How to Harness the Power of VisualizationVisualization energizes our dreams. The more vivid our visualization, the higher our energy and magnetic attraction.

Neuroscience shows we’re hardwired to look for what’s wrong. If our ancient ancestors missed catching lunch, they’d keep trying for dinner. If they missed that rustling in the bush, they became lunch.

We have a natural ability to imagine what we don’t want and then bring it into being. Reversing years of negative conditioning and bad habits so we can learn to vividly see what we do want isn’t easy. Most of us have to work very hard at it.

Since we’re all different, there is no universal “one approach fits all” way to increase your picturing power. Here are a few approaches to develop this critical skill:

  • Imagery often works best in a quiet, relaxed place at our peak time of day (e.g., a morning person or night owl).
  • At least once a year, describe what your ideal life would look like if things were going extremely well in five years from now. Outline your perfect job. Envision your ideal family life. See yourself helping to build whatever communities you’re now a part of. Visualize a strong and secure financial situation. Imagine your preferred social circle. Feel an even stronger connection to your philosophical or spiritual beliefs. See your optimum health or physical condition.
  • If you have a spouse or “significant other,” do the above visioning exercise together at least once per year.
  • Counteract the “inner boo bird” feeding your mind a steady stream of negative, fear-filled images with a continual stream of positive images of your preferred outcomes. Use visualization or imagery to picture yourself successfully giving a presentation, confronting an issue, reaching an agreement, or mastering whatever you might be anxious about doing.
  • Begin with the end in mind. As you start a big task, bring about a major personal change, or embark on a long project, continually visualize your success. Surround yourself with images, symbols, pictures, positive reinforcement, encouraging people, uplifting messages, and the like.
  • If you find you tend to carry past mistakes forward or sometimes doubt your abilities, keep a list of successful work projects, events, or activities. When you’re about to give a new presentation, start a project, or take on a challenging new task, review your success list and relive the times you mastered similar work. Charge your personal magnetic field with positive energy and feelings of success.
  • Only share your vision with people who truly want to see you succeed and will encourage or help you get there. However, share, broadcast, brag, take bets toward, or otherwise publicly declare your improvement goals. That paints you into a corner. Your pride will push you to keep going toward that goal when you’ve got to pull yourself out of bed early, pass on the dessert, or practice those new skills.

Picturing my preferred future has been my greatest source of energy and focus.  I’ve used this approach for specific situations, long term projects, and making vital life choices and decisions.