Dear Newsletter Readers,

Since the 1980s Lynn Robinson's books and seminars on developing one's intuition have inspired and guided me to build strong intuitive skills. The ability to trust my gut has become invaluable in my professional and personal life. Several years ago Lynn spoke to our local International Coach Federation chapter. After her presentation, I wanted to follow up with Lynn and talk to her about possibly writing a book together, but I hesitated to take the risk. My own coach encouraged me to contact her, and I am thrilled that I did! Lynn welcomed me with warm and open arms. We never did write a book together, but we now share a wonderful, collegial friendship. I hope my experience inspires you to reach out and connect with the people you admire from afar and take the next steps toward developing your own intuitive sense.

I highly recommend Lynn's new book, Trust Your Gut: How the Power of Intuition Can Grow Your Business. The book focuses on how to access your valuable intuitive skills so you can trust yourself whether you're making a critical decision or simply gaining more understanding of your managers, colleagues and clients. Lynn explains how to let your inner voice guide you to more career success. I am so pleased to share some of Lynn's insights and wisdom about trusting your gut below:

In a business world dominated by facts and figures, a new practice is emerging and being reflected in a number of surveys and studies-tapping into your intuition.

The sixth annual 2006 PR Week/Burson Marseller CEO Survey revealed that an amazing 62% of CEOs say they're more likely to rely on intuition than financial issues, competitive analysis, or other metrics when making business decisions.

While almost everyone has had a "gut feeling" about one thing or another, some might consider it risky to place so much credence on instinct while making million-dollar decisions. Yet many successful people do just that. How do you begin not only to trust your instincts, but also to hone the skill, making your intuition reliable for everyday decisions? Here are some techniques:

BE OPEN TO NEW POSSIBILITIES:

Japanese Zen priest Shunryu Suzuki once noted, "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few." Sometimes all it takes to be open to intuitive insight is to have a beginner's mind - curious, interested, willing and inquisitive.

Listen to music that is outside your comfort zone. Choose a different route to the office. Drive a little slower. Take a train or bus instead of the car. Try an unfamiliar ethnic food. If you're usually an extrovert, try to focus on listening quietly instead. If you consider yourself shy, practice being confident and extroverted. Try writing with your opposite hand. Do something creative. Learn to knit. Take a foreign language class. Try a new recipe with a food you've never eaten. Find a new hobby. Read a book on an unfamiliar topic. If you're used to reading dense business tomes, try a murder mystery or a romance novel.

Have fun! Mixing up your routine gives your intuitive mind the message, "I am open to new possibilities." Your intuition will soon reward you with rich insight.

QUESTION YOUR ASSUMPTIONS:

You may be feeling stuck because you're making incorrect assumptions about a person, idea or situation. Challenge those notions. Ask yourself questions such as "Is there another way of looking at this?" Or consider "What might cause someone to act this way?" The obvious can disguise information that may be critical to understanding your situation.

Search for ways to look at the situation differently by changing your perspective. How might you view it from the other person's shoes? If you were an outside observer, how would you describe the situation? Be willing to circle your challenge, looking at it from as many angles as possible. When you find yourself thinking "Obviously," question whatever words complete that sentence.

ASK UPSIDE DOWN QUESTIONS:

"The silly question is the first intimation of some totally new development," states British mathematician Alfred North Whitehead. He would probably agree that if you think about your problem from an entirely different or "upside down" perspective, it may provide some innovative solutions.

To use this method, jot down a business challenge you're facing. For example, "We want to increase our sale of widgets in Asia." Now come up with rapid-fire answers to the question, "How can we ensure our widgets don't sell in Asia?"

Have fun with this! You're looking for outrageous, creative, harebrained, off the wall ideas here. When you're done, choose a few of the more intriguing ones and turn them right-side up. Evaluate your solutions.

LET THE INTUITIVE MUSES PROVIDE ANSWERS:

Have you ever noticed that brilliant answers don't seem to come when you're really focused, intense, and serious - in other words, when you need them this very minute? It happens to all of us. You may as well take advantage of this fact and let the muses help you by expanding your options.

"Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have," says philosopher Emile Chartier. To begin, choose a topic about which you'd like some fresh insight. Write a line or two about it in your notebook. Now take a fifteen-minute break and do something routine. If you're home - take a shower, wash the dishes or pet the cat. If you're at the office - talk a walk outside, grab a latte or simply take the elevator down to the lobby. When the fifteen minutes are up, grab your notebook again and jot down all the new ideas you have at the moment. The great thing is that the intuitive muses enjoy helping you. You just have to give them a work assignment!

Whenever you're trying to come up with new ideas, it helps to keep in mind the wonderful dialog from Alice in Wonderland. Alice laughs and says to the Queen, "There's no use trying. One can't believe impossible things." The Queen replies, "I daresay you haven't had much practice. When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

May you believe impossible things and create wonderful possibilities!

ABOUT LYNN ROBINSON:

Lynn A. Robinson is a bestselling author, speaker and leading expert on the topic of intuition. She's a sought- after consultant who uses her own highly-honed intuitive skills to provide businesses with accurate, on-the-spot insights into goals, decisions and strategies. She also teaches intuition development skills to entrepreneurs and corporate executives who want to enhance their effectiveness. Her latest book is TRUST YOUR GUT: How the Power of Intuition Can Grow Your Business. She's also the author of Divine Intuition, which has been published in over ten languages. Lynn can be reached at 800-925-4002 or Lynn@LynnRobinson.com. Visit her website at www.LynnRobinson.com.

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