For years, authors, poets, mystics, speakers, certain medical practitioners and spiritual leaders have touted the benefits of visualization and affirmations. A few have even discussed the importance of emotional or physical anchors (and I don’t mean boat anchors). My definitions are as follows:

Visualization: The ability to picture something in your mind as real even though the evidence is not apparent. The ability to see with your mind’s eye the result you desire – even though you can’t prove that this result will become reality.

An example: picturing a successful job interview, sales call or presentation in advance. You see every detail happening as if you could create an ideal set of circumstances to get what you want.

You can look at a picture all day long of a thinner you, and, unless you change your eating habits, you will only live with a great deal of frustration. The ability to visualize must come from a strong belief center and sense of positive expectation.

Affirmations: Phrases, words, mantras, pictures – anything that keeps your conscious mind focused on what you want rather than what you don’t.

An example: The phrase repeated with regularity: I am in control of my attitudes and emotions, regardless of what circumstances come into my life. Or, a bulletin board of photographs that represent future goals, desires or outcomes.

Repeated affirmations are useless as psychological tools to achieve anything if there is not a great deal of positive belief behind them. Some experts would have you believe that all you have to do is say to yourself 100 times a day: I am wealthy, and, bingo, you are wealthy. Won’t happen. Affirmations are not about words, but the ability to harness the power of your imagination and belief.

Anchors: A physical or emotional representation of something that you want to see become a reality, or something you want to remind you of something.

An example: every time you stop at a red light, you say to yourself – this light represents my ability to get centered, peaceful and in control. It is not a roadblock, but a positive pause in my day.

If you really believe the words you are saying vs. just repeating the words, you will be amazed at what you can achieve!

Tim Connor
http://www.timconnor.com