Nairobi R at Junior Nationals

Visualize Your Success
Written by Invictus Member Nairobi Romero

We all know people who are driven; those individuals who will do anything and everything to reach their goals. But we also know others who struggle to stay motivated. Perhaps you are the one of these struggling individuals. What is it that the others are doing that is different from you? What can you do to get to the next level?

I have grown to understand the laws that exist in this universe. I have grown to observe more and to learn from not only my mistakes, but from other people’s as well. I have learned that failure is not a negative moment of time. It is a learning experience, another opportunity to do better, and a lesson on what not to do next time. It is a new beginning. Personally, I don’t dwell on the “What ifs”. When I have asked myself questions that have start with “what if” in the past, it was ruining my day and my life. I take every moment as an experience that is helping me grow as an individual. Taking things as they are happening FOR me and not TO me is saying, “I am in charge of my day. What I do now affects the next thing, therefore I am the creator and not the victim of circumstances.”

Here are 7 things you can do to stay motivated:

  1. Take it little by little, step by step.

  2. Set goals for yourself.

  3. Focus on progress, not perfection.

  4. Focus on yourself and enjoy those little (or big) PRs.

  5. Don’t compare yourself to others! Keep in mind we are all different and each one of us is on a different path

  6. Visualize your goals.

  7. BELIEVE in yourself.

Tips six and seven are very important. We must visualize success in order to achieve it.

Research has shown that visualization, or imagery, is a very helpful technique in which athletes prepare for a motor performance both physiologically and psychologically. There exists ample evidence that mental imagery has the potential to improve motor performance [1]. It is assumed that there is an optimal state of arousal where peak performance is achieved, and visualization can facilitate an athlete’s attempt to reach that optimal arousal level. It has been shown to improve performance by amping up an athlete’s concentration and, of course, their motivation. Athletes begin to see in their minds that their desired outcome is actually possible.

So the next time you are trying to achieve one of your goals, visualize yourself performing the movement perfectly and actually achieving that goal. See positive outcomes and envision succeeding over and over. Visualize this vividly and your actions will follow.

Things may get worse before they can get better, so keep your head up high and never give up. The struggle is part of the story.

References

Abdin, J., Imagery for Sport Performance: A Comprehensive Literature Review: https://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/193355/AbdinJ_2010-3_BODY.pdf?sequence=1

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Molly
Molly
March 12, 2015 11:39 am

That was a good one LifeCoach!!

Roz
Roz
March 11, 2015 4:52 pm

you’re my hero Nairobi-San!

Terran Travis
Terran Travis
March 10, 2015 9:57 pm

Way to go Nairobatron!!

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