The power of visualisation

PSYCHOLOGIST CORNER WITH JOANNA

Learn how images and thoughts about our goals help us to achieve them

How often have you wished you could achieve your goals, but you aren't sure where to start? One of the most important steps you can take in making your goals more possible is not your finances, position in life or waiting for the "right time" - it's visualisation. The power of the mind in achieving your desires is well known throughout the study of human psychology.

What is visualisation?

Visualisation refers to creating mental imagery regarding a dream or goal. When you're visualising, focus on making your dream a reality and willing it to come true by imagining that your goal is happening and what would look like.

While, in reality, you may be no closer to achieving your goal, the application of visualisation allows you to feel as though your goal is more realistic and reachable. By altering your pattern of thinking, you move away from the idea that not achieving your goal so far makes achieving it at all less likely.

It's easy to feel as though you're moving at a slower pace than your peers and that you're unable to conquer your goals. It might lead you to give up on your dreams altogether, but visualisation allows you to overcome these negative thoughts.

How visualisation works

The power of visualisation works by allowing you to paint a vivid picture of the success you want in your mind. If, for example, you want to apply for a job at a new company, but you aren't sure how you will fit in, it could be difficult for you to successfully "put yourself in the picture", as it were. This notion makes acting as if you have already achieved your dream that little bit harder.

With visualisation, you develop your ability to paint a vision of what the workspace will look like, how your days will be in a new role, and the success this could lead to.

A daily practice

All of the above sounds great, but how do you utilise visualisation in your daily life to help you succeed? There are ways to use visualisation, but one of the most important things to remember is to regularly practise it. Many people incorporate visualisation into a guided meditation or as part of their yoga practice, as this helps the brain to get used to the process and rewrite any beliefs. Make visualisation a habit, and it will soon be second nature.

Expose yourself to elements of your goal. If you dream of travelling the world, surrounding yourself with images of the places you wish to visit, watching videos and learning some simple phrases will allow you to imagine yourself achieving this goal more clearly.

When doing this, you can describe the dream to yourself in full sensory detail, as using descriptors for each element of your goal can help solidify it in your mind. When applying these methods to your own daily life, you may find that your dreams feel more conquerable, and thanks to thinking positively, you may just find more success.

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