Feeling like you’re always two steps behind your dreams?
There’s a powerful tool right in your mind, and it’s called visualization.
Think it’s all just self-help bullshit?
It’s not.
And this is one skill you can’t overlook.
Let’s talk about why it’s not self-help BS and how it can help you achieve your goals.
“Visualization is daydreaming with a purpose.”
— Bo Bennett
Why I Wasn’t Buying It…
At First
I want to be honest here.
There were always two things that turned me off about the self-improvement world.
First, the self-help gurus. No need to explain that, right?
Second was the talk about positive thinking and visualization.
To me, it felt like some made-up fairy tale.
But over time I discovered it’s not that these tools don’t work. They do, and they’re damn powerful.
The issue I had with it was all about how it was being presented and sold.
That’s what made me steer clear for so long.
It’s Not Just Talk
In a previous post, The Shocking Truth: How Beliefs Influence Your Genes, I talked about positive thinking and why we should use it.
Now, I want to talk about the other tool I was skeptical about — visualization.
Visualization is an extraordinarily powerful skill when used correctly.
The keyword here is ‘correctly’.
So, don’t think this is just some mystical, guru-type stuff.
It’s not.
I did at one point and I was wrong.
This is a skill used by top athletes and the highest performers so they can reach their full potential.
And it’s something anyone can learn to do.
There’s also solid evidence to back up how powerful this skill is.
Your Brain’s Filter: What You Need to Know
Ever heard of the Reticular Activating System, or RAS for short?
It’s a filter for our brain.
The RAS is a network of neurons that decides what information gets through and what gets blocked.
Now, you might be wondering, who sets the criteria for what gets filtered?
Well, we do.
We’re the ones who program this system.
It’s also influenced by our experiences and the people who’ve shaped us in the past.
Why should you care?
Because this system is designed to let in things that it thinks are important.
The problem is our brain isn’t the best at figuring out what’s important for us.
It has no idea.
So, our brain relies on what we focus on to decide what’s worth letting in.
Here’s an example.
If you’re always thinking life’s against you, your RAS will find every reason to prove you right.
It’ll ignore anything that says otherwise.
You end up believing you’re doomed because all the evidence you’re seeing points to that.
“The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Power of Reprogramming
Ever bought a new car and suddenly started seeing it everywhere?
That’s your brain letting in new information because now it matters to you.
Those cars were always there.
We just never noticed.
But why does our brain even have the Reticular Activating System?
Simple.
Our brains can’t handle all the data thrown at us every day.
Imagine trying to drink from a firehose.
That’s what it’s like.
This system acts as a safeguard.
It’s filtering out the noise and only letting in what aligns with our focus or beliefs.
That’s why it’s crucial to reprogram this system to work for us, not against us.
How to Fine-Tune Your Brain
Now you ready to rewire your brain?
Let’s get into it.
Visualization is the key here.
When done correctly we start seeing opportunities and signs that we’d usually miss.
It’s like tuning our brain to a new frequency where good stuff starts to happen.
The Correct Way to Visualize
To get the most out of visualization, you have to do it right.
It’s not complicated, but each step matters.
If you’re rolling your eyes at this, hang on for a sec.
I’ll explain why this stuff actually works in a bit.
But first, let’s go over how to do it the right way.
1- Get Comfortable
- Find a place where you won’t be disturbed for a little bit.
- Then close your eyes.
2- Picture It
- Picture exactly how it will be once you achieve this goal.
- Make it as real in your mind as you can.
- See yourself doing it.
3- Feel It
- Now the most important step: Imagine the emotions you will feel when you achieve the goal.
- Make yourself feel those emotions now.
- It doesn’t matter how big or small.
Are you happy? Excited? Grateful?
The key is to feel those emotions like it’s actually happening to you in that moment.
And that’s all there is to it.
That’s how you visualize the right way.
I had my own struggles when I started, and I’ll get into that.
But first, let’s talk about why this has the power to change your life.
The Genuine Benefits of Visualization
Studies confirm how effective visualization is.
When we visualize, we improve our skills as if we were physically practicing them.
And this is why it’s used by so many professionals and high performers.
Another key point is that visualization changes your brain’s wiring.
It alters the filter that decides what you focus on.
You begin to see opportunities instead of seeing obstacles and reasons not to act.
This is crucial, and it’s not something to overlook.
My Struggle With Visualization
Have you struggled with visualization?
I did.
I gave it a shot, got frustrated, and quit.
There are two main reasons for this.
First, I didn’t believe it worked.
The other reason was because I was mad.
I felt like I wasn’t doing it the right way, so I quit like I was a toddler.
I had trouble creating a picture and feeling the emotions.
I realized later that it was because I was struggling with my imagination.
Remember being a kid?
Your imagination turned everything into an adventure.
But as we grow up, life happens, and we use our imagination less and less.
If visualization isn’t working for you, try starting with your imagination first.
Don’t think you’re too cool or that it’s beneath you.
Imagination isn’t kid stuff.
It influences everything we do.
“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”
— Albert Einstein
Wrapping Up
At the end of the day, it boils down to this - understanding and taking action.
These aren’t tools to simply boost your mood.
They’re powerful skills that can change your life when used properly.
Forget about those quick fixes and wishing you were someone else.
That’s not how it works.
The real change comes when you dig in, learn, and apply these techniques.
That’s when you’ll start to see a shift in your life, and I promise you, it's worth it.
What Are Your Thoughts?
If you’ve made it this far, thanks so much for reading. And, if you found value in this article, it would mean the world to me if you shared it with others!
What's your take and what do you think about this? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!