About a year before I started my transition out of clinical medicine, I got stuck in overthinking.

I had researched non-clinical careers, listened to podcasts, attended courses, and discussed options with colleagues.

But after all the research and exploring, I still didn’t know what was right for me.

Then my therapist said, “you’ve made good efforts exploring all the options out there. Now it’s time to look inside.”

I instantly knew she was on to something, but I wasn’t sure what she meant by “look inside.”

To find the answers inside AND trust them?

For so much of my life, I sought the counsel of mentors and other wise people. I built solid external sources of support to validate and help me feel confident about decisions. 

Does this sound familiar?

Do you also want to figure out how to look inside, connect to your inner resources, and begin to trust yourself?

The exercises below help me access my inner guidance and wisdom. 

Try them out. See what works for you. If you begin to feel distressed or uncomfortable, just let them go.

1. Connect with all 3 centers of intelligence.

Thinking things through is important but thoughts can keep you stuck in limiting stories. One way to get out from under “overthinking,” is to connect to the body and access the heart and gut intelligence centers.

TRY THIS:

• Recall a time when you knew for sure you did NOT want to do something. Where did you feel NO the strongest? In your gut, chest, around your head, or the whole body? How did you know it was a NO?

• Recall a time when something was a clear YES! Where did you feel that in or around your body? How did you know it was a YES?

• How does your body feel when you’re considering a particular non-clinical role? Expansive or contracted?

• When you take a course, or talk to a colleague who’s working in the area you’re exploring, what happens to your energy? Do you feel activated? Bored? Dull? Tired?

When you’re feeling stuck in indecision, practice “checking in” with your three centers of intelligence: The head, the heart and the gut. What new information becomes available?

2. Become aware of what’s happening in this moment

Most people are in their head a lot and not really present to what they’re doing. Certain types of meditation/mindfulness practices can help train the mind to be more present.

TRY THIS:

Become still. Eyes open or closed.

Allow thoughts to be there but don’t pay attention to them.

Become aware of what’s happening in real-time (not what you’re thinking about!)

What’s happening around you?

What do you see, smell, hear?

What’s happening in your body?

Can you feel your feet on the ground or the sensations in your hands?

You can’t get this wrong. Whatever you experience is just right.

Practice being in the present moment, not just thinking about it. What do you notice?

Final thoughts

When you check in with all three centers of intelligence, you allow your inner wisdom to weigh in on decisions. 

When you access your inner wisdom, you are connecting to the intelligence of the universe. 

Build trust in your inner wisdom by practicing with low stakes decisions.

I’m still growing in my ability to go inside and trust myself. The more I explore, the more I appreciate the wealth of inner resources available to guide my decisions.

Look outside AND inside to find your way.