Leading with Mind, Heart and Gut

Have you ever felt torn between what makes sense, what feels right, and what you just know?

We often talk about “following our heart” or “trusting our gut,” but most decisions, especially the ones that really matter, benefit from using all three: mind, heart and gut.

🧠 The Mind – Logic and Learning

Your mind gathers the data. It’s the part of you that plans, compares, lists pros and cons, and asks, “Does this make sense?”

The mind is brilliant at drawing on what you already know; your experiences, your education, your routines. But it can also overanalyse or replay every possible scenario until you’re stuck. When you notice that happening, take a breath and remind yourself: logic informs, but it doesn’t decide.

❤️ The Heart – Emotion and Empathy

Your heart gives decisions meaning. It’s where values and emotions meet. When you feel a pull towards something, that’s your heart speaking.

The heart asks, “Does this feel right?”, and that’s powerful, but it’s also changeable. Our emotions can shift with stress, tiredness, or even the weather. Listening to your heart doesn’t mean letting feelings drive every choice, but recognising what truly matters to you and to those you care about.

🫀 The Gut – Instinct and Intuition

Then there’s the gut; often quiet but rarely wrong. It’s that whisper that says “this isn’t it” even when everything looks perfect on paper, or “go for it” when logic says no.

Science tells us the gut has its own neural network, the enteric nervous system, capable of influencing mood and decision-making. So when you say “I feel it in my gut,” you’re not being metaphorical, you’re listening to another source of intelligence.

🌿 Finding Your Balance

In wellbeing, as in life, decisions aren’t made in a single place; they’re made in conversation between these three inner voices.
When your mind provides clarity, your heart offers compassion, and your gut adds courage, you’re far more likely to choose a path that feels aligned rather than forced.

Try this simple check-in next time you’re unsure:

• Ask your mind: What do I know to be true?

• Ask your heart: What feels important or meaningful here?

• Ask your gut: What does my body say when I picture each option?

Then pause. Often, one voice will speak louder than the others—but the wisdom lies in letting all three have their say.

Because living well isn’t about choosing perfectly.

It’s about choosing authentically, with head, heart and gut all pointing in the same direction.