If you are a Reflector with No Inner Authority, this article is for you! So I had an idea to create a decision flowchart for each of the human design energy types and their authority, but before I do, it is important to note that I am taking a very nuanced topic and simplifying it into a flowchart. Please know that this subject can be complicated.
In the article below, I intend to show how our decision-making process works, step-by-step, when we lean into our strategy and authority. I want to show how our strategy and authority work together, and the flow chart provides a simple snapshot of how this process works (in a perfect situation, of course).
If you’re new to Human Design, start with the Human Design Guide to understand the foundational concepts before diving deeper into this decision-making style.
For more information on Strategy and Authority, refer to the Strategy and Authority Guide.
If you prefer to learn about this topic in video format, you will find a link to the YouTube video below.
background – making decisions through human design
When you are presented with an opportunity or a choice in life, how do you know what the right decision is for you? How do you know if something is in alignment for you?
This is why the most important aspect of a Human Design chart is your Energy type strategy and authority. Your “Strategy” is how you are designed to use your energy, and your “authority” is the way you gain clarity to make decisions. These two aspects do not work in a silo – they work together to support us. Theoretically, when we lean into our strategy and authority, we will see an increase in flow in our lives. You will experience less resistance, and the things we want will come to us more easily.
start using your authority
Your authority is your internal guidance system. This free Human Design Decision Guide helps you understand how you’re designed to make decisions and how to start trusting yourself.
step 1 – decision point
- At the top of this flow chart, we have a triggering event or decision point. Maybe there’s a job opportunity, a job offer, a project you’ve been invited to work on, or an event you’ve been asked if you want to attend.
step 2 – is the opportunity in alignment?
- The first question to ask is, “Does this thing, whatever it is, align with my skill sets, my talents, or my gifts? Does it align with my curiosity? Does it align with my passions and interests?
- If the answer is no, you’re probably going to want to say no to the thing.
- If the answer is yes, the next step is to tune into your authority
step 3 – tap into your authority
First, we need to talk about how your authority actually works. As you know, Reflectors have no energy centers defined (colored in) in their bodygraph chart. This is why the Reflector decision-making process is called “no inner authority”.
Because all of their energy centers are white (undefined), this means the Reflector is designed to pick up information, or “pings,” from the outside world to make decisions. Additionally, because Reflectors are considered “Lunar Beings,” it is ideal if a Reflector can wait a lunar cycle before deciding if something is correct for them or not.
I know waiting for a lunar cycle (29 days) sounds ridiculous, and I agree that it is not always practical or realistic to wait a full lunar cycle before deciding something. That said, the takeaway here is to buy yourself time before deciding on something.
In a perfect world, your goal is to buy yourself some time and pay attention to the information you get from the outside world over time. This information will come across as “pings” or little nudges from the universe that a specific direction is right for you.
Waiting a lunar cycle can look like…
1 – Let’s say you’re looking for a new job and you see a job posting online that you like. The “lunar cycle clock” (29 days) starts the moment you see that job posting. From that point forward, you want to pay attention to the information (nudges and pings) you get from the outside world. As you move through the process of applying, updating your resume, and going through job interviews, you will be collecting information and noting whether you feel “nudged” in a specific direction. And you apply for the job and go through the entire process of hopefully getting it.
You will also note, “Am I feeling expansive in my body about this job? Do I feel good, free, and clear about it in my body? Or do I feel contracted or tense about this thing?” Over time, these little synchronicities, these little nudges, will tell you if something’s right for you or not.
2 – Same example as above, you are looking for a new job, but let’s say that you haven’t been paying attention to the pings or nudges from the universe. In this case, find ways to buy yourself time, and if you receive a job offer, ask for 48-72 hours to decide. As mentioned above, during that time, you will want to pay attention to the pings or nudges you will get from the universe. You will also want to pay attention to how it feels in your body.
Tips for those with no inner authority:
- Don’t stay home – Spending time in the RIGHT environments is so important for Reflectors because this is how you will come across the information and synchronicities that will move you forward in life. When you have a big decision to make, spend time in environments that feel good to you. Work in a coffee shop or library or meet up with friends or family for dinner.
- Journaling – If you enjoy writing, consider capturing the information or intuitive hits you receive as you move through the world. Write down the synchronicities and note any nudges you receive from the universe. It is also a good idea to note the moon phase with each journal entry. Over time, you may see a pattern that you can tap into in the future.
- Tuning into body – Get to know what it FEELS like to trust yourself. You will be able to physically feel when something feels right or wrong.
- Work with a lunar cycle journal or planner
step 3 – clarity or confusion?
After tuning into your emotional authority, you should have clarity on the decision that is right for you.
But let’s say that you’ve allowed yourself some time and you’re still not sure. Maybe you aren’t clear on how your authority’s voice shows up. You don’t understand how emotional authority speaks to you, so you don’t have a clear answer.
If you don’t have a clear answer, the next thing you want to consider is whether the voice of my mind is clouding out my intuitive voice.
step 4 – mind vs. intuition
How do we tell the difference between our mind and our intuition?
The voice of the mind will be…practical, grounded in logic, and it will tell stories that often sound like the external voices we listen to (e.g., parents, coaches, random people on the internet, etc.).
Whereas, the voice of your intuition will NOT make logical sense.
So what does that look like? In the example of a job opportunity, that is going to look like a voice telling you, “Well, you shouldn’t apply for that job, or you shouldn’t accept that job because you don’t have the right credentials.” Or “You don’t have the right background for that position.”
In an example of being invited to an event, that voice might say, “You shouldn’t go to that event because so and so might be there.” Or “You SHOULD go to this event because there is a social obligation and people are going to be upset if you’re not there.”
You see, the mind tells stories. It tells us that we are not qualified enough, that we are not good enough, or it might not be the right opportunity because it “Doesn’t make enough money.
So why is it important that we NOT allow the mind to make decisions for us? Because that is where the MAGICK HAPPENS!
From a Human Design perspective, the more we listen to that intuitive voice (our authority), the more we free the mind to express its genius in everything we do. The mind should not control where we go or what decisions we make. In a perfect scenario, we should lean into our intuition and let it guide us through life.
So the more you can learn the difference between the voice of your mind and your intuition, the easier life decisions will become.
Tune into the intuitive voice within, that knowing feeling within you that says, “This is the right decision for me,” even though you can’t provide a logical explanation as to why. It is important to tune in and ask, “Does this feel good to me? Will this thing make me feel how I WANT to feel?
Anytime you are using the word “should,” this is the voice of the mind. In a perfect situation, you want to go with the intuitive hit that feels right but can’t be explained by logic.
step 5 – decide
With practice, this process will become easier over time. At first, it is so difficult to know the difference between the voice of your intuition and the voice of your mind. Lean into it gently. Play with it for little decisions in your life until you have a sense for how it shows up in your life
Lastly, even if life circumstances prevent you from following your intuition in a specific situation, acknowledge it, recognize it, and leverage the wisdom it offers in other ways moving forward.
your authority is just the beginning
Your authority is one of the most important parts of your Human Design, but it works alongside your strategy, profile, centers, and gates. If you’re ready to understand your full design, explore Aligned by Design.
related articles
- Human Design Authority Types – CLICK HERE
- No Inner Authority Explained – CLICK HERE
- Reflector Survival Tips – CLICK HERE
references
- The Definitive Book of Human Design: The Science of Differentiation by Lynda Bunnell and Ra Uru Hu
- Jenna Zoe myhumandesign.com Level 1 – 3 Reader Trainings
disclaimer
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