Visualize Your Success

Well, it's true. It works. We attract what we think about. And we do it all the time--consciously or unconsciously. The key is to direct our visualization in a positive rather than a negative fashion--to take charge of what we visualize in order to attract what we want. Following is one of the best stories I've heard of the power of directed visualization. Major James Nesmeth was just an average weekend golfer, shooting in the mid- to low-nineties. Then, because of events beyond his control, he stopped playing for seven years. He never touched a club. He never set foot on a fairway. When he did start playing again, he shot an astonishing 74! He'd knocked 20 strokes off his average without having swung a golf club in seven years! For those of you who don't play golf, this is an astonishing feat for any golfer. For someone who hadn't even played, it's unbelievable. Not only that, but Major Nesmeth's physical condition had greatly deteriorated during his golfing sabbatical. You see, Major Nesmeth had spent those seven years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. During almost the entire time he was imprisoned, he saw no one, talked to no one and experienced no physical activity. He realized he had to find a way to keep his mind occupied or he'd lose his sanity. To save his life, he learned to visualize. In his mind, he selected his favorite country club and started to play. Every day, he played a full 18 holes at this imaginary golf course. He experienced everything in great detail. He saw himself dressed in his golfing clothes. He smelled the fragrance of the trees and the newly trimmed grass. He imagined different weather conditions … windy spring days, overcast winter afternoons and sunny summer mornings. It took him as long in imaginary time to play 18 holes as it would have taken in reality. Not a detail was omitted. Seven days a week. Four hours a day. Eighteen holes. And after seven years, he shot a 74. Our subconscious minds can't tell the difference between reality and what we vividly imagine. It's a powerful thing indeed. Many people don't consciously visualize on a regular basis. They think they can't do it right, so they figure, why bother. But like anything else, it takes practice. The more you do it, the better you get. The payoff is substantial. Whenever you have doubts about its benefit, remember the story of Major Nesmeth. Picture what you want. Imagine all the details. Use all of your senses. Fill your mind with a vibrant, real picture of your success. You get what you focus on, so focus on your success.