Learn How To Visualize and Increase Your Success!

Learning how to visualize effectively using a combination of imagination and concentration can be a very effective way of making your dreams a reality!

Stay a while and let me tell you how this amazing technique can work for you!

What is Visualization?

Visualization or imagery is a psychological technique involving the use of the imagination and focussed intention to improve the mind - body link and many other aspects of your life.

Now I know what you may be thinking..

"Come on Matt, using your imagination to change your life? Pull the other one!"

However, having been a previous sceptic myself, I urge you to read on!

Do not underestimate the significance of the imagination in creating change.........it can be one of your most powerful tools!

Fortunately, there is a wealth of research available which supports the effectiveness of visualization. It has been found to have a significant effect on applications ranging from weight loss, stress and pain reduction to improving sports performance, boosting confidence and much more.

It almost sounds too good to be true doesn't it?

I assure you, IT's NOT!

The success of visualization rests on the understanding that our mind is responsible for everything we decide to do, and how we do it.

However, many individuals find their minds can begin to sabotage the very thing they chose to tackle in the first place!

You see, our minds have a tendency to retain negative experiences very strongly. Based on these experiences, the mind formulates beliefs and attitudes about our ability to handle what it interprets as present day, similar situations.

As a result of this, you can, quite literally talk yourself out the achievement that your heart desires.

For many people, this is a very real issue and can quite literally cause a lifetime of untapped potential and frustration.

However, it doesn’t just end there; a lack of self belief in your capabilities can manifest into further emotional and physical issues.

Prime examples include those who suffer from illness created from stress.

It's not all doom and gloom though!

You see, if our minds can negatively affect that which we experience, it can most certainly have the reverse effect and create positive outcomes and experiences!

How Does Visualization Work?

Visualizing a positive outcome changes the negative charge of the "I cant" thought to "I can," which is a positively charged thought and powerful affirmation in itself.

Through repeat exposure to the visualization and the feeling of "I can" (i.e. visualizing yourself achieving the desired goal every day) your mind and body subconsciously reach a state of being that is more prepared and able to deal with the current situation than if you had not done any visualization.

The end result is a substantial increase in the likelihood of success!

The beauty of knowing how to visualize is that it can be used for long term and short term goals alike.

Indeed, one of the most immediate goals that visualization is effectively used for is in the arena of competitive sport, where it can be used to reduce pre-performance anxiety.

I use visualization all the time!

Of course, you may not always achieve the goals that your hearts desire first time around, but having learnt how to visualize, you will have brought yourself closer and more likely to succeed than ever before.

If you initially fall short of your goal, try and use the outcome positively and seek to use the experience as a lesson from which you can evaluate what needs to be changed in order to get further down the road. Use the short fall to propel your determination to do better next time!

The fact is, you can pretty much achieve anything you set your mind to, and knowing how to visualize outcomes can help take you there!

Want to Know How to Visualize?

The more frequently the technique is practiced, the more vivid the visualizations will be and the more effective they can become.

Visualization can be used well in advance of the desired event/action, or immediately before, depending on the circumstance.

For example, a weight loss goal may be visualized over several weeks; where as a visualization to assist with a training session may be done as part of the warm up.

In the initial stages of learning how to visualize, I suggest the eyes are closed for the duration of the practice.

The act of closing the eyes serves to reduce the quantity of potentially distracting sensory input and allow clearer, more detailed visualizations to occur.

The imagination should then be used to formulate an imaginary sequence of pictures of yourself performing and achieving the desired goal.

It is best to take time in doing this, drawing attention to small details without dwelling on them too much.

To make visualizations more effective, not only should images be seen in the mind, but also use the imagination to formulate how it would FEEL to be successful.

Picturing turns the mind on to the prospect of success. Feeling prepares the body for what could lie ahead and thus makes it more likely to react favourably and efficiently.

In a nutshell, this technique covers all bases, the mind and the body and hence, the complete unit.

When starting out with any new practice, a period of clunkiness is to be expected.

Learning how to visualize effectively is no different and perseverance and patience will pay off dividends in the long run.

It sounds great doesn’t it?

The fact is, when you learn how to visualize and employ its practice with regularity, you can quite literally transform your outlook and life!

Yours in Success

Matt Shore

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