The Power of Visualization4 min read

Our minds are super complex. They help us figure out what we want to eat for breakfast (or maybe not because, welp, you don’t know what you want), what we want to wear for the day, and even deciding if we want to continue that trash relationship with a significant other ( bitter? No of course not, pfftuhh ). But what about that golden question that you get asked during interviews? Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? Let’s dive into the power of visualization.

” The RAS is a collection of neurons and nerves that connect our spinal cord to our brain ”

Can you say reticular activating system? The RAS is a collection of neurons and nerves that connect our spinal cord to our brain. It acts as a filter for the information we process so we don’t “short out” and we can retain information that we deem important.

For example, you’re at a group dinner. You’re enjoying conversation with your friends at the dinner table. All of a sudden someone calls out your name like Jada Pinkett Smith did in B.A.P.S. Your attention immediately deviates from your group, and the focus now is who is calling my name? That my friend is your RAS. What does it have to do with visualization though?

” When you change the way you think, you change the way you live, and when you change the way you live, you change your life. That’s the power of visualization.”

Your RAS can be trained or retrained to focus on what’s important to you. When you’re able to realign your neurological pathways, you can change the way you think. When you change the way you think, you change the way you live, and when you change the way you live, you change your life.

I say realign because if you didn’t know this information beforehand then you’re most likely stuck with an old way of thinking. An old you. Now if you’re perfect, ignore this post. Go home Roger! But if you’re like me, an imperfectly perfect human, you’ve come to realize that hey, I can definitely make this world a better place by becoming a better person. How can we do that? By changing our neurological pathways through visualization.

Brace yourselves, because I’m about to tell a story. It’s a short one, I promise.

One extraordinarily, spectacularly, wonderful day, I went to work. (This is getting exciting huh?)

Now because most jobs offer a lunch break, I took one. On my lunch I decided to watch some self improvement videos on YouTube and fell upon a video that spoke about manifesting your wants and needs through RAS and visualization.

Maybe like, 5 minutes deep into this video, I began to envision my 6 bedroom 6 and a half bath home secluded by the forest and nature.

Everything starts with a dream, so stop laughing at me, OK?

Then I thought to myself, how can I envision what I’ve never seen? Anywho, I finished up my lunch and video and went on about my day.

In a world of side gigs, I decided to try one using a food delivery service.

That day I decided to go online and accept offers. My first offer took me deep into the suburbs. Lots of shrubbery, and trees. I had to go through a multi million dollar home gated community. As I passed through, I saw the exact house I had attempted to envision earlier while watching the YouTube video.

The point is that you really just have to believe and trust in the process. It really is that simple. You don’t need to know where you’re going all the time, so long as you follow the right path to your dreams. For a thought so simple to have crossed my mind and manifested that same day is all the motivation I need.

We all have dreams for our wants and desires in life. Of course you can’t just dream without action. That’s faith without works. And faith without works is dead. Can I get an Amen?!?

The power of Visualizing your future is the first step. It’s like demanding a call for action by way of the universe. The universe guides you along the way, but you still have to put gas in the car and drive, get on that bike and pedal, or take that bus.

” I would visualize things coming to me. It would just make me feel better. Visualization works if you work hard. That’s the thing. You can’t just visualize and go eat a sandwich. “

Jim Carrey