The Power of Visualization

Let’s talk about visualization.

Are you intentionally using the power of visualization to your advantage to perform at your peak performance in all areas of life? Or do you subconsciously visualize your future based on past results (or a lack thereof), causing you to play smaller than you should, and possibly falling short of accomplishing the wonderful plans God has for you?

To be clear, I am not talking about some new-age mumbo jumbo, or some law of attraction, name it and claim it way of thinking (even though there is some science behind our mind’s reticular activating system which I will write about in the near future).

I am simply referring to what we visualize when we think about our future, which I believe can be tremendously helpful to you as it has been for me. 

When I went through the grueling, 27 week live-in, bootcamp style, California Highway Patrol academy at age 26, away from my wife and 3 children back at home, I focused on the “prize” - graduating and being an elite CHP Officer one day.

When I ran my first marathon at age 44, rather than focusing on the excruciating pain of holding a sub-8 minute mile pace for 26.2 miles,  I visualized successfully crossing the finish line.

When we started our home-based business nine years ago, going against the grain of mainstream corporate culture, expectations and understanding, I focused on (and still focus on) the mission, the goal, the prize we are running after.

Everyone uses visualization, whether they realize it or not. Some do so consciously, visualizing a positive performance or outcome to a particular situation, while the masses most do so subconsciously, visualizing their future results based on their past experiences.

Now, I know what you might be thinking – isn’t success all about hard work and seizing the right opportunities? Well, yes, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

So what do you do about it?

Picture this: every morning, before the craziness of the day kicks in, as a part of your morning quiet time routine, what if you took a moment to close your eyes and visualize your success for the day.

Seeing yourself not only achieving the daily goals for the day, but also achieving the bigger goal that these daily steps are leading you to.

What if you allow yourself to feel the excitement of reaching those milestones?

You see, this simple act of visualization is a powerful tool that can work wonders for your mindset. When you can see yourself succeeding, it boosts your confidence and fuels your motivation.

Suddenly, those big, scary goals don’t seem so daunting anymore. You start to believe in your abilities more than ever before.

Just as David believed God would give him the ability to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and no doubt visualized that happening, we can walk in confidence knowing that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4), and that what He has called us to do as believers, he will equip us to do (Joshua 1:9).

We don’t need to not allow negative thoughts, fears and doubts to cripple us. We must take every thought captive  (2 Cor 2:5) and think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report (Phil 4:8).

Visualizing your success is like giving yourself a little pep talk every morning, reminding yourself of why you’re doing what you’re doing in the first place, similar to how the apostle Paul encourages believers to press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:14).

The mind is a powerful instrument that can be used for good or for harm. We all have a choice what we choose to visualize. Choose what you will visualize wisely.

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Was this helpful? Have a suggestion for future content? I’d love to hear from you. Will you please consider reaching out by way of email, or even better, one of my favorite messaging platforms… Facebook Messenger or Instagram Messenger, letting me know how this may have impacted you and sharing any suggestions you may have for future topics that you’d like me to share on?
With Much Appreciation, Allan