Visualization

What is visualization?
Visualization is the practice of imagining what you want to achieve in the
future. As if it were true today.

It involves using all five senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. The
process of visualizing directs your subconscious to be aware of the end goal
you have in mind.

It reminds you on a consistent basis. And it trains your brain to respond as if

that outcome were true in the present moment.

There are two types of visualization:

(1) outcome visualization: envisioning the desired future end-point.

(2) process visualization: envisioning every step toward that desired outcome.
With all the senses engaged.

When the two visualizations are used in tandem, they yield the best results.

Why is visualizing important?

We live in a world of digital overload. There’s a constant cycle of news and
entertainment. Plus, remote work is available with the click of a button.
It’s easy to become distracted.

It's easy to believe that there’s not enough time in the day. You just want time
to step back and focus on the things that matter to you the most.

In his presentation Unleash Your Super Brain to Learn Faster, Jim Kwik offers a
great set of metaphors.

You can choose to be either a thermostat or a thermometer. The thermostat

responds to the environment. The thermometer sets the temperature and
creates the desired condition.
Visualization is a technique that allows you to set the parameters to make your
future vision a reality.

In creative visualization, you direct your brain to focus on what matters the
most to you. And to engage in a process called selective attention.

Have you ever bought a car and then noticed that everyone else seems to be
driving that same car? We see the things that we choose to focus on. This
concept of selective attention is exemplified in the classic video Test Your
Awareness: Do the Test.

What you focus on and take deliberate steps toward are more likely to become
a reality.

That’s true in both the positive and the negative.

Have you ever imagined the worst possible outcome? Along with all the
visceral fear, and then it actually came true?

What if you changed that to the best possible imagined outcome. With the
related elation and full sensory awareness?

For the answer, we can look to cognitive behavior theory. Visualization is built
on the foundation it teaches that thought precedes action.

Visualization is a technique that takes that idea one step further. In imagining
the future state in full sensory detail, your brain’s neuroimagery records the
future state as if it's true today.

What are visualization techniques for?

Visualization can be used to motivate you to focus on, and work toward, your
future ideal state.

It can be used to build your self-confidence.

Imagine yourself presenting in front of a large audience and hearing the

resounding applause. You’re likely to believe, and act in a way, to make it
happen.
Visualization can also be used as a form of mental rehearsal. Through process
visualization, you increase selective attention. And engage the mental pathway
that helps you to fine-tune the movement before you even step onto the
stage.

Your movements are envisioned. And, in a way, programmed to take the pre-
planned actions. You can add these actions to a longer-term plan 5-year plan.

Visualization techniques can also reduce anxiety. They direct your attention
back to the details of your desired outcome. In the process, minimizing the
noise of other (less relevant) distractions.

How do you visualize what you want?

First, you have to do the pre-work.

An excellent place to start is the Balance Wheel exercise.

Check in on your satisfaction levels with the various areas of life.

Is your life wheel balanced, or does an area need attention?

Next, become clear of the values that act as your North Star.

Do you value family, career, and money? Or travel, adventure, and freedom?

How do those values impact the decisions you make?

Finally, take some time to do some positive thinking. Use your imagination
through reflective writing prompts in the Best Possible Self exercise.

Who'd you want to be when you were little? Who are you today? Is it the same
or a different version?

Also, consider when you were energized and felt most engaged and alive.
What was it about that time that invigorated you? What mattered about that
moment?

Take a piece of that moment and imagine the future state you want. Try to get
to that same feeling of excitement and emotional intensity.

Imagine where you are and what you are doing. Who's around you? How do
you feel? What smells are in the air, and what tastes are on your tongue?
What are your thoughts at that moment? If you believe your thoughts, it's
possible. If you don’t, it’s not.

With an understanding of what matters to you most, and why, you're ready to
begin the practice of visualization.

Does visualization really work?

Google the term “visualization.” Lists of elite athletes come up who have had
to put mind over matter to achieve their athletic goals.

They’ve learned to focus on the critical movements before they ever step into
their competitive arena.
For example:

 Free Solo rock climber Alex Honnold

 NBA basketball player LeBron James
 Competitive swimmer and winner of 28 Olympic medals, Michael Phelps
 Multi-gold medalist Olympian diver Greg Louganis
 Former Navy Seals like David Goggins or Jocko Willink

They understand that mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise.

Stroke victims have used the mental exercise of visualization to activate

neuroplasticity. Just doing it mentally works in a way similar to physical
activity.

Visualization is illustrated in the Netflix series Queen’s Gambit.

Chess prodigy Beth Harmon rises the ranks by first being exposed to the game.
Then deciding she wants to master the game. She reads all the books about
chess.

She masters all the plays that she can get her hands on. She keeps practicing,
then goes to sleep and visualizes nightly the moves of the upcoming chess
match with all of her senses.

Watch a dancer prepare for her dance offstage. Marking the movements with
her feet and arms as she plays the dance out in her head. The dancer performs
and then watches the dance replayed on video with judges’ comments.
She takes the adjustments and practices. Then visualizes a process repeated
over and over again. Both as mental imagery and physically.

Do you remember a time when you imagined the outcome clearly? The steps
you took to make it happen. Did it end up happening just as you imagined?

Then you know that it wasn't a matter of wish fulfillment. There was desire
front and center that guided your thoughts and behaviors. Your neuronal
pathways. Toward that desired, imagined, and fulfilled outcome.

How do you practice visualization? 5 steps

Here are five steps to get you started on your visualization practice:

1. Write what you want in detail, engaging all 5 senses. As you include
more sensory images, your vision will become more palpable. And you'll
be more motivated to follow through to make the outcome happen.
Keep adding to the details until it feels as if you are living the
experience.
2. Imagine the emotion attached to the outcome. The more you can feel
what it'll be like to accomplish the goal, the more you'll believe it can be
attained. And the more likely you'll be to act.
3. Take action every day toward your desired outcome. Accept that there
will be setbacks. Close your eyes and imagine how you'll deal with the
setbacks as they come and continue forward toward your goal.
4. Expand your knowledge. If more knowledge is required, research, talk
to experts. Take a class. Use that knowledge to further detail your vision
statement and the steps that you have to take to get there.
5. Make time to consider your visualization. Visualize twice daily for a
total of 10 minutes. It’s most effective in the moments you wake and the
moments just before you go to sleep. This will help engage the
subconscious in your focused effort toward your desired outcome.

 Close your eyes and imagine the desired outcome. With all related
senses and all emotions.
 Write your desired outcome as if it's true in the present day on an index
card. Read it in the morning and at night.
 Create a vision board and have it in your line of sight. See it as you go to
bed.
Visualization techniques and tools: learn how to practice
visualization
Learning visualization can be tricky. Here are five tools and techniques you can
use to learn how to practice visualization successfully:

1. Create a vision board

This visualization tool is a collection of images and words that inspire you and
represent your goals. It serves as a visual representation of what you want to
achieve.

Place your board somewhere you'll see every day. That way, you'll be
constantly reminded of what you're working towards.

2. Listen to a guided visualization meditation

Youtube is full of free guided meditation videos. An interactive visualization

can help you to relax and set some time aside to focus on your goals. Guided
imagery helps give you something to focus on.

3. Use index cards

Do you remember using flashcards as a kid? Maybe you used them to learn
math or words. As an adult, we can use index cards in a similar way as a tool
for visualization.

Make a list of 10 or 20 goals that you're currently working toward. Write each
one on an index card and keep it near your bed.

Every morning and every night, go through the stack of cards. One at a time.
Read each card, then close your eyes and visualize yourself completing that
goal.

4. Picture and describe

The more detail you use when visualizing, the more real it'll feel to you.

It's one thing to get a quick thought that you want a slice of pizza. It's entirely
different to really allow yourself to obsess about it.
Think how much more real it seems if you take a few minutes to imagine how
it'd taste, feel, and smell to eat a slice of pizza right now.

Create as specific of a mental image as possible. Try to provide your brain with
as many details about your goal as possible. More detail means a better
solution.

5. Utilize exposure

Exposing yourself to things related to your goals can help make it more real for
you.

Maybe one of your goals is to go parachuting. If you've never done it before,

it's hard to imagine exactly what it's like.

Watch some videos of other people parachuting. Read accounts people have
written about parachuting online. Or talk to people who have tried it. All of
these things will increase your knowledge about it and make it feel more real
for you.

Try out a visualization technique from the list above. Your selective attention
will be directed toward fulfilling your vision.

You'll be the thermostat creating the condition that's just right for you.

Use visualization to achieve your goals

Visualization can help you make better decisions and get what you want out of
life.

It’s hard to make progress toward your goals if you don’t take some time to
think about them.

Set some time aside to use the techniques we’ve shared. They'll provide you
with actionable insights into achieving your goals.

BetterUp can help you find your focus and purpose. Discover your strengths
and achieve your life goals with a personalized BetterUp coaching experience.