After reading many books and articles on the subject, I noticed six components that seemed most critical to a truly powerful practice. Athletes, celebrities, and CEO’s who use visualization share similar methods, despite very different jobs, backgrounds, countries of origin.
Here’s my GOODIE Method for Visualization: Gratitude, Outcome, Others, Details, Inspiration, and Emotions.
G – Feel Grateful for NOW
O – Envision the Final Outcome You Want
O – Imagine Others Benefitting
D – Include ALL the Sensory Details
I – Take Inspired Action
E – Feel the Positive Emotions
For Example: I want a new creative career that allows me both independent growth and enjoyable time connecting with my family.
Feel Grateful for NOW: I’m so grateful my parents are healthy, my kids love their school, and I got to take a nice long bath last night.
Envision the Final Outcome You Want: I’m excited to work with great people, have flexible hours, and use my brain in a creative way.
Imagine Others Benefitting: My kids are happier because I’m less stressed, my husband is less worried about finances, and my dog loves that I’m home early to take him for walks.
Include ALL the Sensory Details: I can smell the coffee. I can feel the breeze on my face as I drive to the office. I can see the new work clothes I get to wear every day. I can hear the chatter in the restaurant downstairs from the office, where we have a lunch meeting. I can taste the delicious pasta with garlic sauce.
Take Inspired Action: Notice what happens around you. Be alert. What thoughts or ideas pop into mind first thing in the morning? Oh, you remember your college friend works in this field and used to live in your hometown? Email or call her that day. Oh, you remember a neighbor talking about a new company that sounded interesting. Walk over to his house and ask about it. Today.
I find meditation and feeling calmer allows me to notice these little nuggets of inspiration. The quicker you act on them, the more often they pop up.
Feel the Positive Emotions: Feel it. Really try to feel all the positive emotions you will experience once this dream is a reality. Pride? Excitement? Contentment? Joy? Confidence?
Try this in the shower, in your car, or in the line at the market. It’s absolutely free, has zero side effects, and when it begins to work… holy moly, you’ll get hooked!