When Your Inner Compass Speaks and The Real Truth About Intuition
- Brainz Magazine
- May 7
- 4 min read
Written by Dr. Kim Dang, Transformation Coach
Dr. Kim Dang is renowned as a transformative coach in the field of personal development. She is the founder of the Art of Starting Over, a premier coaching program, and a strong advocate for unlocking individual potential.
Have you ever noticed how intuition tends to show up at the most inconvenient times? You’re about to sign for your dream home, and a quiet voice inside says, “Wait.” Or you’ve committed to a vacation, and two days before departure, your intuition insists you should stay home. It’s rarely convenient, and it certainly doesn’t care about your plans.
I know this firsthand. When I was applying for post-doc positions, I received some incredible offers. UC Davis was one of them, and it was especially tempting because I had friends in the Bay Area. But Ann Arbor, with the University of Michigan’s undeniable opportunity, an assistant professorship with the possibility to move to associate professor after three years, seemed like the next destination for me. Everything was lined up, and I was just about to tell Michigan I’d accept.
Then, out of the blue, Yale called with an offer. It was good, but not the obvious setup for a lifetime career as a math professor. The deadline to respond to Michigan was just two days away. When I told Yale, they bent over backwards to adjust the offer to my liking. Anyone who knows me knows the outcome: I became an assistant professor at Yale for applied mathematics.
If it wasn’t for Yale, I wouldn’t have moved to New York. Everything I’ve built in the last 15 years, my career, my community, my growth, wouldn’t have been possible. BUT: I still remember the confusion and the pressure. I disappointed many people who cared deeply about my research and my future, including the people from the University of Michigan. Even now, I sometimes feel the sting of having let those people down. But at that moment, I realized I couldn’t listen to anyone else’s agenda. It was my decision to make, my future, and I had to go with my own intuition. Disappointing people was the necessary price I paid, because life had other plans for me in store.
The many voices within: Logic, fear, and intuition
Our inner world is busy. There’s the logical brain, always weighing pros and cons. There’s fear, often loud and urgent, trying to keep us safe by reminding us of past mistakes or future risks. And then there’s intuition, a gentle, clear knowing that often arrives uninvited and unannounced.
The trouble is, these voices can sound remarkably similar, especially when the stakes are high. Is that hesitation your intuition, or just fear of repeating past mistakes? Is the urge to say no about honoring your truth, or is it just your comfort zone talking?
How to tell the difference
Here’s what I’ve learned, both from experience and from working with others:
Intuition is calm, clear, and present. It arrives as a gentle nudge or a quiet knowing, not a frantic shout. It doesn’t argue or rationalize, it just is.
Fear is noisy and emotional. It brings a rush of reasons, worries about the future, and often a sense of contraction or dread.
Logic is analytical and past-focused. It references what’s happened before and tries to predict outcomes.
A friend once described intuition as “clean and clear, coming from a calm openness.” For me, the litmus test is whether the message is rooted in the present moment, free from past wounds or future anxieties. When I strip away the noise, what remains is often the purest guidance I have.
A simple practice to tune in
If you want to get better at recognizing your intuition, try this exercise (it’s also the foundation of my lead magnet, “How to Find Your Inner Compass”):
Start with a truth you know: Say aloud, “I love (for example) olive oil cake from Avra.” (If you’ve ever had it, you know.) Notice how your body feels; there’s usually a sense of relaxation or expansion. Notice your breath. Are you naturally taking a deep breath?
Now, say something untrue: For example, “I love running marathons” (if you actually hate running). Notice the difference; maybe there’s tension in your shoulders or a sinking feeling in your gut. Notice your breath. Did it go shallower?
Observe body cues: When you’re aligned with truth, your body feels open and effortless. When you’re not, there’s contraction or discomfort.
Act on it promptly: Take one small step in the direction your intuition points. If you feel more openness and clarity, you’re on the right track.
Embracing the inconvenience
Intuition rarely shows up when it’s convenient. It might cost you opportunities, relationships, or comfort in the short term. But the cost of ignoring it is almost always greater. If you want to honor your purpose and walk your true path, you have to be willing to follow your inner compass, even when it’s inconvenient, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
If you’re ready to deepen your connection with your intuition and learn how to distinguish it from fear or logic, I invite you to download the free reminder to practice your intuition: How to Find Your Inner Compass. Just a little summary to help you recognize the signals of truth in your body and take confident, aligned action.
Trust yourself. Your inner wisdom is always speaking; you just have to listen.
Go check out this free resource about intuition here.
Read more from Dr. Kim Dang
Dr. Kim Dang, Transformation Coach
Dr. Kim Dang is a notable figure in the realm of transformative coaching and personal development. As the founder of the Art of Starting Over, a premier coaching program, she stands as a strong advocate for unlocking individual potential. Her diverse journey across various disciplines, from academia to the creative arts, enriches her unique approach to guiding others toward fulfilling futures. With her company, Dark Runner, she is dedicated to celebrating unique human stories and fostering authentic connections.
