"Imagination is everything.
It is the preview of life's coming attractions.
" Albert Einstein, Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
"Can you come coach me in my office? Something awful has just happened.
I can't believe I've been so stupid.
I'm going to lose my job in two weeks time!" As I walked to John's office, I had no idea what had happened, but it sounded VERY serious.
I found him slumped in his chair, head in his hands, sweating and looking very uncomfortable.
Normally he was an assertive (occasionally aggressive!) and passionate leader.
He had just come off the phone with his CEO who had asked him to present his business strategy to the global board of directors in two weeks time.
So what was the problem? John was recently promoted to a senior position in the company.
He had delivered presentations to his team and peers many times.
He was scared of 'formal' presentations and had developed a limiting belief over several years.
When I arrived at his office, he had already allowed his imagination to create vivid pictures, sounds and feelings of how badly his presentation would be received.
They would question his ability as a senior executive.
He would be seen as a fraud and lose his job.
The following tape constantly re-played in his head: As he was presenting the other executives glared at him in disbelief.
He could hear them whispering 'how did this guy get to this level without knowing how to present?!' 'He's talking rubbish!' He felt stupid, vulnerable and exposed.
John was visualizing his failure.
The voices in his head were working overtime.
He'd sub-consciously set his goal to lose his job in two weeks time! Here's the thing...
One of the most under used powerful tools that we have is our ability to visualize things in our mind.
We're often very good at visualizing the negative stuff and then creating our self fulfilling prophecy of doom.
You also have the ability to visualize success because it actives the creative powers of your sub-conscious mind.
Seeing your goal already successfully completed.
Have you ever seen a car that you really liked and then found that you keep seeing that model everywhere? Our mind doesn't think linearly, it thinks in pictures.
Creating mental pictures of what you want really focuses your attention on your intention.
It becomes real in our minds.
In the car example, what was happening was that the 'want' of this car activated your subconscious mind.
Your mind filter or RAS (Reticular Activating System) opens up to notice the car that was previously unnoticed.
Energy goes where attention flows - so the car is everywhere! Visualization is a powerful tool because it enables you to see your intention (destination).
It strengthens your focus and clarity on your end result.
It attracts you towards the people and resources that you need to achieve your success.
I coached John to help him visualize success and build his confidence.
He changed his intention from 'I'm going to lose my job in two weeks time!' to 'This is the best presentation I've ever delivered.
' 1.
Get clear on your vision - what do you want? 2.
Set aside some time EVERY DAY to visualize your goal already complete.
10 - 15 minutes a day is all you need.
Create a ritual first thing in the morning or last thing at night before you turn off the light.
Keep your vision of success on your radar.
3.
Intensify your visualization of success by adding sensations.
Use the senses to bring it to life.
What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel like? What does it smell like? What does it taste like? 4.
Create a Vision Board - A Vision Board is a great visual tool to collect pictures of the things that you want to be, do or have.
For example, a new car, a trip to the beach, a new home, a pet or a relationship, be healthy, lose weight etc...
You glue each picture to a poster board and put them up somewhere you can see them daily.
Through these pictures you get to enjoy your desires and bring them closer to you.
It's amazing how powerful this exercise can be.
Visualization really works! It makes your brain achieve more.
You can use this every day to improve your performance and make you more successful.
"Get aligned with your VISION and PULL your success to you!" Christine Kane, Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World