If you watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics, didn’t you marvel at how everyone knew exactly where they were supposed to be and when?

I think I figured it out a few weeks later when my daughter Elyse, a high school freshman, joined the Desert Vista Rolling Thunder Marching Band. Never mind the complicated musical score based on a popular video game. The part that truly amazes me is the drill–the formations we eventually see during half-time.

Each week, she gets an email from her director with ten new “dot” sheets showing everybody’s position on the field. She prints them out and slips them into plastic sheet protectors hooked to a lanyard she’ll wear around her neck during band practice.

I picked up a dot sheet as it came off the printer. There were over a hundred dots, each representing a different student. She pointed to a dot about mid-field on the 40 yard line. “That’s me; P-11.” She pulled the second dot sheet and pointed to her dot ten yards downfield and closer to the sideline. “Now that’s where I’ll be 16 counts later.” I knew it was probably a silly question, but I had to ask: how’d you get there? “Usually in a straight line,” she replied.

Of course! Once you know where you’re going, you just take the most direct route.

Since presumably no one is emailing you dot sheets, you’re responsible for creating the vision for your life. Do you know where you’re going? Do you have your coordinates mapped out? Do you know what it will look like when you arrive at your destination?

I’m all about mindfulness and living fully in the present moment but that doesn’t mean you just stay on one dot.

Instead, when you set a positive intention for what you want your life to be like, you’re able to move forward, free to truly enjoy and appreciate each step of your journey.

This concept can apply to any aspect of living a healthier lifestyle. Whether your goal is to stop yoyo dieting or run a 5K, when you have a clear vision of where you’re headed, your path for getting there will become more obvious. Take a few moments now to try this process for visualization:

Five Steps to Positive Visualization

1. Quiet your mind. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.

2. Allow yourself to imagine what’s possible when you release self-doubt, negative thoughts, and perceived limitations.

3. Visualize an outcome that makes you feel content and joyful.

4. Picture all the details as if your next dot is already a reality.

5. Trust and act on your innate wisdom to bring you to that exact spot.

When you’re able to clearly visualize a result that inspires and energizes you, a straight path will emerge. You then can put one foot in front of the other, steadily moving toward your goal.

Happy Visualization!
Michelle May MD
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