How creative visualization helped me raise $564,400

Do you have a major challenge on the horizon? You might want to consider creative visualization to manifest your goals. I am still shocked at how well it worked for me to raise $564,400 for one of my dearest clients. I had used creative visualization before to find a Ninja Turtles lunch box my son wanted and maybe a good parking space. But this project was something else entirely.

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The Challenge

I was invited to be part of an early afternoon presentation to a major fundraising group on a very competitive grant proposal I had developed for Dallas Children’s Theater. I was already scheduled to give another client presentation that morning and then needed to pick up my son Kory from school to bring him to the afternoon event. So, in addition to needing to wow the afternoon audience, my entire day's timing had to be exquisite.

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Visualization

The night before and early that morning, I visualized every step of the process, down to the streetlights turning green for me. I laid down, went through a deep relaxation exercise, and then pictured each step of my day: the morning presentation going well, Kory being ready to go when I got to his school, arriving on time to the children's theater presentation, speaking persuasively, Kory working his magic, and our group jumping for joy when we received a $564,400 grant.

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The Big Day

I was stunned when my actual day went just as I had visualized it; really even better. I rolled Kory in his wheelchair into the auditorium in plenty of time to tell the 150 women of the Crystal Charity Ball how the sensory-friendly program at Dallas Children’s Theater had changed our lives.

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As I began my presentation, I introduced my wonderful son, Kory, the most joyful person I’ve ever known. Then I talked about his challenges—his stroke, his seizures, his Down syndrome. I said that while Kory can be quite loud, ironically, he doesn't tolerate loud noises from others very well. I explained that after a few years of attending school and going to loud auditorium assemblies, Kory had developed a fear of auditoriums. He had begun to cry when we went to plays and even in church when people would clap or if the music was loud. I said I had reluctantly stopped taking him to church.

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But then, I told the Crystal Charity Ball members, we had the opportunity to take Kory to sensory-friendly performances at Dallas Children's Theater. At the first performance, Kory wore his headphones, he fidgeted a lot, and he was just kind of a mess. But that was just fine with everyone because their mission was to make us feel at home, and that was awesome, because HE MADE IT THROUGH.

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I continued to explain that, by the third show a few months later, Kory watched the full performance intently without headphones, and he didn't fidget. He and his brother had a great time. I ended with the happy news that we were now able to take Kory to church again. As I spoke, Kory shined his joyful light across the room. It’s the only standing ovation I’ve ever received (so far!).

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A few weeks later, the Crystal Charity Ball awarded Dallas Children’s Theater a $564,400 three-year grant for the sensory-friendly program. The grant allowed the program to grow and become an integral part of the theater so that tens of thousands of children like Kory and their families now have experienced the special gift of live theater.

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Creative visualization is not magic, but there does seem to be a certain power in setting and visualizing your intentions. If you’re intrigued by the practice of creative visualization, I’ve created a guided meditation that will walk you through the process I used. Please give it a whirl here: https://insighttimer.com/wordsmooth/guided-meditations/morning-creative-visualization-for-success-with-a-challenge

Patty Bates-Ballard is CEO WordSmooth, author of the book ACE-ing Conflict, co-author of the book Navigating Diversity, and developer of the Harvesting Respect communications education program. She has worked in the field of multi-cultural relations for more than 20 years. Her experience as a conflict resolution specialist, DEI educator, mediator, racial equity advocate, and mother of two boys all contribute to her to passion for effective communication across differences.