EVOLUTION | KAIROS GLOBAL | FEBRUARY 2018

Author : Dr. Jacqueline Michael

Intro: Jacqueline Michael explains how to harness the power of Positive Visualisation in our lives.

There are two ways to run a race. The first is to turn up at the starting point on time and to run as fast as you can toward the finish line. This is what most of us do in life. We turn up and give it our best shot. But there is another group of people. These people get to be called greats. They too turn up on time and run the best race they've got. But time and again they overcome the toughest opponents and overcome seemingly unsurmountable odds to achieve extraordinary success.

‘The man who has no imagination has no wings.’  Muhammad Ali

Future History

Mohammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers ever. In the days and hours preceding his matches he used a very powerful technique to secure his victory. No, it was not just going to the gym or honing his boxing skills. He called it Future History. 

He ‘saw’ his future victory in his mind’s eye days before he stepped into the ring. He visualised every little detail; the venue, the referee declaring him winner, his hands up in the air, the crowds cheering, etc. and he replayed these victory visions over and over in his mind. 

When his conscious mind was convinced of victory, the subconscious worked double hard to transform conviction into reality. Jim Carrey, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael Jordan are some of the other formidable greats in their field who used the power of Positive Visualisation to shape their future.

Why does Positive Visualisation work

There are two main reasons it works.

1.Provides clarity of purpose

The greatest difficulty in overcoming challenges and becoming successful in life is a lack of clarity in what we really want to achieve or where we really want to be and how to get there. Clarity about our goals and purpose in real tangible visual form spurs us humans to work toward it with focus and planning. Positive visualisation of victory/goal attainment, convinces our mind that it is doable. This helps channel all our energy to bring our plans to fruition. It further empowers us to realistically prepare for potential setbacks that may come our way. Positive visualisation brings us to the race, well-prepared to tackle the challenges enroute to success already savoured. 

2. The nature of our brain

Our brain is pretty dumb. Yes, you read that right! For the brain, seeing is believing; whether it be with your eyes open or with your eyes closed. The sights, thoughts, emotions and imagination that the brain is fed with is all absorbed and assimilated. 

There are many studies which show the power of visualisation. In one study brain patterns activated during weightlifting in weight lifters were also activated when they only imagined lifting! A Cleveland Clinic Foundation study also found that participants who did mental exercises of weight training in a gym increased muscle strength by almost half of that achieved by those who did the actual physical weight training in the gym. Unbelievable, but true!

How can I start

For long term goals an easy way to start harnessing the power of Positive Visualisation is to create a Vision Board 

Every day and every minute of the day we are bombarded with multiple sensory stimuli making it difficult to focus on the really important stuff. A vision board will help break through this noise. Use the vision board to give visual representation for the important stuff in your life; your life goals, affirmative bible verses close to your heart, inspirational people etc. You can even break down your life goals into different time periods and create your first vision board to represent the next 5 years and what you want to achieve by the end of it, or how/where you want to live by then. Place your vision board in such a way that you will glance at it several times a day. This will help reinforce your vision and spur you onto action to realise your vision.

Visual reminders to your brain in the form of vision boards or vivid visual imagery teaches the brain what to believe. For quick and immediate tasks that you need to excel in, imagine the best outcome you want. 

If, for example, you are preparing for an upcoming speech, visualise the room that you would be in, the audience and the actual speech. Practise the speech at the venue in your mind. Practise the tone, pace and pauses of your delivery and visualise the audience reactions and applause at the same time. Also imagine the emotional high you would feel at the end of a well delivered and well received speech. This same process can be adapted for a piano recital, ball game, performance, presentation, play or almost anything in life. 

Mentally practice the necessary tasks in your mind and visualise yourself solving problems as they arise. Always end your visualisation with images of how success will look as well as feel to you. The emotions of joy and happiness that comes with success are great drivers for the mind. So remember to emote how you would like to feel at the end of the task, in addition to the visuals of success.

Dr. Jacqueline Michael, a Doctor, Writer and Lifestyle Medicine advocate currently lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and 3 Children.