You achieve this by visualization. Also called: mental imagery, goal visualization and future-self meditation. This form of co-creating gets you more motivated to fulfill your goals, places you in action each day, and uplifts your vibe. Goal-directed behaviour of this sort favours your success and attracts many opportunities to you as you begin to bring your visions into reality. When you focus on images of the perceived outcome that you wish to obtain, you are training your brain to seek out real life experiences that are aligned with your internal desires.

GOAL VISUALIZATION

By visualizing your goals you begin to focus on images that lead you to your desired outcomes. You gain clarity on the processes and what they entail; you begin to make concrete plans that will inch you closer to fulfilling your goals. 

Through imaging, neuroscience research has revealed that viewing an actual object versus imagining an object activate the same areas of the brain. Therefore, it’s no coincidence that visualization potentially leads to goal-orientated behaviours and thoughts should be kept positive if you want to experience happy outcomes. Alternatively, anxiety and depression can further take over your mind space if you are constantly imagining negative outcomes. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of focusing on your goals rather than to stress about undesirable outcomes. One way to do this is by outlining what happy looks like to you and what you wish to have in you life.

BENEFITS OF VISUALIZATION

Visualization is all about believing that something can happen and then making it happen:

• Problem solving – 90% of the information that enters the brain is visual. Break down problems by creating images to reveal connections and relationships. Work towards coming up with a solution.
• Replacement of negative or stressful feelings by focusing on positive outcomes. This can reduce anxiety.
• Strengthens the mind-body connection. By visualizing a kinaesthetic action (sports), you take steps in real life to achieve it.

HOW VISUALIZATION WORKS

Visualization improves focus, increases motivation and relaxes you by activating your creative subconscious. Furthermore, it starts to program your mind with you envisioning the resources and action steps that is needed to achieve your vision. You then start to become more consciously aware and you begin to filter information that is purposeful to you.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISUALIZE

Aside from helping you achieve your big life goals and become more positive, visualization 

• Empowers you to take control of your life. You gain more confidence, and you feel more accomplished. When you consistently visualize, you begin to further believe in yourself and you hold yourself up to higher standards.
• You become better at tuning out negative situations and you better prevent yourself from investing time into toxic relationships because you begin to attract more situations and people into yourself that are aligned with your future goals.
• It gives you clarity on what direction to take to fulfill your goals. Also, you are better able to conceptualize what you want for yourself versus what you don’t want. Rather than focusing on the outcome, you focus on the processes and action steps to take.
• Although it’s about envisioning your future self; you are better able to stay in the present moment because you realize it’s what you do in the present moment that will carry you forward into your future. 
• It boosts your creativity. You begin to imagine concepts, designs and potential inventions that be useful to people.
• Your visions actually have potential to become reality. When you become more consistent with visualizing your goals, you begin to set intentions which end up coming into fruition. You begin to have more faith in yourself and lead with your ambitions. In the process you become more successful, healthy and abundant.

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At lot of people at a certain point in their lives begin to feel dissatisfaction and unfulfilled with their day-to-day routine. They feel stuck, but they don’t know how to make the appropriate changes to live a more happier lifestyle.

4 OBSTACLES TO CHANGE

Common obstacles to change that most people experience have to do with feeling accepted, competent and in control which are associated with our basic survival needs. ^*

• Cognitive – growing up developing low self-esteem, perfectionist qualities and people pleasing traits.
• Behavioural – creating self limiting habits that become engrained into your mind.
• Emotional – resorting to feelings such as anger, frustration, guilt and shame when you fear change or have failed at something.
• Environmental – surrounding yourself with people that are negative or unsupportive, being in environments that keep your in your comfort zone.

Often, people are unaware about their various limiting behaviours, and many types of influences can either strengthen or weaken one’s ability to change.

SELF-EFFICACY

To be able to identify a need for change and to effectively progress through changes, you need to develop self-efficacy which is the belief in your ability to succeed in any particular situation.

Motivation and self-regulation are intertwined with having high self-efficacy. When you develop high self-efficacy you become motivated to overcome your obstacles and you’re persistent in making the required changes in order to be more satisfied with your life’s endeavours.  Self-efficacy also increases your self confidence, and renews your optimism.

THE 6 STAGES OF CHANGE

Studies indicate that when people begin to modify their behaviours, they go through a series of stages. Researchers, Prochaska & DiClemente (1983) constructed the Transtheorhetical Model (TTM) which is based on 35 years of research and empirical studies. The TTM reveals the series of stages that individuals go through when they make a conscious effort to change a limiting behaviour or habit of theirs.

1. Pre-contemplation – no intention of taking action to change a certain behaviour over the next 6 months. Self work: increase your awareness of why it’s needed and the risks associated with your current behaviour.
2. Contemplation – intending to take action in the next 6 months. Recognizing the pros of changing, but spending time procrastinating. Self work: list pros and cons of existing limiting behaviour and consider pros and cons of new behaviour. Identify barriers to change.
3. Preparation – ready to take action in the next 30 days. Developing an action plan. Self work: create goals and develop an action plan.
4. Action – making lifestyle changes over the past 6 months. Self work: implement the plan, revise goals as needed and celebrate your successes.
5. Maintenance – exhibiting a new and more positive behaviour for over 6 months. Self work: continue with transformation, reaffirm positive behaviours and develop coping and self-regulation strategies.
6. Termination – the end state. Not returning to limiting behaviours and bad habits even when feelings of anxiety or depression arise. Self work:continue exercising with new habits and behaviours.

One’s behaviours in the earlier stages may not be linear due to relapse. In this case, triggers should be identified and worked through. An individual may cycle through through the first couple of stages in the beginning before they gain motivation to progress through each of the stages effortlessly. It’s also important to note that during the action stage, behaviours such as grieving and frustration may be exhibited followed by covert behaviours in the form of self-rewards and recognitions during the maintenance and termination stages of the TTM.

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