Part I – Do visualizations really work?
Perhaps you have read about the power of visualization. Maybe you have tried it. Maybe not. If you haven’t, you might be wondering if this really works or if it’s full of bugaboos.
Today, instead of explaining what it is and telling you that it works, I am going to offer you proof that it does. Then in the next article I’ll talk about what it is and why it works.
1. Dream: BECOME A PILOT
Technical Visualization: As a teenager, I would drive my mother’s car down the middle of the road and pretend to take off and land. He paid the price in terms of 4 speeding tickets! Instead of hanging out at the mall with my friends, I used to go to the airport when I was young and watch planes take off and land all day. They played with model airplanes and flew them over makeshift villages with green plastic roofs and white picket fences. I sat on my sofa and visualized myself flying in all kinds of weather conditions: I imagined feeling the vibration of the engine and going through the motion of starting it, taxiing down the runway and taking off, etc. Finally, I bought an MS Flight Simulator, plugged it into my desktop computer, and played with it for hours.
Result: Became a pilot in May 2001. Two years later, he obtained a commercial certificate. Three years after the commercial, he became the world’s first dead instrument pilot (flying in the clouds on instruments).
2. Dream: BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR
Technical Visualization: In 1996, I cut out a section of the New York Times bestseller list and put it on my refrigerator. I crossed out the best-selling author’s name and wrote my own. Every time I walk into the kitchen, I am reminded of my desire to be a “best-selling” author. Note: This piece of newspaper is now turning yellow and curling at the corners!
Result: 3 stories published in 3 different best-selling books. He also wrote and published several articles online.
Do you need more proof? Visit your local bookstore and pick up a copy of “Chicken Soup for the College Soul.” Turn to page 278. Order a copy of “Heartwarmers” by Azriela Jaffe. And finally, the third was published in “Magical Memories” on page 206 (find it on Amazon with Arielle Ford as its author).
Note: I still have dreams of publishing my own book and having it become a bestseller. Stay tuned!
3. Dream: MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
Technical Visualization: I played school teacher as a child in my bedroom. In later years, I would go to church, sit in the main conference room (seating 2,000 people), and imagine myself on stage speaking to thousands. I then practiced standing in front of various civic clubs (ie Kiwanis, Lion’s, Rotary, etc.).
Result: speak to thousands of people across the country and continue to build a reputation as a professional speaker.
Do you need more proof? Google my name and you’ll see me everywhere. The first time I spoke to 1,000 people was at a high school in Virginia in the late 1990s.
4. Dream: WIN SALES CONTEST AT MERRILL LYNCH (early 1990s)
Technical visualization: Cut out an image of the hotel where the winners would stay. This was posted over the phone in my office where I could see it every day. For months, I imagined wiggling my toes in the warm sand, swimming in the ocean, and watching the sunset from my hotel balcony.
Result: He won sales contests three years in a row. I’ve taken all-expense paid trips to Bermuda, Mexico, and Florida.
Do you need proof? I have a clip of me being interviewed on national television (CNN), but until I learn how to post videos online, you’ll just have to believe me on this one. I might even have some photos buried somewhere, I’ll have to go find them!
Food for thought: The more you visualize, the more your dreams will come true and manifest for you!