Visualisation with a different lens

Week 95: Visualisation with a different lens

?

Visualization is widely recognized as a powerful tool for achieving goals. By mentally rehearsing desired outcomes, people can sharpen their focus, align their actions with their objectives, and build the emotional resilience needed to persist in the face of challenges. This technique has been popularized by athletes, entrepreneurs, and high achievers who visualize their success to maintain drive and achieve their ambitions. However, while visualizing success can be incredibly motivating for some, it doesn't always work, especially when motivation is lacking. In fact, when you’re feeling unmotivated, visualizing end goal success may have the opposite effect, increasing feelings of overwhelm and discouragement rather than propelling you forward.

?

The reason visualization doesn’t always work in unmotivated states is tied to the emotional gap between where you are now and where you want to be. When you're already feeling driven and focused, imagining yourself achieving your goals amplifies your existing motivation. You see the reward on the horizon, and this vision fuels your efforts. But when you're struggling to even take the first step, visualizing success can feel unattainable. Rather than serving as a motivator, it can create a psychological dissonance—a gap between your current reality and the ideal outcome. This gap can seem overwhelming, leaving you feeling paralyzed rather than energized.

?

In these moments, a different visualization technique can be more effective: visualizing failure of the end goal. While this may sound counterproductive, it taps into a psychological mechanism that drives human behaviour—the avoidance of pain and discomfort. When you're unmotivated, the fear of failure can be a stronger force than the lure of success. By vividly imagining the consequences of not achieving your goal, you introduce a sense of urgency and accountability that can snap you out of your inaction.

?

The Power of Failure Visualization

?

Visualizing failure works because it engages your brain’s natural tendency to avoid negative outcomes. Humans are wired to move away from pain and discomfort. When you're struggling to find motivation, imagining the worst-case scenario—what your life will look like if you don’t achieve your goal—creates a mental discomfort that pushes you to act. This discomfort acts as a trigger, compelling you to avoid the negative consequences you've just envisioned.

?

For example, if your goal is to finish a project, and you're feeling unmotivated, imagining the consequences of missing the deadline—disappointing your boss, losing credibility, or harming your career prospects—can be the mental push you need to start working. This type of negative visualization can jolt you into action, as your brain works harder to avoid the imagined pain of failure than to seek the distant pleasure of success.

?

When to Visualize Success

?

On the other hand, visualizing success is most effective when you’re already in a motivated state. In this case, it acts as a reinforcement tool, amplifying the positive emotions tied to your goal. When you're already making progress, visualizing success helps you maintain your momentum, deepening your sense of purpose and strengthening your resolve. It aligns your actions with the outcome you desire, providing an emotional boost that propels you further along the path to achievement.

?

Balancing Both Techniques

?

The key is to know when to use each visualization technique. When you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed, visualizing failure can create a sense of urgency and prompt immediate action. Once you're in motion and gaining momentum, visualizing success can help you sustain that effort and amplify your motivation. By alternating between these two strategies, you can effectively manage your motivation and maintain progress toward your goals.

?

In summary, while visualizing success is a powerful tool, it’s not always the best strategy when motivation is lacking. In those moments, imagining the consequences of failure can provide the necessary push to take action. By understanding and leveraging these two techniques, you can better navigate the ups and downs of the motivation cycle, ensuring steady progress toward your goals.