Contrary to popular belief, visualizing your goals isn’t “if you think it, it will happen magically”. So to clear up any confusion and get you in the right direction I'm sharing 19 of the best visualization tips to help you get closer to making your goals a reality.
Visualization may sound woo-woo but it's a practical mental exercise you can use for tangible and powerful results.
These 19 tips can improve how you approach your goals and all the steps necessary to accomplish your ideal outcomes.
How Does Visualization Fit In With Setting Goals?
In the 5 steps to setting goals, below, you can create visual images for each of these, making a system for working through your aspirations with clarity and intention.
- Define your goal: Clearly identify what you want to achieve.
- Create action steps: Outline the specific actions you need to take.
- Adjust execution: Modify your action steps as needed based on progress and feedback.
- Reflect on results: Analyze what worked and what didn't to improve your approach.
- Repeat: Continuously cycle through these steps to refine your strategy and achieve your goal.
What Is Visualization?
Visualization is the practice of seeing images, or pictures in your mind to help you visualize all the steps, challenges and solutions to complete your goals.
When used efficiently visualization helps you rehearse the action steps required to achieve results.
2 Benefits of Visualizing Your Goals
Given that it takes time to learn visualization exercises, there are two, important benefits of practicing visualization:
- Increased focus on creating actionable steps to achieve your goal.
- Your brain can't tell the difference between imagination and reality so imagining successful results boosts the belief you can do it.
“If you can see it and believe it, its a lot easier to achieve it.” Oprah Quote
“The biggest asset in the world is your mindset.” Gary Vaynerchuk
19 Best Tips To Visualize Your Goals
1. Positive Space
Practice visualization from a positive space. Prepare by listening to relaxing music, or meditating for a few minutes to get your mind right.
2. Write It Down
Obviously, action steps is part of setting goals so you should have a few ideas written down already. If you do not, write down the steps necessary to achieve the goals before you start any visualization session.
3. Be In A Quiet Location
Always practice in a quiet place without distractions if possible. I have kids so I understand this may be near impossible for those of you with kids, too. It may be helpful to sit or lie down to focus solely on visualizing.
4. Practice Gratitude
Make a gratitude list of all the things you're thankful for having in your life. This list is an equally powerful substitute in place of writing down steps. Gratitude serves a mindset boost if you're having trouble effectively "seeing" or feeling yourself accomplishing
5. Create A Vision Board
Create a vision board or dream board to enhance your experience outside of visualization exercises. Visual imagery reminders can help you keep your goals or action steps top of mind.
6. Visualize One Goal
Set one goal to achieve during each session. Each time you do mental rehearsals you can choose what part of your goal to work on.
7. Mental Movie
Imagine yourself doing all the action steps. Like it's a mini-movie with a beginning, middle and end with as much sensory detail as possible.
8. Theta State
Mental imagery during theta brainwave state offers the best results. I've explained theta state after tip #19.
9. Quality Over Quantity
Start with 10-minute sessions because quality is more important than quantity when it applies to your personal or professional goals.
10. See Your Success
Always include the successful completion of achieving your goal(s) in your imagery session. To clarify, don't do all this mental work without seeing yourself complete things successfully.
11. Use Your Senses
Visualize the sounds, smells, textures, and feel the emotions in your visual scenes.
12. Remember To Tap Into Feelings
Feeling the emotions associated with a successful outcome is a key to changing your current state of mind into a success state of mind.
13. Trust The Process
Changing your existing state of mind requires addressing all of the senses. How you feel matters just as much as what you see for your future self. The idea is to be open to achieving your goals. It may not always happen but the effort is an important process.
14. Visualize With Intention
Starting out with blurred images is normal. The more you practice visualization the more your image quality will improve. Writing a vision statement, drawing a mind map and journaling can improve your sessions too.
15. Gain Momentum
It's important to keep your goals top of mind. Practicing visualization helps motivate you to keep working and succeeding at your lifestyle goals.
16. Practice Frequently
The more you practice the more your future potential becomes clear and achievable.
17. Expect The Best Outcome
Go into your sessions expecting to get results. Believe in your ability to use visualization as part of your overall goal building system. Oprah says, "If you can see it and believe it, it’s a lot easier to achieve it."
18. Use Reminders
Flashcards are a great way to remind yourself of the goal(s) in between mental imagery sessions.
19. Rise To Your Systems
Visualization is just one part of a system or framework to help you achieve your aspirations. So, if you can consistently incorporate it as part of your routine, you’ll have a solid system for achieving your lifestyle goals.
Bonus Tip #20:
Give yourself space to also take a break. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is be present in the moment. Allowing yourself to enjoy the progress can be great motivation to keep going.
Conclusion
Practicing mental imagery isn't just for elite athletes and business leaders. You can benefit from this technique, too. Give it try it after meditating, or after exercising. When done consistently you'll discover your own ability to influence the subconscious mind at its peak state.
Next, check out my post about "9 Habits That Will Change Your Life" for healthy habits that can help you acjieve your goals.
Xoxo,
Nicole
Sources
1. Kappes, H., & Oettingen, G. (2011). Positive fantasies about idealized futures sap energy. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 47, 719–729.
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