(5 minutes a day)
There is no limit to what you can visualize. The most effective visualization
usually happens when emotion is connected with a strong image as, for example,
when you really want something specific that you think will make you happy. But,
visualization can be used to change core beliefs, to combat what you may
consider a negative belief, without trying to oppose that belief. Say you would
like to have greater abundance, but you believe there's something inherently
wrong with money. You want to make a change. To make that change, you can
visualize all the positive effects affluence can have in you life. You can
attach positive visuals, emotions, even sounds to the idea of money and begin to
make new associations. This will begin the process of drawing affluence to you
because your beliefs have been repelling it.
To do the visualization exercise, you must agree to suspend your disbelief for
only five minutes a day. Agree to give yourself completely to this fantasy for
that time without distractions, objections, fears, or doubts. You had no problem
pretending you were Batman in third grade. The same sort of abandon is needed
here. Bask in the fantasy for this short period of time and, when it's through,
you can indulge in all of your doubts again though over time you will learn not
to do so.
Visualization Exercise
The only time you can ever accomplish anything is in the present. The present is
where everything happens, and there's tremendous power here. Look around the
room. Take notice of where you are and how you feel in the moment.
Now, close your eyes and imagine that the thing you want is already in
existence. Feel what it feels like to have accomplished what you want. Color the
experience with as much feeling and emotion as you can muster up. Experience as
if it had already happened, as if it was in the present. See it in your mind
with as much detail as possible. If you're not good with visuals, then do the
same thing through verbal thoughts, talking to yourself about what you want,
repeating the idea in your mind, feeling and experiencing the sensation of the
idea. Stay in the present while you're doing this. It's happening NOW. What you
think of as your normal everyday life no longer exists. This new idea is what
you're experiencing.
When you're done, drop the idea completely. Don't worry about accomplishing it,
but do look for new ideas, impulses, gut feelings, and new energy that will
begin to guide you to what you want.
Notice when you have thoughts during the day that contradict what you want, and
realize they're just thoughts, non-active ones, because you're now building new
beliefs. In other words, learn to write-off thoughts you don't want without
combating them. You notice them and let them go.
It may be some time before your new beliefs or ideas "take." Even if you get
quick results, keep doing the exercise. You want to make sure your new belief is
more powerful than competing ones. It's important to do the exercise only once a
day for the proscribed amount of time. More is not better because to do more is
to focus on the new belief out of fear instead of trust, thereby defeating your
work. Mindlessly doing the exercise and letting it go is always most effective.
Give yourself a month before you check your progress, and continue to do the
exercise as long as necessary.
If this exercise isn't your cup of tea, then look for upcoming articles on
self-hypnosis, affirmations, diagramming, treasure-mapping, and much more. Or,
think creatively of your own ways to visualize or affirm new realities for
yourself.
Next: True Power Part 2. Affirmations
This is the first article in our "True Power" series. If you
haven't been following the series, click
here to read the foundational material on beliefs before continuing.
S.C. Giles is a contributing author of The Artrepreneur E-Zine and newsletter.
The Artrepreneur offers articles helping artists focus on proven techniques to accomplish any goal. Read More: http://artrepreneur.thepauper.com
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