There’s a moment every growing business owner knows — that tiny internal pause right before you say “yes”.

It’s quick. Subtle. Easy to override.

But if you slow down long enough, you can feel the shift: something tightening in your chest, a quiet “wait . . .” in the back of your mind, a tug you can’t quite explain.

Most people push past that moment. I have too. And every time I did, I paid for it.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said yes to a client even though my spirit was unsettled. Or entered a partnership that made perfect sense on paper… while my body was saying, “This isn’t it.”

And listen — I’m not new at this. I’ve been doing this work long enough to recognize patterns. But even with experience, logic can talk you into things your intuition already told you to walk away from.

When I look back, the story is almost always the same:  I sensed it. And I ignored it.  Then eventually . . . I dealt with the consequences.

Here’s the part people sometimes misunderstand: intuition isn’t emotional.  Your intuition is simply the part of you that sees what your brain hasn’t caught up to yet. It’s your lived experience. Think of it as the thousands of decisions you’ve made before this one, quietly working in the background.

The thing is, you still get to use your logic, ask questions or verify facts. But your intuition deserves to be the first voice you consider — not the last.

If you want to get better at listening to that inner nudge, try starting here:

1. Pause and Name the Feeling

Don’t rush past that moment of discomfort — or excitement. Sit with it long enough to identify what’s happening.  It’s okay to say aloud, “Something feels off because [x].” or “Something feels right because [y].”  That simple act of naming it builds clarity. It also trains you to trust yourself sooner instead of second-guessing red flags later.

2. Do a Quick Gut Check

Ask yourself three questions:  What is the risk I’m sensing?  What would make this a clear yes? and if nothing changes, am I willing to own the outcome?  This helps you understand what your intuition is trying to communicate so you can move intentionally.

3. Protect Your Peace

This is the part lots of my coaching clients struggle with.  If the red flag stays red, don’t negotiate with yourself.  Don’t reason yourself out of it.  Say no and walk away.  Or say yes and lean in.

Finally, here’s the beautiful thing about the time we’re living in . . .

Today, we have tools that can help affirm what we already sense.  There have been moments in my own business where something didn’t sit right.  My spirit was unsettled, but nothing concrete had happened yet. In the past, I might have pushed through, trying to give the benefit of the doubt. But now, I can pop pieces of communication into AI to analyze tone, motivations or patterns that I can’t quite articulate yet.  Most often, AI confirms what my intuition already told me. 

Not because AI is magic, but because intuition is data.

When you allow your intuition to lead, everything shifts.  The second-guessing slows down and you can stop abandoning yourself for the sake of opportunity.

If you felt your own intuition nudging you while you read this, I want to invite you into a space designed to help you trust yourself more deeply.

Growmetix Breakthrough Community is where entrepreneurs come to clarify your direction, build a solid strategy and move toward a more sustainable business. Here, you will be surrounded by guidance, tools, and community that help you stay grounded in what you know to be true. 

If you’re ready to stop overriding your intuition and start leading with it, I’d love to welcome you inside.  Click here to join.  Let’s break barriers together . . . one small step at a time.