We all wish we had great instincts. Being able to know exactly when the perfect moment will arrive and how to seize it, would make life a lot easier. Some of us are born with strong instincts while others strive to enhance them all throughout life.

I started to really pay attention to my own instincts about twenty years ago. Through my own experience and from what I have seen in others, I believe that we all have the potential to develop our instincts to such an evolved level that listening to them becomes our first nature. And when you are at that point, you're in a class above the rest.

Developing Killer Instincts

But how do you get there? Sure it's easy to say, "listen to your heart," but is that really all it takes? In short, the answer is no. Often times we can confuse instincts with emotions, prejudices, group-think, and a plethora of other distractions. And while it may be nice to think you were just born with great instincts, you might be lying to yourself.

The following process is one that I have created. I feel it is adaptable to almost anyone and the results can be tremendous. This four step guide will take you from infancy to adulthood and if you're lucky, your instincts will follow.

Baby Steps

The next time you feel an immense pull to do something in particular, do it. Try it out when you are driving. Here is an example:

Go for a drive with the sole purpose of developing your instincts. Let your mind go quiet. Turn off the radio, turn off your cell phone and just drive. When your instincts tell you to turn this way or that, do it. Trust the process.

Now, pay attention to what you see or experience. You may find yourself assisting someone in need. You may find yourself discovering a new place to visit. Of course, you may find nothing at all, in which case just keep moving. Have fun with this and do it over and over.

The purpose of this step is simply to allow your body to trust your mind. Without that skill, instincts are absolutely useless.

Toddler Steps

Now that you are getting a feel for the feeling / pull process, try it in other areas of your life, like when choosing where to go for dinner. Here is an example:

The next time you need to decide which restaurant to go to, make a list of several places that look good. Then review this list and find the one that speaks the loudest. It may be a place you would never have chosen in your traditional way of thinking. But building your instincts is not about thinking; it is all about experiencing the pull.

At this stage you won't be noticing any tremendous leaps or bounds in your instincts. Rather, you'll be freeing your mind to think clearly even without concrete direction. Remember, you must crawl before you can walk!

Adolescence

Like most adolescents there will be a time of denial, rebellion, and trying it your own way. So I say go for it. It's all about your development and how you learn. The primary concept to focus on is the pull.

Now I must caution that at this stage, giving up might seem like a good idea. After all, you may be making worse decisions now than you were before! This is natural - think about it like this: when someone is learning to type properly after having typed improperly for a long time, they generally go through a period where they are typing slower than they were before. That is very discouraging. However, you must take a step back before you can take two steps forward.

Adulthood

The rebellion period can last a long time, but once it's over you'll know it.

When you have reached the level of adulthood you will use your new skills in all areas of life, especially in business. As your instincts mature you will find them invaluable as you interact with co-workers, subordinates, superiors, and your family.

Imagine knowing exactly the right time to ask for a raise, and acting on it! That would be great. And when things aren't working out so well, you'll know precisely when to change your strategy.

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trust your instincts

There's no doubt that by enhancing your instincts, you will put yourself in a class of the elite. But I do want to close with a basic warning - strong instincts do not equal psychic powers. As keen as your senses may get, don't overestimate yourself and don't overlook the advice of others. That may be the most important advice of all.