Everyone can benefit from what elite athletes do to succeed.  One of the things that all of these athletes do is visualization.  Visualization, which can also be called guided imagery, is used in athletics, but can be used in business and in your personal lives.

Why is visualization important?  It allows you to practice the execution of a skill.  It also allows the practice to be in a safe, inexpensive, and controlled environment - your mind.  It allows you to practice for events that may not be easily simulated.  The correct mindset is created as you "see" the possibility that you will be a winner or successful.  It allows you to be more prepared for the stress involved with trying something for the first time since it doesn't seem so new.  Visualization also helps to create more focus both during practice and the event itself.  And, finally, it allows you to be more relaxed before, during, and after the event because your mind understands that you are prepared.

Probably one of the most important features of visualization is that it allows you to perform under pressure.  Performing under pressure is something that everyone needs to do at work, at home and at play.  Being able to perform under pressure is a critical factor in being able to win at whatever you are doing.  Performing well under these circumstances is a rewarding experience.

Visualization is also important in getting you into a "groove".  Think back to when you had a positive experience similar to the event that you want to go well.  Think back to when everything felt right, when you felt like you were in a "groove".  Being in a "groove" is what elite athletes are searching for.  When you are in your "groove", you are not only performing at your best but you are also enjoying the experience.  You are on top of the world.  We have all experienced this feeling from time to time but the key is to stay in your "groove" as much as possible in all aspects of life.

So, three more ingredients for a prosperous life are:

Visualization is practicing or previewing a positive experience.  To start, you need to find an environment that will not distract you from your visualization.  Then, in your mind, you go through the experience that you are preparing for. For a marathon runner, they may start with how they are going to get to the event and then prepare for the event.  This will be followed by how they get set at the start line and then what they are going to do for each of the 26 plus miles.  And, finally, they will visualize how they cross the finish line.  So, what is it that the athlete is visualizing.  Visualization is actually more than just the visual.  The athlete will pretend how each stage of the race feels, looks, smells, sounds and arguably tastes.  It is important to visualize the event as you would like it to happen.  And, you need to visualize in your head how you are going to react to potential problems and what those problems might be.

Be very careful not to start visualizing negativity and letting your worries play out in your head.  It can be easy to let these thoughts become dominant.  Don't!  Remember you are trying to reinforce the positive outcome and to displace the negative outcome.

Visualization can easily be translated to our businesses and our personal lives.  When you are meeting with an individual who may be a potential client, you can plan the outcome in your head.  When you have a goal you want to achieve, you can visualize the process of getting there.  When you have to confront a family member about a problem, you can visualize how you want the interaction to happen.