VISUALIZE TO WIN!
If I were to tell you... not to think of a new Shelby Mustang or
please do not imagine that beautiful black exterior just shining in the sun.
Don’t even think of picking up that hundred dollar bill lying on the
ground. Now, whatever you do, don’t
think about that great moment in your life and how much you laughed and had so
much fun. What happened after I told you about the hundred dollar bill?
Most likely you found that the harder you tried not to
think of that hundred dollar bill the more images of that money appeared.
“Don’t,” “no” and “not” are neutral words. Your mind does not hear them.
Instead your attention shifts to the “stronger,” image producing content of the
sentence. In order to not think of the money you have to bring up the mental
image of money. But “don’t, no and not” do more than produce unwanted images in
your mind they also impact your performance. The golfer who thinks, “Don’t miss
the putt” or the horsemen who focuses on “not missing the high jump,” turns the
tool of visualization into an act of self-sabotage and the mental image of what
they don’t want to have happen. This produces physical and mental tension and
sends a message to the nervous system to respond exactly the
opposite! I’ve been there showing dogs. When I changed my mental image and this
is true...I won! From that time on it changed me! It changed how I reacted to
the stress of wanting to win by seeing myself as winning.
A negative mental image destroys confidence and blocks the
positive aspects of your win. Remember that the highlight of your performance
is controlled by your thoughts in your subconscious mind allowing the body to
react through emotions. Concentrate on what you want to have happen then send
out the positive messages to the body and to the nervous system. Positive messages work will give you the
biggest adrenalin rush and you will soar with confidence. Instead of focusing
your attention to what you do not want to happen. Exchange the negative thoughts that make you
react impulsively and cause you to be so upset; replace them with more powerful
thoughts.
Negative messages allow your mind to zap you of physical and
emotional energy. Listen for “don’t, no and not, can’t and cannot” when
you present your ideas to people. When you hear “I can't” statements, turn the
words around and commit to speaking in positive terms of what you want
to have happen. Speak about how you want to think, feel and act. For
example, stop talking about the “first jitters” and start thinking in terms
of “poised, smooth, calm and focused.” Turn “anxiety” around and talk about
“excitement.”
This positive thinking creates a powerful mindset that
eventually becomes a habit. Thinking in
terms of winning and being on your game lets the opportunity flow easily.
Instead of wishing and hoping that you can avoid a problem, you can creatively
figure out how to find a solution by thinking like a winner.