5 Benefits of Visualization

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Visualization is not about lying on the grass and imagining your dreams coming true. It is not about dreaming neither or creating vague mental thoughts to escape from reality. Visualization is a conscious act with clarity and a sense of purpose. It is about creating visual images of the outcomes you would like to achieve. It is about a vision that reflects the life you want. It becomes effective when fueled by strong emotions that can help you turn your thoughts into reality.

I always practiced visualization even before understanding how it functions. I ignored all these aspects about it as I used it instinctively for pain relief to shift my thoughts. I had to go through repeated surgeries, and duplicated stories of pain. The most determining one happened to me many years ago as it was the source of more than five other surgeries later and a pain that lasted more than five years. I still remember the extreme details but they don’t hurt anymore.

I had to go through a deep and complicated surgery on my right eye. After it was over, I had to handle enormous bleeding, many stitches and constant headaches. I had to keep both eyes closed for more than two weeks to avoid any complications. Everything was dark around me; the only thing that I was able to do was sleeping and waiting for a better day. I had no choice except embracing the pain and the frustration; sometimes even crying, when I used to feel overwhelmed, was not permitted as it could have made things worse.

I used visualization to create nice images and to envision a healthy state. It allowed me to live in the world of my dreams and to create nice stories. The pain was intense. It was not fair as I was very young to handle such trauma. I could not distinguish between the day and the night, and between the light and the darkness. I was supposed to be having fun or shopping especially when we have the opportunity to be in Paris.  I had to cope with the situation as I had no choice except being strong. I used to visualize myself talking to an audience and sharing my pain. I always believed that my story would not remain within me as sharing it may serve others who still struggle handling their own.

Today, what I learned about visualization adds more value to the set of learnings I picked up from my past experiences. It is a technique highly recommended by psychologists, coaches, therapists and athletes. Michel Jordan rehearsed the shots in his mind before it happened. Steve Jobs could not create the iphone without visualizing it. Visualization is powerful as it gives a physical shape to your ideas or dreams and it turns them into reality as the brain does not know the difference between imagination and reality. When you watch a scary movie, you still get scared even if you know that it’s only a movie.

It is for this reason visualization is an easy tool to embrace as it helps translate your goals into real projects and develop more focus. When you visualize, you create new circuits in your brain that will enable you to achieve easily your goals. It is also free and affordable to everyone.

Before practicing visualization, you need to be aware of the pre-requisites or the conditions so that you can get excellent results and benefits. One should first define what he would like to achieve to be clear on what to visualize. You need to identify your future goals and dreams.  Many books talked about the power of the mind and the power of visualization. Napolean Hils made it very simple in his book, “think and grow rich”. According to him “whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve”. “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it. William Arthur Ward

This implies that before visualizing, you need to set up precise goals. This obviously means that you need also to work hard on them. In his book, he talked about 17 principles of success, and I consider self-awareness as the core and the most crucial step to get into the others because If you don’t know where you are right now, how can you know where you would like to be?.

The second condition to accelerate getting great benefits is to feel the joy of getting what you want. Visualize yourself healed and this is something that I am excellent at as I often envisioned a healthy state before even healing. I don’t pretend that it was always easy but it is worth trying especially when you have no other alternatives.  Try to feel the positive emotion of the state you are seeking; be proud of yourself achieving your goals.

Feel the joy of being where you would like to be and nurture it every day. Other books regarding the law of attraction talked considerably about this aspect as the emotion you engage in this process is the thing that will make you achieve your goals. You can check for more reading the principles of the law of attraction.

To make it even more meaningful, you can create your personal or professional project based on a simple technique that you can do at home with your kids, or with your team as a fun activity. The only thing you need is a set of nice magazines, a scissor, glue and a plain A4 paper. Choose the images in line with your inspirations and goals; the images that trigger your deep senses and resonate with your future perspectives. Once your sheet is complete, make sure to place it where you can see it every day which can facilitate your visualization.

Five Benefits You Can Reap from Visualization

Pain Relief and Healing

When you visualize positive images, it creates a deep relaxation which releases dopamine, serotonin and other hormones related to well being. Visualization is a form of meditation that can reduce anxiety and stress. This is very helpful in pain relief and even healing.  Always envision the state you would like to attain and not the state where you are right now.

It Increases Focus

When you spend more time on visualization, you are allowing yourself to focus on what matters in your life as it can help you reorganize your thoughts. It will even improve your focus. When you focus on the pain, you get more pain. When you shift your thoughts into positive images, then you will start feeling better.

It Boosts Confidence

Research proved that many great coaches and communicators will use visualization to structure their thoughts and presentations before getting on stage. It creates more confidence in getting the expected results.

Improve Performance

When you engage in creative visualization, you develop more creativity, and more focus as discussed before and then you will see your performance improving too.

Can Be a Source of Inspiration

When you are constantly thinking about writing a book, then you have more chances in achieving it. These moments you devote to visualization can sparkle your inspiration which can help you take more actions.

What are the things you are impatient to achieve and the state you would like to reach? Write them down or turn them into images.

Imagine your life is going now exactly the way you expected. Your dreams and goals are coming true. Your frustration and pain, your worries and concerns are over. How do you feel?

Nurture this emotion every day, envision a better future as worrying will change nothing. Keep the light on, it’s not magic but reality.

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