Surviving Uncertainty: Trusting Your Instincts When Nothing is Clear
In a world filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), decision-making can feel like trying to navigate through dense fog. The data we rely on is often incomplete, conflicting, or constantly shifting. In these moments, logic alone isn’t enough -we need intuition.
Intuition is often misunderstood as a “gut feeling” that comes out of nowhere. But in reality, intuition is a powerful form of subconscious pattern recognition. It’s built on years of knowledge, experiences, and observations that our brains process faster than we can consciously articulate.
Why Intuition Matters in VUCA Situations
When facing uncertainty, you don’t always have the luxury of waiting for perfect information. That’s where intuition becomes a strategic advantage.
✅ It Helps Us Act Quickly – In fast-moving situations, overanalyzing can lead to decision paralysis. Intuition allows us to make confident choices even when the data is unclear.
✅ It Cuts Through Noise – In complex environments, conflicting information is the norm. Intuition helps us filter out distractions and focus on what truly matters.
✅ It Complements Logical Thinking – The best decisions come from a balance of analysis and intuition. Data provides structure, but intuition fills the gaps when facts alone aren’t enough.
A Real-World Example: Following My Gut When the Unexpected Happened
In January 2023, I experienced a real-life VUCA moment when I was attempting to return to my home in Brazil from a vacation visiting Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Just as I was about to board my flight, I was informed that I couldn’t re-enter the country until a visa issue was resolved. Suddenly, my well-planned travel itinerary was useless. I had to pivot, and fast.
With no time to analyze every possible option, I relied on both intuition and logic. My gut told me Miami was the right place to go, and the facts backed it up:
✨ It was winter in the U.S., and I only had summer clothes with me—so a warm destination made sense.
✨ Miami had a Brazilian consulate, which I’d need to work through my visa issues.
✨ While I didn’t have family there, I had a friend in the city and plenty of short-term stay options.
I booked a ticket, reserved a hotel for a couple of nights, and told myself I’d figure out the rest when I got there. I expected to be in Miami for a few days, maybe a week. It turned out to be three months before I could return to Brazil.
This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: in uncertain situations, intuition isn’t just helpful - it’s essential. We rarely have all the information we need when making big decisions. Sometimes, the best we can do is take the next right step based on what feels aligned and makes practical sense.
Developing Your Intuition for Better Decision-Making
While intuition often feels instinctive, it’s a skill that can be developed:
⭐ Pay Attention to Patterns – Reflect on past decisions and the signals that led to good (or bad) outcomes.
⭐ Get Comfortable with Uncertainty – Trusting your intuition doesn’t mean ignoring data; it means being okay with acting when data is incomplete.
⭐Tune Into Your Reactions – Notice when something “feels off” or energizes you—that’s often your subconscious processing information faster than your conscious mind.
The next time you find yourself in a VUCA situation, take a step back. Instead of getting lost in analysis paralysis, check in with your intuition. It might just be your most valuable guide.