Visualization is a powerful tool.
What I mean by visualization is "creating a strong mental image of the future."
I first learned the power of visualization as a cross-country runner while in high school.
The head coach of our team, Mike Bauman, was truly ahead of his time when it came to embracing the idea of imagining and envisioning exactly how you wanted the race to go. Coach Bauman had a knack for physically training and mentally training his athletes. And it led to the program's success - his teams went to state 7 years in a row.
On a number of occasions we went through an exercise where coach would play a song, usually one that had a powerful message. During that song we would all close our eyes and visualize our race.
We would think about the start of the race, and where you should be positioned. For me, I thought of myself toward the top 10-15 positions as I always raced better from the front.
We would think about running up a hill, but we wouldn't think about how high or how steep it was or how our legs would burn. Instead, we would think about how strong our legs felt and we would see ourselves overcoming the hill and continuing on.
We would think about the last half mile where it is the time to start picking up speed, chasing down the person in front of you, passing them, and then inching closer to the next person to pass.
For every race that I visualized and mentally prepared, I performed better. I also started to utilize this as a basketball player as well - grabbing a rebound, hustling after a loose ball, making a free throw, playing strong defense, etc.
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But visualization didn't stop with sports.
I have found that it can help for interviews, sales calls, tough work conversations, tackling an important project , etc.
I like to keep my visualization sessions short and brief, similar to what I did for cross-country.
I take 2-3 minutes in silence or with light background music.
I place myself in the space where the event is to take place.
Then I play a "movie reel" in my head of me doing the things that need to happen for success or my intended outcome.
I always focus on the positive, not the negative. If there is an obstacle that I need to overcome, I envision myself completing the obstacle with ease, comfort, confidence, and strength.
And I usually try to only visualize what I have control over.
***Disclaimer*** - I do not do this every day. Although, maybe I should!
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I encourage others to use visualization when a specific event is coming up that you are worried about or are feeling anxious.
I am a firm believer that people will feel better prepared, more comfortable or relaxed, and more likely to have success.
The hardest part about visualization is actually doing it and forming the habit of doing it. This is something I continue to struggle with, yet work on!
Week 18 of 52
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