Your mind is so powerful that if you imagine an event, your body will respond as if it were real. Learn three benefits of visualizing your goals & tasting sweet success!
Some say it doesn't matter how visualization works – all that matter is that it does. Others argue that knowing the process behind visualizing your goals leads to a higher rate of success. Even if you don't understand the chemical processes in your brain, you can still reap the rewards of visualization and fulfill your potential.
What is visualization?
It's like a mental rehearsal of what you want to happen (try not to visualize what you don't want, or you could be setting yourself up for disaster!). The Secret, also known as the Law of Attraction, describes how powerful visualization can be. Imagining your goals and dreams can lead to actually experiencing them, because your body and even the universe responds to your mind.
When you visualize, you rehearse how a problem can be solved, how a new idea could be implemented, or what a piece of art looks, reads or sounds like. You mentally practice achieving and living your goal, which leads to the real thing.
Three benefits of visualization
- Neuromuscular templates are created. These templates are "patterns of mind-body reflexes that prepare you for what you are going to do" (Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas by Jordan Ayan). When you visualize, your muscles experience electrical impulses that correspond to the physical event you are imagining. Take Liu Chi Kung, for instance. He was a talented pianist imprisoned for seven years during the Cultural Revolution; when he was released, some say he played better than ever. How is that possible without practicing? He said, "I did practice, every day. I rehearsed every piece I every played, note by note, in my mind." Visualization is not only used by surgeons and athletes, but also by physical rehabilitation and cancer patients. Weight loss and even becoming happier can be achieved through visualizing who and where you want to be.
- You leave your comfort zone. Visualizing your goal takes you into a whole new realm – which can be scary and weird, but much safer in the confines of your mind. You can practice examining your success from a new perspective with all sorts of different scenarios! This sets you up for the real thing, and when it actually happens you'll be ready. Visualization also allows you to see the big picture, from the perspective of your family, friends, colleagues – and even from talk shows, the daily news, or local radio (depending on what your goal is). You can imagine the Big Picture; the more you picture it in your mind, the more likely it is to become reality.
- Your intuition is rallied for support and new ideas. If you're facing an obstacle you don't understand or haven't ever experienced, your intuition can work its magic. Your mind will reach back into your past for ideas, resources – your intuition will bring forth inspirations that you hadn't previously considered. It will prompt you to turn left or right, or take a whole new road altogether. It will let you know if you're on the right track, and will supply you with motivation and insight.
The book Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas by Jordan Ayan is the source for most of this information about visualization. If you want to introduce more creativity into your life, this book will open new doors for you!
