If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. –William Arthur Ward
I first encountered the word creative visualization in the books the CHAMPION the world famous Tom Hopkins. He did not mention it in another equally popular book How to Master the Art of Selling, but he included the techniques in teaching salespeople how to become more effective.
Then I realized that we are actually using it subconsciously. It is so effective that when the intensity of use is so high, the resulting energy it produces is very strong.
In my career as a teacher, I came to know a lot of people who are very good at predicting the bad things that may happen to them.
There is this Boy Scout who kept on saying that he will fall from a rope bridge even before we asked him to cross it. He was right. He was so worried with falling he did not hold on to the ropes.
In Toastmasters, I know some who kept on saying that they were sure that they would forget their lines during their speech. They brought their notes with them. They were also correct. After sometime, they kept on looking at their notes they almost forgot their audience.
And I know another one who believed that he will win a speech contest because he feels it. At the time he delivered the speech, he did it like a true champion. It was not difficult to sense his confidence. He eventually won.
Some may say that these are just coincidence. Maybe, but maybe not. Maybe it has something to do with creative visualization.
What is Creative Visualization?
Creative visualization is a way of using your mind to get what you want out of life. By thinking of the good things you want to happen as part of a regular routine, you’re creating a positive energy. This positive energy then takes on form as the actual reality you desired. The same is also true with thinking of bad things about ourselves. Every time we think that we are ugly, ill-equip, ill-mannered, and unlikable, we project the same. The key words are create and visualize. We are creating our wishes by visualizing them.
Do you find a connection between our discussion between self-image and creative visualization? You should. Creative visualization is our subconscious wish for ourselves. Of course we did not wish for the negative things to happen to us, but since we kept on thinking about them, our subconscious mind register them as our wish and help us make them real.
STEPS
Study the two basic steps below. It is important that you practice doing them before you try practicing creative visualization. Understand creative visualization is a technique that can help you in any facet of your life. I included it here because I believe it can help you improve as a communicator.
1. Meditate. Sit or lie in a comfortable position, and make a conscious effort to feel each part of your body relaxing. Start at your toes, and work your way up to your head. As you do this, take slow, deep breaths. This should take a few minutes.
2. Visualize. Many people can’t “see” a mental picture at first, so if this happens don’t let it worry you. After you’ve relaxed, you can “practice” visualizing by picturing things you see and do in everyday life. Try to imagine enjoyable things. You might picture your favorite room, or dancing with someone special, or eating your favorite meal. Doing these practice runs will help you “see” when it comes time to try the real thing!
If you find this practice disturbing to your faith, you may not use this technique. I just realize though while writing these first two steps are practiced both by Christian and Buddhist monks. Being a technique, it can be use by anyone who has positive intentions.
After practicing these first two steps, we can now go through more specific practice. There are four specific steps.
1. Decide what it is that you want. Do you want to be a dynamic speaker? Do you want to get rid of your mannerisms? Is there something you want to change about yourself? Pick your goal. You may get harder goals. You may get easier goals. I do suggest do that you start first with goals which maybe achieve at the shortest time.
2. Picture the idea exactly as you want it to be. If you are to deliver a speech in your company and you want to create an impact, picture yourself in the situation delivering the speech the way you want it as if you already possessed all the skills necessary to do it.
3. Recite self-affirmations. If your goal is to deliver an effective speech to your organization, you may write self-affirmation this way: I plus your goal. Example: On December 25, I deliver a meaningful presentation. I am well-prepared, passionate, and purpose-driven.
Og Mandino’s I Will Greet This Day is a very good example of self-affirmation.
4. Believe in the reality of your goal. Believe that it will really happen. Disbelief is a negative energy. Let your desire to succeed make you believe in what want to happen.
TIPS:
1. By writing out words of confidence you help implant the idea more firmly in your subconscious mind, which then works harder and faster to produce happy results. Affirmations are your strongest confidence-builders. (Catherine Ponder, The Dynamic laws of prosperity)
2. Apply Creative Visualization in learning the other skills in this manual.
WARNING: Creative Visualization does not work against other persons. By wishing bad things to other people, one will be corrupting his mind, damaging his or help self-image.
WORKSHOP: Visualize Success
1. List anything that you want to happen in your life. It may be a better performance at work, a wonderful conversation with your wife, or an entertaining speech delivery in your company.
2. Apply creative visualization.
3. Write your self-affirmation. Your self-affirmation will make you focus your attention to your goal.
4. Record your successes.
From: http://jefmenguin.wordpress.com/resources/visualize-success/
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