Visualisation as a motivating tool is being adopted by individuals and has even reached the corporate world. Many companies use visualisation as a tool to help their staff get motivated and achieve company objectives. It involves the practice of visualising your goals and imagining yourself achieving those goals. It is the act of seeing what you want in your mind, while in the process of working towards it. Used as a reference point, it can motivate action when lacking energy or enthusiasm.
Visualisation is of great benefit to anyone who has a goal they are trying to reach. If we think about Olympic athletes, or successful entrepreneurs, many of them admit to visualisation. An athlete sees themselves making record time, crossing the finishing line first and accepting a gold medal. It helps motivate them throughout their training. Entrepreneurs see themselves building major empires, with their name splashed across skyscrapers. It helps motivate them during long hours at the office.
Much can be said for visualisation but it is only effective if coupled with hard work. Athletes do not just sit around all day visualising success; sure this is an important factor but at the same time, they are disciplined, putting in the long hours, working hard, and sacrificing a lot, to get where they want. They do not expect to be awarded a gold medal if they have done nothing to achieve it. The same can be said for entrepreneurs and others who we see as successful. Visualisation plus action are essential for success.
We’ve all walked past someone’s work station at some point and seen a poster of a beautiful island or city they wish to visit, this is also a form of visualisation. The poster is an inspiration tool; there as a constant reminder of their goal. It helps keep their eye on the big picture when experiencing challenges and setbacks. Photos of families and loved ones can be effective in helping to keep an eye on the big picture.
Visualisation can help you imagine a different life for yourself. Not all of us have such lofty goals as winning Olympic gold or building a business empire, but we may have goals of a new career path, travel, or becoming more organised. Imagining a different experience for ourselves opens us up to opportunity. We become more open minded and begin to think outside the square.
Imagination plays a big role in visualisation. When visualising, your imagination presents no restrictions to what you can achieve, even if there are certain restrictions in the physical world. It takes courage to visualise a different life for yourself. It takes even more courage to take action to bring that life to fruition.
Surely it can’t hurt to spend some time visualising what you want, rather than what you don’t want. Most of us spend so much time worrying about things that some positive visualisation could help lift our spirits.
Visualisation is a positive tool however, it has negative effects when it is the only thing someone does to attain their goals. This leads to much disappointment and frustration because their visualisations have not materialised. It takes a lot more than visualisation to achieve something. It takes hard work and perseverance, especially when things do not go well. Being open to change and mustering up some courage is essential.
Visualisation is also used as a meditation technique. It helps to still the mind and allow for deep relaxation, when with closed eyes you see yourself somewhere calm and peaceful. This kind of visualisation helps shut out the noise and demands of the physical world, promoting a quiet, still state. Many people use this method to become centred and better equipped to take on the day.
Visualisation can take a few forms and it is about what works best for you; whether its meditation, or using posters and photos for motivation, or holding a vivid image of success in your mind, visualisation can be of great assistance when setting and attaining goals. By using your imagination, focusing on what you want and working diligently towards it, the impossible becomes possible.
