Visualization is a well-known technique in elite sports. Athletes mentally imagine movements or competitions to improve their performance. But this mental technique can also be helpful in professional life. We spoke with Anja Weisflog, a recruiter at Stettler Consulting, to learn more about this.
What we can learn from elite sports
Stettler:
For elite athletes, visualization is an integral part of training. What does that mean?
Anja Weisflog:
Visualization means imagining an action or situation as realistically as possible. For example, how I successfully finish a marathon. It’s not just about picturing the scene, but also about the emotions associated with it. This includes, for instance, the pride you feel when you cross the finish line.
Stettler:
What makes visualization so effective?
Anja Weisflog:
When we visualize, the brain can hardly distinguish between imagining an action and actually performing it.
Stettler:
Can you elaborate on that?
Anja Weisflog:
Intensely imagining an action can generate the motivation to actually carry it out or experience it.
In the context of a presentation at work, this means: If a person vividly imagines themselves delivering a presentation with confidence, speaking clearly, and having the audience listen attentively, this visualization can trigger motivational processes in the brain. Visualization can help increase motivation for preparing the presentation and keep a cool head even in stressful situations.
Practice visualization with a lemon
Stettler:
How can I get the most out of visualization?
Anja Weisflog:
Research shows that the more intense and detailed the visualization, the more effective it is. In practice, this means not only picturing situations but also incorporating other senses, such as sounds or physical sensations.
Stettler:
That sounds challenging. How can one practice this?
Anja Weisflog:
Place a lemon in front of you and look at it intently for about 30 seconds. Then try to gradually involve different senses:
What colors, shapes, or irregularities do you notice on the peel?
How does the surface feel? Is it rough or smooth? How heavy does the fruit seem?
Notice the scent. Do you smell the typical lemon scent?
Run your finger over the peel. Do you hear a sound?
Then close your eyes and imagine the lemon as vividly as possible. Try to see, feel, and smell it in your mind. Open your eyes briefly every now and then and compare your imagination with the real lemon. This will make your visualization increasingly accurate.
Next, imagine peeling the lemon and taking a bite. Engage all your senses again. Afterward, you can actually perform the action and see how close your imagination was to reality.
“Many people have a picture of their dream job in their minds, but does this image actually match reality?”
Stettler:
How can this technique be applied in practice to recruitment?
Anja Weisflog:
Visualization can help candidates, as mentioned, during presentations in the application process (e.g., self-presentation) or to imagine their desired professional future more clearly. Many people have a picture of their dream job in their minds, but does this image actually match reality? That’s why I always recommend imagining the potential new job with all your senses and mentally going through the following points:
- Aligning the role with one’s own strengths, skills, and interests
- Opportunities for personal development and career goals
- Meaningfulness and alignment of values and corporate culture
- Personal needs and the given working conditions
The same approach is also helpful for hiring managers. Taking a moment to consciously visualize whether the candidate is a good fit for the role, the team, the corporate culture, and the company’s strategy. This can provide a lot of clarity and save valuable resources.
Conclusion:
Visualization is a simple yet effective mental technique from elite sports that can also be applied in everyday professional life. By imagining situations as realistically as possible and engaging all your senses, you can boost motivation, gain clarity about your goals, and better prepare for challenges.
