How do I know if it's Intuition, Wishful Thinking, or Brainstorming? How to Discern and Trust Enough to Act.

A client recently asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks: “How do I know if this is my intuition, wishful thinking, or just brainstorming?” It's a valid question—one I’ve wrestled with more than once. Let’s break it down and help you develop confidence to recognize which voice is speaking.

Intuition Has No Emotion

True intuition is neutral. It comes in without fanfare or fear, like instructions in a manual: factual, direct, and emotionless. Science tells us that intuition primarily occurs in the right hemisphere and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the decision-making hub that integrates experience and memory quickly and without conscious thought. It feels like a gentle knowing. You don’t feel elated or anxious, you simply know.

This is where intuitive intelligence comes into play—it's the ability to recognize and act on these emotionally neutral, deeply aligned messages without needing external validation. Intuitive intelligence grows with practice and becomes a powerful internal GPS guiding your actions with clarity and calm.

Often, intuitive insights show up during non-thinking moments—walking in nature, taking a shower, or meditating. These insights tend to recur, calmly, every time you revisit the topic. Even if your logical brain (left brain) resists, the message persists.

Prefrontal Cortex

Wishful Thinking Is Emotional

Wishful thinking, by contrast, is emotion-driven and activates the limbic system, especially the amygdala—the brain's emotional response center. Here’s how you can tell: You have a thought, and then you have a reaction. It feels exciting or anxious. You start to attach dreams and desires to the idea. It usually carries hope or fear. The danger here is that your emotions may cloud your judgment.

Manifesting is often associated with wishful thinking. These are the thoughts we hold on our hearts—desires filled with emotion. While wishful thinking is not the same as intuition, it's important to recognize that heartfelt desires can be part of intuitive guidance. They may not always lead to intuitive action, but sometimes they absolutely can.

Limbic System

Brainstorming Is Creative Output

Brainstorming is a left- and right-brain collaboration where the frontal lobes, especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, play

a key role in idea generation and problem solving. In brainstorming mode, you’ll have lots of ideas, often all at once. You’re supposed to withhold judgment, but it’s hard because your analytical brain wants to jump in and assess each idea immediately.

Some of your brainstormed ideas may be intuitive, most are not.  You'll recognize them because they’ll stand out for being unemotional, clean, and persistent, especially after revisiting them.

Hippocampus Frontal Lobe Brain Hemispheres

My Intuition Test: A Real-Life Example

Recently, I sold my company. I hired a new General Manager to replace me and quickly realized that his strengths weren’t in the details of spreadsheets, but in labor management and people strategy. This was not going to work. I had no choice but to reorganize the company without hiring anyone. I logically knew what to do next and mapped out a clear action plan.

But something felt off. It wasn’t panic or fear—it just didn’t sit right. I had huge discomfort in my gut every time I thought about it.

I meditated. In the quiet, the most illogical idea surfaced. I rejected it outright. My rational mind said, “That’s insane.” But that same illogical idea kept returning—quietly, consistently. I couldn’t shake it.

Still unsure, I pulled cards—three different decks. Every. Single. One. pointed in the same direction as the intuitive message.

I did a test run. I shared my reorganization plan with the executive team. They unanimously loved the idea. I was shocked. They also offered their opinions on why they supported it, which gave evidence on a perspective I had not given much thought to.

I surrendered. I moved the team around without hiring, to support the GM's weaknesses, even though my left brain screamed that I was making a huge mistake.

After Week 1, I was sure I had misstepped.

But after Week 2, everything shifted. While the learning curve is steep, it not only sets people up for promotion, but it also protects the company from disaster should someone quit. The new structure supported growth. I had made the right decision, not because it was logical, but because it was aligned.

The Takeaway

When you’re not sure what’s speaking—intuition, wishful thinking, or creative brainstorming—check the emotional temperature. If it’s cool, persistent, and arrives in quiet moments, it’s likely your intuition. If it’s heated and hopeful, that’s wishful thinking. If it's scattered or exploratory, you're likely brainstorming.

The more you practice tuning in, the more easily you’ll discern your inner compass from emotional noise. And when the signs align? Trust, and take action—even if it doesn’t make sense at first.

That’s the art of intuitive leadership.

Want more support in tuning into your intuition and aligning your business decisions? Book a 1:1 channeled session and let's chart your next right step, together.

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