By Dawn Billings
How important is the use of visualization in accomplishing your dreams and goals? I have been asked this question many times. Research and personal observation confirms the answer is yes.
Do you know someone who uses mental rehearsal, or visualization? Do you use visualization?
Many great athletes, executives, entrepreneurs and other successful people use visualization to help them improve their performance and develop their skills. It is considered a standard tool used by many Olympic and professional athletes, as well as people who simply want to develop new behaviors. What does it require? It requires that you stop long enough to do it. You get quiet and create in your mind’s eye, exactly what you want your dream outcome to be. See it clearly, and if you struggle to see it clearly, keep practicing until you can. The more clearly and precisely you can see the event, experience or outcome in your mind, the more likely it is that it will happen.
How does visualization work? Human beings think in the form of words, which trigger pictures and emotions. Our subconscious cannot tell the difference between something we imagine vividly, with great passion, and a “real” experience. So what we envision with a burning desire to accomplish, our subconscious begins to manifest.
Actually all human beings use visualization and may not realize it. Whenever we look forward to something and create a picture in our mind of how we want it to be, we are using the power of visualization. The most difficult challenge anyone will face in their lifetime is the challenge to control the thoughts that fill their heads. Thought management is by far the most difficult habit to master. Visualization helps you direct your thoughts by allowing you to project yourself into the future and witness, as you experience, the outcomes you prefer.
There are many real life benefits to visualization around even simple tasks, for example, if you are nervous about meeting new people in your community, and yet know that it is critical to growing your business, just relax and picture yourself meeting new people with confidence and ease. Picture every detail. Watch as you speak with confidence, enthusiasm, intelligence and passion. See yourself listening carefully and respectfully as well. Picture what you are wearing, your posture, and your smile. Hear the words you’ll say. Practice them in your mind until you feel confident and comfortable saying them. Feel your body, comfortable and relaxed.
Repeat the process over and over, as if you were watching a movie starring yourself, because basically that is what you are doing. You are playing out a role that will happen in the future. When it is time to network and introduce yourself to others, your subconscious will kick in to help you do it just like you imagined. It won’t take long until you understand that what you can see and believe, you can achieve.
Dawn Billings is the author of over 20 books and the founder of The Heart Link Women’s Network, a nationwide networking organization specifically designed to aid women in growing their businesses together while strengthening their communities. She is also CEO and founder of DawnBillings.com a training company dedicated to touching lives in ways that can change the direction of hearts and create a better world.
