SUMMARY Monday morning I was reviewing my 48 reports as usual. When I finished, I reviewed them once more and printed all my cover sheets. When it came time to release the work and move on to another task, I chose not to pass the work. I knew the other department needed to get started on the job, but I decided to hold off before sending the work. In a few minutes, my supervisor came over and asked if I had released my reports. She said there was a problem, and the reports would have to be rechecked. Then I knew why I did not release the reports as usual.


CONTEXT Context of the intuitive experience
Where physically: I was in the copy room at work. The machine was running and it had a nice rhythm going. I was sitting in the chair next to the copier waiting for it to stop.
Where mentally: I was thinking about how much work I had to catch up on. Since I had been absent for three weeks and another employee was on vacation during two of those weeks, the department had fallen behind. I was also thinking about all the outside work I had to make up.


EXPERIENCE The intuitive experience
Just before: I was being briefed by my supervisor on the changes that took place while I was away. We had come up with a schedule and a list of activities that I had to do. I had just finished reviewing and making changes to the overdraft reports for all the branches. When the reports are not released on time, the process falls behind because the other department has a deadline as well. These reports must be completed and released by 9:30 AM so they can work off the changes I made.
At the moment: It was 9:20 AM and the reports were complete. I went to the computer screen where the reports are released and when I was about to release them something told me not to. I knew that I was suppose to, but I decided to hold off for another 20 minutes and start another project. At 9:40 my supervisor asked if I had released the reports, and I said no. She smiled and told me there was an emergency mix up with the proof work of six branches where deposits did not get posted. Then I understood why I did not release the reports as I normally would.
Just after: My supervisor was glad I had not released the work because we would have to call the other department, and the reports would have to be done over. As soon as she told me what happened, I released the reports of the branches that were not involved in the mix up and began work on the problem branches. I paused and thought about how much work I had saved the other department by deciding to wait on those reports.


OBSTACLES Obstacles to the intuitive experience
Physical tension: I was concerned about getting in trouble. I was worried the other department would call and ask why the work was not ready. They usually do not call until around 10:00 AM, but I was still nervous.
Fears felt: I was afraid to follow my intuition since I did not want to get in trouble. Since it was my first day back after a long break, I did not want my supervisor to think I was slacking. I worried that if I made a mistake and the reports were released, it would be worse so I decided to wait. I was also afraid of being confronted by my supervisor and not knowing what to say.
Desires felt: I wanted to call the other department and let them know I would release the work later then usual, but I did not know what to say if they asked why. I also had a strong desire to show my supervisor as well as myself that I can do the job and do it right. When I saw the decision screen and it asked whether or not to release, I had a strong desire not to, so I cleared it.
Mental clutter: My mind was cluttered. I was going back and forth analyzing whether I had made the right decision or not. I wondered if I was going to get in trouble when my supervisor found out. I was debating the pros and cons of the situation. I was afraid of making a costly error.


SOURCE Source of the intuitive message
Conscious to
Subconscious: 4		 Consciously I was wondering if I had made a mistake since I had not done the work in such a long time. Subconsciously I am always cautious about my work due to its serious nature.
Internal to
External: 5		 It was internal because I was wondering if I had made a mistake. However it was more external because something told me a mistake had been made even though I was not responsible.
Rational to
Intuitive: 6		 My experience was more intuitive than rational. My rational mind would have released the reports, but my intuitive sense was stronger and said something was going on and to hold off on those reports.


MESSAGE Classification of the intuitive message
Type: 2 This experience involved a decision I had to make about a work situation.
Form: 4 The message came in the form of a thought. When I looked and saw the time and the screen to release the reports, something told me not to do it and wait a while longer. It was this thought that saved everyone a lot of trouble.
Kind: 3 I did not have a problem to solve nor was I thinking about a particular situation. It was a procedure that I follow everyday. But this time a suggestion appeared that told me not to take my usual action.


INFORMATION Information in the intuitive message
Strength: 7 I immediately knew what I had to do at that crucial moment. It had to have been strong to cause me to do the opposite of what I usually do.
Clarity: 4 The information was not as clear as I would have liked. I received the message, and I acted on it. But it was not clear about why. I understood I had to take action, but I did not understand why I chose to do what I did.
Surprise: 6 I would never think twice about releasing those reports, and all of a sudden, I chose not to. This caught me totally off guard since this had never happened before.
Accuracy: 7 The confusion that would have occurred had I released those reports would have been a mess. I knew what to do, and I did it despite the negative consequences that could have arisen.


EVALUATION Evaluation of the intuitive experience
How intentional: It came naturally as part of my daily activities. Even though I was wondering if I made a mistake, I was not hesitant about holding those reports.
Information use: This information proved to be quite useful when my supervisor came and told me about the problem with the six branches. Thanks to following my intuition, I saved myself as well as everyone involved a lot of tedious work.
Benefits derived: I benefited because I did not have to stay at work late, and I did not get in trouble. I did experience a loss because I had to stay an extra hour to help straighten out the problem. But it would have been much worse if the reports were released. The other department that works with mine as well as the office as a whole benefited because I saved them a lot of effort.
Personal learning: I learned that my intuition can help me avoid getting into difficult situations. I learned I should act on my intuition even if it is unclear, because in the long run, I will benefit. I realized I do not have to justify every action I take. I should act on my intuition more without doubt.

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