What is visualization?
Visualization is a technique that involves cognitively picturing a specific image in one’s mind to manifest those images in real life.
Scientists have been studying visualization for some time. Studies show that some of the most successful athletes use visual displays to heighten arousal and positivity when competing in athletic events.
Visualization is common among many athletes, although this technique can be prevalent among average-day people.
Most humans want something, whether it’s a better career, a more fulfilling relationship, money, etc. Most humans tend to picture themselves in a better life or have better results than their current lives. This desire may sound like daydreaming.
Daydreaming is not the same as visualization. Visualization is an intensive usage of our mental images. This intentional use incorporates the frontal lobe to cognitively access a more profound subconscious way of attaining what we want.
Maybe you have heard of the expression “speaking into existence”? The same is with visualizing. You imagine into reality.
When the brain relays an image to you, (you) understand that you are thinking of the picture. Perhaps a thought or a memory. Your mind (consciousness) does not know and separates that the image is, in fact, memory and NOT happening in the current moment.
That is the power of the brain. That is why addiction can often be deadly. The thought, sound, touch, and perception of the drug or alcohol make the person feel as if those images are relaying now in the current moment.
However, that person might physically be distant from the substance or drug.
Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s way of wanting what it wants because the physical separation does not align with the mental and emotional dependency.
It’s almost as if that thought processes into the brain automatically, goes into a filing cabinet, and stores itself in the most profound areas of consciousness.
A simple idea can be the gasoline in which your mind will also start to add the sound, the touch, the smell, and the image you are thinking of and ignite those senses. This brain’s automaticity is powerful, and often why many addicted to alcohol or drugs go through a hard time when moving away from these substances.
The thought of the substance, if not attained, leaves the brain feeling overwhelmed with hopelessness. Eventually, the dependency becomes less and less. Powerful ways of defeating codependency are replacing the behavior with a reward or an enjoyable activity. That new behavior creates new neural pathways in which the brain can divert its past attraction to drug and substance abuse to this new health behavior. Overall, it takes time, but it is an example of how visualization AND action can create new neural pathways that attempt to make your desire a reality.
The power of visualization and introspection lies in the ability of the mind. Mentally rehearsing and imagining favorable situations share a similar brain mechanism as actually doing those actions.
Elite athletes work with sports psychologists who consistently help the athlete apply visualization to see themselves win a gold medal or win an event.
How does the brain do this?
The reticular activating system is a part of the brain in which a bundle of neurons acts as a gatekeeper for information. They decide which information is relevant and what you should keep, store, and throw away. They relay this information to your consciousness.
This brain area is critical because humans get bombarded with millions of bits of information on an ordinary day. If we were to pay attention to each piece of information, it would be overwhelming and cause massive sensory overload.
Our subconscious does a much better job processing information and storing it without paying attention. Data shows the subconscious can store 11 million bits of data per second.
So that is why the RAS helps decipher and bring to your attention the bits of information that can keep you safe and may help you prosper!
So how do you use visualization to achieve your goals?
- Help your RAS by giving it what it needs to make you successful. Think about your goals daily and often, write them down, put them somewhere where you see them consistently, talk about them, pray about them, and meditate on them. Let your RAS know, “HEY, THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON.”
- Then spend some intentional time imagining yourself reaching that goal. Imagine the sounds, the sights, the smells, and how you feel. ADD as much detail to that picture as possible. In other words, be specific. Imagine the celebration, picture the people supporting you at that moment, imagine the sounds, and if your dream has a taste, even what it would be like for your sensory taste buds.
- Use your emotions. Some people aren’t in touch with their feelings. Emotions can be a great ally when helping you to achieve your goals. Emotions are a great passenger, but they should never be the driver. Use your emotions. Emotions connect to our brain’s limbic system, which helps attach even more neural activity and pathways to that particular image and sensation. The more passion you have for your dream and goal, the more those neural pathways will become stronger, thus allowing your visualizations to have an even more powerful effect on your consciousness.
- Stay consistent! Journal your path to your dreams. That is a great way to see how far you’ve come, where you are in the moment, and where you still have yet to reach. Remember to be patient with yourself and visualize your way to success!!