The Power of Visualization
Posted on November 16, 2023 by Nora Paxton, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
Visualization is daydreaming with a purpose.” Bo Bennett
Did you know that a picture can also be worth a thousand ideas and opportunities? That’s the power of visualization.
I recently came across this magazine picture of myself, and it got me thinking about the impact that visualizing our goals and desires can have on our lives. When we see ourselves achieving something, it becomes easier to believe it’s possible and take steps toward making it a reality.
Brain studies reveal that thoughts produce the same mental directives 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 proven that mental practices can improve motivation, increase confidence and self-efficacy, boost motor performance, prime your brain for success, and increase states of flow—all relevant to achieving your best life!
When you create a clear mental image of what you want to achieve, you can increase your motivation, focus, and confidence. It helps you to see opportunities where we might have otherwise seen obstacles and to develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction.
Here is a simple way to do that:
• Start by establishing a particular goal. Imagine the future; you have already achieved your goal. Hold a mental “picture” of it as if it were occurring to you right at that moment.
• Then, Imagine the scene in as much detail as possible. Engage as many of the five senses as you can in your visualization. Who are you with? Which emotions are you feeling right now? What are you wearing? Is there a smell in the air? What do you hear? What is your environment? Sit with a straight spine when you do this.
• Practice at night or in the morning (just before/after sleep). Eliminate any doubts, if they come to you.
• Lastly, repeat this practice often. I highly recommend combining this practice with meditation or an affirmation (e.g. “I am courageous; I am strong,” or to borrow from Ali, “I am the greatest!”).
Today, I invite you to start visualizing your success. Find a picture, whether it’s a magazine photo or something you create yourself, that represents what you want to achieve. Then, let that image inspire you to take action and make your vision a reality. And remember, the power of visualization is not just in the image itself, but in the mindset and actions it helps us create.
Let me know how it goes.
With gratitude,
Nora Paxton
