Use guided imagery to access your next step

Sondra had been laid off from her high power job in a corporate marketing department. Even after a few weeks rest and recovery, she still couldn’t bring herself to start her job search. A wise friend advised that perhaps her old job didn’t fit anymore. “Maybe you need to discover what work is really right for you.”

“Easy to say,” Sondra thought,” but where do I begin?” She decided to try working with a specialist in guided imagery to explore her questions. What came up surprised her. After entering a deeply relaxed state and going to an imaginary safe and beautiful place, Sondra asked for an image of her next step.

An image of her brother, who died three years ago from a sudden heart attack, appeared before her. Sondra was mystified. The specialist suggested she ask the image a question. The image “told” Sondra that he is OK now, but others with heart problems need her help. “And Sis,” he said “you can help.”

Sondra was moved to tears by this message from her brother, but still confused. How could she help people with heart problems? Then she realized the help didn’t have to be medical. She could use the skills she already had.

Since guided imagery had helped so far, Sondra decided to continue using it. After investigating the options, she chose to have the specialist record a custom guided imagery CD developed for her specific strengths and weaknesses. First Sondra and her guide outlined her vision of success. She noticed that some old family beliefs were getting in her way, such as “If you brag about yourself you’ll get shot down” and “Don’t take risks, you might lose everything.” After discussing antidotes to the old beliefs, her own personal CD was recorded.

As she worked on her resume and prepared for interviews she decided to get more help from guided imagery. From an online site she purchased a CD for general relaxation and anxiety reduction. With these tools, Sondra was felt hopeful and optimistic, was able to recognize employment opportunities that fit her vision, and could communicate her strengths confidently. As a result she got the job—marketing and organizational development for a national non-profit that provides heart health education.

Imagery can help you achieve whatever goal or change you choose. Anyone can use it. Since the focus is positive, the process is fun and enjoyable. Imagery can work for you whether you “believe” in the process or not; you just have to try it. There really are no negative effects.

Proven benefits include: Enhanced creativity, higher motivation, increased self esteem, decreased stress, reduced anxiety and depression, and improvement of most health problems.

There are many ways to use guided imagery. You can create your own imagery, listen to imagery custom designed for you, or purchase imagery on common topics recorded for the general public. Custom designed imagery may be more effective, since your own values, preferences, memories and word usage are included.

Imagery is actually a general term describing any imaginary sensory information—images, sounds, smells, tastes, and body sensations. The power of guided imagery is in the whole body experience. Imagery engages the subconscious as well as the conscious mind, using symbols, metaphors, and stories to create a powerful, multilayered message.

Research indicates that when you visualize a physical movement, such as climbing the stairs, brain neurons fire as if you are actually doing it. Similarly, when you imagine a delicious meal, you salivate as if you’re about to eat it. Imagery also affects the emotional centers of the brain and can change automatic emotional responses. Thus you can rehearse getting it right mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually before you actually do it.

Individualized imagery calls upon past achievements, pleasurable experiences, and memories of support and praise to pave a direct road to success. Exploratory imagery bypasses preconceived ideas to access underlying fears and blocks, and then identifies the most effective steps to overcome them.

To optimize the benefits of imagery, studies show it is best to begin from a very relaxed and open state, resting the body and conscious mind so that images and messages can penetrate deeply.

Practice is very important. Like learning any other skill, patient repetition builds mastery. The more you practice, the more you will improve from wherever you start. Also, repeating imagery related to a particular goal solidifies new feelings and behavior. The most effective images are those that have meaning for you and connect emotionally.

And now …you are feeling relaxed, refreshed, and inspired to take the next step on the path to the life of your dreams.

Kathie Bailey, LICSW, creates custom guided imagery recordings using a simple process involving only two meetings. She has many years of experience using guided imagery in her psychotherapy and bodywork practice. For more information about guided imagery visit www.guidedimageryforyou.com or call 612-870-6127.