Dear Friend,
“How can you help me conquer my resistance to practicing my presentations?” That question was music to my ears because it meant that my client realized he was resisting, and he saw there was a benefit to preparing and practicing.
He knows that as a coach I can only do so much, and the rest—and his success—is up to him, as it is for each of us. Even though I can’t make you practice, I encourage you to try a visualization exercise because it provides a path to break through fear and resistance while laying the foundation to enjoy a successful experience next time you speak or approach any anxiety-producing activity.
Those who practice this technique—speakers, executives and especially the most quoted on the subject, high-performing athletes—swear that it helps them reach a level of calmness and feeling of confidence by simply being able to “see” what is possible.
There are many resources to support you in learning the most effective way to visualize. If you are interested in one that will walk you through the ideal speaking experience, click here to listen to and download a free copy of my Guided Visualization. Another great resource, if this is new to you, is Shakti Gawain’s book, Creative Visualization.
Here is a small sampling I hope will inspire you from some names you’ll most likely recognize who sing the praises of visualization:
According to swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, his success stems from first visualizing himself winning each race before he even stepped foot in the pool. Phelps claims he's been visualizing since he was seven years old, watching what he calls "his videotape" of the perfect swim in his mind each night before going to sleep to mentally map out his ideal swim for the next day.
“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe,” says Oprah Winfrey, media mogul, actress, author and philanthropist.
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the best (if not the best) professional basketball players of all time, once said, ‘’I visualized where I wanted to be, what kind of player I wanted to become. I knew exactly where I wanted to go, and I focused on getting there.”
“Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your mind’s eye and you’ll be drawn to it,” recommends Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich.
World Champion golfer Jack Nicklaus said, “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp in-focus picture of it in my head”.
“I have lived this day in my head so many times that it was somewhat surreal that it was actually happening," said 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Connor Fields before his winning race in Rio.
Tiger Woods was taught how to use visualization and imagery when he was a boy by his father, Earl. Tiger visualizes exactly where he wants the golf ball to go. He used visualization to become one of the best golfers in the world.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, five-time Mr. Universe and four-time Mr. Olympia, has not only used visualization for athletic success but also credits it for his success as a movie star. “When I was very young, I visualized myself being and having what it was I wanted. Mentally I never had any doubts about it.”
“I train myself mentally with visualization," said Camille Duvall, five-time World Champion and Hall of Fame water skier.
Paramahansa Yogananda taught that “proper visualization by the exercise of concentration and willpower enables us to materialize thoughts not only as dreams or visions in the mental realm but also as experiences in the material realm.”
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions,” said to Albert Einstein.
“The key to effective visualization is to create the most detailed, clear and vivid picture to focus on,” according to George St-Pierre, Mixed Martial Arts Champion.
“Creative visualization is magic in the truest and highest meaning of the word,” said Shakti Gawain, whose books have sold over 10 million copies.
The time you spend blocking out your worries, feeling a calmness coming over your mind and body and seeing the ideal outcome you choose for any situation is a valuable investment in yourself. Try it—you deserve it!
With gratitude,
Amy
Amy Ayoub
President, The Zen Speaker