Visualization and the Creative Process

Athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders all credit visualization as an important part of their success.

For years and years I’d seen the advice to visualize myself achieving my goal. To see myself succeeding. Imagine how I’d feel when I’d accomplished my dreams.

It never really worked for me.

It always felt more like daydreaming or wishful thinking to me. No matter how hard I tried, I didn’t really believe it could happen.

I could visualize typing “the end” all I wanted, but I still struggled with writer’s block, procrastination, and daily distractions.  I’d eventually finish my book idea, but it would take me two or three times as long as I’d planned.

Focusing on the end reward of achieving the goal wasn’t enough to keep me on task day to day. It wasn’t enough to overcome the siren call of a new book or twitter or even just an afternoon nap.

A twist on the advice

Then I stumbled over a different approach. (And I really wish I could remember where I saw it first, because I’d love to thank them.)

Instead of visualizing the end goal, the idea is to visualize the process. Imagine myself repeating the daily habits that will get me to where I want to be. Contemplate the obstacles I’ll face and visualize the ways I can overcome them.

That way, when I come face to face with a problem, I already have a mental map how to get around, go over, or push through the problem.

What I visualize now

Now, I imagine my day to day accomplishments, rather than some nebulous end goal. I see myself sitting down and typing, feel myself in the flow. I envision how easy the words and ideas come to me.

I think about the tug of distraction and focus on the satisfaction of staying on task rather than the disappointment of giving in to procrastination.

I let myself envision getting stuck on a scene. I walk myself through not giving up. Watch myself go through the steps I know will eventually get me unstuck…

Reading through notes and outlines. Scribbling random thoughts on scrap paper. Taking the dog for a walk and getting struck with inspiration…

Then I visualize sitting back down in front of the computer and falling back into the flow of writing again.

Instead of imagining typing the end, I visualize a calendar. I see myself checking off a simple, achievable goal every day until I reach the circled date that signifies finishing on time.

For me, process is more important than completion

I need to visualize and reinforce how I work EVERY DAY. I need to have pre-planned how I’ll face off against the obstacles I put in front of myself.

What kind of visualization works for you?