The Power of Visualization
What is Visualization?
Visualization is the forming of a mental image of something we want or need. It is a simple and effective tool and the results it can achieve on our bodies (and minds) are life-changing.
So, how does forming a mental image of something lead us to create more exciting lives, achieve compelling goals, and attract the things we want and dream of in both our personal and professional lives?
How does Visualization work?
Our mind does not know the difference between what is physically real and what is vividly imagined. How do we know this?
Dr. Bruce Lipton and Dr. Joe Dispenza have been studying this field for over 35 years. Their research conclusively indicates that our minds, our thoughts, and our subconscious beliefs have a direct effect on our body and our environment.
Dr. Lipton explains in his book ‘The Biology of Belief’ that our bodies can change based on our thoughts. Changing our perception of our environment and altering our thought patterns through visualization allows us to change our bodies and our ‘perceived’ environment. How awesome is that?
Examples of the Power of Visualization and It’s Effectiveness in making Positive Changes
There are many celebrities that support and use visualization daily. For example, Jim Carey and Oprah Winfrey talk extensively about their use of visualization to help achieve their dreams. Jim Carey in this interview discusses how he would visualize all the things he wanted coming to him. While he was broke and down on his luck, he wrote himself a check for ten million dollars for ‘acting services rendered’ he dated the check 3 years later. Just before the date came around he learnt that he was going to receive ten million dollars for ‘acting services rendered’!!
Novak Djokovic uses visualization to be mentally prepared for his tennis matches. “I’m a true believer in visualization,” Djokovic said in an article with Baseline. By using visualization techniques it allows players to perform each of the skills needed without hesitation and in a calm and considered manner.
Thought Leaders of visualization
In 1993 Jack Canfield created the ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul' series. This remarkable book has sold over 500 million copies worldwide, which makes Mr Canfield uniquely positioned to talk about success and his use of visualization techniques to get there.
Four very important benefits that Jack Canfield shares about Visualization:
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It activates your creative subconscious which will start generating creative ideas to achieve your goal.
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It programs your brain to more readily perceive and recognize the resources you will need to achieve your dreams.
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It activates the law of attraction, thereby drawing into your life the people, resources, and circumstances you will need to achieve your goals.
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It builds your internal motivation to take the necessary actions to achieve your dreams.
As Napoleon Hill said in his book ‘Think and Grow Rich', "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve". This book was published in 1937! He was a strong proponent of visualization and creating a positive mindset to help you to achieve your goals.
Best times to practice Visualization
Is There A Best Time For visualization?
There are two best times to practice your visualization. Early morning when you first wake up and just before you go to sleep.
Early Morning Visualization
When you first wake in the morning your brain is moving through an ‘Alpha' state (between 8 to 12hz). While the brain is using this wave or frequency, it is easier to make suggestions and influence the subconscious. It is a state that occurs when you are completely relaxed. When you open your eyes in the morning, take a moment to Visualize your day. Ask yourself:
What do you want it to look like?
How will it feel?
What conversations or sounds will you hear?
What scents
Make it as vivid as possible and make it positive.
You are creating positive neural pathways and the more you practice the stronger those pathways get.
Just Before Sleep
When you are getting ready to go to sleep, go over your day and focus on the positive aspects and what you have achieved.
When we sleep our brains switch from conscious mind to the subconscious mind and the subconscious goes over all the things we have done during the day. The mind plays these thoughts and stories about 3-5 times during the night. Amazingly the subconscious mind will focus on what we have thought or done 30 mins before sleep and it goes over these actions and thoughts at least 15-17 times! So use this time to focus and Visualize the positive outcomes that you want and let your subconscious mind do the rest!
Make a conscious choice to visualize each morning and each evening.
In my video below I guide you through a short Visualization to help relieve stress and anxiety. It will help to create a relaxed feeling and a state of BLISS.
I recommend making time and space for this practice. Choose a moment when you will not be disturbed. Disconnect from the outside and give yourself time to truly tap into your peace. Switch your phone onto do not disturb mode. Then find a comfortable position either sitting or lying down with your spine nice and straight. Start by taking slow. deep, cleansing breaths - this calms down your Nervous System and allows your body and mind to settle into stillness.
As you follow my guided visualization really FEEL and imagine vividly, the pictures that you are painting in your mind. The more emotion you experience the more powerful the results. Enjoy.
