months, I was so miserable, stressed out, and exhausted I was taking blood pressure medication and laying in bed fighting shingles. Making matters worse, I realized that doubting my intuition had been a long-standing pattern in my life that affected not just my career, but also my relationships. 

And the insight I want to pass along to you today is that much of the pain you encounter professionally and personally is a result of ignoring your intuition from the beginning. 

The fact is, you have been given a unique set of gifts from The Universe that you are meant to use to help other people. Your mind might tell you that you don't know what those gifts are, but a deeper wisdom within you knows there is something bigger out there for you. 

And when you continue to ignore your deeper calling, you will continue to attract situations that bring you so much pain, it forces you to wake up. 

So, if you are feeling stuck and unhappy in your life, know your pain is a teacher, and it's here to force you to listen to your intuition. 

Maybe you know it's time to leave a job that is unworthy of your talents and pursue meaningful work you love...
Maybe you know it's time to leave a toxic relationship and raise your standards...
Maybe you know it's time you stop worrying about the approval of others and follow your dreams... 

Chasing new jobs in the same unsatisfying career rarely ends well, but it's a great temporary distraction from pain. So is seeking fulfillment through unhealthy romantic relationships, numbing out in addictive behaviors ranging from alcohol to social media, or buying a new house or car to make you feel like you've "made it." 

There's an appeal to projecting the outward image of success to your family and friends, but it's also a delay tactic to avoid leaving your comfort zone and allowing yourself to grow and become more. 

Growth and contribution are the only paths to lasting fulfillment. However, growth requires you to do things that scare you. And the only way to overcome fear and take massive action is to follow your intuition and trust you are taking the next right step. 

Is your intuition telling you that you don't belong where you're at? Trust that. Don't get caught up in thinking you're one pay raise, relationship, or vacation away from happiness.

Are you courageous enough to stop doing what LOOKS good and follow your intuition to create a life that FEELS good?