Over the weekend, one of my clients sent me a text message wherein a business owner poo-poohed the well-established and proven power of visualization.
He wrote that the best form of visualization is to “do the hard work required to succeed.”
Oh Lordy, Lordy.
The whirld is filled with people who work hard; it is filled with people who bust their rumps out in the fields, upon rooftops, in laboratories, in businesses they created, only to become slaves to them.
In academia and in sports, you will find people who “work hard” and never make it. Not even close.
And then there are those of average talent who gain an uncanny edge over their competitors. These are the people who “work hard” – but are also intelligent enough to realize that learning HOW to visualize better than your opponent is a monumental skill set that helps you WIN a lot more often.
When someone claims he or she doesn’t visualize, that it’s “just hard work,” I am reminded of Mr. Thornton, an 11th grade teacher who used to exclaim, “You are only fooling yourself?”
Reality: You cannot work hard without seeing yourself doing so.
Similarly, you cannot be lazy without seeing yourself being lazy.
You cannot eat steak, or ice cream without picturing it first. Same goes for drinking a bottle of wine.
Note: Did you picture steak, ice cream or wine when reading the above?
Guess what? You visualized them in your mind’s eye as you read the words.
We do not walk without seeing other people doing so first.
The language(s) we speak aren’t pulled out of thin air. You see and hear others speaking a language, it goes into your brain, and you regurgitate it.
The word for water changes based upon the language – but the mental picture for water is somewhat universal. I can order it in many different languages. Regardless, once the word is heard from the order-taker, an image is formed and H20 is given to me. I then form a mental picture of paying for the water, and a transaction is completed.
Ever hear of mirror neurons?
Any skill you want to learn begins with seeing other people doing it first. This is called “mirror neuron theory.”
So how someone think that visualization is a waste of time; that success is nothing but hard work?
Yet, this very person sells the idea of goal setting and time management?
Write down your goals each day – and plan out your day in writing?
Tell me, how did you choose your goals? How did you plan out your day?
News flash: You saw mental images in your mind’s eye about what you wanted to accomplish. You imagined the various choices within your mind’s eye. And you settled on specific goals and actions that you wrote down to remind you of the mental pictures that are in your “mind’s eye.”
Think of this: Every time you review your goals or your time management system, you are reviewing mental images.
Visualization is done with your eyes open as well as closed. Some people do it better with their eyes open.
Visualization is also taking place as you move or work. Some people do it better as they move. Others while sitting still.
To say you don’t visualize or see yourself in your mind’s eye means you are either unaware of how often you do it, including NOW (nah, couldn’t be… me just work hard) – or you cannot do it the way you heard you’re “supposed to” do it.
My process of teaching visualization is flexible because I have successfully used it in many, many ways.
When I practice tai chi boxing, for example, I am visualizing the entire time I am practicing. And yes, with my eyes open. I am seeing each and every move before I do it. I don’t just “work hard.”
I am also seeing an opponent in front of me. I counter his every move with a punch, kick, joint lock or throw.
To not see an opponent would mean I am not practicing tai chi boxing at a level that elevates my game.
Yes, I can also replay, relive and improve my skills by sitting in a chair and practicing ONLY in my imagination.
Does this mean I never physically practice? No it doesn’t.
If a person only imagines practicing, he or she will not become world class.
But someone who only physically practices, who does not take advantage of the benefits of mental imagery, is operating at a huge disadvantage.
It’s the combination that creates the mind power.
In the beginning, the novice thinks that physicality alone moves the body.
Once you gain some experience and ability, you realize that mind-intent moves your body.
Imagination mixed with intention is what moves you.
Same goes at the highest levels of business.
Or anything else.
Picture yourself doing the thing long enough, and you’ll do the thing.
Some people only need to picture something for a few seconds and they are off to the races. Others need a bit more time. Some people are a combination, depending upon the skill or object involved.
The above is a mere outline of the type of material I’ll be coaching you on in Mind Power Monthly – a group coaching I’m starting this month that teaches the key principles involved in visualization, mental imagery, goal setting and “hard work.”
Interested? Drop me a line and I’ll send you the information.
Matt Furey
P.S. Do you think I pictured myself writing any of what appears in this message? Or did I just “work hard?” Tis true. A writer cannot sit in a chair (or stand at a desk) and begin writing without picturing the internal SELF doing it before-hand.
