Gaining Confidence and Success Through Visualization

We are more confident when we are in comfortable situations. When we’re surrounded by people and places we know, it gives us a sense of security. We feel relaxed, loose. We perform better under these conditions.

The unknown, although I wouldn’t call it terrifying, scares me. It makes my heart rate go up. My mind races about the endless possibilities. Anything could happen. Even though a lot of good things could happen, I tend to think of the negative consequences. Its unnecessary worry.

But, what if you put yourself into a situation where you could be more comfortable, even if you haven’t been in that real-life situation before?

I’ve found that visualization is a tremendous tool. It’s helped me feel more confident in situations that would have caused me great anxiety without it.

I started using this technique about 30 years ago. I was a baseball fanatic and had dreams of being a major league player. Back then we didn’t have the facilities that we have today, so I used to practice in my bedroom during the winter months.

I would pretend I was in the batters box, facing the pitcher. Most of the time I had a bat in my hand, but sometimes I didn’t. I would visualize my entire trip to the plate. Not everything was a strike and I would visualize how different pitches would come in, and visualize how a pitcher would try to work me, set me up. Would he throw a curve here, a fastball, a change-up? I would have to adjust my swing to where the pitch came in and the pitch that was thrown.

It was good practice for those months when I couldn’t go outside and hit a live baseball. When spring would come around and a new season would begin, I was confident that I could hit anything that was thrown my way in actual games. I had prepared myself through my mental preparation with the visualization techniques.

I’ve used this visualization technique throughout my life. When I’ve had to give presentations, prepare for interviews, when I know I’m going to meet people. I play the scenario in my head before I am in the situation. It helps me to be more confident.

I also use it in another sport now, golf. I go over the holes in my head before I play them. What will each shot look when I play it? Then when I’m on the course, I’m confident that I can replicate the same result. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are just a few of the greats that have used visualization to fuel their success.