What I’m going to say next might simply shock you— there is no right or wrong way to visualize in order to see real habit change. You can’t do it “wrong” … which I find very freeing. With that said, I do have some suggestions for you. I’ll get into those suggestions in more depth, further on.
Basically, though, you’re going to be creating a picture or movie in your mind. You’re going to see yourself doing these things. Yes, it’s sort of like a purposeful daydream. You’ll choose specific times to visualize and you’ll do it in a specific way…your way.
I recommend you get yourself a quiet space and close your eyes and all of that. Yes, it sounds almost like a meditation, because it is. You just need to see it in your mind’s eye in a way that appears real to you. How you do that is up to you.
I suggest you “visualize” with all of your senses. This is mainly a visual exercise. However, your goal should be to make this experience as real as possible. You want to be able to smell, taste, touch, and hear when you visualize. You want to really immerse yourself in the vision. If you do that, it will be all the more real to you. If you do that, it will be so much easier for you to live it in real life.
Let’s say you want to make it a daily habit to write 3,000 words for your job or business, or maybe you want to start publishing as a side-business on Kindle. It would be a difficult thing to fit in, especially if you’re already really busy and haven’t made daily writing part of your schedule before or if you’ve tried to before and it just hasn’t worked out.
Every day, you would close your eyes and see yourself going through the motions of writing 3,000 words that day. You’d see yourself looking at your to-do list and goals, smiling happily as you sit down to your computer to get started working. You’d see yourself typing, feeling good and positive that you’re getting it done today.
That’s all visual. You’d add in the other senses as well. As you visualize, hear your fingers as they slide across the keys, confidently clacking as you get those words on the screen. Smell the smell of the coffee that sits on the desk in front of you.
See yourself reach a particularly great part in your writing. Then, reach down and grab your coffee to take a sip, tasting the fresh, aromatic beans as the warmth slides down your throat.
Feel the perk of energy it gives you as you easily and happily reach the end of your 3,000 words. Feel yourself stretch as you stand up, surprised as you look at the clock in your mind’s eye and find that you got it done so quickly and stress free that you have extra time left over.
That’s just one example. You’ve used your senses in this vision. Doesn’t it feel real? Substitute the habit or goal you’re trying to reach. What do you smell? What does it sound like? Get your emotions into it— how do you feel? Try to associate very positive emotions with the habits and actions you’re taking. See yourself easily achieving your goal. Literally go through all the motions, sped up, in your mind. This is your vision, so make it whatever you want it to be.
Let’s go through another example. Let’s say you’re trying to make it a habit to exercise for 30 minutes a day, because you have the goal of losing 5 pounds this month.
Close your eyes at the start of the day. See yourself happily getting your exercise gear on. Feel the way it slides on your body, enveloping you snuggly. Feel proud that you’re sticking with your commitment. See your water bottle sitting next to you.
Grab it and sip it and taste how the cool water feels as you stand up to prep for your workout. See yourself walk over to the TV to put your exercise DVD in. Smile as you see your favorite workout expert come on the screen— appreciate how motivating they are for you.
Watch yourself warm up. See yourself happily and excitedly following the workout. You’re sweating, keeping up, looking great, and feeling good. Taste the bead of sweat as it falls down your face.
Taste the water from your water bottle as you taste another swig. See the instructor get to the cool down as you follow along. See yourself jump up for joy as you finish the 30-minute workout, successfully and happily.
Again, substitute what you’re doing and your exact scenario when you visualize. The point here is to really paint a picture for yourself. Make it feel as real as possible. In a way, you want to trick your brain into thinking it is real. You see, once you’ve done something the first time, it becomes immeasurably easier to do it the second time. It becomes even easier after that.
Visualization makes it easier to live your life the way you want to live it. You’re priming yourself to go ahead and follow up the vision with real action. It’s easy, right? You’ve already done it.
It’s hard to get up and exercise, or write 3,000 words, or study, or whatever it is you’re trying to do. It’s hard, that is, until it becomes a daily habit of yours and you see that it’s really helping you reach your goals. Prime yourself for success. Smooth your own path. Visualization is exactly what you need to do to get to where you want to go.
Try to use all of your senses when you visualize and it will be that much more effective. This makes it even more real. This makes it even easier for you to follow through in real life. It surrounds true action with positivity.
Do this every day, a few times a day, and you’ll be able to change your habits for the better, forever. I truly believe it will work for you— 100%. I have a feeling that you’re now starting to understand the power of this as well. Visualization is a huge part of successful habit change, and now you have the “magic” secret so many people are missing.
Prime your brain with visualization and then do it for real. Rinse and repeat. Do this with your goals and as you work on changing your habits.
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