(5 minutes a day)
There is no limit to what you can visualize. The most effective visualizationusually happens when emotion is connected with a strong image as, for example,when you really want something specific that you think will make you happy. But,visualization can be used to change core beliefs, to combat what you mayconsider a negative belief, without trying to oppose that belief. Say you wouldlike to have greater abundance, but you believe there's something inherentlywrong with money. You want to make a change. To make that change, you canvisualize all the positive effects affluence can have in you life. You canattach positive visuals, emotions, even sounds to the idea of money and begin tomake new associations. This will begin the process of drawing affluence to youbecause your beliefs have been repelling it.

To do the visualization exercise, you must agree to suspend your disbelief foronly five minutes a day. Agree to give yourself completely to this fantasy forthat time without distractions, objections, fears, or doubts. You had no problempretending you were Batman in third grade. The same sort of abandon is neededhere. Bask in the fantasy for this short period of time and, when it's through,you can indulge in all of your doubts again though over time you will learn notto do so.

Visualization Exercise
The only time you can ever accomplish anything is in the present. The present iswhere everything happens, and there's tremendous power here. Look around theroom. Take notice of where you are and how you feel in the moment.

Now, close your eyes and imagine that the thing you want is already inexistence. Feel what it feels like to have accomplished what you want. Color theexperience with as much feeling and emotion as you can muster up. Experience asif it had already happened, as if it was in the present. See it in your mindwith as much detail as possible. If you're not good with visuals, then do thesame thing through verbal thoughts, talking to yourself about what you want,repeating the idea in your mind, feeling and experiencing the sensation of theidea. Stay in the present while you're doing this. It's happening NOW. What youthink of as your normal everyday life no longer exists. This new idea is whatyou're experiencing.

When you're done, drop the idea completely. Don't worry about accomplishing it,but do look for new ideas, impulses, gut feelings, and new energy that willbegin to guide you to what you want.

Notice when you have thoughts during the day that contradict what you want, andrealize they're just thoughts, non-active ones, because you're now building newbeliefs. In other words, learn to write-off thoughts you don't want withoutcombating them. You notice them and let them go.

It may be some time before your new beliefs or ideas "take." Even if you getquick results, keep doing the exercise. You want to make sure your new belief ismore powerful than competing ones. It's important to do the exercise only once aday for the proscribed amount of time. More is not better because to do more isto focus on the new belief out of fear instead of trust, thereby defeating yourwork. Mindlessly doing the exercise and letting it go is always most effective.Give yourself a month before you check your progress, and continue to do theexercise as long as necessary.

If this exercise isn't your cup of tea, then look for upcoming articles onself-hypnosis, affirmations, diagramming, treasure-mapping, and much more. Or,think creatively of your own ways to visualize or affirm new realities foryourself.

Next: True Power Part 2. Affirmations

This is the first article in our "True Power" series. If youhaven't been following the series, click here to read the foundational material on beliefs before continuing.

S.C. Giles is a contributing author of The Artrepreneur E-Zine and newsletter.

The Artrepreneur offers articles helping artists focus on proven techniques to accomplish any goal. Read More: http://artrepreneur.thepauper.com

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