The Power of Visualization

We have all heard of the tremendous power of visualization - the process of creating a mental picture of what you want as a means of acquiring or achieving something you desire. While it may seem like a lot of metaphysical mumbo-jumbo, I would challenge you to reflect on the goals in your life that you have realized and conclude that visualization was not an important part of the process.

I have tried it and it works. I harbored a secret ambition for about thirty years - what it is doesn't matter. Recently, someone I know casually mentioned that his wife had the same ambition, and for the first time in my life, I confessed to wanting to achieve the exact same goal. Within a few weeks, I was presented with the opportunity to reach that goal, albeit indirectly. A couple more weeks, and I had taken all the necessary actions to get what I had wanted for so long. Now, I'm not going to tell you that I have reached the apex of my vision; in fact, it was a small victory. I firmly believe, however, that simply verbalizing my secret ambition put me on the path to the realization of my goal. The trick now is to continue on that path until my grand vision is a reality.

We've all done it in the past - think back to something good in your life that you worked for and achieved and you will undoubtedly recall having had a strong mental image of the outcome that served as inspiration and motivation.

I grew up knowing that someday I would graduate from college. I didn't just want it, or dream about it, I simply assumed it would happen. As is so often the case, life got in the way and I kept putting it off until one day I realized that if I didn't do it, I couldn't expect my own daughter to have any incentive to get a college education.