The "right" way to visualize is a very personal thing.
The basic elements are to:
1) Start with the right mindset,
2) Create a clear mental image or picture of your intended outcome and hold your focus upon it,
3) Allow your body and mind to experience the emotions and feelings that would be associated with achieving your desired outcome, as if it had already happened.
Every now and then, when I'm interviewing a new coaching client, the topic of creative visualization will come up. They sometimes tell me things like "Creative visualization doesn't really work for me", or "I don't really believe in creative visualization".
Does this sound like you?
Before I discuss the key ingredients for success with creative visualization, I want you to consider those two responses -
- "Creative visualization doesn't really work for me"
- "I don't really believe in creative visualization"
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to quickly realize that both of these responses are actually a mindset problem, and not a creative visualization problem.
Let's think back to the immortal quote by Henry Ford - "If you think you CAN do a thing, or think you CAN'T do a thing, you're RIGHT!"
If you are adopting the limiting belief that creative visualization doesn't work, then that will become your reality. But the best news is that the opposite is also true...
If you believe that creative visualization works, then it ABSOLUTELY will work for you!
But HOW do you adopt this new belief, (or for that matter, any new belief)? You must start by observing and then experiencing proof...both social and physical, and then by practicing creative visualization often.
First, let's tackle proof...
You already know that ALL things are created twice, first in the mind and then in our physical reality. This is the EXACT formula for success with creative visualization. Just try to think of anything in your existence that did not originate from a thought in someone else's mind...it simply cannot be done.
And here is some social proof...
Everywhere around you, you are hearing about the Law of Attraction. And there is certainly no shortage of people or information available on the subject. Some of the discussions are clever marketing and hype, but the baseline premise is that YOU ATTRACT WHAT YOU FOCUS YOUR MIND UPON.
That part is definitely true.
And therein lies a critical key to success with creative visualization...adopting the mindset that creative visualization DOES work, and then by practicing visualization often.
If you are relatively new to creative visualization, I'd suggest that you take up a bit of study on the subject. There are many excellent resources available, and one of my personal favorites is a book written by Shakti Gawain, simply titled "Creative Visualization". You can find it on www.amazon.com or on her website www.shaktigawain.com .
This little book provides numerous tips and techniques that you can begin incorporating into your daily routine. I highly recommend it for helping you to learn how to create clear mental images, understanding the relationship between your thoughts and your outcomes, and how to clear your mind of limiting beliefs which may be inhibiting your success with creative visualization.
Finally, you must emotionalize your visualization in order to create a vibrational match between your imagined desire, and the physical equivalent of that desire. For more insights on adding emotion to your visualization, jump to the archive section of this blog and review "Supercharge Your Visualization, Parts 1 and 2".
So today, adopt the new mindset that creative visualization DOES work, and that you are going to practice often.
Create first with your mind. Think about what you truly want to do, be, or have. Then focus your attention upon that thought, and finally, mix mental pictures and physical feelings with your thoughts.
I'd love to hear about the successes that you've had with creative visualization and any other techniques that you are using to improve your skills. Please leave any questions or comments in the area provided below.
Until next time, be creative!
J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM
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