What Is Visualization?
Visualization simply stated, is using the power of our mind to paint pictures of our goals as complete. Visualizing our goals as accomplished gives our subconscious mind a picture of what we want and expect. Then it works towards making that goal a reality. When we visualize we are actually training our brain to seek what we want.
What happened to our imagination? Why were we forced to “grow up” and stop dreaming? Most people ask me how to visualize and usually follow up the question with the statement, “I’m not very good at it”, before I can even explain. The truth is everyone CAN visualize! It is simple and easy.
Why is Visualization Important?
Visualization is one of the most important tools in goal setting. We use it to program our subconscious mind to get what we want. The fact is that only three percent of the U.S. population have written goals. Once written down approximately ninety percent of those goals come to fruition.
The mind functions on different levels for goal attainment. The conscious mind selects the goals. The subconscious determines the actions needed to reach those goals. Both parts of the mind need to be in alignment and working together to attain our goals.
The subconscious mind moves away from pain towards pleasure. It uses the filters of past experiences, emotions and beliefs to judge if a new situation will bring you pleasure. Through picturing our dreams as complete, we have now activated our pleasure program and have given our subconscious the destination.
Why Does it Work?
Our subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real event and a highly imagined one. Athletes have been using the power of visualization for years to give them the winning edge. A golfer will “play out” the next putt going in the hole prior to even hitting the ball. Before shooting a free-throw, a basketball player will picture the ball going in the basket.
Getting started in three easy steps:
1. Write A Five Year Plan.
This can be done in many ways. The most fun and easy way I have found is to create and imagine your perfect world. Then pick a specific time in the future, I like five years, and write down how it looks to you.
- How does your perfect world look to you?
- Where do you live?
- How are your relationships with your friends and family?
- Do you have a partner?
- Where do you work or do you even work at all?
- What kind of car do you drive?
- What is your lifestyle like?
2. Visualize Your Perfect World.
I have developed two different ways to visualize as I explain in my book Fun With Visualization: A Simple and Quick Way to Skyrocket Your Success. The first way is closed eye visualization. You simply close your eyes and picture your goal as complete, painting in more of the picture every day.
The second way is open eyed visualization. This is where you can get playful and imaginative. Simply stated, it is role playing with a partner. The five year plan is complete.
Here’s How:
Talk with a friend for 10-30 minutes each night as if you were living in your dream world, as if everything you wanted has come to fruition.
- Make it real!
- Make it fun!
- This is your dream life, Live it up!
3. Commit to 30 days.
A new habit takes some time to develop! Give this the time it deserves.
Daily visualizations, along with happy emotions, are powerful tools that get results. Goals can be easily thought of as happiness we wish to create in our lives. Visualizing is simple, easy and fun! Take action and watch your perfect world move towards you.
About the author
Starr Pilmore is an author, speaker and coach, and founder of the innovative Fun With Visualization program. Have a question? Email her.
We’d love your thoughts. Please do drop us a line in the comments below :-)
Great article, Starr. You’ve done an awesome job of making complicated information, simple and easy to understand. It’s amazing to think of the power of the subconscious mind.
Thanks for this insight.
Thank you Lauri! The subconscious mind is so fascinating, such a power tool!
Great job, Starr! It is a good reminder to us all that keeping the “eye on the ball” is the way to hit the ball–keeping focused on what we want. Thanks for this reminder!
Thanks Pam! Yes keeping the eye on the ball is so important so we don’t lose sight of our dreams!
Brilliant Starr!!! Great to see you out and in the media!!!
Thanks Joe! So exciting to write about such an important tool!
way to go Starr, your ability to make complicated things simple is a great gift. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world. Thank you for being all you can be and for taking risks that benefit us all.