When was the last time your “instinct” told you to do or not to do something?
Often an instinct can be called a “gut feeling”. It is our instincts that govern how we make many of our choices in life. These can be large decisions or small ones.
Dictionary.com defines an “instinct” as an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species.
This can be your fight or fright response.
We all have instincts. Some of these come from past experiences and others are ingrained in our psyche since birth.
However, there can be times when your instinct is wrong? These are the times when your instinct will not serve you?
Dicitiionary.com defines “insecurity” as uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence.
Insecurity occurs when things do not go your way. It may root from a lack of confidence. Often, this is when you wanted something to happen one way and it goes a different way and then you develop a limiting belief.
When Instinct Meets Insecurity
Recently I was conversing with a friend who made me take a second look at following one’s instinct. Can your instinct come from insecurity? Can your instinct be not serving you?
Thus, your instinct is actually doing you a disservice.
Many of us automatically believe our instinct is “right”. We never really even think that our instinct may cause us to fail.
If you think about it where does your instinct come from? Does it come from your self-values? If you feel your instinct is related to your self-worth or self-values then your instinct is only there to keep you where you are or even to hold you back.
If you think about it anything that is new to you that occurs has to be given more credence than just following your instinct.
Think about it. Let us take a look at this with an example.
Imagine a person who has an instinct that constantly keeps her alone. She may have an instinct that is based on her own insecurity. Thus, the instinct will cause her to be alone even when a perfectly good match is knocking on her door.
What to Do About It
This is a time to look at your own insecurities and securities.
The next time you have an instinct telling you to do something or even not to do something you need to take a closer look at that feeling. Your gut may be telling you something but is that going to actually serve you for a better outcome?
You can now start making a conscious choice rather than always be at the mercy of your past experiences.
If a previous experience isn’t supporting you then it is now time to make another decision and this could cause your instinct to change to something which is more supportive.
This can become a new and better way for you to live your life.
Making A Change
Recently I wrote about major changes in my life. It is those changes that shape who I am today.
Those changes in how I believe about myself makes me a better person. I challenged those previous instincts to create new ones. I am sure you can too.