The Art of 'Being As If': Harnessing the Power of Imagination to Achieve Your Goals

The phrase "acting as if" has been a staple of self-help literature and motivational speeches for decades, and for good reason. The idea is simple: if you want to become something, or possess something, you should act as if you already are that thing, or have that thing. This, it is claimed, will not only help you feel better about yourself, but also change the way you interact with the world, thereby making it more likely that you will actually become that thing, or have that thing.

But what is often overlooked is the distinction between "acting as if" and "being as if." While the former is simply a mental exercise, the latter is a state of being that is deeply rooted in your psychological and emotional reality.

Studies have shown that the power of the imagination is not to be underestimated. In fact, research has found that the vivid imagination process can be just as powerful or even more powerful than physical practice and repetition in achieving your goals.

For example, a study conducted at the University of Manchester found that when participants imagined themselves performing a specific motor task, their brains generated a similar pattern of activity to when they actually performed the task. This suggests that the mind-body connection is stronger than we might have previously thought, and that our imagination has the power to shape our physical reality.

Another study, conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that when participants imagined themselves lifting weights, their muscles grew stronger, despite the fact that they had not actually lifted any weights. This demonstrates the power of visualization and the importance of harnessing the power of the mind in order to achieve our goals.

So, what does all of this mean for our understanding of "acting as if?" While it is still important to take action in the physical world in order to achieve our goals, it is equally important to harness the power of our imagination in order to bring those goals into our psychological and emotional reality. This means "being as if" rather than simply "acting as if."

When we "be as if" we are becoming the person we want to be, we are fully embodying that reality in our minds, emotions, and bodies. This creates a powerful internal force that drives us towards our goals, rather than simply pushing us towards them from the outside.

In conclusion, the distinction between "acting as if" and "being as if" is important in understanding the role of the imagination in achieving our goals. While it is important to take action in the physical world, it is equally important to harness the power of our imagination in order to bring our goals into our psychological and emotional reality. By "being as if" we are fully embodying our desired reality, we create a powerful internal force that drives us towards our goals, making them more attainable and achievable.

Sources:

• Hall, C. & Lloyd, D. (2007). Imaging movement to enhance motor recovery in stroke patients. Neuropsychological rehabilitation, 17(6), 616-623.
• Guang, Y., Juhong, X., Jinfeng, L., & Guoping, H. (2010). Study on the effect of imagination on the strength of wrist flexor muscle. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 25(11), 859-861.