I'm so much better off when I trust my instincts. But they're

"I'm so much better off when I trust my instincts. But they're not perfect." These words, spoken by Phil Hellmuth, carry with them the profound recognition that while instincts are a powerful guide, they are not infallible. In life, we often find ourselves at crossroads where reason alone cannot provide the answers. It is in these moments that the call of instinct—that deep, intuitive knowing—can offer us direction. But even the clearest instincts, the ones that come from within our hearts and souls, are imperfect. They are shaped by our experiences, our fears, and our desires, and as such, they are not always the absolute truth. Hellmuth's words remind us of the balance between trust and humility, the dance between following our gut and acknowledging that sometimes, even the best instincts can be wrong.

In the ancient world, great leaders and warriors often spoke of the importance of instinct in guiding their actions. Alexander the Great, for example, did not simply rely on the strategy of his advisors or the wisdom of his generals. He often relied on his gut feeling, that sense of knowing that would propel him to act decisively. Yet, even Alexander, who conquered much of the known world, experienced failures—moments when his instincts led him astray. The battle of the Hydaspes River, where he faced the mighty forces of King Porus, was a perfect example. Though Alexander’s instincts told him to charge headlong into battle, he later realized that the terrain and the tactics of his enemy had outwitted him. Even the greatest of leaders understood that instincts could lead them to victory or failure, and they were careful not to rely solely on them.

Consider also the legendary Joan of Arc, a woman whose courage and instincts led her to become a symbol of France’s resistance during the Hundred Years’ War. Joan, though young and untrained in battle, followed a vision and a feeling deep within her that she was meant to lead the French army to victory. Her instincts told her to act, to trust in the divine mission that had been placed upon her. But even her most powerful instincts were not without flaw. In the end, her faith and intuition led her into a trap, and she was captured and ultimately executed. Joan's life teaches us that while instincts can be a powerful force, they must be tempered with wisdom and foresight. Hellmuth's acknowledgment that instincts are not perfect is an important lesson, for it teaches us that even the clearest intuition must be balanced with reason and caution.

The experience of Thomas Edison, the great inventor, offers another reflection on the relationship between instinct and imperfection. Edison, who trusted his instincts when it came to invention, believed deeply in the power of trial and error. He often followed his intuition, knowing that the path to success was riddled with failures. When he created the lightbulb, it was not the perfection of his instincts that led him to success, but his perseverance through countless mistakes. Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." This willingness to trust his instincts, even when they led him down dead ends, was the key to his success. But like Hellmuth, Edison understood that while instincts can guide us, they are not always perfect, and failure is part of the journey.

So, what does Hellmuth’s wisdom teach us about how to navigate our own lives? The lesson is clear: trust your instincts, but do so with an awareness of their imperfection. Instincts are born of the experiences we have lived, the lessons we have learned, and the passions that drive us. They are often our deepest, most authentic guide. Yet, we must also recognize that they are not infallible. As Socrates once said, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." To trust one’s instincts requires humility—to acknowledge that while our gut feelings are valuable, they must always be balanced with reason, reflection, and the willingness to learn from the world around us.

In your own life, take Hellmuth's words to heart. When faced with decisions, listen to your instincts, but do not be swayed by them alone. Allow your instincts to guide you, but ensure that you take the time to pause, reflect, and assess. Acknowledge that you, too, are human, and that perfection does not lie within you or within your gut feelings. Like the great leaders and thinkers of the past, trust that the instincts you feel are valuable, but always pair them with the humility to admit that they can lead you astray. It is through this balance, this union of intuition and reason, that we move forward on the path of wisdom.

Finally, know that failure is not the end of the journey. Just as Edison found many ways that didn’t work, so too will you find that your instincts may fail you at times. But in those failures lies the wisdom to try again, to learn, and to trust your instincts once more, but with the understanding that they must be tempered by experience and reflection. In the dance of life, our instincts lead us, but our reason must keep us steady, and our humility must remind us that even our best instincts can sometimes miss the mark.