24 : NOT Starring Kiefer Sutherland! Part 1
Visualization exercise
Often people attempt to achieve goals without having a specific plan of attack. For example, if you catch a taxi it would be impossible to reach your destination without sharing the city and street. As detailed as you are giving directions to others, you have to be as thorough with instructing yourself. Before you design your ideal life, increase your effectiveness by first visualizing your ideal day.
The power of writing our goals and dreams helps manifest them into reality expeditiously. Here’s a productive visualization exercise, I call “24“. To assist in developing a personal growth map, write down your ideal 24 hr day, whether pertaining to business or leisure. Many athletes use these techniques for a competitive edge and mental awareness. As you become more specific, the target will appear larger and easier to hit.
I will go first and share my ideal leisurely day.
Note: It is important you speak in first person (I, We).
“I rise with the sun at 6 am. The serenity of listening to nature’s symphony embellishes my meditation session. Life is PHENOMENAL…my angels went to visit their grandparents for the weekend. For my days guidance, I read my positive affirmations on the bathroom mirror, as I sip my room temperature water. In the middle of my morning calisthenics, my better half summons me back to the master bedroom. When I resurface, the chef has prepared a Super Green Juice and sliced tons of organic fruit for our consumption.
I catch myself daydreaming, staring at the Caribbean Sea from my marble shower outside. Life is WONDERFUL! The classic Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” pumps through the Bose Surround System, as I put on my linen shorts and tennis sneakers. My new black on black mountain bike sits out in front of the villa. While riding into town I rehearse my speech out loud, I’ll be speaking to high school students today on leadership and entrepreneurship.
Upon return, my wife and I take a walk along the beach – lunch will be served at the pier. The restaurant owner has strict orders to remove all clocks from the walls, I refuse to be a slave to time today. Back home, I enjoy a few chapters of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe to stay balanced. Even though this is my tenth time reading this book, it always effects me positively. Anyway, I look forward to enjoying a power nap in the hammock under the palm trees.
Surprisingly, I decide to spend sometime on the Internet reading my favorite blog the TAO of TALANI 
My focus is interrupted by the doorbell, as a package has arrived – it’s a copy of “Slumdog Millionaire“. The director wants my humble opinion on his chances of winning Best Film of the Year.
After devouring a delicious pecan crusted salmon dinner, I have a minor dilemma. Should I jump on the custom yacht or go to my spa appointment. Conventional wisdom tells me to relax at my aroma therapy treatment. However, all plans are negated because once again I’m summoned to the master bedroom never to return. Life is SWEET!”
Visualization is an essential component for our personal growth development. Remember, everything “That Is” was sparked by someone’s imagination.
What is your ideal day?
Recommended reading: Creative Visualization (Shakti Gawain), Ask and It Is Given (Esther Hicks) and The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (Joseph Murphy).
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Wow!! Sounds like my normal day lol. I love the visualization. " As a man thinketh in his heart(mind, will) so is he.
Rev Ron
This Blog is insightful! I feel like a visualization slacker now! Thanks alot!
I’m going to visualize my day before I sleep. Hopefully I’ll dream about it too.
Aha, another awesome topic which I personally identify with. We are all works in progress. It is never too late to become the person you want to be. Let no one and nothing steal your joy. Live your own legacy. Never stop DREAMING. Use your voice to connect your dreams to actions.
Other suggested reading: "Finding Your Own North Star" by Martha Beck; and "Spiritual Liberation" by Michael Bernard Beckwith.
My daily ritual is to visualize my entire day in the morning. In addition, whenever possible I read 10-15 minutes before work as well. I will start writing down my goals.
I’m embarrassed I don’t know what my ideal day would consist of, I need to make some changes. I dedicate so much time to my kids, I forgot about my dreams. This exercise is PERFECT.
Great info!
Somewhere in my ideal day Beyonce would appear. If writing my dreams and goals down will make this a reality, I’m starting immediately.
Outstanding book recommendations, currently I’m reading "The Power of the Subconscious Mind". It’s a must read for anyone trying to improve there finances, relationships or health.
I just signed up for the TAO of TALANI email subscription
Salutations,
@Rev Ron – With you being a Pastor and Youth Director this is an excellent exercise to share with the kids you mentor (Jegna is the correct term). I’m honored to be invited to speak to your entrepreneurship and leadership groups.
@Garth – Visualization Slacker – where do you come up with these adjectives. If you consider yourself to be a V.S., we all should be that. Your one of the most successful individuals I know.
@Anderson – LOL……Beyonce
Great comments, share this information " EACH ONE TEACH ONE"
Respect
Talani
T, you hit ‘em again! This is exactly how dreams become reality, as designed by greats such as writer/producer Tyler Perry. We all know his journey from living in a car etc. to his status now! It all starts with how we see ourselves living & achieving dreams. ‘Loved how you called your little ones "angels" by the way. Hot. Also, some of these visuals took readers away, or at least me. My ideal day would include some sort of Bible study with my team of young Christian MCs, prior to them rehearsing for a show to reach the masses (be it the Garden, NJ Pac, etc.). The word would further develop their spirituality to match their level of fierce rhyming styles. All of this would be preceded by a morning run & healthy breakfast (like your organics -lol) to develop their wind control on stage. To God be the glory for your vision, T. It’s been a blessing!
Stay Up,
~ 360 (C.Smith)
Hi Talani,
This is awesome. I am so impressed. I actually went with you on this day-long voyage and had fun! Now I’m compelled to get more focused and figure out what my ideal day would consist of. Thanks for the wake-up call!
Tami (Rucker) Gage from Kean
Great insight and great advice. I’ve been practicing The Secret for a couple of years now and it’s so rewarding to watch things manifest as I have requested them to, through visualization and affirmations. I second your "24" and add that it also helps to create a vision board, which has been effective for me whenever I need to visualize any of my material goals.
Namaste,
Jubba
I definitely agree with jotting notes about goals that one has in life. I do it all the time, but on a daily basis. If I didn’t write everything down, nothing would happen. You always have to plan ahead. Put it this way, buildings aren’t completed without blueprints, your life is the same, without a plan you would be lost.
Hi, good post. I have been pondering this topic,so thanks for blogging. I will likely be coming back to your blog. Keep up the good work