What is intuition? And how do I harness its power?

In a world that values data, speed, and strategy, intuition often gets overlooked — or misunderstood.

It’s usually spoken about as something spontaneous. A flash of insight. A gut feeling that comes out of nowhere.

But what if intuition isn’t just something you have in rare moments — but something you can activate, strengthen, and apply every day?

Behind many of the boldest decisions, creative breakthroughs, and world-changing ideas lies something deeper: an inner knowing. Oprah, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson — all have credited their success in part to trusting their gut. It’s no accident.

Because the truth is, we all have access to this power. You’ve felt it before. Maybe in a split-second decision that turned out to be right. Or a moment of knowing without evidence. You know what it feels like — even if you haven’t trusted it in a while.

Learning to understand and harness your intuition is one of the most powerful skills you can develop.

What is intuition?

Intuition is the ability to understand or know something immediately — without the need for conscious reasoning.

It’s that gut feeling.
That quiet nudge.
That inner whisper that says, “This is the way.”

While it can feel mysterious, intuition is deeply grounded in neuroscience and psychology. It’s your subconscious mind processing millions of data points — patterns, emotions, past experiences — and delivering an insight faster than your logical mind can explain.

In coaching, we often refer to intuition as your inner compass. It’s the part of you that knows what feels right, even if it defies logic or external expectations.

Why we lose touch with our intuition

Most of us were never taught to trust our inner voice. Instead, we learned to:

• Overthink and analyse every decision

• Look to others for validation

• Dismiss body cues and emotional signals

• Prioritise what’s logical or expected over what’s true

Add in chronic stress or burnout, and it becomes even harder to hear yourself.

That’s because a dysregulated nervous system can drown out your intuition with anxiety, fear, and noise. When your body doesn’t feel safe, your intuition goes offline.

What intuition feels like (and what it doesn’t)

A common misconception is that intuition is loud, urgent, or dramatic.

In truth, it’s usually the opposite.

Intuition often feels like:

• A calm, grounded sense of knowing

• A gentle pull in a specific direction

• Clarity without chaos

• A full-body “yes” (or a subtle “no”)

Intuition rarely feels like:

• Anxiety

• Pressure or panic

• Mental loops and obsessive thinking

That’s not intuition — that’s fear.

Learning the difference between the two is a core part of intuitive development.

How to strengthen your intuition

Intuition is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Here are five simple ways to reconnect to your inner knowing:

1. Create space to listen
   Intuition thrives in quiet. Carve out time for reflection, walks, journaling, or simply doing nothing.

2. Notice body cues
   Your body often speaks before your mind. A tight chest? A light feeling in the belly? These sensations carry meaning.

3. Ask simple questions
   Try asking yourself: “What do I know to be true right now?” Then notice what arises before your mind starts arguing.

4. Use parts work
   If conflicting voices show up, get curious: Which part of me is speaking? What does it need? What does my true self know?

5. Work with a coach
   A skilled coach can help you quiet the noise, build nervous system safety, and tune into your deeper truth with compassion and clarity.

Why intuition is your secret edge

Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, navigating change, or simply choosing what’s next — your intuition is your greatest ally.

It’s the part of you that knows who you are and what you’re here to do.

And while it may feel quiet at first, it’s never gone.

When you learn to trust it, you:

• Make decisions with less regret

• Move through fear with more courage

• Align your work and life with what matters most

Intuition won’t always give you the easiest path.
But it will always guide you home to yourself.

Ready to unlock your intuitive power?

Book a Pause. Reflect. Realign. coaching taster session
to reconnect with your inner compass and lead from your deepest truth.