What do you do if your career decisions are solely based on intuition?

Making career decisions can be a daunting task, especially when you're relying solely on your intuition. Intuition, the ability to understand something instinctively without the need for conscious reasoning, plays a significant role in decision-making. However, when it comes to your career, relying entirely on gut feelings may not always lead to the best outcomes. It's essential to balance intuition with strategic thinking and a structured approach to decision-making. This article will explore how you can harness your intuitive insights while also incorporating more analytical methods to make well-rounded career choices.

1 Trust Gut Feelings

Your intuition is a powerful ally, often informed by your subconscious mind which processes your past experiences and knowledge. When faced with a career decision, your gut feeling can give you an immediate sense of what's right or wrong for you. Trusting this instinct is important, but it should be the starting point rather than the sole factor in your decision-making process. Consider why you feel a certain way about a career move and whether those feelings are based on facts, fears, or aspirations.

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Wee Khang Teoh

CEO at Beyond Insights | Empowering Sustainable Wealth Generation
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In my experience, "gut feeling" is very helpful in telling you what NOT to do. Our gut feeling or intuition is actually the accumulative wisdom from our knowledge, experience, competencies that are stored as a a form of "intelligence" in the subconscious mind. Hence if you gut feeling tells you not to do something - you really need to stop and examine it closely if you have the luxury of time, else - trust it. There is very likely that there is something about the decision that is not going to work for you. If your gut feeling tells you to do something - know that the gut feeling is based on what you have stored in your mind (both conscious and subconscious). And know that whatever is in our mind has limits. So take effort to validate.

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2 Seek Information

While intuition can guide you towards what feels right, it's crucial to seek out relevant information to support your gut feelings. Research the industry, role, or company that you're considering. Look for data that can either confirm or challenge your initial instincts. This step involves actively seeking out knowledge and understanding the logical aspects of your career decisions, which can help you make more informed decisions.

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3 Weigh Options

After gathering information, take the time to weigh your options carefully. Create a list of pros and cons for each potential career move, and try to quantify the benefits and risks when possible. This analytical approach complements your intuitive sense and can reveal insights that you might not have considered initially. It's about finding a balance between what feels right and what logically makes sense for your career trajectory.

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4 Consult Others

It's often helpful to consult with others when making career decisions. Talk to mentors, colleagues, or friends who understand your professional goals and personal values. They can provide perspectives that you might not have considered and can help validate or question your intuitive leanings. Remember, these conversations are not about letting others make the decision for you, but rather about gathering different viewpoints to inform your own decision-making process.

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5 Reflect Personally

Take some time for personal reflection. Ask yourself what you truly want from your career and how each decision aligns with your long-term goals and values. Reflection is a critical step in ensuring that your career decisions are not just intuitive but also true to who you are and what you want to achieve. It's about connecting the dots between your gut feelings and your personal and professional aspirations.

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6 Plan Strategically

Finally, develop a strategic plan for implementing your career decision. This includes setting specific goals, identifying required resources, and establishing a timeline. Even if the decision feels right intuitively, having a solid plan ensures that you're prepared for the practical steps that follow. It's about turning an intuitive choice into actionable steps that will move your career forward in a meaningful way.

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Javiera Fuller Uribe
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En mi caso personal, mis decisiones fueron intuitivas y basadas en experiencias personas, estuvieron pero siempre ligadas con la vocación. Creo que esto último es lo que no puede faltar porque es lo que nos permite transformar nuestro “trabajo” en algo - producto o servicio - de alto valor. La planificación estratégica es muy importante pero secundaria y siempre asociada a un propósito y fin claro, lo que va ligado con nuestra propia vocación.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Latha Basava

Regional HR APAC and MEA | LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice | Global HRBP Leader | Legal and HR Strategist | Speaker
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Relying solely on intuition for career decisions can be risky, as it may not always align with your long-term goals or the reality of the job market. It's essential to balance intuition with research, self-assessment, and seeking advice from mentors or career professionals to make effective decisions. Skills and our productivity should speak rather than intuition. When making future career decisions, it's wise to consider a combination of factors, including your skills, interests, values, market demand, and future trends. Reflect on your strengths and passions, explore various industries and roles, gather information, and seek advice from right mentors.

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What do you do if your career decisions are solely based on intuition?

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1 Trust Gut Feelings

2 Seek Information

3 Weigh Options

4 Consult Others

5 Reflect Personally

6 Plan Strategically

7 Here’s what else to consider

Decision-Making

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What do you do if your career decisions are solely based on intuition?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Trust Gut Feelings

2 Seek Information

3 Weigh Options

4 Consult Others

5 Reflect Personally

6 Plan Strategically

7 Here’s what else to consider

Decision-Making

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