Oh, I know I am going to tick a lot of you off right now. But, facts are facts- and, fantasies are ok, but not when they defeat your ability to grow your business. And, this common belief has been under my suspicions for decades. Now, the data demonstrates that my intuition was correct.
You have heard (over and over and over again) that you need to visualize yourself achieving the success you anticipate. And, when you do that, it helps you succeed! Well… IT DOESN’T!
There have been studies over the decades that prove that you are less like to achieve your fantasies. But, new research from the New York University Motivation Laboratory should finally put this ill-conceived notion to rest. It turns out that if you fantasize these idealized images, you are less likely to effect the HARD WORK necessary to achieve those dreams. (In other words, buckle down, work hard, and achieve your success the old-fashioned way…)
Heather Barry Kappes and Gabrielle Oettingen are publishing their results in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (July 2011). They describe four separate studies that prove that we need to understand that a goal is achievable, but it must be tempered by skepticism, plus a realistic analysis of the odds of achieving that goal. The studies showed that when we imagine this future achievement, our brain triggers a relaxation response, similar to that of when we actually achieve the goal, rather than helping us develop the energy we need to achieve the goal.
The first study (this was done by women- not men) asked some women to imagine how well they looked and felt in high-heels; other women were told to consider the situation (pros and cons) of wearing the trendy, high-heeled shoes. Study two asked groups to consider how it would feel if they won an essay contest or what would happen if they lost the contest. (The latter group was more energized.)
The third setting is one that should intrigue you more. The participants were asked to fantasize about the coming week’s success. These folks were less energized- and when tested a week later, they achieved fewer of their goals that the control group (who only had to daydream about the coming week any way they wanted).
The final test had participants abstain from food and drink for a few hours. One group were then fed crackers and asked to fantasize about a ice-cold glass of water. The other group were presented with that glass of water and asked to fantasize about success on an upcoming exam. Both groups were de-energized (proving that it was not the lack of water that led to this condition).
As such, the researchers proved that negative fantasies can energize, positive fantasies de-energize, and neutral fantasies had no definite result. However, there IS a benefit to the positive fantasy- you can use those fantasies to reduce anxiety, especially if the task appears exceptionally daunting.
(Don’t think this is a one-off. Data from a Canadian study shows that if you have high self-esteem, your mantra of self-affirmation reinforces your efforts and beliefs. But, if you score low on that score, the mantra actually zaps your self-image even more!)
Hi Roy,
I always say, dream, then do.
The doing part can be really difficult when life doesn’t appear to be what we’re dreaming. Actually, when our dreams are coming together, it’s the break down before the build up. This means a heck of a lot of effort, work and toil in the shadows while your vision takes form. We are in effect broken down and those who just rely solely on their imagination to try to manifest the life of their dreams….well….unless your name is Christ of Buddha, it’s going to be difficult to create something with mind power alone.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Ryan- you have the true prescription for success!
We all look for shortcuts- the problem is when the shortcut becomes the only accomplishment!
I appreciate your visit- and your comments.
Roy
I totally agree that you have to take action and do the work to achieve a goal.
However, I believe all goals begin with a thought or a dream….a fantasy.
At the end of your article, you say that positive fantasy can be used to reduce anxiety when doing difficult tasks. I use this method all the time when I am playing the piano. It really helps me relax and get over my stage fright.
Janette- you are absolutely correct about using it for relaxation. And, goals do begin with a thought. But, if we use a dream of accomplishing the goal as a mantra, we will be too de-energized to get the goal accomplished. Which means we’ll dream longer (thinking it helps us reach the goal)- and get de-energized for more time. A vicious cycle!
Dream a little dream- and work hard. That’s the ticket!
Thanks for dropping in and commenting.
Roy
Hi Roy,
Thanks for speaking out about this because sometimes we need a reality check. Also it’s great that you were able to provide data to back it up. At one point, I was just visualizing and waiting for apple to fall into my lap.
It got kind of boring LOL. I really like the quote you shared. Once I heard that the 2nd part of attraction is action. Without action there is not going to be any attraction. I think it applies here.
You can dream but you need to get into action to get there.
Diana- thanks for making the concept clear! I, too, dreamed. It helps to dream to consider what a design can be, what a picture can be, but NOT what we can do. We need to configure our picture or painting in our mind- and then paint it. Dreaming won’t get it done. Neither will it build our companies!
Only in “Inception” can that work…
Roy
Hi Roy,
I used to be very good at visualizing but it’s obvious that nothing works unless I go on and take actions. It’s quite easy to visualize the real thing is to hit the road and get to work on something.
Thanks for sharing. it got me thinking..
Hi, Ikenna:
Visualizing could be a useful exercise if we do it to consider what we need to do. but, to use it as a frequent exercise clearly reduces our energy levels (as the research shows). We need to be high energy to insure we accomplish our goals.
Thanks so much for visiting- and commenting. And, I always want everyone thinking…
Roy
Its why I believe that purpose is needed first goals arise and then action creates reality. Interesting studies. They prove what many of us over 50s have known for years but certain people told us this was not the way it is. Thanks for sharing
Yes, Roberta, our age is showing- but proving our experience to be correct.
Thanks for your straight-forward addition to the discussions!
Roy
I absolutely agree that action is necessary. Dreams are essential, but they don’t become reality without action.
That’s the ticket, Leanne! These promises of a pot of gold at the end of the internet rainbow (which seems to end at everyone’s monitor, according to the hucksters) are just that- empty pots. We need to work to achieve our goals.
Thanks for your comments!
Roy
Roy whilst I agree that visualisation alone achieves very little without action, I believe it can be a powerful tool in achieving our goals.
Regardless of what the study reveals I remain a big believer in using our conscious and subconscious mind to our best advantage in life.
We are always welcome to believe in anything, Maureen- however, the data indicates otherwise.
However, I am NOT advocating the abandonment of visualization- it may help once or twice. I am warning against its continued use. If one continually employs the same vision, it is akin to meditation- it lowers ones energy levels and reduces anxiety. it does NOT motivate nor does it energize- both of which would be critical to achieving objectives.
And, this study implied that if one examines the negative aspects of ones goals- like what would happen if one fails, that does seem to energize!
Thanks for dropping in and engaging discussion..
roy
I must admit that I used to do a lot of dreaming and got nowhere. I now take a lot more action…and it shows.
Janine:
Nothing wrong with a little fantasy, now and again. But, when we really want to get somewhere, it takes our action!
Thanks for your comments.
Roy
Hi Roy,
Visualizing is only one step in the process of achieving anything in life. Every success I’ve had started with a thought and “seeing it” happen first. But, as you pointed out, action had to be taken first. Now fantasies are different. They are pleasant, they are fun and but they are not real. I have a feeling a lot of people are caught up in fantasies and mistakenly believe they were the key to success. Sorry folks, it takes a lot more work than dreaming.
Sherrie
Absolutely, Sherrie. The problem is that there are lot of ersatz coaches and business advisors out there telling folks to visualize their success each day. That does not work, as this data demonstrates. Moreover, the data demonstrates that this sort of behavior simulates that of meditation, where our energy levels become decreases and our anxiety dissipates.
We need to harness our energy and focus on the development of our success.
Thanks for dropping in!
Roy
Hey Roy,
This has been a kind of eye opener for me. I visualize way too much and keep postponing the actions involved because I am too busy with other smaller goals. Since the time you wrote the post about moving towards the one big goal, I have been trying my best to work on that. Actions are important and they are the only way we can get anything accomplished.
Thanks!
Even in your part of the world, I am sure that the mantra, “Actions speak louder than words”, resonates, Hajra. And, words are just the characterization of dreams. So, you are right- keep on keeping on- and your initial dream will materialize!
What a fascinating fact, Roy! Thanks for sharing this research. I read a similar study recently on role models. It can actually be debilitating to have unrealistic role models that we may never be able to live up to. It’s kind of like setting realistic goals — Dr. Penelope Lockwood found that students were less motivated when compared to superstar students because this kind of priming can make us feel inferior!
Thanks for adding her research, Samantha. It is a real issue. I think I mentioned that those self-affirmation mantras ONLY work for those that have high self-esteem; those with no self-esteem or low self-esteem are actually hindered with the mantras.
Roy
Thanks so much for letting me know!
Roy
I glad you “dug” this out!
Thanks for dropping in!
Roy
Sorry it took a dreary day for you to find my blog!
But, now that you found it, come back often. I’ll keep trying to lift your spirits.
Roy