Need some guidance on decision-making and optimal timing? Here are seven steps and some wisdom from nature about intuition, planning and how to know when it’s the right time to move forward.
Many trees in my neighbourhood are starting to bud. The unseasonably warm temperatures for central Canada has made them sense that it is time to initiate their new life cycle, though this usually happens much later here. I hope the tender new buds will not be damaged by frost! This morning, as I walked past tree after tree with small buds on their branches, I thought about how important intuition and timing is to human endeavours and decision-making as well.
Have you ever felt you should do something but just couldn’t seem to get it off the ground? You might intellectually want to, or feel impelled to do it for another reason, but somehow the timing doesn’t feel right. If we look to nature for guidance, it’s propitious to begin a new project at the time of a new moon, and for it to come to fruition at a full moon.
What stage of readiness have you reached? Think of a fruit ripening. Is your idea basically fleshed out but still too hard to eat? Do you feel that with time, it will be perfectly ripe and ready? Or is it still at the early stages, growing to reach its potential? Does it need you to sit with it and nurture it? Some good progress can be made when an idea or dream is in the gestation phase, like a poinsettia placed in a closet every night for eight weeks so its leaves develop their rich red colour. Just don’t forget the poinsettia in the closet entirely!
Here are some steps to discern whether you’re ready to move forward, and if so, when:
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- Think about the project or idea. How do you feel about it? Does the impetus to carry this out come from you or others? If the suggestion has come from others, is it a shared goal for you?
- Does the desire to do it come just from your head, or also from your heart? Do you feel enthusiastic and motivated to move forward? Can you see yourself taking action and achieving this goal?
- Sleeping on it or letting your mind wander while outdoors in nature or engaging in an activity that does not require concentration can help clarify your desires. Subconsious information may percolate to the surface.
- If you still have questions, could you do research to answer them? Many sources have suggested that a mixture of rational and intuitive approaches to decision-making is more successful than one or another alone. (For example, if you long to take a trip, can you learn more about the destination, what there is to see and do there, available transportation, etc.)?
- If questions remain after doing your research, you may wish to seek expert advice to fill in the gaps. Some people also like to write lists of pros and cons. Is one list longer or more compelling that the other?
- Consider your other goals and commitments. Where does the new project fit among them? If you feel strongly enough about making room for it, other items on your calendar may need to be adjusted, postponed, or cancelled.
- If you feel ready, give some thought to the optimal time to do it, schedule it and move ahead.
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To gain forward momentum, feed and water your idea, and ensure that it gets the right amount of light to bring it to maturity. Your individual dreams and goals have individual needs. What else might your plan need to bear fruit? Take one or two steps on a regular basis to keep the dream alive, and enjoy its beauty as you do. Perhaps it will nurture you as you nurture it!
In short, try to avoid situations where the trees are budding prematurely and the buds are killed by frost. When you are ready and the conditions are right, then it will be time for your idea to bud, branch out and reach toward the sky. Imagine the satisfaction you will feel as it blossoms and comes to fruition.
With some careful thought, intuitive exploration and planning, time your endeavours for the best possible results for you!
Cynthia Adam is a bilingual career coach and life coach. For more information on the above ideas or for individualized support, please call 613-552-7909 or email info@naturexpansion.com
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Photo: Sergio Cerrato-Italia
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