More often than not, you tend to be harsher on yourself than others. This tendency can get in the way of true success because you can’t see yourself in a more positive light. This, in turn, can lead you to an under-appreciation and even an under-utilization of your skills and talents.
One of the best ways to “counter” yourself being your own harshest critic is to listen to your heart. It can be difficult to do, especially if you haven’t found your inner voice. However, once you’ve found it, your inner voice can guide every decision you make. It can reveal your true desires and help you realize your dreams.
Finding your inner voice is an integral part of your personal development journey. Indeed, finding your inner voice and listening to your heart can free yourself from self-doubt, negative thoughts, and fear of uncertainty. Moreover, your inner voice can also help you see things differently. It allows you to find hope and make better choices. Ultimately, this results in your success and the fulfilment of your life’s purpose.
That said, the question remains: how do you find that inner voice and listen to your heart? Here are a few tips:
Allow It to Come Through
You can’t find and listen to your inner voice if it doesn’t have space to enter your psyche. That space doesn’t even have to be big; indeed, a small crack is enough for it to seep through. Once your inner voice penetrates your system, it can slowly fill your heart and you can listen to it better. Try to incorporate some small moments of quiet in your routine. Most of the time, your inner voice doesn’t need a grand stage. You just need to give it a bit of space for it to work its magic.
Be Still
The modern world is full of distractions. This is why many of us don’t actually get to hear our inner voices even if they’re already shouting. The key here is to find that “zone” where you can completely tune out the chatter. This way, you can be truly present and discover your deepest sense of self. One of the best ways to be truly still is to meditate. It will definitely take a lot of patience. Don’t be discouraged. Keep at it and you’ll soon be an expert at getting rid of purging your mind of distractions.
Don’t Dismiss Your Emotions
Success is a product of hard work. However, hard work is not the only key to success. You also have to factor your emotions into the equation. Indeed, your inner voice might not manifest itself or be as clear as you want it to be if you keep on dismissing what you feel. Remember that your feelings are the feedback of your intuition. If you’re feeling strong emotions, it’s likely that your inner voice is telling you to listen to what it’s saying. Don’t bottle up your feelings. Instead, recognize them and let them guide you in making the best choices toward success.
Let Go of Logic Sometimes
When you make a decision, what part of your body do you associate it with? Did you say your brain? That’s the perfectly logical answer. The thing is, your inner voice oftentimes manifests in the form of your gut feel. Thus, if you’re used to making logical decisions, you might not be in the best place to hear your inner voice and listen to your heart.
If you want to listen to your inner voice more, try this simple exercise. The next time that you need to make a significant decision, don’t think. Instead, pay attention to the first thing that comes to your head. This immediate response is usually your inner voice and heart telling giving you hints and trying to lead you to the right path.
Take Note of Patterns
The good thing about your inner voice is that it’s predictable. It follows a pattern and all you have to do is to figure that pattern out. Once you’ve cracked that particular problem, it will be easier for you to notice when your inner voice is trying to tell you something. This puts you in a better place to listen.
To figure out your inner voice’s pattern, recall the times when you felt that certain “pull”. It doesn’t matter if you followed it or not; what’s important is you take note of those moments. It will also be helpful if you can remember the result of following or not following that intuition. This exercise will put you more in tune with your inner voice.
Actively Listen to Your Heart
You might be surprised, but the heart can also “make” its own “decisions”. Just like the brain, the heart possesses neurons and neurotransmitters. In essence, it can process different kinds of input. Perhaps the reason why you haven’t found your inner voice is that you’re constantly looking for it in the back of your head. Try to focus on what your heart is saying. There’s a good chance your inner voice resides there.
It will take time to nurture your inner voice and get into the habit of listening to your heart. Still, all you have to do is practice. It won’t be long until you’ve found your inner voice and hearing it constantly, guiding you toward success.
