235 — Trust Your Gut: The Science Behind Intuition and Better Decisions with Professor Laura Huang

Do you trust your gut? Have you ever had a gut feeling about something but couldn’t really explain why you felt it?
 
Intuition is often misunderstood and sometimes, we’re reluctant to listen to it because it doesn’t seem to make sense. But intuition is a science-backed process that can help you make better decisions once you understand how to listen to it.
 
In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Huang, a professor at Northeastern University, leading researcher on intuition, and author of the book You Already Know. We explore how to better understand your gut feelings so you can make better decisions.
 
Some of the things we talk about today are:
 

• How to differentiate between your intuition and your feelings.
• The “intuiting process” and how to train your intuition like a muscle.
• The past experiences that shape your gut instincts.
• The practical strategies that will help you recognize your inner voice (including the toothbrush exercise).
• How to use intuition for big decisions, like career moves.
• How to use intuition for smaller decisions, like first impressions of the people you meet.
• Why intuition is a superpower that can make you mentally stronger.

Key Takeaways:

• Intuition Defined: Intuition is not a mystical prowess or merely impulsive decision-making; it’s an aggregation of experiences, emotions, and subconscious recognition of patterns.
• Types of Decisions: Intuition is most effective in chaotic or complex decisions that cannot be solved with complete data.
• Role of Emotions: While emotions inform intuition, they should not guide decisions. Intuition thrives when emotions are acknowledged but not allowed to dominate.
• Practicing Intuition: Engaging in exercises like the toothbrush exercise, where you change small habits, can enhance pattern recognition and intuitive skills.
• Listening to Whispers: Intuition often manifests as a subtle, quiet feeling amidst the noise of loud emotions; honing this awareness strengthens mental resilience.