Do you trust your instinct?

@scheng1 (24650)
Singapore
April 22, 2011 11:26pm CST
Do you trust your instinct? Is your instinct always right? Most of us tend to have an instinct towards certain people or in certain circumstances. For example, when we attend a job interview, we instinctively know that this is not a job for us. We cannot explain why we have such feeling. When we meet a stranger, we instinctively know that this is a person who will be our best friend. Sometimes we are right, even though most of the times we are wrong. When it comes to investment choices, my experience is that instinct is not always correct, especially instinct not backed by research or more information. What about you? How many times have you trust your instinct and you have good experience?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@locakai (166)
• United States
23 Apr 11
Hi, Yes, I do trust my insticts. I usually rely on it most of the time, my guts says something, I listen. I saved me at times the ultimate humilation, other times, I played it out to see what would happen, if I didn't listen to it...I'm so not going there. My dad, always taught me, to listen internally, to see the environment,know whom I'm with, where I'm at, at all times. Even when I sleep, I have my insticts on. About 80% its right, bc the other 20%, I want to take a risk.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Locakai, your father is very wise to teach you about complementing instinct with internal and external factors. I think checking the environment, and observing the people, are very good advice for all of us. I think my instinct is wrong in investment because I forget to check the greater macroeconomics factors. While nobody has perfect knowledge about everything, the more we know, and the more we make use of our knowledge and instinct, the better we will be.
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 Apr 11
I do usually trust my instincts. Granted my instincts aren't always right, but I would say that a lot of the times, they do seem to be right. So, that's why I usually go with what my instincts tell me.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi dodo19, yes, most of the times our instincts are right. Especially when it sounds out warning against going to certain places at certain times. I tend to trust my instinct when it comes to dealing with people, since my instinct seldom wrong. But when it comes to money matter, my instincts are often more wrong than right.
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
23 Apr 11
Every human being on earth possesses an instinct which sometimes works and sometimes doesn`t.If we are materialistically inclined then,just like a weak signa, the instinct works feebly and even though we may hear its voice we ignore it and suffer.However if a person develops his internal powers by doing meditation or certain spiritual techniques then the instinct, like a freshly charged battery works powerfully and guides the person correctly.Animals possess instinct and do everything by using it.Humans possess intuition which is more true and more correct than instinct.It is this intuition which guides us in our daily life and not instinct.It is this intuition that leads to great discoveries being made, in making correct decisions and many other facets of life.Many times we get an intutive feeling that what we are about to do is wrong.If we listen to that "inner voice" or intuition then we will be saved and if we don`t then we suffer. I too had this experience when i did something against my intuition and suffered for it.You get an uneasy feeling when you ignore the voice of intuition and go against its advice.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Veejay, I agree with you on the matter of meditation. Many religious leaders have very good instincts when it comes to the matter of knowing how the other party thinks or feels. I think training does enhance our instincts. However I still draw a line at using instinct to guide investment decision without more knowledge and experience. It is good to have instinct to guide us when it comes to the matter of dealing with people.
@misterMR (796)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I follow my instincts but in the end, sometimes I just can see no good in it. I think my instincts are what I think naturally. There are times though that my instincts are really correct. Overall, I really trust my instincts but it is best not to predict what will happen in the future. We are humans though and we tend to follow our instinct all the time. Have a great day!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi MisterMR, I think your instinct is probably right in some ways, and wrong in other ways. For most of us, instinct in investment choices often proves wrong than right, that is why more people lose money in stock market. I think for many of us, even the instinct in people is wrong. Some people have sad marriages, because of their bad instinct in selecting life partners.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
23 Apr 11
In most areas of life, especially where people is concerned, I feel my instincts are still quite dependable. With regard to investment, LOL...I have been proven wrong too many times that I am a bit skeptical of the stock market now. At least I am not a total wash-out, and I feel the instinct with people is probably more useful. We meet people all the time, as for investment, I just need to be more wary if ever I consider re-entry.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Tiffnkeat, my investment instincts always wrong too. Whenever I buy a stock, the price sinks lower. Whenever I sell, the price shoots all the way up. I still feel pain when I check the stock market, especially seeing Genting's performance. Sell away at $1.18, thinking very good deal, and now the share price more than two dollars already. Maybe destined not to be rich!
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I was attracted to your discussion because in our exams, when I don't know an answer to a question, I would have some instinct to a specific answer. I initially follow my instincts but later I just change my answer after thinking it over. When the results of the exams are given to us, I get dismayed over the fact that my instinct was correct but that I didn't follow it. Haha. Even though I've experienced it a lot of times, I never learn. :)
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Ohsodianne, I have similar experience when I was a student. I did learn from the experience. I never tried to change the answer that my instinct told me. The first answer is always correct, even though no matter how hard I tried, I never get the same answer in my workings. This happened a lot in maths examination.
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
23 Apr 11
hi scheng, i do not know about instinct,once i have to check the dictionary for answer,but i trust fate and luck only,i have experienced several times about the fate and luck,what is written in our fate and luck that only will happen,the ups and downs according to our fate and luck only,the inspiration also will come to us directly ,so according to that we will do things,have a nice day
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Yugasini, while fate and luck matters, we need knowledge too. If we do not have knowledge, it does not matter how lucky we are, we will not know how to make use of our good luck. Those who are lucky are also knowledgeable. I mean if we are lucky enough to get a good job, we need to have enough knowledge to keep the job. No point getting the job, and then cannot do the work.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
Yes, i do follow my instincts. I remember one time when i needed to go out, i was eyeing my wallet and cellphone for no reason. Then i thought, "why do i have a feeling that i would loose my wallet and cellphone today?" True enough, when i went out to travel, i took the MRT station and i felt my knapsack move. Darn it! When i looked around, there was this guy who turned his back and walked slowly down the stairs. I was giving him the eye but he refuses to look back and i kept my mouth from shouting, "this guy is a thief, seize him" because i still wasnt sure if this guy opened my knapsack and took my wallet and phone. When i walked my way and looked at my knapsack, it was open and my wallet and phone are gone! Dang! I was right all along! I shouldve shouted when i had the chance. It was also instinct which urged me not shout because this thief might have a gang nearby and would stab me if i freak out. I knew it all along even before it happened. I should have been more careful with my things.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Graceekwenx, I wish you had followed your instinct more closely. Most of the times, I put my knapsack in front when I was taking public transport or in crowded place. At least I can see the knapsack. I only put it at the back when I am walking or hiking, where it is hard for anyone to take things out. If only you have chosen to listen to your instinct, I think you will make use of many good opportunities, and keep your wallet and other valuables.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
23 Apr 11
I tend to trut in a firt thought. Eperience ha been the finet teacher in thi,.
@tiina05 (2317)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
hello, I don't know? I usually have an instinct and it is going to be right?, and you know what like you what have said that when I first meet a stranger I think that she will not gonna be my friend and it suddenly became true because of her attitude. You know I can read what does she thinking about me and my instinct will be she'll no good to me. And that is true. I don't know. Why is this happening to me all the time that I am seeing a persons reaction my instinct is always right.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Apr 11
Hi Tiina, actually that is a gift. In this case, you will not ever be cheated by people if you trust your instinct enough. Most people are taken in by the friendly manner and wide smile of those crooks, when their instincts should have warned them of it. I think people like you and me are blessed. Better learn to trust our instinct of people more.
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I trust my instincts. Most of the time it favours me. Thats why i follow my instincts. I had this experience while looking for a job. I knew that i could pass the exams but ive had this feeling that i will not make it to be hired. It happened. Another is whether to visit my friend or not. Ive felt not to go and i was lucky because i learned that the party was cancelled. I think the line, do it at your own risk best describes following instincts.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
23 Apr 11
Hi Chocokreme, I like to trust my own instinct too, especially when it comes to things that I am well trained for. For example, in my job as a HR personnel, I have to conduct interviews with numerous applicants. Sometimes I had very good feelings about a person. After doing reference checks, my fear was justified. No matter how good a person can act or talk, he or she can never fool my instinct. When it comes to the matter of investment, my instinct is not that well honed yet. I think in times to come, with more experience and learning, I can literally trust my instinct.