Visualizing the things you want in life can improve your chances of success. Of course, that depends on what you’re trying to achieve. But for realistic goals, needs, and wants, visualization techniques can take you quite far. It’s all about using the imagination to see yourself winning.
It’s along the lines of “manifesting,” only you’re envisioning success and then taking action to make it happen.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you can visualize it, you can achieve it.” It’s semi-accurate, as you still need to put in the effort. However, visualizing can be exceptionally helpful, especially as a writer.
Why Visualizing Success Is Helpful
Visualization techniques have been around for many years. They are often used to analyze outcomes should certain situations arise, such as predicting future movements when playing chess, or preparing for an important task to the last detail.
According to experts, visualization helps as the brain processes the information differently. It’s already prepared and improves emotional control and boosts performance.
In my case, I visualize scenes in my books while listening to certain types of music. Each book has its own theme song, which only boosts the experience as I’m visualizing the scene I’m about to write, while the music helps boost memory and relaxation.
The end result is writing some of the best scenes and dialogue for the story.
Writing a book isn’t the only way a writer can capitalize on visualizing success. It can work to help you relax before an event, help build motivation to keep productive, and otherwise inspire you to take action regarding certain tasks.
For example, can you visualize a release party in a grand hall for an upcoming bestseller? It sounds extreme, but continued practice can help build the foundation of that experience. Then, all you need to do is follow through with the appropriate action.
9 Pros and Cons to Visualizing Success
Improving Focus
Visualizing has a way of focusing the mind on various tasks. Experts say that it “calms” the mind to improve concentration and memory recall.
While I take breaks from writing, I visualize how a scene would look if it were made into a movie or television series. This includes details that I would include in the book, which I then add when I am ready to write. And the more often I visualize the scene, the more natural it seems.
However, I also write very cinematically. Meaning, I am purposely writing as if I am directing a scene I would like to see on the screen.
Relaxing the Mind
Experts also attest to how the calming nature of visualizing reduces stress and anxiety. In a safe environment, you can process difficult situations with more clarity by being in a relaxed state.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a writing project, scene, or plot, I am able to process the task in chunks. I am far less stressed about where a story is headed if I’ve already visualized how it will continue.
Increasing Optimism and Positivity
Perhaps one of the more prominent reasons for visualizing success is to boost optimism and positivity. Seeing yourself victorious fuels hope, especially if you’re being realistic.
For instance, I could sit here and visualize being a best-selling author. It’s optimistic, fueled by a positive thought. However, I also need to consider how I’m going to get to that point. I’ll go over taking action in a moment, but optimistic ideation is always beneficial to help keep you in a positive frame of mind.
Building Motivation
Visualizing success is great for motivation. If your expectations are realistic, and the visual feels real enough, it’ll empower you to take action. Instead of dwelling on procrastination, you’ll be more productive due to motivation.
When I visualize a scene in my books, I truly get excited. I want to do nothing more than write that particular scene or include a nice bit of dialogue that I envisioned in that scene.
Boosting Confidence
Confidence is one thing a lot of new writers lack. But visualizing success can help build up a sense of self-worth, delivering an attitude that you can, indeed, “do it.” You’ll start to believe that your goals are achievable and not outside of your grasp.
If you visualize yourself succeeding, you’re essentially talking yourself into a highly positive mindset. The ideation will make you feel good, and you’ll want to keep feeling that way in the real world.
Improves Problem-Solving
A lot of people will use visualization techniques to help solve problems. In a nutshell, these techniques offer a kind of rehearsal, allowing you to plan for best and worst-case scenarios. Thus, your ability to make rational and logical decisions improves.
For a writer, this could mean foreseeing plot holes or perhaps combating the dreaded writer’s block. Maybe you need a way for your character to solve a problem in the story. Visualizing can help your mind sort through all kinds of issues for yourself and your character development.
A Lack of Proper Action
Visualizing your success is only part of the equation. To see those dreams come to fruition, it takes action on your behalf. And this is where a lot of folks fall short, as they don’t put in the proper amount of effort to succeed.
Visualizing without action merely means you’re daydreaming, which isn’t necessarily bad. However, you can’t bank on success on a dream alone. You have to consider all of the actions and potential actions to be truly successful.
Unrealistic Expectations
Being unrealistic with your visualization can lead to disappointment. Of course, you want to envision only the best outcomes, but what if those expectations are beyond reality?
For instance, a lot of new authors envision becoming the next best-selling, millionaire author. But for that to happen, there are thousands of variables to consider, which are often outside the realm of possibility. The end result is feeling frustrated and disappointed, which could then lead to you giving up altogether.
Oversimplification
It’s easy to oversimplify something, especially if you haven’t put in the effort to research the necessary steps to be successful. For instance, it takes more than being able to write a coherent sentence to be a world-class author.
Want to be a star quarterback? It takes more than just being able to throw a ball straight.
My point is that you don’t want to oversimplify that which you dream about. Otherwise, you’re filling your head with unrealistic expectations that I mentioned a moment ago.
How to Realistically Visualize Your Success
A guide to visualizing the things you want most and how to achieve them.
- Be Realistic
Before visualizing any kind of success, be realistic with yourself and what you’re seeking. It’s OK to swing for the fences, but realize the more grandiose the idea, the more effort you’ll need to put in.
- Begin with a Clear Vision, Rich in Details
There are a couple of ways you can go about visualizing. Most will suggest a more meditative state, being relaxed with focused breathing while “seeing” what you want. I’ve done this myself on many occasions.
However, I tend to do more of listening to music relevant to the situation while going on a 20-minute walk. Not only does the music help focus and drive, but the exercise is also good for brain processing power and relaxation. - Involve All The Senses, If Possible
While visualizing, try to sense everything. This includes sight, smell, touch, and sound. You could also include taste, depending on the situation.
The more detailed the sensory input, the more vivid the experience. This leads to a stronger sense of self and belief that you will succeed. - Envision the Actions As Well
Don’t just focus on the outcome. Visualize the actions necessary to get you to that point. Remember, action is the other part of success when you’re visualizing.
For example, let’s say you’re visualizing becoming a best-selling author. What marketing measures were envisioned? Do you see yourself learning to write better? Are you self-publishing or visualizing an agent accepting your book? How are people going to find your book to buy it? Are you being interviewed by the local news, and why? - Consistent Practice
Visualizing is more than just a one-and-done if you’re building on success. It often requires consistent practice; perhaps once per day would suffice. This keeps the ideas in mind while keeping you grounded in what needs to be done.
When I walk about, thinking about my book or specific scenes, I do so about twice per day. You may not need to commit to your own visualizing techniques as often, but make sure you’re consistent. - Make a Checklist for Action
As you’re visualizing, make a checklist of the steps you need to take based on your mental imagery. Then, research those ideas and what is needed to be successful.
I often use mind mapping to help break down ideas and what needs to be done to achieve certain goals. Perhaps you could do something similar to help keep you on track.
Visualization Can Only Go So Far
As I pointed out earlier, visualizing your success is only half of the equation. You need to take action if you want those dreams to become a reality. That’s where a lot of people will fail. Not because the action is too difficult, but because of the work it may entail.
Sticking with my example of being a best-selling author, there are a lot of variables that come into play. Marketing, visibility, superior writing skills, personal popularity, and an interesting story are only part of writing a best-selling book.
A lot of the more grandiose dreams and aspirations come with grandiose requirements. However, most are not outside the realm of possibility of realistic goals. They may be time-consuming, but the process is usually worth it in the end.
Take my book, Shadows of Atlantic City, for example. It took me almost two years to the day to write and publish the book. Nearly every day, I envisioned the success of finishing, and now, I’m working on the marketing aspect.
Thanks to taking the Reedsy masterclass for How to Write a Novel, in addition to visualizing, I feel Shadows is my best book to date. In this case, the masterclass was one of the actions I took to help drive the success of the novel.
At the end of the day, success in writing Shadows wasn’t something that I could achieve in a single night. Some things are going to take time to build. Yet, consistently visualizing your success will keep you on the path until you reach those aspirations.
Just make sure your dreams and ideas are realistic. It’s highly doubtful that you’ll spontaneously develop mutant superpowers. Then again, you could get signed on as an actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Visualizing Success Can Help
The human mind is an amazing tool when used properly. Through various practices, you can train your mind to accomplish so much more than just sitting around on the couch, watching television. You could convince yourself of your abilities and do something grand.
Visualizing your success in those instances is only one of many ways your mind can improve your life. It may sound a bit holistic or “new agey” for some. But in reality, it could ultimately change your life for the better in profound ways.
Try visualizing for yourself to experience the outcome. Even if it’s something minor, see if the process helps you feel more motivated and determined to see things through to the end.
I know for me, visualizing is one of the cornerstones for helping me write and publish books. And I’ve imagined some amazing scenes that I hope to show on YouTube in live-action form someday soon.
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