Trust Your Instincts: What You Need to Know

The Risks of Ignoring Your Instincts Are Greater Than You Think

When strategy is no longer sufficient, your instinct can save you. Last year, my neighborhood in Seattle was struck by a bomb cyclone, with winds of 80 mph and 150-foot-tall trees that could crush a house like a toothpick. That night, the wind howled louder than ever. Entire branches flew across the yard, and the massive trees swayed violently.

I felt deep down that I needed to get my neighbors out of their homes. It was a necessity I could not ignore. I managed to convince them to come over, and that night, a pine tree fell and destroyed their house. This reinforced my belief that we must listen to our instincts.

Instinct Can Save Your Business

A few days after I took on the role of CEO at PhoneBurner, the FCC issued an announcement that blocked traffic from one of our clients. I acted quickly and removed the client from the system, but the blockage affected our entire platform. It was a major crisis, and thousands of professionals depended on us to connect their calls.

In a desperate search for a solution, I relied on my instinct, reaching out to everyone I knew. Eventually, after many attempts, I came across someone who could help us, and through my earnestness, we regained our signal.

Listen to Your Instincts

Of course, we cannot base our entire business on instinct, but we also cannot overlook its value. The most challenging moments can lead to the best decisions, and our instinct can blend experience and intuition in a way that helps us move forward.