Does Visualization Work?
If you have read the hugely popular book ‘The Secret’ you will have read that, in order to get anything you want, all you need to do is visualize it and it will come to you. 
I tried it last night with a pizza in fact. I sat in my chair and visualized a pizza. I chanted, read affirmations and willed the pizza to appear. Guess what happened?Not a lot as you have probably already guessed. What the so called ‘new age’ personal development gurus are selling is a dream I’m afraid. They have tapped into the gold vein of personal development which is telling people they can get whatever they want a) without any effort and b) without moving out of their comfort zone.
I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that. Even all the gurus from The Secret such as Bob Proctor worked for many years to get what they wanted. They found out the real secret which is:
- Work out what you really want
- Set a plan to get there
- TAKE MASSIVE ACTION
So step 3 is the catch. The action bit. It involves consistent effort, working through challenges and roadblocks and keeping your motivation. Of course, telling people something they know but don’t want to hear isn’t very good for business. Hence the multi-billion dollar self help, cosmetics, fitness and diet industry.
Oh well.
Paul Browning
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11 Comments
I laughed when I first read this post, because it makes me think of the State Farm (insurance) commercial in the U.S. In the commercial the people say a line and visualize what they want to appear, and it happens. Well, my 8 y/o loved this concept and gave it a try. To her surprise and disappointment, it did not work. Welcome to the real world, honey.
It is sad, but our society has become lazy. “Consistent effort” is a foreign concept to most people, especially the younger generations. They want the prize without any of the work.
They are selling a dream. The unfortunate part is that they are making a fortune from fluff. Someone is buying into it.
Step 3 really is the key. You must take action. You must work towards your goals daily. Every action you make can determine whether or not you meet your goal.
Right on! You must be active! Wishing & sitting on your bum will get you nowhere. Not in business. Not in your personal life.
The self-help industry earns millions, if not billions of dollars per year. Many people buy into these types of ideas. Why is it called ‘self-help’ if someone else is telling you how to fix you?
Everything starts with a dream, or idea. The key is learning how to turn your vision into reality. Taking action is the answer. You have to be unrelenting in your quest to make your vision come true.
Does this concept not just work for those who sell the books and have “borrowed” the idea from someone else.
Do they not just sit back and visulise all the money rolling in from those daft enough to by the books.
If you want it, there is only one way you are going to get it and that is work for it.
Robert
I wish it was as simple as just visualizing things. I have been reading the same kind of thing, and while I think it is helpful for brainstorming, I agree with you that is must be followed up with actions. Otherwise you are just playing pretend the way my daughter pretends she is a princess.
I like the “take massive action” part of your plan. Hard work and determination go a really long way.
There is definitely a big difference between imagining and doing. Being pro-active means that you take action. Too many people think that visualizing a better life is the easy way out.