Strengthen Your Optimism and Wellbeing: Daydream and Visualise Your Best Possible Self
by Victor Perton
Visualisation and daydreaming are powerful human tendencies. They are very healthy and can be harnessed to make you more optimistic and more infectiously optimistic. Visualise your best possible self and imagine a future in which all your goals have been achieved. The experts suggest writing it down. I keep it in a document on my computer, which I review once a month. There's good evidence that it is a way of lifting yourself and those around you. Try it now.
The Power of Visualisation and Daydreaming
Visualisation and daydreaming are innate human behaviours that can be exceptionally beneficial when consciously directed. When we vividly picture success, joy, and happiness, we create a mental blueprint that guides our actions and attitudes towards achieving these outcomes. Imagining our best possible selves and a future where all our goals are realised can significantly enhance our optimism.
Practical Steps to Harness Visualisation
Imagine Your Best Possible Self
Set aside 15-20 minutes without distraction and find a comfortable place.
Pick a future date, ideally several years away - perhaps five years?
Assume you have accomplished everything you plan to do: Imagine everything has gone as well as possible.
Imagine yourself in the mirror five years from now, content after fulfilling your plans and still fostering aspirations for new adventures and experiences.
Visualise the deepened relationships with your family and the joyous moments you share.
Imagine your friends standing beside you, their company enriching your life's journey.
In your professional sphere, envision yourself contributing to a field you're passionate about and reaping satisfaction from your accomplishments.
Envision your future home as a sanctuary that reflects your personality, offering tranquillity amidst a week full of rewarding experiences.
In your free time, picture yourself joyfully engaging in activities you love, filled with enthusiasm and contentment.
Then, write a diary entry for that day in your life five years hence.
Spend ten minutes writing, vividly portraying your ideal day in the future.
Delve into your surroundings - have you chosen a holiday paradise, a dynamic workplace, or the comfort of your home?
Who is there sharing this perfect day with you?
How does the weather contribute to the ambience, and does a gentle breeze add freshness?
Are you savouring your favourite meal, perhaps accompanied by a cold, refreshing drink?
If it's a workday, what fulfilling tasks are you absorbed in?
Paint a picture of this perfect future day, detailing each enriching experience contributing to its perfection. Be creative, be vivid, and use doodles if you like.
Handwriting on paper, in a journal or on a computer? The general view is that it's better to handwrite, and it's whatever you prefer and where you'll best find it when you want to reread it.
Then, spend at least five minutes reflecting on that future day - go for a walk, sit in a chair, have a cup of coffee or tea and look out the window, imagining that day.
The Science Behind Visualisation
Research shows that visualisation can have profound effects on mental and physical wellbeing. By regularly envisioning positive outcomes, you prime your brain to recognise opportunities and take proactive steps towards your goals. This process enhances optimism and builds resilience as you become more adept at navigating challenges with a positive mindset.
Engaging Others in Your Vision
Sharing your visualisations with trusted friends or mentors can amplify the benefits. Discussing your goals and dreams with others creates a support network that encourages and motivates you. Additionally, your optimism can inspire those around you, creating a ripple effect of positivity and motivation.
Conclusion
Visualisation and daydreaming are not merely idle pastimes but powerful tools for enhancing optimism and wellbeing. By imagining your best possible self and future, documenting your visions, and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can create a compelling blueprint for success. This practice not only lifts your spirits but also has the potential to inspire and uplift those around you. Start today and experience the transformative power of visualisation.
How do you feel about implementing these suggestions? What steps will you take first to apply this advice?
During the COVID lockdown, Noirin Mosley, Jenny Boymal, and I developed an animated program called "The Habits of an Optimist." Our ideas on the practice and value of the habits have continued to develop, and we commend trying any of these for a week: