Lesson #4: Use Your Intuition

“I only do what my gut tells me to,” says Lopez. “I think it’s smart to listen to other people’s advice, but at the end of the day, you’re the only one who can tell you what’s right for you.”



Growing up as an independent young girl who was on her own from the age of 18, Lopez learned early on to trust her instincts. She knew that if she was going to survive both on the streets and in business, it was going to be her intuition that would lead her through. From her choice of movies to her clothing line, everything Lopez does is guided by what her heart tells her to do. “I go with my gut to choose materials for films and music,” she says. “It really all depends and I try and balance. It’s not as calculated as people think. I try and let things flow from an artistic place.”

Part of using her instincts, for Lopez, is realizing that there are some things that she has no control over. She may be pulled in one direction or another on impulse, but she then has to surrender her choices and let them take their natural course. “You don’t have control over this type of thing,” says Lopez. “You try to pick the best material that you can get your hands on – it’s a very competitive business – and then you do your best in that movie and you hope for the best.”

Lopez also tries to keep an open mind, not limiting or cutting herself off from any opportunities. “I’ve always been open to whatever comes my way that’s good,” she says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a small role or a big role as long as it’s a good role and is something that I will actually enjoy doing.” Lopez uses her instincts to let her know whether a career choice is a wise one, and whether it will be fulfilling, as opposed to simply looking for dollar signs and fame.

It was Lopez’s instincts that told her to keep auditioning for In Living Color despite having already been rejected twice; she had a hunch that the third time would be the charm. It was also Lopez’s instincts that told her not to take part in Janet Jackson’s world tour, even though she knew that was an extremely lucrative opportunity. Instead, she wanted to focus on launching her own acting career, which proved to be an even more rewarding decision in the end.

Recognizing that not all the decisions she has made throughout her career have been smart ones in the long term, Lopez does not regret listening to her gut. Instead, she feels grateful for every opportunity presented to her. “I’ve done about 20 movies now and I don’t know an actor’s career where every movie they do is great,” she says. “It’s like you have one and then you have five and then you have one and then you have ten, if you’re lucky enough to be around doing it that long!”

But, most importantly, says Lopez, is seizing the opportunity and taking that chance whenever your instincts tell you to. Do not ignore them. “Don’t wait til tomorrow,” she says. “Maybe that next day will never come at all.”



Lesson #4: Use Your Intuition

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