Lesson 10: Visualization

I really should stop being so amazed when today's lesson so closely matches what I have been feeling, doing, and saying! Just this morning, before I sat down to write in here, I sat down and spent about 20 minutes visualizing my life.

I have spent a lot of time visualizing what I want to do (for example, being on stage with Tony, leading my team retreat, meeting my team members for the first time and crying and hugging them), but now I am spending some time visualizing who I want to BE. Who am I? What do I look like? What am I wearing? How do I feel? How am I interacting with people? I have reached a place where I am realizing how very important this is--because BEING is the first step to HAVING.

When we were in Rome, Shawn Achor said something very significant. First, he talked about the power of visualization. Of course, the thing we love about Shawn is that he provides all this scientific back up for things we already believe. He said it has been proven scientifically that the brain cannot tell the difference between something that is real and something that is imagined or visualized. So we know that spending time visualizing what you want to achieve will actually cause it to happen.

Of course, we all knew that.

But then Shawn said something even more significant. He said that studies have shown that visualizing the process is even more important than visualizing the end goal. The people that did that had an even higher success rate.

So I have been spending more time visualizing me--the person I want to be (the person I am becoming!). With that foundation--when I AM that person--all other things in my visualization (the people that are drawn to me, the money that flows through me, the attention, the notariety) will naturally flow. They have to. It cannot be otherwise.

So this exercise is nearly identical to the "ideal me" exercise, but here is my visualization:

I am energetic, enthusiastic, happy, and full of life. I love and cherish everyone in my life--I hug them and tell them regularly how much I appreciate them. I help them see and understand their potential--and encourage them to live up to it. I behave this way around everyone I come in contact with--friends, family, and total strangers. People love to be around me because they feel so good about themselves in my presence. I only get tired because my life is full and complete and satisfying.

My body is thin and lean. I am the picture of health--strong bones, strong lungs, invigorating metabolism. I only eat food that is healthy and nourishing.

I am beautiful. My hair is thick, my nails are tidy, my skin is smooth and supple. My makeup and appearance are always attractive.

I wear stretchy, flowing, comfortable clothes--like dancers and yoga instructors wear. I love feeling comfortable and able to move. I am proud of my body and wear these clothes confidently.

My home and my life are simple and clean. I savor all of life.

Wow. I love the feeling I get from doing this exercise. I need to do it all day every day! :o)