Enlarge Goals With Visualization
“The Magic of Quantum Leap Thinking™” Part 8: Enlarge goals with visualization
Don’t set your goals too low. If you don’t need much, you won’t become much.
— Jim Rohn
As children, we were told – with great authority – how close to the edge we could walk, how high in the trees we could climb. We were warned about how much to expect from Santa or the tooth fairy, our friends and from ourselves
Unfortunately, many of these restrictions were based on fear. The intention was admirable, meant to guide, and help us in our growth to adulthood. But the end result was a transmission of limitations, feelings of powerlessness and unworthiness. We weren’t big enough to go with daddy, old enough to cross the street by ourselves, or good enough to get what we want. When we grew up, we put all those limitations into operation: we don’t earn enough to buy that house. We aren’t qualified to get that promotion; we aren’t thin enough to be attractive.
Visualization is the most powerful tool to attain goals you set. Apply these techniques of visualization – you already know how to do it.
If we truly – at our deepest level – do not believe in ourselves, we set our sights a little lower, make our goals smaller. We create a series of short-term, easily achievable goals.
This is disappointing because we are built to strive, stretch, and perform. When not put to our fullest use, we function but at minimum capacity. Unless we consciously set goals to stretch ourselves, we lock onto whatever is convenient. We may trundle after someone else’s goals or trudge through life accomplishing a series of maintenance goals, cleaning the house when it doesn’t need cleaning, organizing, and re-organizing, closets, or tinkering with the car.
The illusion of accomplishment and forward movement is created, but we are merely treading water. We can’t see possibilities, because, for us, they do not exist. When we become dedicated to short-term goals, we cement our rudders in place and are unable to adjust our sails. In our personal lives, we become frustrated and unmotivated. At work, the goals become equated with boredom and deadlines, demand, and overtime. We work without passion and without commitment. We limit ourselves without knowing it.
Goals and goal setting are not the problem. Maintenance goals are necessary; they are a way of keeping score. But they do not make for a life driven by vision and supported by accomplishment because they contain their own built-in blinders.
The moment we set a goal, we put a ceiling on our possibilities. Remember, goals come from the head; vision comes from the heart. Goals must be vision driven. Goals are created by and support our personal vision.
I am a great proponent of using visualization to achieve your goals.
Visualization is the most powerful tool you have to attain the goals you set. Visualization mobilizes and focuses your own resources. By applying the techniques of effective visualization, you can reduce stress, improve your golf game, or lose weight. And you already know how to do it.
Visualization is the language of the subconscious
Strategies for Visualization
- Be clear about what you want.
Write a list of everything you want to achieve and want to do. Review the list several times and eliminate those goals that seem weak. Eliminate goals which you chose because they are expected of you.Align your goals with your values. Your goals must reflect what you value most in your life. - Put yourself in a relaxed, receptive state.</
Relaxation quiets your ‘mind-chatter’ and opens your subconscious to receive mental images and pictures.The easiest method of relaxation is to recall a place where you have felt at peace. Shut your eyes and use your imagination. Use point-by-point relaxation.Find a quiet place, sit in a comfortable chair, dim the lights, shut off your cell phone and shut your eyes. Take a moment to become aware of the temperature of the room, the pressure of your body against the chair, your breathing, and the beat of your heart.
Let go – one portion of your body at a time – beginning with your face, moving to your shoulders, then, your arms, hands, stomach, and legs.
Here is a gift. The link below will take you to a guided 12-minute relaxation.
- Make your visualization real
Experience your desired ideal outcome ‘as if’ it was already happening, make the visualization specific in detail. See it, hear it, taste it, smell it, and feel it. - Energize your visualization
Give your mental movie as much high-powered emotion as you can. When you attach positive emotions and enthusiasm throughout your process of mental rehearsal, you add energy to the process. - Visualize often
The more you visualize the more power you give to your subconscious to create. - Visualize before you go to sleep
If you choose to visualize once a day, do it just before you go to sleep. While your conscious mind sleeps your subconscious is still on the job.The subconscious takes what it is given and makes it real. It categorizes, organizes, files, and makes sense out of things. Feed the subconscious the material to work with just before you go to sleep, and you will give it 6 to 8 hours to achieve your desired outcomes. - Trust and be patient
We live in a ‘wanting everything now’ society.That’s not how visualization works.Commit to your routine, focus on your outcome often, affirm, and then let go, trust, and give the process time to work.
Without clearly declared goals and a plan of action to achieve them, you will most likely spend your life wondering why others get what they want while you settle for the average or plain mediocrity. Only you can ignite the energy necessary for leaping to a new level.
One soothing aspect of goal setting is that it provides a sense of direction and purpose, guiding individuals towards a more fulfilling life. Having clear goals can reduce anxiety and uncertainty by offering a roadmap for personal growth and achievement.
A WARNING:
One little-known fact about goal setting is that sharing your goals with others can sometimes decrease your likelihood of achieving them. This might happen because the satisfaction of sharing your goals can trick your brain into feeling like you’ve already accomplished something, reducing your motivation to actually pursue them.
In conclusion, I’d like you to think about a specific goal you are working on right now.
Visualize this goal complete. Visualize it as successful. In this visualization you have achieved your ‘ideal end result.’ Write in down in one sentence.
How does it make you feel? If you vividly imagine this goal as compete and successful, you will feel energized and committed to making it happen. Power and commitment are fuel for success.
IMAGINE THAT!
James Mapes is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, coach and hypnotist. His most recent book IMAGINE THAT! Igniting Your Brain for Creativity and Peak Performance is the first web-supported book with access to 21 video-coaching clips.
James Mapes is the founder of Quantum Leap Thinking™, creator of The Transformational Coach™, expert on the psychology of “applied imagination,” best-selling author, highly acclaimed business speaker, consultant, seminar leader and personal excellence coach.