How To Achieve Your Goals Using Visualization

"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."

― William Arthur Ward

How to Achieve Your Goals Using Visualization

When it comes to awakening your true calling, success begins with a goal. Big or small, goals will give you some purpose and keep you headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, for many of us, we remain stuck at the goal stage. We begin with good intentions, but then we can't seem to nudge forward in the actual execution stage. Oftentimes this stagnation is due in part to the core belief that we can't actually achieve said goal, or because we lack clarity on how to get there and where to start. But before we can believe in a goal that we've set for ourselves, we first need to have a clear picture of what the goal looks like.

Seeing is Believing

This is where visualization comes in, which is in and of itself is simply a technique for creating a mental image of a future event. When we visualize that which we desire, we start to see the possibility of achieving it. It is through visualization that we can catch a glimpse of what is our “preferred future.” When this happens, we tap into our motivation and prepare ourselves to pursue our goal. In Psychology Today, visualization is explained to be not only a picture, but also an appeal to our better selves being called to become something more. This allows for a means to control the uncontrollable (Baumgartner, 2011).  

Why Visualization Works

According to research, visualization works because the neurons in our brains interpret the imagery as equivalent to real-life action. When we can visualize an act, the brain generates an impulse that tells the neurons to perform the movement. This then creates a new neural pathway that helps prime the body to act in a way that is consistent with what we just imagined. All of this happens without actually performing the activity physically, yet it achieves a similar result. Fostering visualization of any content by using the occipital lobe as the central point of processing is one of the strongest ways to help imagery enter the brain and stay there, even as external stimuli compete for attention (Taibbi, 2012).

Putting it All Together

Visualization will keep you tethered to your goals and increase your chances of accomplishing them. It doesn’t matter who you are, the power of visualization is available to everyone. There are two kinds of visualization techniques. While each serves a distinct purpose, they should be used together to have the most significant effect.

The first method is outcome visualization, which involves you envisioning yourself achieving your goals. To do this, you need to create a detailed mental image of the desired outcome. How would you look, feel, act, and be once this desired outcome becomes a reality? Explore here, dedicate some quiet time and space and allow yourself to sink in. The second visualization technique is called process visualization. This involves envisioning every action required to achieve the result you want. To do this, you need to focus on completing each of the steps you need to accomplish your goals, not on the overall purpose itself (Moe, 2021).

Visualization does not guarantee success, and it doesn't replace hard work and practice. However, when combined with diligent effort, it is a powerful way to achieve positive behavioral change and create the life you desire. If you have big ideas, hopes and dreams for your future (near or far), maybe even a plan of attack on how to get there, try adding visualization techniques to your toolbox to help solidify your success.