I’ve used visualizations of all types to help me launch my first business, create healthy habits, pay off debts, uncover my deepest passions (including this very brand), and help my wife and I discover our dream relocation destination. When I create a fully fleshed-out visual representation of a goal, I am training my brain to help by bringing intense awareness and attention.
Visualization Trains Your Brain To Achieve Goals
As the old saying goes, “Where you put your attention, energy follows.” Looking to buy a new bicycle? Suddenly you start seeing bicycles everywhere. In the field of cognitive science, this is known as the Baader-Meinhoff Phenomenon, as described in this article by Anina Rich, professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at Macquarie University. In short, your brain has assigned value to this object and will bring it to your attention constantly.
Make It Real Until It’s Realized
It’s one thing to think of a goal you want to achieve, but when you can get as clear as possible on what the real thing looks like before it happens, you’ll be miles ahead. Athletes do this all of the time. This intensive visualizing practice helps lay down new neural pathways before the physical act is performed by their bodies. But watch out, vague ideas only get vague attention from our minds. We have to get very specific on nearly every detail – leading up to the goal, the goal itself, and what it looks and feels like after we have achieved the goal.
In an article in Psychology Today “Seeing Is Believing: The Power of Visualization“, A.J. Adams, who has a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, writes:
“Brain studies now reveal that thoughts produce the same mental instructions as actions. Mental imagery impacts many cognitive processes in the brain: motor control, attention, perception, planning, and memory. So the brain is getting trained for actual performance during visualization. It’s been found that mental practices can enhance motivation, increase confidence and self-efficacy, improve motor performance, prime your brain for success, and increase states of flow.”
A.J. Adams
And best of all, this transformational tool is free!
Repetition is Key (Repetition is Key)
Your goals do not exist yet in reality, so your mind will naturally resist them at first because they are new and unknown. By default our brains identify the unknown as a potential threat, preferring to stay with what is familiar, what it deems safe. To help lessen the stress of this novelty, create a sense of comfort and familiarity through repeated visualizations. The more you do this the more your mind is expecting this future event to happen and it starts to subconsciously bridge gaps to get you closer to the finish line.
Pro Tip: Literally Look At Your Goal
Get your vision out of your head and onto paper, a computer screen, or a collection of physical objects. This technique brings your goal vastly closer to the present reality in your mind because you can literally look at it. Paint as rich a picture as you can so that this dream practically lives and breathes before your eyes. Gather as many images, words, or objects that represent the real thing. Hell, even use scents if you feel like it. Imagine being in that moment when you’re standing on the mountaintop – What’s around you? Who’s with you? Where are you? How does achieving this goal change your life? Capture as much as you can and your mind will be an incredibly helpful ally.
Want to get going? Check out Vision Board: Barton Quigley Style in the Toolshed for examples of the vision boards I create and the best practices I use for maximizing their effectiveness.
Love to you all,
Barton
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