Visualization and Job Search

📷 VISUALIZING YOUR FUTURE IS IMPORTANT FOR JOB SEARCH[/caption]

WHAT IS VISUALIZATION AND HOW CAN IT HELP MY CAREER GOALS?

Visualization helps to define goals. Visualizing a goal versus verbalizing a goal makes it more believable for you because it is more concrete in your psyche. If you can actually see yourself accomplishing your career goals-it has more impact. The key difference here is mental imagery. Research has found that both physical and psychological reactions can be improved with visualization. In fact, many elite athletes use visualization (or mental imagery) techniques during their training to accomplish their goals.

As a world-renowned body builder and politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger used visualization to accomplish his goals. "I had this fixed idea of growing a body like Reg Park’s. The model was there in my mind; I only had to grow enough to fill it,” he explained. "The more I focused in on this image and worked and grew, the more I saw it was real and possible for me to be like him.” Later when he became a politician, Schwarzenegger said he employed similar mental tricks (see link).

When it comes to job search these techniques are critical to employ so that you are clear on WHO you want to be. Many job seekers, like students and career changers, aren’t yet sure what they are looking for and haven’t yet defined their career path.

When you are still exploring job options and do not have a defined career path, it is helpful to channel decision making by asking yourself the following question: “Will this decision help me to grow into the person I aspire to be?”

One of my favorite quotes of all time was by the legendary Steve Jobs who I believe understood the power of visualization. His career path was not always clearly laid out and often he had to make tough decision based on his overall vision for the company.

“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” -Steve Jobs-

Some job seekers have a clearly defined linear path to follow in order to achieve their goals which makes decision making  a lot simpler.  However, for those who can’t quite identify the path that will lead them to be their ‘ ideal self ', please don’t dismiss the power of the mind in laying the framework for your dreams and aspirations.

I leave you with another inspiring quote by one of the most influential media moguls in history who has embraced the power of the mind when it comes to manifesting your destiny.

“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”

-Oprah Winfrey-