The Science Behind Visualization

Vinuri Ganegoda
4 min readJan 19, 2024

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Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash

Every night, as the familiar taste of my childhood fills my senses, I engage in a bedtime ritual that’s been my companion for as long as I can remember. It’s not just about the comforting routine; it’s about creating a mental roadmap for my future as I drift into sleep. This simple act has become a key to unlocking my true self and understanding what I’m capable of. As I grew up, my curiosity led me to explore the wonders of science and ponder the meaning of life. I was eager to decode the secret to a happy life that we all dream of. That’s when I stumbled upon something fascinating — our thoughts play a major role in turning our dreams into reality. The more we focus on our goals and dream about achieving them, the faster we can make those dreams come true. It’s not just a theory; it’s something I’ve seen in my own life.

Studies back this up too! They show that when someone dreams about their goal before working for it, they are more likely to achieve it quickly compared to someone who just works without having that dream in their mind. It’s like having a roadmap in your head before starting the journey, and it makes a big difference.

Photo by Stefano Bucciarelli on Unsplash

The science behind visualization delves into the neural workings of your brain. By regularly picturing what you want in life, you’re essentially creating neural patterns as if you’ve genuinely experienced those scenarios. When you visualize an activity or goal, your brain processes it akin to actually living through that experience, solidifying the connection between your thoughts and neural pathways.

Moreover, when you have a clear picture in your mind of what you want in your life it’s open the way of having it in your real life. Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about something you want? It’s that thing you can’t stop thinking about — you imagine having it, you stare at it, and thoughts of how happy it would make you fill your day. Then, something magical happens over time. You start feeling like the door to having it is wide open. It’s like your subconscious mind is whispering, “Hey, you’ve got the motivation to make this yours.” However, now you have the potential to achieve what you want and your mind is pushing you to get it and you search for opportunities and ways to get it. The more you visualize it, the more you can see and believe that it is possible in your life.

How vision board help you with this?

A vision board is a great powerful tool that leads to achieving what you want and opens many pathways for you to reach your destination, here is how it helps you. The efficacy of vision boards finds its roots in two main psychological concepts: the self-efficacy theory and the reticular activating system (RAS).

  • self-efficacy theory

where our belief in achieving goals is reinforced through visual representations. Psychologist Albert Bandura’s concept emphasizes that visualizing our goals enhances our confidence in our ability to attain them.

  • The Reticular Activating System (RAS)

The RAS network situated in the brainstem, plays a crucial role. When we consistently expose ourselves to images aligned with our goals on vision boards, the RAS prioritizes this information. Consequently, our attention becomes more focused, making us more aware of opportunities and resources that can contribute to realizing our aspirations. In essence, vision boards serve as a dynamic means to boost confidence and heighten awareness, aligning our mindset with our goals.

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

In conclusion, the profound impact of visualization on shaping our lives is not just a subjective belief but is grounded in scientific principles. The fusion of personal experience and scientific studies underscores the transformative power of visualizing our goals. By delving into the intricacies of the brain’s neural patterns, it becomes evident that our thoughts, when vividly imagined, create a tangible connection between aspirations and reality. As I savor the comforting taste of my childhood ritual each night, I am reminded that this simple act of visualization holds the key to unlocking my true potential and manifesting a future filled with the dreams I passionately envision. As you practice this visualization concept your subconscious mind is programming you for things that you never imagined having also this is a hidden side of this concept so always try to visualize and attract more positive and powerful blessings to your life.

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Vinuri Ganegoda

Curious mind, avid writer. 🧠✒️ | Navigating the realms of psychology through words. Join me in decoding the mysteries of the human mind.