Visualization and planning: The best way to achieve your dreams

Visualization and planning: The best way to achieve your dreams. When people don’t have a clear idea of what they want, it is almost impossible for them to succeed. Success is not something that happens overnight. Success needs planning, and for this, you need to know what you want to achieve.

In this article, you will learn how visualization and planning can help you achieve your dreams

But first, what is visualization?

Visualization is the act and consequence of visualizing. This verb refers to mentally developing the image of something abstract, granting visible characteristics to that which is not seen or representing issues of another nature through photographs.

The idea of creative visualization, on the other hand, is used in psychology. It is a motivational technique that invites a person to “see” in their mind what they are trying to achieve. Those who defend the validity of this technique affirm that creative visualization helps to configure the thought so that the subject guides their ideas and actions towards the goal.

If an athlete plans to run a marathon, they should appeal to creative visualization and imagine what it would be like to cross the finish line. The positive feelings that visualization generates can contribute to motivation.

Now, what is planning?

Planning is an administrative function that includes analyzing a situation, establishing objectives, formulating strategies to achieve these objectives, and developing action plans that show how to implement these strategies.

In other words, planning analyzes where we are, establishes where we want to go, and indicates what we will do to get there and how we are going to do it. Planning is the first administrative function since it serves as the basis for other functions, such as organization, coordination, and control.

It allows proposing objectives and shows what is going to be done to achieve them. It will enable us to better organize the areas and resources of the company, coordinate tasks and activities, and control and evaluate the results, thanks to the fact that it makes it easier for us to compare the results obtained with those planned.

Besides being an administrative function that includes analyzing a situation, establishing objectives, formulating strategies, and developing action plans, it is also possible to define planning as the process through which each project is carried out of these activities.

What are the display strategies?

1. Decide your goal, Visualization and planning

Decide something you would like to have, something you would like to work on, or something you would like to do or create. You can place your goal at any level: a job, a house, a relationship, a change in personality, an increase in prosperity, a happier state of mind, better health, beauty, a better physical condition, or whatever.

2. Create a clear image or idea, Visualization and planning

Create an idea or mental image of the object or situation exactly as you want it. You should think about it in the present tense, as if what you want to exist already exists. Imagine yourself in that situation the way you want it, and include as much detail as you can.

You can also represent a real physical picture of that circumstance by making a “treasure map”. This is an optional step, which is not essential but is sometimes useful (and fun!).

3. Focus on it often, Visualization and planning

Reflect on your idea or mental image frequently, both in quiet meditation moments and spontaneously, whenever the idea arises throughout the day. In this way, it will become an integral part of your life; it will be more real to you, and you will project it more fruitfully.

Focus on it clearly but in a carefree and collected way. It is very important not to feel involved in a struggle too violent to achieve it or devote too much energy because it hurts more than it helps.

4. Give it positive energy, Visualization and planning

As you focus on your goal, think about it positively and encouragingly. Make resounding positive affirmations: that it exists, that you have already achieved it, or that you are going to achieve it. See yourself in the moment of receiving or achieving it. As you make these affirmations, let go of any doubts or mistrust you may harbor, at least for that moment, and get in the habit of cultivating the feeling that what you want is real and possible.

Keep going through this process until you achieve your goal or stop wanting it. Remember that plans often change before they are performed, which is inherent to the human process of change and development; therefore, do not try to prolong it beyond your energies. If you lose interest, it may mean that it is time to reconsider your wishes.

How to make a plan to achieve my goals? Visualization and planning

1. Set the goal and why you need to achieve it

2. Establish a timeline.

• • Where is your present?

• • Where is your future?

• • When do you want to reach your goal?

• • How far into the future do you think it will be?

3. Lay a sheet of paper on the timeline with the goal written on it.

It will represent the moment when you will reach the final destination.

4. Stand on the sheet in the “future” and associate yourself with that moment.

(You are there. You did it! Feel your achievement. What is it like? You are enjoying all those things that your goal brings you. You have everything you have planned.) Make sure you live that moment. You are truly in that moment in the future and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment. When you find yourself fully associated with the moment of achieving your goal, ask yourself: What did you do immediately before? Could you write it down? It has to be some action. Some people describe the feelings that brought them to that point. If that happens to you, ask yourself what action caused those feelings.

5. When you are ready, take a step back from your desired future.

6. Associate yourself with that new moment. Visualization and planning

When you have taken this step back in that action immediately before your goal, associate yourself with that new moment: What are you doing there? See and feel exactly what this step is like. Make it as real as you can.

7. Check yourself.

Check that you are fully associated with seeing what you would see with your own eyes, listening to what you would hear, and fully feeling the sensations you would feel. And then ask yourself, what did I do immediately before that moment to make it possible? Take note.

8. Take one step back. Visualization and planning

9. Keep repeating the same process until you get to the present moment.

Make sure there are at least five action steps (to ensure they are accurate), each described with a verb in the present tense and the first person: “I do such thing.”

10. When you are in the present moment, ask yourself what you think about the plan.

Get next to your timeline. What do you think of the program from this detached position? That will provide you with two forms of evaluation. One is to be in the present moment, observing the plan ahead. The other is a more detached vision, being next to the time and evaluating the steps more critically. Both perspectives are necessary.

11. Now, answer the following questions from both perspectives.

How do you feel about this plan? Is there anything you would like to change in the order of the steps? Do you think something important is missing? Are there any unnecessary steps?

12. From the position next to the timeline, assign a time to each step.

When should each step be completed? Take note of these deadlines. Check that they are realistic deadlines and not assumptions.

13. Return to the present moment. Visualization and planning

When you feel comfortable with the steps and deadlines, return to the present moment and walk toward your future goal, imagining each step of the way as you go. Use your notes to remind you of what is needed about steps and deadlines. You are exploring the steps again, this time from the present and into the future. Also, this way of preparing the action plan breaks the goal down into manageable stages.

Conclusion

Now that you know how visualization and planning can help you achieve your dreams, you can ensure that you achieve your goals and objectives in the best way.