Wondering how to achieve your goals? If you’re thinking, I need to work harder, you’re not alone. Most people believe that success requires more effort and sweat. But, visualization has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to achieve goals – in fact, it’s been linked to better academic performance and higher productivity at work. Studies have also shown that athletes are more likely to succeed if they visualize themselves performing well beforehand. In fact, visualization can lead to lasting changes in your brain, making it possible for you to overcome challenges that used to feel impossible!
Write down what you want
Writing down what you want, even if it’s just a goal or dream, is essential to achieving any worthwhile accomplishment. In fact, you’ll never achieve your goals without first putting them on paper. What you write doesn’t have to be a perfect novel—it could be an outline or sketch—but it does need to reflect what matters most in your life right now. The key word here is write; use pencil and paper and see what comes out.
Imagine the feeling of having achieved your goal
If you can imagine the feeling of having achieved your goal, you’re already halfway there. Think about what it would feel like when you’ve reached your end-goal; your mindset will be stronger, and your actions will be more effective. Engaging in a consistent exercise of visualizing the outcome has been shown to help achieve goals.
How this works in practice
Like any method, you need to practice visualization. First, sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Take deep breaths and try not to let your mind wander—at least until you’ve reached a sense of calm. Now, visualize yourself in this situation with no stress or anxiety, letting things play out exactly as they should. Imagine how this would look if it were perfect; feel how it would feel if you were living that moment without fear.
Some final tips
If you want a visual reminder, hang a picture in your house or office that shows you what you want—for example, if you want to be healthier, put up a framed photo of yourself as an active person. With these reminders around you at all times, it’s much easier to stay focused on your goals and see them through.