40. Self Trust Will NEVER Make Sense In The Moment
In this episode of Aware & Aggravated, the host explores how trusting one's intuition plays a role in decision-making, particularly in business and financial choices. Through personal experiences, including turning down a podcast partnership and navigating profit-sharing arrangements, the discussion examines how internal guidance can conflict with external pressures and expectations.
The host also delves into the relationship between desires and emotional responses, using his experience with wanting luxury items as a lens to examine deeper questions of self-worth and validation. The episode covers practical approaches to financial decisions, including strategies for balancing logical capabilities with emotional comfort, and emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between ego-driven choices and authentic internal guidance.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the May 18, 2025 episode of the Aware & Aggravated
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Trusting One's Intuition and Soul-Level Guidance
The speaker discusses the importance of trusting intuitive messages, even when they seem to contradict external expectations. They share a personal experience of following an inexplicable internal "no" regarding a business opportunity, despite uncertainty. This decision was validated by past experiences and unexpectedly reinforced by Tina Turner's song "We Don't Need Another Hero," which resonated with their journey toward authenticity over performative roles.
Exploring and Understanding One's Desires and Emotional Responses
Leo Skepi delves into the complex relationship between desires and emotional responses, particularly through his experience with wanting Cartier earrings. He explains how strong emotional reactions to others' purchases often reflect deeper issues of self-worth and validation rather than genuine desire. Skepi describes his pattern of using acquisitions as temporary relief from proving his worth, ultimately learning to approach desires with non-attachment and viewing them as potential messengers of deeper lessons.
Navigating Professional and Financial Decisions With Self-Trust
Drawing from past experiences, including a negative profit-sharing arrangement, Leo Skepi shares insights on making business decisions that prioritize self-preservation. He discusses rejecting a podcast partnership offer based on intuitive warning signs, instead choosing to host independently with programmatic ads. Skepi also addresses his approach to financial decisions, describing how he balances logical capability with emotional comfort, using multi-account savings strategies while learning to trust his intuition over ego-driven choices.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- Trusting intuition can sometimes lead to confirmation bias, where one interprets outcomes as validation of their intuition, even if other factors are at play.
- Intuition is subjective and can be influenced by personal biases and fears, which may not always lead to the best decisions.
- External expectations and norms can sometimes provide valuable guidance and should not be dismissed without careful consideration.
- Emotional responses to desires can also be influenced by positive factors such as inspiration and aspiration, not solely issues of self-worth.
- Acquiring possessions can be a legitimate form of self-expression and enjoyment, not necessarily a means to prove one's worth.
- Non-attachment to desires might lead to a lack of motivation or drive, which can be counterproductive in personal growth and achievement.
- Prioritizing self-preservation in business decisions could potentially limit opportunities for collaboration and growth that come with shared ventures.
- Intuitive warning signs might sometimes be misinterpreted fears, and rejecting partnerships based on them could result in missed opportunities.
- Logical capability is often based on empirical evidence and may provide a more reliable foundation for financial decisions than emotional comfort.
- Multi-account savings strategies can be complex to manage and might not be suitable for everyone, depending on their financial literacy and personal circumstances.
- Over-reliance on intuition can lead to neglecting rational analysis and critical thinking, which are also essential in decision-making.
Actionables
- You can create an "Intuition Journal" to document and reflect on your gut feelings and their outcomes. Start by writing down any intuitive messages you receive, particularly those that go against what's expected of you. Later, revisit these entries to see how following your intuition played out. This practice can help you recognize patterns in your intuitive thinking and validate its importance in your decision-making process.
- Develop a "Desire Map" to explore the emotional roots behind your wants. On a piece of paper, draw a map starting with a desire you have, then branch out to list the emotions and beliefs connected to it. For example, if you desire a new car, branch out to feelings of success, acceptance, or self-worth. This visual exercise can help you understand if your desires are coming from a place of lack or self-worth issues, guiding you to approach them with non-attachment.
- Experiment with a "Balanced Decision-Making Model" for your next financial choice. Create a two-column chart where one side lists logical reasons for and against the decision, and the other side lists how each option makes you feel emotionally. For instance, if considering a new investment, one side would detail potential returns or losses, while the other would express fears, excitement, or stress associated with each outcome. This model can help you weigh both logical and emotional aspects, leading to more balanced financial decisions.
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Trusting One's Intuition and Soul-Level Guidance
The speaker shares insights on embracing the messages of the soul, especially when they guide you towards eschewing external expectations in favor of authenticity. They emphasize the crucial role of personal experiences in soul-level guidance and its protective nature.
Honoring Soul Messages, Even When Nonsensical
Trusting the Internal "No" On a Business Opportunity
During discussions about a business opportunity, the speaker recounts feeling a panic for being without a team and experiencing an inexplicable internal "no." Despite the uncertainty surrounding this intuitive reaction, they emphasize the importance of honoring these visceral feelings. They describe how trusting this gut feeling was reinforced by past experiences, which dictated future actions.
Past Experiences Guide and Protect the Soul
The speaker ties in the song "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner, which unexpectedly played on their Google device. The lyrics "We don't need to know the way home" resonated deeply, as the speaker had never truly felt a sense of home. This epiphany taught them that authenticity was more important than fulfilling heroic or performative roles.
Cultivating Self-Trust Over External Advice
Building Confidence for Independent Decision-Making
Having connected with the song and uncovered its personal significance, the speaker gained confidence in their ability to make independent decisions based on intuition. This connection to their soul and the resulting self-reliance marked a transformation in how they approached decisions, choosing to trust their ...
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Trusting One's Intuition and Soul-Level Guidance
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Trusting intuition can sometimes lead to confirmation bias, where one might interpret events or signs in a way that confirms pre-existing beliefs or desires, rather than objectively assessing the situation.
- Intuition is not infallible and can be influenced by subconscious fears, biases, or desires that may not align with one's best interests or the reality of a situation.
- Over-reliance on past experiences might prevent someone from recognizing new opportunities or adapting to changing circumstances, as past experiences may not always be relevant to new situations.
- While authenticity is important, there are contexts where strategic behavior or fulfilling certain roles is necessary for achieving goals or maintaining social harmony.
- Independent decision-making is valuable, but collaboration and seeking diverse perspectives can lead to more informed and robust decisions.
- External advice, when coming from experts or those with more experience, can provide valuable insights that intuition alone might miss.
- The interpretation of song lyrics is highl ...
Actionables
- You can create a "Soul Messages" journal to document moments of authenticity and intuition. Start by setting aside a few minutes each day to write down any thoughts or feelings that seem to come from a deep, authentic place within you. This could be reactions to events, spontaneous ideas, or even dreams. Over time, you'll have a personal record that can help you recognize patterns in your intuitive thinking and reinforce your trust in your inner voice when making decisions.
- Develop a personal "Intuition Playlist" with songs that resonate deeply with you. Whenever you're facing a tough decision or feeling disconnected from your authentic self, listen to this playlist. The lyrics that once provided unexpected insights can serve as a reminder of your values and guide you back to a place of self-trust. This strategy uses the emotional power of music to reinforce your confidence in your own intuition.
- Practice saying "no" without justification to st ...
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Exploring and Understanding One's Desires and Emotional Responses
The speaker, Leo Skepi, delves into the psychology of desires, their connection to deep-seated emotions, and the process of differentiating between wants that reflect deeper issues and those that signify a non-attached approach to aspirations.
Deeper Meanings Behind Desires Triggering Strong Emotions
Desires Reflecting Needs For Validation, Not True Wants
Leo Skepi articulates a frustration experienced upon witnessing individuals seen as unworthy affording luxuries, which brings up feelings of unfairness and touches upon old programming about the cosmos and divinity. A strong emotional response is linked to this sense of injustice and the perception that good is not being rewarded.
Unpacking Resentment, Fear, and Self-Worth in Simple Desires
Skepi discusses the complex emotions that emerge when contemplating the purchase of a desired item, such as Cartier earrings. He reveals that the urge to acquire these luxury items is less about the objects themselves and more about the internal quest for safety and self-worth. This drive to achieve is wrapped up in feelings of aliveness and is entangled with self-doubt, which obscures the true purpose behind the desires.
Skepi's pattern of chasing desires to substantiate his worth creates an intense pressure that disallows genuine self-contentment. He shares that each acquisition, such as buying a Cartier bracelet, offers temporary relief from a need to prove one's worth, rather than actual fulfilment of desire.
Differentiating Desires to Act or Observe and Learn From
Non-attached Approach to Desires For Clarity on Purpose
Skepi experiences an internal struggle between his logical mind, which prioritizes financial safety, and his emotional side, which justifies desires like the Cartier earrings based on personal deservedness. As a result, not every desire needs to be acted upon—some are simply messengers with deeper lessons.
Honoring Desire For Cartier Earrings as a Message
The speaker honors the persistent craving for Cartier earrings, although they originally decided against the purchase. Experiencing strong emotions linked to the desire suggested an underlying message, prompting Skepi to assess what the earrings represented beyond mere aesthetics.
The speaker's continuous escalation of desires with increased income reflects a pattern of ...
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Exploring and Understanding One's Desires and Emotional Responses
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Desires may not always be tied to deep-seated emotional issues; sometimes a desire can be a simple preference or a benign aspiration without psychological complexities.
- The perception of fairness in who can afford luxuries is subjective and can be influenced by various societal and personal biases.
- Acquiring luxury items can sometimes be an expression of personal taste or a celebration of success, rather than a quest for safety and self-worth.
- The pressure created by chasing desires may sometimes be a motivating force that drives individuals to achieve their goals and improve their lives.
- Acting on certain desires, even if they stem from a need for validation, can lead to positive outcomes and personal growth, challenging the idea that they should not be acted upon.
- The assumption that desires are messengers with deeper lessons may not always hold true; some desires could be straightforward without hidden meanings.
- The pattern of escalatin ...
Actionables
- Create a "Desire Diary" to track and reflect on your wants. Each time you feel a strong desire for something, like a luxury item, write it down along with the emotions you're feeling at that moment. After a week, review your entries to identify patterns and emotions tied to these desires, which can help you understand your deeper needs and whether these desires align with your true self-worth.
- Develop a "Desire Delay" practice where you wait for a set period, such as 30 days, before acting on a non-essential desire. During this time, engage in activities that boost your self-esteem and sense of security, like volunteering or learning a new skill. This can help you differentiate between desires that are emotionally driven and those that are genuine aspirations.
- Start a "Desire Discussion" group with friends or family wher ...
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Navigating Professional and Financial Decisions With Self-Trust
Leo Skepi shares insights on striking a balance between self-preservation, considering personal and audience needs, and trusting one’s intuition over ego in financial matters.
Self-Preservation and Responsibility Over Immediate Gratification in Business
Leo Skepi reflects on experiences that shaped his current approach to professional decisions, demonstrating the importance of learning from the past to forge a path of self-preservation and maturity.
Recognizing Dangers in Profit-Sharing and Learning From Past Exploitation
He advises against profit-sharing agreements, drawing from a negative past experience where expenses were inflated to reduce his earnings, and the partner reported excess expenses such as an $80,000 website design. This past deal that manipulated earnings influences his current decision-making.
Pros and Cons of a Podcast Partnership for Personal and Audience Needs
Leo feels a strong rejection towards a partnership offer, interpreting it as a protective instinct. Despite pressure, he decides not to proceed, recognizing his reaction's similarity to a past negative deal where costs were misrepresented. He advocates for a balanced approach, opting to freely host the podcast with programmatic ads, possibly earning small returns, while considering the audience's needs instead of self-harming decisions.
Balanced Approach to Spending and Financial Risk
Leo discusses confronting fear and insecurity in spending, despite having the means, by relying on intuition rather than ego.
Fear and Insecurity in Spending Despite Available Funds
He characterizes his hesitation to spend $12,000 on luxury e ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Navigating Professional and Financial Decisions With Self-Trust
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Profit-sharing agreements can be beneficial if structured properly with clear terms and transparency, and not all partnerships will result in negative experiences like the one Leo Skepi had.
- Rejecting a partnership offer based on past negative experiences might lead to missed opportunities; each offer should be evaluated on its own merits.
- While intuition can be a valuable guide, it should be complemented with rational analysis and due diligence, especially in financial matters.
- Hesitation to spend on luxury items might not only reflect insecurity but could also be a prudent financial decision, especially during uncertain economic times.
- Relying solely on intuition for financial decisions could lead to biases and emotional decision-making; it's important to balance intuition with financial planning and advice from experts.
- ...
Actionables
- Reflect on your professional choices by journaling about past decisions weekly, focusing on what you learned and how it influenced your current situation. This practice can help you identify patterns in your decision-making and encourage growth in your professional life. For example, if you notice you often regret quick decisions, you might start implementing a mandatory reflection period before making future commitments.
- Create a personal financial dashboard using a spreadsheet or budgeting app to track your expenses, savings, and investments. This tool will give you a visual representation of your financial health and help you make more intuitive spending decisions. You could use color-coding to quickly see which areas of spending align with your values and which might be driven by insecurity or impulse.
- Establish a multi-tiered savings plan by opening several savings accounts, each with ...
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