The Benefits of Visualisation and How Does it Work!

Discover the Power of Mental Rehearsal!

“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” —Mohammad Ali

You’re probably familiar with the old saying, “Seeing is believing.” Well, it’s this saying's simple concept that’s at the core of a powerful form of mental exercise called visualisation. This practice isn’t just for casual daydreamers, though. Muhammed Ali, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and other top athletes have used visualisation to achieve peak performance. Celebrities and successful entrepreneurs do it, too. And you, as well, can reap the benefits of visualisation to reach your goals.

What Is Visualisation?

The visualisation definition is simple: it involves creating mental images of the things you want. It’s using your imagination to walk yourself through various scenarios as if rehearsing them. It’s about closing your eyes and not just “seeing” yourself accomplishing whatever is important to you but “feeling” it too, and believing that it is already happening.

How Does Visualisation Work?

Visualisation works by putting you in the right mindset to overcome life’s challenges and achieve your goals. It isn’t a magic wand that makes your dreams come true instantly.

Like meditation, visualisation is a mental exercise that is most effective when practiced regularly. It works because the mind can’t tell the difference between what is real and what isn’t with repeated practice, especially when all five senses are incorporated into the visualisation. Essentially, you can trick the brain into thinking that you already have what you desire, or that you already ironed out all the kinks to a problem, whether it’s increased confidence or better school grades. Simply put, visualisation serves as a motivational amplifier to promote positive behavioural changes that may lead to success.

For example, if you would like to start your own business, you can close your eyes and visualise what it would be like to create and market your products. You would focus on each detail—the manufacturing process, customers, business plan, and so forth—and really feel, smell, hear, and taste the experience.

Elite athletes use visualisation to work out worst-case scenarios ahead of time. They imagine falling, having pain, dealing with equipment malfunctions, and the like, so that they are prepared if the event happens in real life. In other words, their brains have already dealt with the problem, so they can handle it during a competition without missing a beat.

What Are the Benefits of Visualisation?

Visualisation has many benefits backed by studies. When done right, a regular visualisation practice can help you:

• Gain confidence

• Decrease anxiety

• Enhance performance

• Boost your motivation

• Adopt healthier behaviours, such as eating more fruit

• Increase muscle strength

• Reduce pain

• Relieve stress

• Speed up healing

• Improve prospective memory, or remembering to do something in the future

• Spark inspiration

• Improve mood

• Declutter your mind

• Determine what you want

How to Do Visualisation

Anyone can harness the power of creative visualisation. While there are several visualisation techniques, these are the basic steps:

• Set a clear goal, such as landing a job interview.

• Visualise yourself preparing for the interview, sitting in the waiting room, and hearing your name called.

• Try to “feel” every moment as if it were really happening, from answering tough questions well to accepting the job offer.

• See the event in your mind’s eye detail by detail.

Explore the 7 Life-Changing Benefits of Visualisation by Sarah Prout