The Power of Creative Visualisation
In creative visualisation, you use your imagination to create clear “images” of the desired result in your mind. It is a powerful technique that can help you create an attitude or behaviour that will lead you to achieve your goal.
Visualisation is more than imagining a static picture. It is about imagining yourself as a protagonist in a movie. In your visualisation, you do not watch yourself as if you are on a screen but are living what you want to achieve. It is also essential to get your senses and emotions actively involved.
World-class athletes use the power of visualisation to reinforce precisely how they want to perform. They develop mental images of the behaviour that will lead them to the results they want to achieve. They see in their mind’s eye the result they want and the actions leading to it.
Numerous studies done on visualisation confirm its positive effects not only on the performance of athletes but also on the performance of musicians, singers, actors, managers, and students in exams.
Creative visualisation can be easily learnt and used by anyone. You can try the following exercise:
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Become quiet and relaxed.
Formulate a scenario of some event in your mind—it can be sitting an exam, having an interview, or anything else you want. See it as vividly as you can, but do not strain. And do not worry if the picture is not perfect. See in your mind all the relevant details—people around you, the place where you are, how you are dressed.
Add colour, sound, and smells. Engage in your imagination with all of your senses.
Put positive feelings and emotions into what you are doing. Imagine yourself doing it well, feeling confident and calm.
Practice at least twice a day. The best time to do it is just before going to sleep at night and just upon awakening in the morning before you start your day.
Invest time each day in visualising what you want to achieve. Make the scene alive and honest in your imagination. Add all the action, energy, and emotion you can muster to the “movie” in your mind. The more it appears and feels real to you, the more likely you will achieve your goal in real life.
And do not forget to have fun with it.