Positive thinking can do wonders for your attitude. But it’s not enough to get you where you want to go. Instead of thinking positively about being great, imagine what great looks like.
Visualize a picture of the end-result. Create a picture in your mind of the future you desire. Close your eyes and see it happening right now.
If you’re concerned about giving a speech, it helps to imagine giving the speech successfully. But the real power is in visualizing the end result— see yourself getting a standing ovation at the end of your speech, or if you’re an athlete, see yourself standing on the podium receiving the gold medal.
The power is in picturing the end result. The process for achieving it, the path, will not necessarily be clear.
My first experience with the power of picture took place in a fifth grade classroom. My first job was teaching reading to children with learning disabilities. Most children learn to read the same way they learn to walk and talk. They get a little support from an adult, but they pick it up naturally. When it doesn’t come naturally, it’s really hard for them to learn.
By the time they are 10 years old, they are discouraged by years of failure, watching other children pass them by. One day it occurred to me that the children were so discouraged they probably couldn’t even imagine they could enjoy reading a book.
I had been reading about how mental imagery made a huge difference in the 1976 Olympics. The USSR had stunned the world by walking away with most of the gold medals. The Soviets had discovered that when competitive skiers supplemented their practice through visualization, not only were they better prepared to ski in a variety of conditions, but their motivation and self-confidence also increased.
So I tried an experiment with the children. Every day we spent ten minutes in a relaxed guided meditation. We began imagining going into the library, finding a cozy spot and curling up with a great picture book. By the end of the year, they were imagining going into the library reading long books with no pictures. I didn’t change anything else about the way I was teaching. I just added the relaxed visualization. That year the children’s progress increased, we had more fun in the classroom, and they started reading library books on their own.
Was this a real scientific experiment? No. But it made me aware of the power of creating a mental picture of what you desire, and it sparked my interest in vision.
How to harness the power of picture.
Over the years, studying vision and helping leaders in a variety of settings I learned that the real power comes when you focus on what you desire. Proactively focus on what you want, not reactively on your problems. While you might remove a specific problem, you are likely to discover another problem awaits, and you will move from one crisis to another. Instead of focusing on problems, picture the results you desire.
For example, if you want to lose weight, obviously you need to eat less. However, if you frequently think about the chocolate you can’t eat, it’s difficult to maintain motivation over the long term. Instead, picture what you’ll look like in your new jeans whenever your thoughts turn to chocolate.
Eight tips for creating a picture of your desired future:
- Be proactive, not reactive. Move toward what you want rather than away from what you do not want.
- Be creative and playful. Give yourself permission to explore, to dream.
- Do not let your fears and concerns limit your thinking.
- Visualize the end result, not the process for getting there. See yourself standing on the podium receiving the gold medal.
- Focus on what really matters to you. Ask, What do I want to do? not What should do?
- See it actually happening. Close your eyes and imagine what it looks like.
- Put yourself in the picture. Imagine what you are doing and what the quality of your relationships look like.
- Don’t waste your time imagining someone changing. The only one you can change is yourself.
Don’t stop here.
In our book Full Steam Ahead: Unleash the Power of Vision, Ken Blanchard and I say “Vision is knowing who you are, where you’re going, and what will guide your journey.”
Knowing where you’re going means having a picture of your destination in your mind. A picture is not the same as a vision, but it IS one of the three critical elements of a compelling vision, and it has a tremendous power. To create a compelling vision, remember the other two elements: Knowing who you are means being clear on your purpose, and what guides your journey are your values. Know what you stand for and live your values consistently.
Thanks for this great way of expressing an idea that should be obvious to people, but is hard for some to do. The eight tips are all important. I’d like to add one – take a small step every day towards the future. Make sure it’s small and doable so that you can observe it happening.
Good suggestion, Alan. Each small step adds up. Vision without action is only a daydream.
I love using visualizations in my speaking preparations. It’s a huge help as I visualize myself, my presentation, my audience, and the words coming out. This is a tremendous helpmate!
Thanks for sharing your own experience, David, and for sharing the specifics of your visualization – very helpful!
I have given your FULL STEAM AHEAD book to more people. It is THE BEST, most succinct book I have ever read on visioning. Visions don’t just belong in companies. They belong in people. You have reminded me to look again at mine.
Thanks so much, Eileen. Coming from you, one of my favorite authors, that is quite an endorsement. Much appreciated!
Another great piece! My son, a first year 2nd grade teacher with Teach for America, when asked what he REALLY wanted to do, said he wanted to hang out in Portland with his friends and a crummy job to pay the rent. But he says TFA is the Right Thing to Do, or what he should do. The interesting thing is that the TFA job is becoming, in many respects, what he really REALLY wants to do. So sometimes what you should do can morph into something more fulfilling. PS: post-college, the friends have a way of dissipating, anyway. And he totally loves the kids he teaches…
You raise a very important point, Dave. There is a lot of power in visualization. When people don’t know what they really want, they are in danger of getting what they think they want and not being satisfied. I suspect the “should” for your son was more values-based than he was consciously aware of, which is probably why it worked out so well for him. I’m happy for him and for you as a parent that he is doing well. You might appreciate this post, which reinforces the point you are making: Dig Below Your Dreams to Discover Your Vision.
I can see where it can work, but I thought I’d mention my own experience, in case someone gets frustrated if it doesn’t work…
I had joined a movement called “Church of Divine Man”, over 30 years ago, and we had a process quite like what you describe, of visualizing that end result (incorporating all the points you mention). Alas, I spent considerable time imagining doing something that I was not meant to accomplish.
Looking back at it, I am so glad that the “perfect dream” I had envisioned never did come to pass. God had a much better plan for me. Now, I actually do ask, not what I CAN do, but what I SHOULD do. Because, I have certain qualities, and I am meant for some things, and not meant for others. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that!
Not to harsh anyone’s mellow. “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” We will believe what we will believe!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Jennifer. You make some excellent points. There is tremendous power in creating a mental picture, especially when you have a clear goal. But unless your picture is connected with your purpose and reflects your fundamental values, it will not be sustainable, and as you describe in your own situation, not even the right one. And as you point out, visualization is not always appropriate. There’s no point in my envisioning myself being a concert pianist. It’s not what I am meant to be – I don’t have the talent or passion to do what it would take. I am glad to hear that you have connected with your real purpose. This is why the question, “What should I do?” is the right question for you to ask, because it means “”what should I do to best fulfill my purpose?” I can’t comment on the process you used 30 years ago because I don’t know the details of how it worked. But I do know that many people confuse visualization with vision. As I pointed out in my post, it is one of the three elements of a compelling vision, and to create a real vision, you need all three.
A Great article. I needed to read it today.
So glad it was helpful at the right time for you, Nancy.
Hi Jesse!
Excellent post! Congratulations!
I agree with you and I believe that we are responsible about our success. I think that we can walk the way, focuses on the future, always learning with the present.
Best regards.
Rodrigo
Thanks, Rodrigo. You make an excellent point about both focusing on the future and learning in the present. This generates the creative tension that propels us forward. You might enjoy this post that explains more about creative tension (it applies for both individuals and teams).
Hi Jesse,
Great tips!
I find them useful to create a desired future as well as in the morning, while in creating the day.
The power of those tips lies IMHO, in them being actionable ideas.
They do remind the “Full Steam Ahead” book, I read and have it in Hebrew.
I find Alan Kay’s tip in his comment at the beginning: “take a small step every day towards the future”, to be clever not just because of the digestible steps but also because it is counter the automatic thinking of “catching as much as you can”. paradoxically, using small steps gets you bigger results.
Thank you for reminding your version for the definition of: Vision
Hi Yoram,
Excellent suggestion to visualize your day in the morning! One of the reasons mental imagery is so powerful is because it specifically focuses our attention.
Also, your explanation of the paradox of how taking small steps gets you bigger result is very helpful.
Full Steam Ahead been translated into 21 languages, which is wonderful and amazing, but I don’t often have direct contact with those who have read it in those languages. I’m delighted to know that you read it in Hebrew.
Jesse, as usual your perspective and communication style are wise and make a real difference in me. I so appreciate you.
I want to suggest one more dimension to visualizing and experiencing one’s vision: Imagine the emotion in it – how you will FEEL realizing and living your vision. I find it extremely powerful.
Excellent addition, Lowell. When you put yourself in the picture, imagine not only what you will be doing and the quality of your relationships, but also how you will FEEL. That’s an important dimension, and I appreciate your pointing it out.
Thanks also for your kind words on my blog. It’s good to know it makes a difference.
1st: loved the ability to save to evernote. will add that to my website upgrade happening next two weeks.
2nd. your stories made the information all that more palatable. Yea for you and me!
3rd. Tweeted your info out
dave
Thanks, Dave. Glad you found it helpful and palatable.