On Using Intuition in Practice.

Today, let’s delve into one of my favorite topics: intuition.

Life moved at a leisurely pace, and I almost missed the moment when it was time to consider moving abroad. The final week in Warsaw felt a bit melancholic, mostly filled with work and paperwork. However, amidst it all, I made decisions for my future path. 

Why Focus on One Thing at a Time?

I’m opting to focus on one thing instead of juggling three tasks simultaneously. This way, I can develop, attend conferences, apply for scholarships and grants, and work smarter. According to Rubinstein, Meyer and Evans (2001), switching between tasks carries a measurable time cost.

I’ve seen others collect scholarships for academic excellence, even those who can’t write a sentence in Polish. It’s time to make the most of my abilities and financial opportunities at 25.

Is Learning a Gamble?

Now, onto learning – it’s a gamble. No one knows what’ll matter in the future, and investing effort wisely is challenging. Many who were academic prodigies ended up unsatisfied in less-developing fields.

According to Subotnik, Olszewski-Kubilius and Worrell (2011), early academic giftedness does not automatically translate into later achievement. Psychosocial factors, not raw potential alone, largely determine whether it does. The field of neuroscience also has its limits.

It’s versatile, applicable to medicine, psychology, finance, and more. Yet, we can’t predict roadblocks or over-investment.

Why Trust Your Gut?

Lastly, trust your gut. According to Klein and Kahneman (2009), intuitive expertise is reliable only in regular environments where prolonged feedback lets one learn valid cues. My experience with the Mathematics Department taught me that.

I persevered through tough subjects, even when tempted to give up.

I finished my master’s degree despite challenges. While working on my thesis, I encountered setbacks, but my instincts led me to a better-suited topic in game theory. According to Duckworth and colleagues (2007), such perseverance predicts achievement beyond talent alone.

I’m grateful for the freedom to explore, even if it meant wandering in the dark. Eventually, it paid off, with my work published and recognized.

Listening to instinct also led me to neuroscience and modeling neural populations. It’s surprising how these areas connect, and my passion for understanding human empathy drives me forward. Sometimes, choices come down to practicalities.

I chose a subject with a tutor who could guide me and navigate department dynamics. It’s funny, the path you think will earn you a lot might not actually do so.