Visualization critical to goal accomplishment

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Muth
  • 60th Dental Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  No doubt many of us have made some New Year's resolutions for self-improvement or work-related goals we intend to accomplish in the near-term. I would like to share a series of steps which I have used to effectively attain some of my goals.

Visualization establishes a mental picture of a successful accomplishment and can be a helpful strategy that makes us more likely to reach our goals. First, imagine yourself executing the steps necessary to achieve your goal. Instead of programming your brain to think "I'm there." you're programming your brain to do the work that will get you there.

When you're going after goals, you want to see yourself from the outside, as if you were watching yourself in a movie. When you see yourself doing something in your mind, you are compelled to go do it.

Combine optimism with realism. List some of the great things that will happen if you reach your goal. Make these objective results. Then, list some of the hurdles that would get in the way of your dream. Imagine the great things that will come when you achieve your goal until you feel inspired and motivated. Then immediately choose a hurdle and find a way to overcome the hurdle. Instantly, solutions come to mind.

Making a step-by-step plan is a great way to start reaching your goals. The best plans are concrete, measurable and time-based. You should confidently be able to check each step off your list.

However, you must realize even the best-laid plans can fall to pieces when confronted by the chaos of the real world.

A plan isn't going to be your ultimate solution. A plan is a tool for transforming a big goal into bite-sized chunks. A huge goal may be intimidating, but small chunks are much more doable. It's like the old joke, how does the pygmy eat an elephant? Answer, one bite at a time. The process of planning forces you to think through your goal and learn more about the factors that will lead to success. If part of your planning is talking to people who have reached the goal you want, you'll have a network of people who can help by the time you get started.

When you decide your dream or goal, start telling people. When you publicly say you'll do something, you're just more likely to do it. Write it down and give copies to your family, significant other or co-workers. When you tell friends what you're doing, they can help you seek opportunities.

Track the progress you make towards your goal. Track both the accomplishments and the effort. That way, even if you think you're going nowhere, you can remind yourself how far you've come.

Finally, reward yourself when you take actions toward your goal. Experiences make you happier than things, so reward yourself with special experiences. You don't need to be fancy. Schedule a night out with family or friends. Go bowling, take a trip. Enjoy.

Realize your goals today. The right visualization techniques will get you started towards your dream. Visualize from the third person, and combine optimistic inspiration with realistic problem-solving. Give yourself an added boost with a step-by-step plan, a public declaration, and a progress log and don't forget a creative reward for a job well done. Happy New Year.