You’ve Got iMail!

We’ve all had those times when we’ve thought and thought about a decision and just can’t seem to land on the right answer. It’s as if we’re so caught up in logic, facts, and data we can’t see the proverbial trees for the forest. During those periods when you feel stuck, listen for I-Mail. It often comes in a word, a phrase, or a sudden insight.
You know you’ve received I-Mail when you have an “aha” moment. An idea or concept that wasn’t in your mind a split second before is now there. These seem to come when you least expect them and usually not when you’re engaged in serious and solemn thought.
What can you do to invite this kind of intuitive message? Get clear about what you want and be open to the guidance.
Step 1: What Do You Want?
Here’s a list of examples. I want a winning idea for:
- The theme for our annual meeting
- My next direct mail piece
- Our new ad campaign
- Approaching the acquisition committee
- Boosting sales at our winter conference
Step 2: Chill Out!
What do you enjoy that’s creative and relatively mindless? Do it. For some it’s knitting, for others it might be completing a crossword puzzle, cooking, or playing a musical instrument. You want to create a period of downtime where you’re simply enjoying yourself and not thinking about your problem or concern. Be advised that the I-Mail message may not pop into your mind during this creative interval, but may happen when you least expect it at some point during the day.
Step 3: Listen
Intuitive insights have a distinct feel. Remember the ad campaign for V-8 Juice? The actors had little thought balloons that said, “I could have had a V-8!” I-Mail is like that. People often describe them as a “pop” of inspiration or ideas. You can’t force them to happen. You create an environment that allows them to occur. Just like that a wonderful idea will come to you and then you, too, can say, “I’ve got I-Mail!”