Encouraging your intuition

1. Make time to listen to yourself.

Even five minutes once a day will do. Make it a time when you are not under pressure, and will not be interrupted. Often first thing in the morning or last thing at night are the best times. You can either open up and listen for any messages or feelings that arise, or you can select a particular question or issue with which you need help. You may also want to pay attention to your dreams, which are another conduit for information coming from the subconscious mind.

2. Don't judge immediately the information you get.

Observe and attend to any information and let it develop. If you bring rational judgement into the process, it shuts off the intuitive messages. The time for evaluation is later.

3. Keep a journal of your intuitive messages.

Jot down any messages, images, or feelings that come through, and (after the session) your ideas about what they mean or how they apply to your life. Write down even the things that don't seem to make sense--they may fall into place later. Also indicate what form the intuition takes (image, feeling, internal voice, etc.).

4. Keep an intuition scorecard.

After you're kept your journal, assess whether each intuition turned out to be accurate (with some you may never be sure). Notice whether any forms of intuition are more accurate than others. It will help you to differentiate between intuition and wishful thinking or anxiety.

5. Bring intuition into your decision-making process.

When you have a decision to make, take time to consider your intuition about it just as you take time to weigh the logical pros and cons. Try heeding your intuition on less important issues to get a sense of how well it is serving you. If your intuition and your reasoning are in opposition, consider whether there might be a third alternative.