Visualize your Goals already Achieved

I got some good advice from my mastermind group upon mentioning my jitters about an upcoming presentation to a group of professional women at a large San Diego company: “Visualize how you want it to turn out”. Simple and powerful words to apply to every single goal you have in your life and especially work. Read below for the how and why visualizing should be part of our everyday activities.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
--Albert Einstein

Athletes have been using their imaginations to achieve their goals for years. They visualize an upcoming event in their mind before it actually takes place. Jack Nicklaus, the legendary golfer said “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head.” First he saw the ball sitting where he intended it to go, then saw how it got there – its path, trajectory and landing, and finally saw the type of swing needed to turn his vision into reality.

This can work for the rest of us just as effectively. First get very clear on exactly what you want, and then take 10-15 minutes each day to close your eyes and imagine that your goal is already complete. Envision your dream house, ideal career, having unlimited money and good health, a successful presentation, or whatever you choose. Even more powerful is to imagine the corresponding feelings and sounds. Researchers say that an image or scene in your mind, when accompanied by intense emotion, can stay in your memory forever.

There’s fascinating scientific reasoning for how this works: When you visualize your goal as already complete on a regular basis, it creates a conflict in your subconscious mind between what you currently have and what you are visualizing. Your mind then tries to resolve the conflict by 1) programming your brain to let you be more aware of things that will help achieve your goal; 2) activates your subconscious mind to create solutions; and 3) creates new levels of motivation.

We each have one of the most powerful tools known to man right between our ears – our imaginations! Put it to use right now – get a mental picture of each of your goals, think about and feel them daily, and see what happens. You become unstoppable in achieving the life you want for yourself.

This week: Find yourself a quiet spot and bring to mind one important goal you want to achieve. Close your eyes and see yourself enjoying the benefits of that achievement. Think about how every aspect of reaching that goal feels and sounds to you. See in your mind’s eye what you’re doing, who’s with you, and every detail of its positive outcome. This exercise may feel like the children’s game of “pretend” but go with it. Write down what you thought about and carry that paper with you to remind you of not only the target goal, but also its associated feelings and effects. You’ll have more confidence and soon begin taking steps needed to make it happen.

Got a Summer Vacation???

Have you taken your summer vacation yet?
You’ve got another month or so before summer officially ends, so if not, get that break penned in on your calendar. Expedia’s annual survey indicates that we Americans do see the benefits of taking vacations with “39% reporting they feel more productive and better about their job upon returning from vacation and 52% claiming to feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal lives”.

My friend, Elaine Masters, owner of Drivetime Yoga (www.DrivetimeYoga.com), offers some wonderful advice regarding vacations and her specialty, road trips, in this week’s article.

"It's Monday but summertime daydreams are tugging at my attention. I've been browsing expat websites, pouring over travel magazines and I just returned from a great trip! Oh, guilt is tempting but daydreaming this time of year is natural. A recent survey conducted by Huntress, a British staffing firm, found that over 68% of polled workers admitted that they spent a good portion of the day dreaming about impending vacations. Another 25% said they noticed their productivity drop in the summer.Forward thinking companies have harnessed this natural "summer slump" by giving their employees a little more time off. Studies show that they reap financial benefits in a few months with increased morale and productivity, especially during the busy times of the year. For those entrepreneurs amongst us, it's hard to justify time away, but you can manage your desire to get outside, still get things done and satisfy that wanderlust. Here are a few tips:
If you're on staff, write up a proposal to your boss that includes tele-commuting or flex-time so you can have 3-day weekends. Be specific & have alternatives.
Travel-commute: Again managing your time is key. Bring your laptop/smart phone with you and set up a few hours a day to work. Turn things off on schedule or you'll negate the positive effects by staying online too long.
Break out of your rut and change your routine. Take advantage of the great weather to do some Yoga on the patio, the beach or at the park. Make stretching a prelude to your picnic lunch!
If you work at home and the kids are there, get them stretching too.

Denying your natural desire to go out and play can lead to frustration or worse, depression. Find new ways to nourish yourself with mindfulness and a little discipline. You'll be happier for it.

Here are two simple Road Trip Yoga Tips:
Get Present:
To be more focused and fight the monotony of longer drives, try 'rolling' through each of your senses. Approach this with a beginners mind, as though it were the first time you felt each experience. Listen to the noises of the car and road. Feel your back and legs against the seat and the vibration in your feet. Sense the space around your car and the distance between you and other drivers.
Stretch breaks:
About every 20 minutes, check in and feel what's going on in your body while in the car. Add little stretches and adjustments based on what you discover. Stretch slowly and deeply at rest stops. By stopping every hour, for even a few minutes to stretch and move more, you'll arrive feeling better, with less stiffness and be more ready to play or work."

For more stress relief tips contact Elaine Masters, RYT, info@drivetimeyoga.com www.DrivetimeYoga.comCopyright 2009 Elaine Masters, RYT - www.DrivetimeYoga.com. Used by permission.

Thanks Elaine!

This week: Schedule that summer vacation trip and start making your arrangements for getting away from the office, or at a bare minimum, plan a day or two off for complete relaxation and rejuvenation. No doubt, the work will still be there when you return but you’ll find yourself more productive, refreshed and ready to tackle it.
Have a great week!