I seem to be learning at lot from the Olympics. Watching yesterday, the commentators talked about the preparation of swimmers – that getting their mental state ready is just as vital as their physical shape. They visualise their goals – even picturing the arena and the crowd, what it will feel and sound and look like, and then seeing themselves coming first and putting the medal around their necks. It’s often said that having a positive attitude reaps rewards but this preparation is more than that – they imagine their success and work towards it.
Well, us writers have pretty good imaginations. So, should we be visualising like an athlete does? Should we imagine what The Call from an agent will be like, how we will sign our book deal, and how our book will look on the shelf of our local book store? Could this help us make those things happen? If I’m honest I’ve been feeling stressed this week, wondering if my work will pay off in the end, endlessly checking my email and phone for a response from an agent, and staring at my new WIP unsure if it’s any good or not. My positive attitude is hiding. And I can see that if you let yourself fret about it all, you start to lose sight of your goal and start to talk yourself out of it.
I need to work on my focus for my end goal. To not worry about what’s happening right now but just see the finish line, and believe not just hope that I’ll get there soon. This is far from easy. I feel a bit silly visualising my book in Waterstones but maybe it will be the key to that happening one day. After all, these athletes are winning their medals so they must have some clue as to what it takes to be a winner.
I’ll let you know if my visualisation works 
Do you visualise your goals?
Victoria
xoxo
Steve Cripwell
/ August 2, 2012Hi Victoria
I believe it’s essential to visualize goals and to have that dream. Lots of people dream of winning the lottery and although that is a game of chance it proves the normallity of the desire to win.
I think it was Henry Ford who said: “If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t, you’ll be right.”
Keep the dream of that book deal. If you want it enough you can make it happen. Most people give up after a few rejections.
I read that JK Rowling had Harry Potter rejected 12 times and even Kenneth Grahame had The Wind in the Willows rejected 44 times. Even Stephen King was rejected 26 times as he tried to get Carrie published.
Don’t stop believing, as the song says
Steve
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Like the quote thanks! I will keep the dream don’t worry, the fact that so much talent was rejected definitely keeps me going!
suzicate
/ August 2, 2012Visualizing my goal is something I need to work on. Thank you. I hope all your dreams come true.
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Good luck with it! And thanks
kford2007
/ August 2, 2012Fantastic advice. I have a note on my fridge that reads: NY Times Best-Selling Author
It reminds me of where I want to be someday. In the famous words of Yoda – there is no try, only do.
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012I love that note! Great idea! We will do it!
Angelia Sims
/ August 2, 2012I am such an over analyzer. It really is hard to keep the dream alive in my mind, but I hear that is the key. The drive and force inside to succeed must stay present.
One of the USA swimmers also uses a special diet. She went gluten free in training and has won three gold medals this Olympics. It is something to think about.
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012I think you’re right, you can’t let fear or doubts in. I don’t think I could give up chocolate though
faultlessfinish
/ August 2, 2012Visualizing your goals is a fantastic way to help make them a reality. It’s actually one of my goals this month to set aside a couple of hours to visualize some of the biggest goals I want to achieve in my life
Great post – you will get there!
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Good luck with it Rach, sounds like a good idea! And thanks!
E.Arroyo
/ August 2, 2012I visualize it all the time. It keeps me going. =)
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Yay! I need to get on board with it too then.
Bianca
/ August 2, 2012I visualise my goals. Sometimes its only part of the goal though because I am still not 100% sure where I want to go. But I do have some sort of an idea which helps a lot. Sometimes it even scares me
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Sounds like you’re almost there!
Juliette
/ August 2, 2012Of course I visualise my goals… They’re like dreams… But you’ve got to work to make them a reality! I just hope that all of my hard work will one day pay off!
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012I’m sure it will!
lovelylici1986
/ August 3, 2012All writers don’t visualize those things? I TOTALLY do. MY issue is that I need to SNAP OUT of it, and actually make it happen!
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Yeah we need to do the work too unfortunately – balance here I think! Good luck!
Rach @ This Italian Family
/ August 3, 2012I should be better about visualizing goals for sure!
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012It’s probably a habit we need to get into then they’ll be no stopping us!
4amWriter
/ August 3, 2012Yes, I think visualizing goals is a huge part of success–as long as you are actively working toward that goal. Good luck!
Victoria-writes
/ August 3, 2012Indeed. You need to combine the two. Good luck to you too!
racheldeangelis
/ August 3, 2012This is a really cool idea! And I KNOW your hard work will pay off, Victoria! I can’t wait to go to the store to by your book someday (soon)!
Victoria-writes
/ August 4, 2012Thanks, I really hope so