Because the subconscious can’t distinguish reality from imagination, the mind cannot tell the difference between an experience that has actually happened or one that has been imagined. This is why you can effectively bring about success in your life using affirmations, imagination and/or visualization.

Visualizing or imagining has been part of “the secret” formula for many famous people, according to the book, The Secret, written by Rhonda Byrne. The secret formula is defined as “the law of attraction.” What you imagine can materialize if you follow the steps outlined in the book. In order to have the things in life you want or attract what you want, you are instructed to decide what it is, write it down and ask for it.

The second step is to not ask for it again, but to believe you already have it; to have faith that it is already yours. Then, while still focusing on it, you are to bring in the wonderful feelings of actually possessing it. The last step you are to do is to be grateful of receiving it by saying thanks. You are instructed to express gratitude every day, being sure to be thankful for everything you have. You are reminded that if you think about what you don’t want, what you don’t want to happen, will.

The book lists many stories of prominent people who achieved greatness by using “the secret.” The book says, if you’d like to have a product, experience or person, all you need do is ask for it. It cites the story of a woman who had cancer and kept saying, “Thanks for my healing” and cured herself in three months.

Your mind is the greatest tool you have. Whatever you send out in the universe will be recognized and manifested. Catherine Ponder, who is considered one of America’s foremost inspirational authors, knew the secret when she wrote the book, The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity, in 1962. The rules she sets forth for you to follow are basically the same as mentioned in The Secret. She says everything we think, do or say is recorded in the “ether” of the universe and this is how things are realized. What we think becomes a reality.

Ponder states, “There is gold dust in the air-for you-for me, for everyone. The scientists know that there’s gold dust in the air because they declare this universe to be composed of nothing but radiant substance or ether, to which man has unlimited access. Psychologists and metaphysicians know about the gold dust. They declare that man forms his world from the rich, unlimited substance within him and around him through his thoughts, emotions, words and actions.”

She explains further in her book, “And so let us proceed in confidence, knowing that there is gold dust in the air-and that there is gold dust everywhere. As you begin reading this book, no matter what the conditions of your life may now be, do so in this attitude of mind: “There is gold dust in the air-for me. Through definite, deliberate prosperous thinking, I now begin assimilating that gold dust. And even now I am beginning to experience gold dust results!”

Ponder says to develop you innate self-confidence in your ability to succeed, use affirmations. For increased success along all lines: “I give thanks that every day in every way I am growing richer and richer.” For harmony in homes and businesses: “Let there be peace within my walls and prosperity within my palaces.” (See Psalms 122:7)

“Use affirmations to release your self-confidence in three ways: speak forth affirmations-verbally-at least five minutes a day, somewhere in privacy.  At other times during the day, look at affirmations that you may have written out on cards or in a book. Get them out and look at them when fear or uncertainty seem to grip you. You can do this in the midst of people, ringing telephones and bustling activity, and no one need ever know where your “booster shots” of confidence came from.”

Not everyone can visualize, but everyone can imagine. To visualize is to actually see an image in your mind that resembles a television screen which seems to happen automatically. Webster’s dictionary describes it as “to make visible,” or “to see or form a mental image.”

To imagine is to project thoughts into your mind to form images. Webster’s dictionary describes it as “to form a mental image.”

Whether you are able to visualize or whether you imagine, you can create the results you want. And you can achieve the most dramatic results by using either of them along with affirmations. To complement the results even more, any of the five senses can be added. You can add sound by saying affirmations out loud. The mind is able to absorb more by doing this. For this reason, memorizing out loud helps the mind to remember more easily.

Because the subconscious can’t distinguish reality from imagination and because experiences or incidents mold a person’s self-image, a person can successfully invoke a vast change in his own self-worth by imagery, which is a tool for imagining that something is actually being experienced. In sports, this is called sports psyching.

Reliving a past success in your mind will cause your mind to believe that the success has actually happened again causing further success and feelings of self-worth.

Reliving a past success in your mind will cause your mind to believe that the success has actually happened again causing further success and feelings of self-worth.

Creating a successful experience is a way of tricking the mind into believing that it has succeeded in something that really hasn’t happened. This is an extremely valuable discovery since some people have had fewer successes than other people.

When you use imagery, it is best to imagine every detail of the experience, such as where you are, exactly what is happening, what you can see, what you can hear, what you can feel, what you are wearing and particularly, the SUCCESS you achieve while doing  it.

“The Mirror Technique” also complements behavioral changes. This is explained as the exercise of looking in the mirror and telling yourself what you want to hear. Phrases such as, “You are having a great day,” “You are feeling great,” “You are strong, powerful, loving, healthy and creative.” You can create the words you want about yourself to create them to become true because your subconscious will believe them even in a conscious state if you are consistent. Does the subconscious react as though another person is complimenting you? It would seem so.

From his book, Imagining Success, Kurt A. Schneider explains the power of affirmations this way: “All men have the same basic gifts and talents together with the ability to decide between right and wrong, good and bad, positive or negative. To achieve success above the average, we have to apply the Fundamental Laws of Right Thinking. One of these basic laws is: If you constantly use a positive affirmation, a statement, a wish, or a prayer with a burning desire for its realization, you will activate creative faith and power. This in turn will bring what you want into your life. The bat does not have to learn to use its built-in radar system to fly. It knows! So do we! We can always use the powers of our subconscious. We are born with it; everyone has it. All we have to do is use it and apply it for the right purpose. This idea can be reinforced with this affirmation: “I expect that the “I AM,” my positive identity, will emerge and guide me on the road to total success.”

The amazing power of affirmations and imagination is taught in Evelyn M. Monahan’s book written in 1975, The Miracle of Metaphysical Healing. Not only does she have exercises to overcome debilitating illnesses, she explains how she cured herself. After an accident in which she suffered a head injury, she became blind and experienced 12 epileptic seizures a day. Four years later she was involved in another accident which left her right arm paralyzed. She was able to completely cure herself of all these afflictions. Because of her blindness, she had to rely on friends to help her perform the techniques. Her blindness and epileptic seizures were cured in 10 days, instantaneously even though doctors told her she would never see again. Shortly afterward, her right arm lost its paralysis.

Monahan promises that, “You will discover your own power to live your life free of pain, illness, and worry. Each additional chapter will place in your hands a new key which will unlock doors previously closed to you. Each page of this book is a map which will lead you to your own power to control not only your physical health, but your entire life.

“There are no complicated techniques to follow in order to use these secrets to your own advantage. You will have no trouble understanding the methods by which you may begin to use this power today. Metaphysical healing is the strongest force in the entire universe, and you can begin to use this force within the next 15 minutes.”

She explains how to use her “ultra-mind” technique by repeating specific words to yourself mentally for each specific illness, explaining to your mind that through the power of ultra-mind your physical body begins to heal. Then you are to visualize or imagine you are healed, even imagining that while in the doctor’s office, the doctor tells you that you are well.

She explains that you can use the same procedures to heal loved ones by inserting their name in the wording. Fifteen minutes 3 times a day for each procedure is all that is required. “You may change any situation in your life which is in need of healing. You will not only learn how to heal your physical body and your mind, but also, how to heal economic situations, family ties, broken friendships, and how to turn bleak prospects into bright promises.”

At the time of the printing of her book, Monahan was teaching these procedures to 250 students each semester at Georgia State University. She was featured on television and in many prominent magazines. Her books were published in Japan, England, Germany, Mexico and Italy.

Affirmations can be anything you choose, but focus on what you want. Your subconscious (or ultra-mind power, as Monahan names it) has no reasoning power and will grant your wishes for you.

Affirmations for stage fright can be: “I am calm and comfortable,” “Words come easily to me,” “I feel love radiating from other people,” etc.

 If you want to work on weight control, you can affirm: “I take care of my body by eating only healthy foods from this moment on,” “Each day my body is healthier and slimmer,” “I choose to love and respect my body,” etc.

Some examples to stop smoking are: “Today I breathe healthy air because I choose to take care of my body,” “I choose to stay healthy so I can enjoy life to the fullest,” etc.  A good exercise to stop smoking is to close your eyes and envision yourself actually throwing away your cigarettes and feeling elated because you have had the strength to do it.

 It is important to always use the present tense when using affirmations. Say “I am” or “It is” rather than “I will” or “It will.” Using future tense or past tense will not give your subconscious a time frame, so it may never occur. Present tense is lets the subconscious know that it is a reality now.