Picture Your Way To Success

Each of us stores pictures in our minds about the type of relationships we deserve, the degree of success we'll attain at work, the extent of our leadership ability, the amount of money we'll earn and accumulate, and so on.

Where do these pictures come from?  Well, we begin to develop our "mental movies" early in life.  If we were criticized or felt unworthy as a youngster, we record the events (and the feelings associated with those events) as images in our minds.  Because we frequently dwell on these pictures (both consciously and subconsciously), we tend to create life situations that correspond to the original image.  For example, you may still hold a vibrant image of being criticized by a teacher in elementary school.  You felt humiliated in front of the whole class.  Later on, when you were tempted to offer your opinion in school or in a group of people, you held back and kept quiet all the while remembering (even if only on a subconscious level) how painful it was when you were criticized.  The picture remains in your mind, and exerts tremendous influence over your present actions.

Unfortunately, many of us have not updated or revised our childhood movies, so we are continually producing results that fall short of our full potential.  Here are some techniques for using the power of visualization to improve virtually every aspect of your personal and professional life:

Take responsibility for the pictures you are playing in your mind. No matter what the source of those images, it's you that keeps playing them. Let's try a short experiment.  Think about an ice cream cone filled with your favorite flavor of ice cream.  Does that create a picture or image for you?  I'll bet it does.  Okay, now think about an elephant.  Can you see it?  Change the color of the elephant to pink.  In a fraction of a second, you probably formed an image of the pink elephant.  Can you bring back the picture of the ice cream cone?  Of course, you can.  You have full control over the pictures that occupy your mind.  However, when you do not consciously decide which pictures to play, your mind will look into the "archives" and keep re-playing old movies on file in your mental library.
Accept what happened in the old movie - but change its meaning. It doesn't serve you to deny what happened in a past experience, no matter how painful or disappointing.  You can't, for instance, change the fact that you were criticized by the teacher.  You can, however, alter your interpretation of the event.  That is, at the time you were originally criticized, the meaning you might have assigned to the experience was:  "I'm not good enough," or "My opinions are worthless."  While this was the interpretation of a child, you may have inadvertently carried it into your adult life.  Today, though, you can consciously choose to view the situation differently -- for example, the teacher may have disagreed with you, but it wasn't a statement about your intelligence or your overall worth as a person!
Create new pictures to move you toward what you want.  We can create new mental movies whenever we choose to do so.  And, when we develop (and concentrate on) new images that evoke powerful feelings and sensations, we will act in ways that support those new pictures!  So, the first step is to create an image of your desired outcome.  You are limited only by your imagination.  Recognize, however, that the pictures in your mind are not fulfilled overnight!  But, by being patient and by persistently focusing on these mental images, you'll automatically start acting in ways that support your vision.
Relax and involve your senses. What's the best method to use when concentrating on your new images?  It's been proven that your mind is most receptive to visualization when you are calm and not thinking about a lot of things simultaneously.  So, sit down in a comfortable chair at home, close your eyes and do some deep breathing exercises to clear your mind and relax your body.  Now, strive to develop images that involve as many senses as you can.  The more sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches you put in your pictures, the more powerful the "pull" for you to make your vision a reality.
Here's an example.  Let's say you always dreamed of owning a beach-front house in the Caribbean.  Picture the white and peach colored house.  See the green palm trees slowly swaying in the gentle breeze.  Smell the salt air.  Feel the warm sand between you toes.  Can't you just taste it?  And all this can be yours, if you hold onto this image and do what it takes to achieve it!

Also, remember that those images associated with strong emotions have even more power, so be sure to add positive feelings to your vision.  For instance, when visualizing your ideal job, combine the vivid mental picture and the physical senses with the terrific emotions of pride and satisfaction you'll have working in that new position.

Finally, don't be concerned with the quality of your images at the outset. Some people can create lively color pictures. . . while others have trouble getting anything more than a fuzzy image, or no image at all.  It's also possible that you may only be able to get a particular feeling at the beginning as opposed to a clear image.

In any case, don't worry about it.  Do the best you can and don't compare yourself to anyone else.  Your images will become sharper over time.  The key is to spend several minutes each day running these new movies in your mind.

Well, there you have it--some suggestions for creating and benefiting from your own mental pictures.  Remember, if you don't take control and develop your own movies, you'll continue to replay the old ones.  If the old movies are serving you, that's great.  But, if they're holding you back in any way, get started today and use the incredible power of your mind to picture your way to greater success!