Visualization

Visualize Success

Visualization is what we always do in our IDACT Trainings; the creation or re-creation of an external experience in the "mind's eye." Sports psychologists and top coaches have used visualization to enhance performance for some time now. It is estimated that 90% of Olympic athletes use some form of visualization and 97% say that it helps. Most Olympic coaches include it in their training arsenal

Why does visualization work?
A properly visualized event is treated as if it happened for real in your conscious and sub conscious mind, our human brain is unable to differentiate between what is real or unreal.  Thus you are seeing and doing the event a second time when you do it in the flesh. Also, during a visualization event your muscles are stimulated as if during a "real event," thereby greasing the groove of the repetitive motion. The best part of visualization is that you choose the outcome, and the quality of the performance. Why not start with a winning outcome and great performance in your mind first!

We perform two types of visualization during our Trainings and Awareness Seminars

1. "Practice visualization" is rehearsing an event in the mind before attempting it. Visualizing a performance on a  workout, swim, run, the fights etc can have a positive impact on the results, especially if done well and repeatedly over time.

2. "Future me visualization" is where we create a powerful image of a future event which is a major goal. A good example would be earning the gold medal, or launching a business. You create the event in your mind, replete with emotions, color, sounds, smell and tastes, all as vividly as possible. Then we cement and reinforce this visual image through repeated internal visits. This plants a powerful seed in our subconscious mind. The subconscious mind then goes to work to recruit the resources necessary to nurture the event to fruition through proper thought and action.

Proper visualization helps to reduce stress of the unknown and control emotional responses It builds confidence and helps you concentrate on the important tasks required to achieve the future state, rather than waste energy on non-productive states of mind stemming from uncertainty. because you have "been there" before.

When you begin the practice of visualization, you will likely start with second person, or external, visualization. This is where you are viewing yourself from the perspective of another person. As you gain experience you will shift to first person, or internal, visualization. This is where your imagined event is happening from your perspective, as if you had a helmet cam on.

Visualization is a valuable tool in the development of any sport or skill (fighting, shooting, jumping, diving and public speaking). Furthermore, it can help hone and test a strategy. The power of a solid visualization practice cannot be underestimated.

I hope this is helpful and that you can put the information to use today. As always, train hard, stay focused and have fun!