Practical Intuition for Success

Read an Excerpt

How This Book Is Organized
This book has two distinct aims. First, it introduces you to a new way of looking at the business world. It also introduces you to a new way of looking at--and using--intuition. The challenge has been to present the material simultaneously since your understanding of the business concepts depends on your understanding of the intuitive ones, and at the same time, your understanding of the intuitive concepts will depend on your following the business ones.
The situation is not unlike that of the athlete who develops his strength through weight-training sessions in between sport-specific ones. A closer analogy might be learning a new subject in a new foreign language. Sometimes you have to pause for grammar or vocabulary lessons before learning the actual material.
As a result, we'll be moving simultaneously along two parallel tracks: developing your intuitive skills while creating and refining your own wealth plan. In the process, I will go back and forth between training your intuitive abilities and applying them practically to specific business situations. Like everything in this book, you should adapt it to your particular learning style and specific interests.
You can also dip into the book at random points as your spirit moves you. You may even want to try all the exercises in the book first--before reading any of the background text!
The Only Way to Develop Your Intuition Is to Practice
This is a practical book to teach you a set of skills and a new way of experiencing and relating to your world. Throughout this book you will be asked to do a variety of exercises. The point of all the exercises is to change your perspective and giveyour intuition a chance to tell you things you might not otherwise have recognized.
The exercises in my first book, Practical Intuition, were designed to help you answer three specific life questions of your own choosing. The exercises here are designed to help you and your company become in tune with your market so that you are insightful enough, and adaptable enough, to profit in any environment. Even if you've completed the intuitive exercises in my first book, I recommend that you not skip over the ones here.
Some Exercises May Even Seem Silly
The point of all the exercises is to change your perspective and give your intuition a chance to break out of traditional perspectives and view situations and the information they contain in new ways.
*Some exercises will help you develop your intuitive skills and habits; others provide regular, if not daily, "checks" to polish those skills once in place.
*Some exercises ask you to "become" the object of your attention (a product, a job, a competitor); others ask you to become a symbol of your "target."
*Some are designed to help you get in touch with your unconscious self; others will help you achieve detachment so you can view your situation objectively.
Even if you don't understand the point of a particular exercise, try to complete it conscientiously. I promise you that each one will help you improve your intuitive skills.
All the exercises in this book will give you information about your current career or business questions. You bought a business book because you are serious about your career. I'm sure you work hard and are busy, and I wouldn't dream of taking up your time with exercises that do not have a practical impact on your career success.
Introducing Blind Exercises
In school, our textbooks often provided the answers in "the back of the book." Here you'll provide the answers and find the questions later! Many of the exercises--including the very first one in the next chapter--will ask you to respond to questions "blindfolded": You won't know what you're being asked until after you've answered the question, and maybe not even then. For example, I might ask you to describe what the first person you speak to tomorrow will say. You won't know "whether you're right" until the next day.
These questions force you to rely on your intuition rather than your reasoning ability, though you may be tempted to "figure out" or "guess" the most likely answer. The point is to help you get in touch with your intuitive abilities, not to see how clever you are.
Some people find it awkward and even difficult doing exercises blindfolded. This response is natural. It's nothing more than the reasoning mind's frustration ("Give me some clues!") and its reluctance to relinquish control even momentarily.
If that happens, simply note your reactions and follow the instructions as best you can. Don't peek at the questions until you've completed the exercise! In a short while you'll overcome your resistance as you gain confidence with the feedback--and the surprising accuracy you'll discover. Eventually, even the most diehard skeptic will be won over.
Keep a Journal
It's important to record your responses to the exercises. Not only will this allow you to measure your progress, but it will also allow you to return to previous "readings" for review. You'll be amazed at how often an offhand statement proves remarkable relevant, if not prophetic.
What's more, history's most creative and productive individuals, from da Vinci to Edison, all kept journals to record their observations, and even minor thoughts. Journals are undeniably an excellent way for you to gain access to your intuitive and creative powers.
So use a journal devoted to your intuitive journey. Since many exercises ask you to give your immediate intuitive impressions without reflection or analysis, I strongly recommend that you use a tape recorder and transcribe your work. Unless you have superb shorthand skills, it will be almost impossible for your writing to keep up with the flow of your intuitive impressions. If a tape recorder isn't handy, jot down your responses to the exercises by using abbreviated notes and translate them later.
Personalize the Techniques and Exercises
This is a book about helping you in your business and professional career. In each chapter I'll show you how to apply your intuition to specific business situations of the sort you're likely to encounter.