Part One: Does Visualisation Work?

Dr Blasiotto from the University of Chicago conducted research into the effect that visualization has in enhancing performance. He tested thirty athletes on their ability to throw a basketball into a net.

Completely at random he split these people up into 3 groups. Group1 were told to forget about basketball and do absolutely no practicing. Group 2 went to the gym everyday to practice throwing the basketball into the net. Finally, the third group went to the gym but instead of practicing they visualized themselves successfully throwing the ball into the net.

After thirty days the groups were then tested to see how successful they would be at shooting the ball into the net.

Which group do you think were the most successful?

Actually, group 2 who practiced shooting got 24% of the balls into the net. Group 3 who visualised, successfully getting the ball into the net came second with 23%. Finally group 1 who did nothing came last with 0%.

What does this tell you?

Well, with visualisation alone you will have a level of success. Include practice and some knowledge you will be more successful. Do nothing and you will get absolutely nothing.

Visualisation is about painting a picture in your mind. Some people believe that they are not visual people. This is normally based on the fact they think they cannot draw or confuse this with a preferred way of receiving information. Some people believe, for example, "visual" people prefer to see things rather than hear them. Actually visualisation is about imagining or pretending an action is happening before it does happens. Everyone can do this and you don't have to see it in your minds eye, just pretend you can see it there.

Think about an event you have experienced, it could be eating a meal, going to the gym, having a drink or something else? You don't just see it, you smell it, hear it, feel it and occasionally taste it. To make your visualisations really powerful link other sensory experiences to your visualisations. Your 'creative mind' will believe your event has happened and therefore make it happen again and again.

Andy Mitchell

Your Hypnotist