Random Thoughts on Random Words - Day 22 Visualization

Visualization has gained a lot of attention in recent times all over the world, particularly after the publication of the book 'The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne in 2006.The book discusses the "Law of attraction" for the application of which, the technique of visualization and an attitude of gratitude are  key requirements. In today's post, let us try to understand as to what exactly is "Visualization" and to what extent  we can use it in our lives to attract success in various dimensions such as health, wealth, career or relationships.  Visualization can be simply defined as  " the technique of using your imagination to create what you want in life"  

In the visualization process you close your eyes and imagine in detail whatever it is you want in your life, with all the five senses. It involves not only 'seeing' the pictures in your mind's eye, but 'hearing/ listening' to the words spoken, 'feeling' and experiencing the related 'smell/taste' etc.  'visualization'  propels the associated emotions within, that  inspires/ motivates you to act  for achieving your goals. The more detailed your visualization, the closer your goal will appear to you. As for example, if you would like to be a successful orator, you visualize yourself standing confidently before the mike, see your audience listening to you in rapt attention. In  the 'Visualization' exercise, you also hear your voice as you speak, the applause from the audience as also experience the feelings of elation even as you catch the smell of the perfume sprayed in the air conditioned auditorium. 

Long before 'Visualization' was introduced to me as a formal concept, I had come across traces of the idea when I listened to a trainer Dr Mathew speak of his experiences in a training program. At that time, I was working in BEML Ltd Bangalore as HOD of Training and development. One day the Director (HR) called and told me "I have come to know that a Dr Mathew, a psychologist, who is based out of Ernakulam district Kerala undertakes training programs which are effective. You contact him and if you find him suitable, arrange a program; if it is good we can consider more programs." I contacted Dr Mathew and came to know that one of his flagship programs was for "Employees retiring in 3-4 years" wherein he would give inputs for psychologically preparing  participants for the many changes ahead and also equip them with financial information that would enable them to plan for a secured life after retirement.  

In his program Dr Mathew shared lot of personal stories. He belonged to a middle class agricultural family which consisted of nine siblings including himself. Therefore their aspirations were modest. However, one of the older brothers, got an opportunity to visit Japan in a work related assignment. On his return, he explained in detail about his trip, including visits to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki before all the members of his large family, who listened in wonder and rapt attention.

 Years later, Dr Mathew got a scholarship to study in Manila from where he made a visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the cities bombed by the US during the second world war. When his brother was giving details of his visit years ago, Dr Mathew had visualized the pictures in his mind and had an intense desire to visit those places himself. The story does not end here. Dr Mathew on returning from Japan recounted his experiences before all family members. A few years later, his younger brother got an opportunity to visit Japan. When he returned, he told Dr Mathew "Brother, remember you were narrating to us so many years ago about your trip to Japan; I was imagining myself then of going there too with intense feeling and expectation and now it has happened.  Dr Mathew says he was shocked to notice the pattern and was convinced that if we 'see' ourselves as achieving something, accompanied by an emotion of ardent desire, we would achieve it. 

The program was very well received by the participants who were very appreciative and thankful that the management cared for their welfare post retirement as well. We did a few more programs when the Director Marketing objected to doing them for two reasons (1) Training programs should be given only to those who can give back something to the company. Training employees with  less than 4 years of service is a sheer waste, more so as content of this program is useful to the employee and  not to the company (2) There are no dearth of trainers in Bangalore city, then why go in for a trainer from far away bearing his travel cost as well. Although we had to discontinue the  program, I believe  that such programs  go a long way in  raising the brand image of a company. The retired employees would recall such gestures with fondness and serve as the company's brand ambassadors for life. 

Studies show that visualization increases athletic performance by improving motivation, coordination and concentration of the athletes. It helps to reduce fear and anxiety. Visualization helps sports persons to do what they have already done so many times in their imagination; this gives them the confidence, poise and perfection. Visualization was first applied during the 1984 Olympics; Russian researchers found that the those who practiced visualization experienced a positive impact on their biological outcomes and performance. A pre- performance Visualization routine accomplishes 3 main physical goals (1) Stabilizes the motor pattern (2) Adds consistency and (3) Establishes a rhythm. Steve Nash, NBA's (National basket ball association of America) all time free throw percentage leader, imagines the ball going through the basket and also feels the shot during his imagination/ visualization exercises.  

Visualization can be similarly employed for attracting wealth. health or relationships. The only problem in relationships is that you cannot ask for the love and affection from a 'particular' person as it also involves the free will of the other person. Instead, you can visualize the various qualities that you would like to see in your partner and the universe will bring you someone most suitable and better than what you could have imagined. The emotion while visualizing should be of a positive expectancy. Many people do the exercise from a place of lack and feelings of frustration and anger. They find that their goal is elusive because the high vibration of what they want and the low vibration of what they are feeling now do not match. The trick is to get into the feeling and vibration of having already attained whatever it is that you want.   

My own experience with visualization has been pretty good. I first attempted it along with my team members while working in the corporate office in BEML Ltd in 2000. we visualized working harmoniously and supporting each other. Later in 2009 while working as the HOD of learning and development in Hyundai Motor India Ltd we engaged in a visualization exercise focusing on better attendance at the training programs, getting required resources and support from management for our department and harmonious working. Remarkable improvements were noticed in all these areas within 30 days of the exercise.

Energized by this success, I spoke to a few team leaders of the plant/ factory departments who were open to the experiment . visualization exercises were introduced to a few team members in their departments. The visualization included (1) imagining your internal customer coming and congratulating you for great service (2) everyone working with proper safety precautions and wearing PPEs (3) Each member supporting each other to achieve targets etc. 

One of the requirement of the visualization exercise is consistently practicing  everyday for 15 to 20 minutes for a minimum of 21 days ( Practicing something for 21 days, makes it auto pilot and it gets registered in the subconscious mind). We did the exercise for 21 days, but the challenge was to get the same people everyday for the visualization exercise. On the shop floor, employees work in shifts with one set of employees  moving to another shift in the succeeding week.  Although the team leaders reported some positive changes, it could not be pursued in an optimum manner since it clashed with shop floor priorities. At an individual/personal level, I would give visualization a lot of credit for my success and recognition as a writer/poet.

I would like to end this post with the assertion that 'Visualization' is a virgin area, yet to be explored for its full potential. At an organizational level, it has been difficult to experiment and practice as most people still consider new path breaking techniques like Neuro linguistic programming (NLP), Law of attraction and Emotional freedom technique as woo- woo. Whatever, experiments, I did was done quietly without fanfare with a hope of bringing it to mainstream after benefits are noticed and acknowledged by my internal customers in the organization.

Readers may like to experiment for themselves and come to their own conclusion as to whether this technique  is 'their cup of tea' and whether it works for them. We can start with small goals in the beginning and set bigger goals with each success. . Apart form Rhonda Byrne 's book, "The Secret",  readers may also like to check out "Power of the subconscious mind" by Joseph Murphy, "Ask and it is given by Esther Hicks & Jerry Hicks and "Creative Visualization" by Shakthi Gawain. 

Happy visualization!  May you have abundance in all areas of your life!

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