Many of us have heard of vision boards, writing down your goals, and creating a picture in our minds. Some of us have even adopted one or more of these things as a part of our daily practices but do you know why these things work in helping us achieve our desired outcomes.
Today, we are talking about visualization: What it is, why it works, and how you can use visualization on your own.
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What Is Visualization?
Visualization is the process of creating a picture in your mind of an outcome you want to achieve.
Visualization allows you to see what you will accomplish in extreme detail and connect emotionally with it at the same time.
The act of visualization gives you the blueprint for achieving your goals. As a result, you can pursue them full force. I'm not saying that you cannot reach your goals without visualization. Still, it helps you because of the emotional connection you have to it.
Just thinking about your goals is great, but constant thinking about them can keep achieving them because thought keeps us in a state of indecision.
Visualization help to get you going and taking the steps towards whatever you want to achieve.
How to Start Visualizing
There are two types of visualization. The first technique is envisioning yourself, having already achieved your desired outcome.
This technique requires you to go inside yourself and paint the picture of what you believe will be your life when you achieve your goal.
While you are doing this, you have to be extremely detailed because the details are essential. In terms of more information. You want to think about the time of year this will happen, what you will wear, where you are, who is there with you, how you feel, the things people are saying, and the things people are doing.
Some people like to write things down first and make it easier to do the exercise, then do what is best for you. The important part is that you bring the details to life with your vision.
Another part of this step is to connect with vision through feelings. Understanding the feelings tells your brain that this vision is real.
Here is another thing that will help you connect with the vision. Imagine yourself floating over the image while taking in all the details and feelings. Once you take everything in float back into your body, the images, emotions, and details are anchored into you.
Anchoring this image and feelings to yourself allows you to recall it whenever you need extra push or motivation.
One example I'm sure some of us can remember was the first time Jill Scott won a Grammy. She gave her acceptance speech, Jillspoke of a vision she had as a child about how she was on stage in front of her peers in a blue dress/gown holding a trophy.
Well, what was she wearing that night? She wore a blueish purplish dress while holding an award in front of her peers. As Jill continued her speech, she said she visualized it every day, and whenever Jill got discouraged and needed motivation.
The second technique is called process visualization. This process focuses on the actual steps you take to get to the outcome instead of the result.
With this technique, you write every detail to every step you are taking to get to your goal. So you are still very detailed, and you are still using visualization. Still, you focus on the smaller pieces of the puzzle instead of the big picture.
I think this technique helps individuals who want to have an idea of how things will happen along the way. Like with the first technique, if writing things down first works better for you, then do what will help you in the process.
Why Visualization Works?
The short answer is visualization works because your brain creates a connection to the vision and works to make sure it comes to fruition through the process.
During the process, the brain interprets the images as reality, which means the brain can guide you to do the things to make the outcome happen.
I'm a person who has used vision boards and will continue to use vision boards. The difference between the vision boards and visualization is the connection.
I'm not emotionally connected to the images because I didn't create them myself. Yes, I chose the pictures, but it's different when you make the picture. I find that vision boards are great for daily reminders of what you want to accomplish.
Will this work for everyone? The answer is no because everything does not work for everyone, and there is no harm in trying.
If this doesn't work for you, find something that will never give up on your goals.