Why Visualizing Your End Goal Matters
“When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you…”-Cliff Edwards
As kids, did we ever know how to wish upon a star! Acting out elaborate scenes while playing “dress up”, oftentimes involving who we want to be when we grow up…
And then we grow up, quickly learn to adapt to other people’s expectations, get lost in the day to day tactical approach of our lives, and stop dreaming about what we can and should be altogether.
You’ve probably heard facts or stats about visualization and the positive impact it has on reaching your goals. Take athletes for example; many swear by visualizing their victory in shooting free throws, getting a touchdown, or hitting a home run. Professional speakers often talk about how they spend quiet moments before speaking, visualizing the engaged audience as they articulately and effortlessly deliver a powerful speech.
According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon, journalist, and professor at Emroy University’s School of Medicine, visualization can turn an abstract hope into a picture that not only inspires you, but also guides you (“Do This for 5 Minutes Everyday to Rewire Your Brain, According to Neuroscience”). So, this is why we suggest that you begin with the end in mind because you can actually recreate this dream/vision in your real life. Our brains are this squishy, magical land where we can actually rewire the connections to light the way to achieving our goals.
How often do you find yourself fantasizing about what your life could be like “if only?” Now is your chance to spend a few minutes taking your daydreaming to the next level. It doesn’t have to be a dream. Maybe you’ve heard or been told to “get your head out of the clouds”. For now, go ahead and get up there and dream—then, make a plan to put your dreams into action.
Sounds simple, right? Yet, taking action is where we often fall short as humans.
If your end goal is to run five miles without stopping, what does completing this look and feel like? Are you running a race and seeing the finish line? Or, are you jogging through the park with your favorite tunes playing in your ears, enjoying the beautiful sunset as you effortlessly finish your five miles?
Are you a business leader in the midst of mapping out your vision for the next several years? Are you standing before your employees, five years from now, proudly representing your company and what it stands for? Who is working there? What does it feel like to to be a part of your mission?
To dive deeper into your end goal, try engaging your senses by asking each of these questions, and pausing to close your eyes and explore your vision before proceeding to the next question:
What are you doing?
What and who do you see?
What do you taste?
What aromas/scents are in the air?
What do you feel, emotionally and physically?
What sounds do you hear? Is there a certain song or soundtrack playing to accompany this vision?
Do you hear someone’s voice in particular? What are they saying? What are you saying?
If you want to see real results and rewire your brain, Dr. Gupta suggests you need to practice visualizing your success for a minimum of 6 weeks, 5-10 minutes a day.
Whether small or big end goals, you can experience how powerful this exercise can be as you actually see yourself in the act of reaching your goal.
It starts with a dream, and wishing upon a star. It ends with you being exactly where you dreamed you would be.
We can help you create the life or company you desire.
What are you waiting for?
