If you can see it, hear it, and feel it, you can accomplish it. As a business owner, you can get where you want to go by acting like you’ve already done it. Here’s what you need to know.
Left-brain or right? When it comes to business – and, more specifically, business leaders – left-brain thinking tends to dominate. This is the side that is generally associated with logic and analysis. The right side is usually thought of as more creative and, if it has any place in business, is typically considered best left to the marketing department.
Leaders who want to take their businesses to another level may want to shift their thinking, however. It could be time for them to utilize something they may not have tapped into since they were kids: their imaginations. This is at the heart of creative visualization.
What is creative visualization?
Creative visualization involves “using all the senses to create a mental movie of what you want to happen.” This technique has long been used by athletes before matches or games as a kind of mental rehearsal. They imagine exactly what will occur during the event, which helps quell nerves and lets someone fulfill the if-you-can-see-it-you-can-do-it prophecy. Growth-focused business leaders have also started using this tactic in recent years, and to great effect.
What can creative visualization do?
Creative visualization has immense power, just ask 1-800-GOT-JUNK founder Brian Scudamore, who used it to turn his stagnant business into a hugely profitable company. The method allows growth-focused business leaders to:
Develop a clearer vision
How will you ever achieve what you want if you’re not sure what you want to achieve? Clarity is key, and “visualization helps people get clearer about aims and objectives.” This is especially important when dealing with failure, believing in the vision will act as your guiding light.
Improve flow
Visualization can also increase “flow,” or the mental state you get into when you’re completely engrossed with a task. This type of tunnel vision is excellent for keeping focused while eliminating self-consciousness. People tend to perform better without worry or doubt, too.
Deal with uncertainty
These days, being able to quickly adapt to changing circumstances is paramount. It pays to have a plan in place that will give you a better idea of what to do when things aren’t going exactly as planned. Visualization allows you “to establish a clear end state that will guide all of the unforeseen decisions that have to be made; so many of the tactical operations involved in achieving that end state will be completely unpredictable.”
Having a set idea of what you want to achieve is key to getting any business venture or company growth strategy off the ground. Coupling that with the ability to get into a true, uninterrupted groove while minimizing your ability to second-guess your decisions may just lead to the business success you’ve been hoping to see.
How to start becoming a creative visualizer
Harnessing the power of visualization may sound complicated, but it’s a lot easier than you realize. Give it a try by following these steps:
Calm your mind
Thinking of visualization as a kind of meditative practice can help you begin. You’ll want to find a quiet place that’s relaxing, typically away from your computer or phone so you will not get distracted by emails and notifications. Take a deep breath and try to clear your mind. Also, try not to keep an eye on the clock. Set an alarm if you’re worried about missing an upcoming meeting, as you may become engrossed in the process once you get into it.
Dig into what you want to accomplish
Thinking about where you want to go is just the jumping-off point. You also need to see it, hear it, and feel it. For example, don’t just think about a sale being done. Instead, visualize all the steps involved in doing it. See yourself finding the prospect, giving the pitch, and completing the sale. It may also help if you imagine yourself in the future where all the stuff you want to achieve has already happened. Then you can work backward to figure out how you got there.
Ignore the negative thoughts
It’s common for even growth-focused business leaders to be filled with doubt when they begin this process. Your brain – probably that pesky, logical left side – will immediately conjure up an assortment of reasons why you won’t be able to reach your goals. Let it all go. Don’t dwell on it. Remember, you’ve already gotten everything you want (in the future), so now just focus on the steps you need to take.
Focus on others
You won’t be able to get where you want to go by yourself. Your creative visualization has to involve the people who will also be part of your journey. Considering their feelings and motivations – in other words, practicing empathy – can help you get a clearer vision of where you want to go and how everyone can succeed.
Share your vision
Now that you have your vision and how you will see it to fruition, it’s time to tell people about it. Let everyone within the organization know. On top of getting people excited, telling others means you’re making a commitment you will be more likely to follow through on.
If part of your visualization as a growth-focused business leader involves having a world-class sales team, that’s something MetaGrowth Ventures can help you with. Get in touch to learn how we can have them trained and ready to go very quickly.
Written by
Joe Arioto