What does it mean to trust your gut feelings & is there actually a psychological or physiological reason for this sensation?
“You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” So said the late Steve Jobs & he became one of the most recognised global entrepreneurs in earth’s history. But what does it mean to trust your gut feelings & is there actually a psychological or physiological reason for this sensation?
We have all been there. Do I apply for this job even though I don’t feel right about the expectations? Do I settle for second based, even though my gut is telling me to step away? Do I stick at this & make the best of a bad/good situation? A powerful force known as the ‘gut instinct’ helps us make seemingly rational decisions every single day. Research suggests that we actually make more than 99% of our involuntary decisions each day, merely based on how we ‘feel’ & not basing any of these decisions on informed research or data. We make decisions seemingly absentmindedly, however there is something much more powerful at work & it’s in our gut.
Your daily involuntary decision making comes from a form of second brain called the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is made up of lots of neurons that line the stomach. These systems can recommend feelings of excitement or stress – regardless of if you’re aware of them or not.
‘The enteric nervous system that regulates our gut is often called the body’s “second brain.” Although it can’t compose poetry or solve equations, this extensive network uses the same chemicals and cells as the brain to help us digest and to alert the brain when something is amiss. Gut and brain are in constant communication.’ http://neuro.hms.harvard.edu
However, how can the enteric nervous system help in business. We’ve already seen that Steve Jobs based his decision making using the ‘second brain’, but what about when we need to make those life changing decisions? Do we simply rely on just gut instinct or do we combine this with research & data back up? Psychologist Daniel Kahneman calls the process of involuntary decision making “System 1” thinking & those life altering decisions “System 2” thinking. System 1 thinking is reactive, however System 2 thinking relies on data back up to make an informed decision.
‘If you’re considering forming a partnership with somebody but have a nebulous feeling of unease, Psychologist Bruce Pfau suggests free-associating. “Let your mind start putting words to what it is about this person that’s making you uncomfortable. It can start with something vague. ‘I just have the feeling he’s not going to be a good partner.’ ”
‘Dig deeper. Ask yourself, What about him is making me feel that way? Does he seem too complacent? Too argumentative? Is it something in his body language? Something he said or the way he said it? It might be helpful to jot down notes or enlist someone else as a sounding board to guide your reflection. Then test your feelings against available data.’ www.success.com
So where does this leave us? Virtually Smart Ltd has undertaken their own research into the phenomena of trusting or at least listening to your gut feeling. Out of 34 small business owners who completed a poll, we found a that 23 of them always trust their gut instinct in business. This is a huge 67.64% of the small business owners in our poll, who always trust their gut. A smaller 17.65% told us that they had at one time or another not trusted their gut on more than one occasion & sadly their gut was right & the business situation did not go as planned. In addition, we have compiled some experiences from four business women, to explore their thoughts & feelings about trusting their gut instinct.
One of the VA’s in our poll, shared the following experience with us. This situation particularly shows how she instantly started to evaluate the scenario, basing her evaluation on the potential client’s timings & expectations upon her, even before he had met her.
“I’m away for the weekend with my family – I had a missed call from a potential client earlier and a voice message. He was ‘enquiring about my secretarial services’ and ‘could I please get back to him today’ …. gut instinct, this gentleman is inflexible, and perhaps doesn’t consider weekends being downtime.” RP
A further two VA’s shared the following from their own life experiences.
“I was VERY unemployed after my company went bust & I walked away from a job offer. Not only did my instinct tell me it was wrong, just in case I wasn’t great at reading the signs, I became so ill I physically couldn’t go! “ KS
“I always listen to my gut instinct and it has never led me the wrong way – even then that meant ditching my field of study right after I graduated!
I am reminded of one time I ignored my gut instinct and it turned out horribly wrong! I am pretty good at blocking the memories of that out. I think it would be true to say since then, I am always listened to my gut instinct.” HK
In addition to these examples, we have an example from our very own Helena Parrott – Director & VA for Virtually Smart Ltd. Helena took on a London based client & from the very start could feel something was not right. However, the company was progressive, had a large client base, was award winning & appeared on paper to be a high functioning corporate operation. However, right from the get go, Helena could feel something was off. In a very short space of time, she understood why. Communications with the main contact in the company spilled over into Whatsap & therefore the client seemed to consider that Helena was on ‘their’ time 24/7. Information was sporadic, slow & the other staff members based in the actual offices of the company, were unhelpful & often times unresponsive, making work flow for Helena difficult to plan & maintain. The final straw came when the company CEO contacted Helena late one night, reacting to a situation she was uninformed about, rather than waiting until the next day to gain the correct information. Helena knew then, that the relationship had turned stale & that she was very aware her initial gut instinct was right.
Therefore, what does this mean for those in business? There are plenty of data models which can be used to assess a working partnerships validity & worth, but if businesses are going to thrive & prosper, then clearly listening to gut instinct has a very valid part to play in these make or break decisions. Speaking with a VA & or having a mentoring/advisory session, could be one way to help mind map the decision process. Having a third brain, in addition to the ones in your head & gut, could make all the difference between a brilliant or disastrous business partnership.
