Self Management: Picture Yourself

Objectives

• To help participants prioritize their energy

• To help participants determine what actions could best further their vision

Uses

• Training workshops on leadership

• Private coaching sessions with all levels of leaders

Coaching Tips for the Coach/Trainer

This exercise is aimed at helping individuals visualize themselves doing positive actions. Visualizing oneself in successful situations helps people to commit to goals and also helps motivate people. Those who visualize themselves taking positive steps to achieve their goals are more apt to act on the visualizations.

Trainer’s/Coach’s Notes

 

 

 

Approximate Time

1.

Overview

1 minute

 

Explain to the individual or group that visualizing is a powerful tool for development. Tell the group that many great athletes use visualization to improve their skill.

 

2.

Purpose

2 minutes

 

“The purpose of this exercise is to help you to picture yourself doing things that further your goals in the workplace. By using visualization, you will picture yourself taking positive actions that will serve to promote your vision. For example, if you think that you need to stop to talk to people more frequently as you walk through the work area, visualizing this activity will help you remember to do so. Visualizing it will also help you to know what to say, how to say it, and to whom you want to speak. Visualization serves as the mind’s cue to take the action that was mentally rehearsed. These mental rehearsals serve to build skill and motivation.”

 

3.

Give Directions

20–30 minutes

 

A.

Give the participant(s) the handout.

 

 

B.

Instruct participants to visualize themselves having unlimited energy to do what is required to move their goals forward.

 

 

C.

Ask them to see themselves as a leader with unlimited energy and stamina.

 

 

D.

Ask participants to state what they see themselves doing each day that they currently don’t have time to do.

 

 

E.

Ask participants to very clearly picture themselves doing things that are moving their work unit toward their goals.

 

 

F.

Ask participants to write down what they pictured themselves doing during the visualization.

 

 

NOTE: Allow adequate time for the visualization to continue. ( At least 15 minutes is suggested.) Continue to ask the participants to state what they see themselves doing. Keep pressing by asking, “What else?”

 

4.

Debrief by asking the following questions:

15 minutes

 

A.

What obstacles are holding you back from the actions you saw in your visualization?

 

 

B.

What benefits would occur if you acted on the visualizations?

 

 

C.

Who could help you overcome the obstacles?

 

 

Self Management Visualization Handout:

Picture Yourself—Imagine yourself as having unlimited energy. What are some things you think you would be doing to energize your vision that you just can’t seem to find time to do today? Write them down. What’s stopping you from doing these things right now? Work to find a solution to your roadblocks. Talk with a mentor, your boss, or other significant person who can help you overcome these roadblocks. Ask yourself to commit to DOING IT!