Exercise 3.6 - Visualization
We have been discussing generating positive thoughts, verbalizations, and self-talk. But the mind does not operate through words alone. In fact, most mental activity is visual, sensory, or impressionistic—which is why your dreams never make total sense as narratives.
Now that you’ve become your own CBT therapist, you can now become a sports psychologist. They often tell athletes to envision successful outcomes—crossing the finish line first, standing on the podium accepting a medal, making a key shot in the closing minutes of the game, sinking a putt. The idea is that if you’ve seen it occur in your mind’s eye, you’ll do better when it comes to a real competition.
Likewise, positive thinking is really often better described as positive visualizing—for example, a scene that you really like imagining yourself in.
Now that you’ve become your own CBT therapist, you can now become a sports psychologist. They often tell athletes to envision successful outcomes—crossing the finish line first, standing on the podium accepting a medal, making a key shot in the closing minutes of the game, sinking a putt. The idea is that if you’ve seen it occur in your mind’s eye, you’ll do better when it comes to a real competition.
Likewise, positive thinking is really often better described as positive visualizing—for example, a scene that you really like imagining yourself in.
1. Visualize a scene you like. Write about it.
I can see myself never feeling bad about being an alcohol enthusiast ever again! I can visualize myself feeling completely comfortable and confident about my drinking. I can see into the near future when I'm no longer obsessively thinking about alcohol, and when it's simply a normal, healthy part of my life like cannabis use is. I can picture myself having lots of moments of joy, fun, and relaxation with drinking. I can easily see myself being able to take it or leave it (booze), and drinking just a couple drinks with no thought for more, and no cravings for more.
