You can use many tools to help you live the life of your dreams and achieve your goals. Opening your mind to different techniques can help you make big changes in approaching your future and reaching your goals. Almost all high-level athletes use visualization (imagery) before and during their games to increase their confidence, concentration, and overall performance. More than just thinking about what you want, visualization is an effective tool that harnesses the power of your subconscious mind to help you achieve what you want.
During visualization (imagery), you use all your senses to create or re-recreate a vivid experience in your mind. It’s a virtual reality movie in your mind that makes use of all of your senses. You are the director of your own movie, and you can create the images that you want.
Visualization (imagery) can help you get familiar with doing a certain task or can be used to help you relax and increase your focus and confidence.
Follow these steps for effective visualization:
- Make sure you’re in a quiet environment without distractions.
- Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Breathe slowly through your nose to a count of five, then exhale through your mouth to a count of five or more. As you breathe in, your diaphragm should expand, and as you exhale, it should flatten.
- Take at least three to five breaths like this to slow your heart rate and calm your mind.
- Recall your best performance and picture it in your mind. Focus on the details. Notice the colors, textures, sounds, and smells within your imagery. See yourself moving and executing on your shots, feel how you hold the paddle, hear how the ball is bouncing, and the sound of hitting the ball.
- Let it play like a movie in your mind, with you as the director and leading star.
- Picture yourself playing and doing your best performance.
- See yourself executing your shots and winning the game.
- Practice visualizing twice or three times per week.
- If you start to experience negative thoughts during your day, stop them and replace them with your vision and the positive thoughts connected to them.
Follow each step of the process through to completion. Let yourself feel the emotions and recall your best performance. Avoid any feelings of doubt or questions. Visualize the outcome as though it has already happened.
Don’t rush through your visualization. Allow yourself enough time to fully experience your best game or the technique you want to master; about five to ten minutes is usually sufficient.
Visualization can be very powerful in increasing your confidence and mastering different techniques and routines during your games.
Furthermore, visualization can lead you to greater peace of mind, serenity, and contentment. Begin using visualization techniques today to help you achieve your goals and desires, and reap the rewards!