Visualisation

Over the years as a therapist, coach and trainer one of the most frequent statements I hear from my students and clients is that they do not visualise.  They can’t/don’t see pictures in their mind.  And yet just as we use all our senses to experience the world, we also use them to think.  When remembering where we parked the car, put our keys etc; there will be a visual element to this.  That element may be so fast, automated that we cease to notice but it is still there at some level.

Visualisation refers to the process of forming mental images.  Many NLP techniques involve visualising, purposefully controlling the visual representational system.  Visualising may entail memories, fantasy, or a combination of them both.  Many people believe visualisation is a primary component of imagination and its an ability that many geniuses are believed to have; Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, Nikola Tesla, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, all ascribed their creative genius to their ability to visualise.

Many elite athletes use visualisation as part of their training for competitions; using these techniques not only to cultivate a competitive edge but also for mental awareness and a heightened sense of well being and confidence.  And its not only athletes that are utilising visualisation techniques; some of the worlds most influential and success people are practicing visualisation to realise their dreams and goals.

There are many examples of how visualising has assisted in increasing the development of physical skills.  In one study, a basketball team was split into two groups in order to practice "free throws."  One group physically practiced the shots whereas the other group mentally practice taking the shots.  When the two groups played to see whose performance had improved, those who visualised made more successful shots than the group who had actually practiced.

Your ability to use these techniques depend on how well you can visualise your future.

People tell me they don’t see anything when they close their eyes.  If asked to imagine a red square they say they know what a red square is but can’t actually see it unless there is one in front of them; yet on same level if there isn’t a red square in front of them they know what it looks like.  They have the ability to recognise things without being aware of actually creating an image in their mind.

When I first stated to learn NLP I remember discussing visualisation with my husband; he was adamant that he didn’t visualise.  He is an engineer and had designed and arranged the plans for our house.  I mentioned that I needed an extra electrical socket in my office; he looked at the wall and knew exactly where the electrical conduits were.  When I asked how he did this, he said he just knew where he had put them, after further investigation he realised that as he looked at the wall, he had placed the plans in his mind over the wall so that he knew where things were.  All this happened in a split second and so quickly that we needed to slow everything down before he was aware.

Apparently we spend about 50% of our time day dreaming, even when we are pre-occupied with work and other tasks our mind is also aware of everything going on around us; sights, sounds, smells etc.  This input triggers various responses from our sub-conscious mind which results in various memories, thoughts that run through our mind as images.  We are all creating images in our mind throughout the day and night when we sleep.

There are those who say they definitely do not have any images in their mind they may even say they don’t dream; yet sleep researches assure us that we have numerous separate dreams each night. 

By practicing  visualisation exercises you can learn how to become aware of the images created in you mind; and also make those images in your mind much clearer and easier to see.

EXERCISE: 

Make yourself comfortable, relax and close your eyes.  Remember an event that you really enjoyed; as you remember comment on your memories out loud.  As if you were telling a really good friend and wanted to paint a picture for them of what happened.

Practising in this way can help you become more aware of your mental images as well as improving your observational skills.

There is now evidence from Dr Win Wengers studies to show that by practicing visualisation exercises each day you can increase your memory, creativity, reading speed as well as your IQ.  Check out http://www.winwenger.com for more information on Dr Wengers work.

www.tina-taylor.com for Tina's latest CD Visualisation to help you improve your ability to visualise.