3. VISUALIZATION: a powerful technique for reprogramming your subconscious mind

3. VISUALIZATION: a powerful technique for reprogramming your subconscious mind

This is my favorite technique. I spend 20 minutes every morning doing this. But what is visualization really? It is simply the process of creating mental images in your mind, especially for the kind of person you want to be and the kind of life you want to have. Your parents, teachers and emotionally strong experiences have created specific images in your subconscious mind. Probably you are not aware of them. But they do exist and they strongly affect your current life. Fortunately, there is a way of replacing these images with others. One of the ways of doing this is visualization. With this strategy  you can create the self-image you want. You can create some new strong beliefs about yourself and you can persuade your mind that these are actually true. The technique that you have to follow is this:

Firstly you have to find a comfortable place where no one is going to disturb you. You have to be absolutely alone. You can also lie on your bed, because it makes you feel more relaxed. Stay comfortable.

Close your eyes. Think that the present moment is the only think that exists right now.

Start thinking about the goal you want to achieve or the kind of person you would like to be. Choose one thing.  Think about the personality traits you want to have. Ask yourself what kind of skills you would like to have. Think about a specific goal concerning your career or your relationships.

Take deep breaths for 2-3 minutes using your stomach.. You will definitely start feeling relaxed.. And start..

Imagine yourself being self-confident and happy. Imagine yourself accomplishing your goal now. Feel that everything is happening right now, not in the future neither in the past.. Be as detailed as possible.. Use more senses, such as hearing, smelling, touching, tasting.. Notice the colours and the people around you.. Feel deep.. Feel the happiness inside your soul.. Let's take the example of wanting to be accepted in a master’s  program. Start creating a picture in your mind with the feelings you have, seeing yourself having achieved this, seeing your friends and your parents celebrating the event, feeling the deep happiness, tasting the sweets your grandmother cooked for you, whatever you want! It is your own goal and you live it in your own way. Remember that emotions, senses and details are crucial.

The most important thing is again.. repetition. Don't skip a day. Do it every day whenever you have time and whenever you feel more relaxed. You can spend 10 minutes for each of your goals. In order to see results, you have to wait for at least 2 or 3 weeks. Persistence is the key to success.

1. The first step of being GREAT is being GRATEFUL – Count your blessings

1. The first step of being GREAT is being GRATEFUL – Count your blessings

This technique is one of the most important ones and it is going to help you in ways that you can't imagine. It is simple, everyone can do it, and there is actually no reason for not giving it a try. I have done this exercise for months and the results were really amazing. I started to feel happier and more content inside, anxiety faded away, magical things happened in my life!

Feeling and expressing gratitude for what you already have is probably the easiest way to change your mind from automatic negative thinking into positive. Gratitude will improve your life unexpectedly. Research has shown that expressing gratitude has many benefits:

• increases productivity
• reduces stress 
• makes you feel happier

When people express gratitude, they are less likely to feel anxious and depressed. It is impossible for you to think about two different things at the same time, so you can't feel grateful and upset at the same time. When you feel grateful, your worries and negative thinking disappear. You recognize that there are people around you that care for you and that you are actually successful. You will feel lucky. Your relationships will be improved. If you make gratitude one of your habits, you will start to focus automatically on the positive things in your life and eventually create them. So, why don't you try it?

There is a very practical and beneficial way of doing this and it is extremely simple. I follow this habit every day. Right after waking up tomorrow morning, take a piece of paper and a pen or your laptop, and start thinking about things you are grateful for. They can be anything. Some ideas include: close friends, favorite relatives, the fact that you are alive, your work, your free time, your passion, your achievements, your positive personal characteristics, your loved clothes, your favorite restaurant, your books, the cool water during swimming, the sun, your pet, your hands that help you writing, your eyes, everything! Think about different topics. Health, Work, Relationships, Nature, Things, Passion, Beauty, People… The list is actually endless. Write a list of at least five different things every day. It is better to start your sentences with the expression “I really feel grateful for……...(e.g. My husband)…...because... (he is kind, he loves me, he cares for me, etc..)”. But you should be careful. The most important part of this exercise is how you actually feel. Feel deep inner gratitude for your blessings. Believe that you are really lucky that you have these blessings.

It may be quite difficult for you to feel the deep gratitude in the beginning. It is a matter of practice. In the end of this process you will definitely feel better and happier. The second important part of the process is that you should do it every day. Don't forget it and don’t postpone it. It is the fact of repetition that will help you create real positive results! There is also another good idea. You can purchase a special notebook and carry it with you in your bag. While waiting at the bus station for example you can open it and read your lists again. This process will make you feel better instantly!