Practical Visualization

[alexd]

An Article: Practical Visualization

I would like to share with anyone interested just how effective visualization can be integrated into the problems of every day life. Visualization combined with concentration is a key to success that is often overlooked. This is a simple method but it may be useful to some people, as it has certainly been useful to me.


Practical Visualization

There is a customary attraction at theme parks and arcades that I'm sure you are familiar with on some level. It is often set up as a game which requires a person to throw a small plastic ball into an opening from a distance (sometimes these are moving clowns or simply a hole in the wall). If they get the ball into the opening a certain number of times without missing they win the game. This demonstrates the principle. But ultimately practical visualization can be applied to any practical exercise (throwing rings on to a hoop, target practice ect.)

I can often do this kind of thing effortlessly, although sometimes not. Often I find myself being able to throw a piece of rubbish into the bin from 20ft or so with 100% accuracy. This is just one example. This used to happen to me all the time coincidently. Have you ever noticed that sometimes you throw something into the air in no particular direction and it ends up hitting someone, even though it could have gone anywhere else? I used to believe this is coincidence but lately have been finding myself been able to control it. Today I tossed a Mars bar into the cupboard instead of placing it carefully in its place. Before I did this I visualized the Mars bar flying across the area and landing in the spot at a precise angle and everything. Instantaneously after applying the visualization I tossed it and it landed in the cupboard 100% as visualized.

Now, imagine if you could master this method. You might estimate that you have a 5-10% chance of hitting a golf ball into a hole 100ft away. However if you visualize the outcome you desire and hit the club instantaneously afterwards, the chanced are you will be much more successful then thinking and planning which angle you will hit it from ect.


The Method

A couple of things are required to do this. Spontaneity is the most important. I simply cannot do this while being nervous, or be thinking about the action I want to do. Almost all the time I have done this my mind was not thinking about the outcome. However, concentration is the key. The method consists of being alert and present in the moment. Concentrate on your actions, then visualize the desired outcome without thinking, then immediately do the action. You will be surprised by what you can achieve with this.

Note: When we visualize we are effectively pre-constructing the event which will take place. But this is not done in the mind. We do not think about it (although we do for long term goals as described later). The event simply needs to be pre-constructed as if you are actually doing it (ie. seeing it happen in front of you).


Belief

Belief is the limiting factor in all visualization exercises. If you believe you cannot do something it may not be very effective to visualize doing it, but it may still help. To visualize shooting a target with a bow for example, and then think "It is too far, I will never be able to shoot it" is counterproductive. However by suspending thought in the moment after visualization and simply taking action we can basically achieve anything we can visualize.


Why It Works

What we visualize is the same as what actually happens, on some level. Let me explain. In Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz explains that the human neurological system registers visualized, or imagined events just the same as it registers real, actual events. For this reason our beliefs are the only thing holding us back. If it is possible to visualize something that "can" be done then why can't it be done? Belief...


"Long" Term Visualization for Success

The power of visualization is exceedingly underestimated. Apart from active, practical visualization, visualization can be applied in all areas of life. I am really bad at public speaking or anything social in general. In high school I used to avoid speeches by taking sick days and would just "read" the speech off a piece of paper when forced to do it. I would almost never get a higher mark than 55%. In my last year of high school however when I had to do it I was looking forward to the speech somewhat. For a few nights before the speech I visualized doing it successfully before going to sleep (this proved to be MUCH more effective than practicing it repeatedly with someone as I had learnt to do previously). When I applied concentration on the day of the speech it went really well and I was able to stay present in the moment and [almost] everything fit into place perfectly without me having to remember it or write it down. I was also hardly nervous, since I had visualized myself doing the task successfully in advance. I got 80% for the speech.

By consistently visualizing an event contrary to how we believe it will be (ie. instead of saying you are not good at something, visualizing that you are), the outcome can be altered to what you desire. I have discovered visualization coupled with concentration to be a miraculous problem solving mechanism. However my mind gets in the way too much for it to be effective to its highest potential. I have also learnt experientially that true knowledge does not come from the mind/psyche, but from being present and centred in the moment. It is quite interesting to note that many of Einstein's acclaimed formulas were materialized while he was in a state of "no-thought". Without giving the mind time to get in the way, spontaneously with visualization we can achieve great things.


Alex

[alexd]

Additional Notes

I had some trouble explaining how to apply active visualization. This is the key to achieving "spur of the moment" activities effectively, successfully and accurately. An idea just came to mind that might make the method clearer to some people.

When I refer to visualizing in the first part of the article it can be analogized with "sage knowledge". Sage knowledge is often referred to as a type of knowledge that exists but most people are unaware of. It can be explained by tasting an apple, for example. When you think "what would it be like to taste an apple" you do not think about it but the taste is actually reproduced experientially on a level. This is practical visualization. Pre-constructing the moment that will follow with concentration but without thought or emotion. Please do not mistake "feeling" for emotion, the moment must be "felt" before the action is done. In terms of sage knowledge, we can "know" what it is like to be cold without being cold. We can "know" what it is like to have sex even if we are a virgin. We can "know" what it is like to inhale a cigarette without inhaling it. It is like the reproduction of sensation mentioned in NEW but with practical visualization we are creating the sensation we desire with our visualization.


Alex

[dizz]

Hi Alex,
I'm new here.  But I would just like to say I enjoyed your post.  I will certainly be applying it to my life, or at least trying to.  (without thinking too much! lol )  I  am also considering to purchase Maxwell Maltz Book, sounds like a good read.

All the best
Dizz

[dizz]

Hi Alex,
I'm new here.  But I would just like to say I enjoyed your post.  I will certainly be applying it to my life, or at least trying to.  (without thinking too much! lol )  I  am also considering to purchase Maxwell Maltz Book, sounds like a good read.

All the best
Dizz

[dizz]

Didn't mean to post twice, Oops!

I did say I'm new didn't I!lol