THE POWER OF VISUALISATION
'Visualise this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blue print, and begin to build.'
Robert Collier

Imagery is the most fundamental language we have. Everything we do is processed through images. When we recall events from our past or childhood, we think of pictures, images, sounds, pain, etc. Images aren't necessarily limited to visual but can be sounds, tastes, smells or a combination of sensations. A certain smell, for example, may invoke either a pleasant or bad memory.

Our minds are incredibly powerful. To understand how simple visualisation can invoke a powerful response from your senses, think, for example, of holding a fresh, juicy lemon in your hand. Perhaps you can feel its texture or see the vividness of its yellow skin. As you slice it open, you see the juice drip and smell the strong citrus aroma. Finally, put the lemon in your mouth, suck on it and taste the sour, acid flavour.

If you are like most people, you will salivate and your glands will react as though you have really tasted a lemon.

Unfortunately, much of the visualisation we do habitually is in the form of worry. Our minds are often attracted to negative thoughts more than positive ones. As a psychologist and university lecturer recently pointed out to me, if you ask a student how they went in an exam they will be able to tell you in detail about the questions they couldn't answer but not the ones they could. Similarly, when we are assessed and receive one negative comment amongst many positive, our focus remains on the negative.

Positive visualisation is a practise that can be learnt. It is a technique used by many top performers and athletes. Creating as much detail as you can in your visualisation will help ground you in a way that makes it possible to believe your dreams may very well come to life. Use as many senses as possible to see, smell, hear and feel the elements that make up your ideal scenario. Its not important at this point to think about how you're going to reach your goal...the purpose of this exercise is simply to dream.

Visualisation Exercises

• A simple and fun way of using visualisation is to create a scrap book that contains photos and clippings of the things that you would like in your life. Don't just include photos of material possessions you would like...include photos that represent the things you really value, like friends, peace and a career that you love.

• Choose one picture of your 'dream life' and put it somewhere that you'll see it every day. For example, take a photo of your dream home to your local colour copy centre and get it copied and laminated so that it's small enough to fit in your wallet.

• On your 'to do' list each day, write down something positive that you're hoping for as if it will happen. For example, 'get a new client' or 'meet someone interesting'. Don't think about how it will happen...just put it out there!

• Create a positive affirmation and use it at least five times each day for a few months.

• At the completion of your meditation, spend several minutes 'seeing' your ideal outcome for either an activity you have in the day ahead or for a longer term goal.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE
You may have noticed that we have a new name. We're now 'Total Balance Group Pty Ltd'. The change reflects our desire to known for more than just coaching programs. It also signifies that we're growing our team - we continue to recruit exceptional people who are able to offer a range of interesting and innovative coaching,  training and wellbeing programs. As always, the emphasis is on balance - self discovery, achievement, wellbeing and ultimately, helping you create an enjoyable and fulfilling life.

This month has been full of new opportunities. I have been contacted by three ACP magazines since the last newsletter. 'Good Medicine' to assist with an article and 'New Weekly' and 'Women's Weekly' to assist with other projects (details will follow in later newsletters).

The other interesting thing I've experienced in the last month, is that everywhere I've turned I've come across stories about visualisation. I've always believed there is something powerful in believing what you want to see in your life...what I've learnt this month is that you can't completely control the way it will look.

I have had a strong sense since the beginning of the year, that this will be 'my year' in business. That the business will grow exponentially and all of the seeds that I've sown in the past four years, will really blossom. So I've set lots of goals around this belief. As is often the case, the successes I'm achieving look a little bit different to what I'd imagined.

This has reminded me that flexibility is the key to successful visualisation. Having a picture of what you want in the future (and making the 'dreaming' part of the process fun) is important. You can't always control how you'll get to the end result but the important thing is that you keep your mind open to whatever comes your way and grasp each opportunity as it arises.

At a more personal level, Chris and I have spent lots of time talking about our dreams for the future. One of these days, we'll be living by the coast so that Chris can get up and surf every morning. For now, we're pushing the 'how' out of our minds, we're just busy fine tuning the details of the beautiful house we'll build and the yacht we'll buy (we wish!)...stay tuned for another couple of years and we'll see just how effective this visualisation process is!

We are happy for you to reproduce our articles as long as they remain intact and contain the author's details as follows:

'Kate James is a work life balance coach, writer and speaker. She works with professional people who want to enhance their quality of life by making the right career and life choices. You can find Kate at www.totalbalance.com.au.'