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Creative Visualization and Simulation
In examining NASA astronauts who had the “right stuff”, world class athletes, top level CEOs, the best surgeons, and the
most accomplished artistic performers, researchers have found some common traits. It seems that many of these
individuals prepare themselves mentally for any challenge they encounter. The performance in the face of these
challenges often seems effortless. The reason it appears effortless is that these individuals have practiced the skill over
and over in their mind hundreds of times. Winners are masters of the art of simulation. They have seen themselves
perform flawlessly and that becomes their self fulfilling prophecy. As Dennis Waitely puts it, “Winners say, ‘Of course I can
do it! I've practiced it mentally a thousand times.’ Losers say, ‘How can you expect me to do it? I don't know how!’”
Watch a world class down hill skier prior to a big race and you will see them close their eyes and ski the course in their
mind. On the absolute edge of their skis, they are going faster than anyone has dared to go. Watch the Olympic gymnast
before the big event. They see themselves perform the most difficult maneuvers without a miss. Dismounting perfectly,
they see themselves “stick it” and get the perfect 10. It is no different for the experienced sales person who negotiates the
best contract or the speaker who gives the most motivational presentation. High level performers practice physically and
visually over and over again. It was Thomas Jefferson who said, “I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work,
the more I have of it”.
Many commercial relaxation tapes use examples of guided imagery to get people to relax. If one can create a visual scene
of relaxation the body will adjust accordingly. Visualization for relaxation works best when individuals are able to create their
own relaxing scenes. Not everyone is relaxed by floating on waves or in the clouds. These images can be very stressful for
some. If you want to use visualization for relaxation, imagine youself being in the most relaxaing environment you have ever
been in. Real or imagined recreat that special place as vividly as possible.
The power of visualization is so strong that is has been found to influence our physiology at a microbiological level. Cancer
patients taught to practice visualization of tumors shrinking and cancer cells dying as an adjunct to chemotherapy, got well
at a significantly higher rate than a control group receiving only chemotherapy. The literature is full of examples of
controlled studies where visualization has been used to enhance both physiology and performance.
In examining NASA astronauts who had the “right stuff”, world class athletes, top level CEOs, the best surgeons, and the
most accomplished artistic performers, researchers have found some common traits. It seems that many of these
individuals prepare themselves mentally for any challenge they encounter. The performance in the face of these
challenges often seems effortless. The reason it appears effortless is that these individuals have practiced the skill over
and over in their mind hundreds of times. Winners are masters of the art of simulation. They have seen themselves
perform flawlessly and that becomes their self fulfilling prophecy. As Dennis Waitely puts it, “Winners say, ‘Of course I can
do it! I've practiced it mentally a thousand times.’ Losers say, ‘How can you expect me to do it? I don't know how!’”
Watch a world class down hill skier prior to a big race and you will see them close their eyes and ski the course in their
mind. On the absolute edge of their skis, they are going faster than anyone has dared to go. Watch the Olympic gymnast
before the big event. They see themselves perform the most difficult maneuvers without a miss. Dismounting perfectly,
they see themselves “stick it” and get the perfect 10. It is no different for the experienced sales person who negotiates the
best contract or the speaker who gives the most motivational presentation. High level performers practice physically and
visually over and over again. It was Thomas Jefferson who said, “I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work,
the more I have of it”.
Many commercial relaxation tapes use examples of guided imagery to get people to relax. If one can create a visual scene
of relaxation the body will adjust accordingly. Visualization for relaxation works best when individuals are able to create their
own relaxing scenes. Not everyone is relaxed by floating on waves or in the clouds. These images can be very stressful for
some. If you want to use visualization for relaxation, imagine youself being in the most relaxaing environment you have ever
been in. Real or imagined recreat that special place as vividly as possible.
The power of visualization is so strong that is has been found to influence our physiology at a microbiological level. Cancer
patients taught to practice visualization of tumors shrinking and cancer cells dying as an adjunct to chemotherapy, got well
at a significantly higher rate than a control group receiving only chemotherapy. The literature is full of examples of
controlled studies where visualization has been used to enhance both physiology and performance.