“My vote always comes down to my gut. My gut tells me everything I need to know.”
Olivia Pope is a powerhouse because she relies on no one but herself. Her gut tells her everything she needs to know and it’s the driving force behind all of her decisions. Trusting your gut is not an easy task – it’s a skill that requires hard work, dedication, and plenty of practice. These four little words will guide you to gut-trusting Gladiator glory.
1) Breathe
Olivia Pope is never fazed by conference room quarrels because she knows how to get silent. She understands the importance of saying less and only speaking when she’s certain. Step out of the situation and ask yourself the question at hand. More often than not, your first impressions and initial instincts are signs of your gut going after your attention. Gut reactions are instant and don’t require deep thinking, so stop analyzing, breathe, and focus on the feelings.
2) Believe
Olivia is able to be the best because she believes that she is. Without that unshakeable sense of self-worth, she’s not a leader, a fixer, or a Gladiator. Have the courage to place confidence in your head, your heart, and your future. Stick with what you’ve found to be true through every obstacle and opposition that comes your way. Believe in yourself and your abilities fully and fiercely.
3) Move
It’s impossible to know what your gut is telling you when your mind is moving faster than a Mellie monologue. When Olivia can’t clear her head, she heads for the pool. Run, kickbox, dance, or do anything that will get your blood flowing and body moving. The endorphins will knock out stress and help you tune into your intuition.
4) Learn
A gut feeling occurs when your brain makes a connection between what’s happening now to a similar situation that happened in the past. You will never be able to draw from your past when you’re not making a conscious effort to learn from it. Make time to meditate and reflect on previous experiences and find the lesson in every victory and heartache. You’ll discover what you did right, what you can improve on, and what you may have missed the first time around. When you know better, you will do better.