Michael Phelps, US Olympian swimmer, has been called the best Olympian ever by Mark Spitz.  Spitz has reigned as king of the Olympian pool for the last 36 years but during a televised interview, he seemed proud to be handing the attention and title over to Phelps.

And in a different interview, what did Michael Phelps have to say about all of his success?  He summed it up, in my opinion; by saying he had done it with his mind.

That is the place where everything must start.  You must be able to see it in your Mind’s Eye and practice it so often that it becomes a natural part of your consciousness.  Your mind thinks in pictures and it will take whatever pictures you give it and act on them as if they are reality.  Creative visualization is a very powerful thing.

Countless champion athletes spend a tremendous amount of time doing visualization exercises-envisioning the event and the win. 

But do not overlook a vital piece.  They also have passion in their hearts and drive that just won’t quit.  That passion and drive is what causes them to take the action steps that will result in the accomplishment of the goal.  That is what makes it different than daydreaming and wishful thinking.  You must be able to feel the passion in your heart while you are practicing creative visualization-while you are seeing the accomplishment unfold in your mind.

Therein lies the problem for most people.  The belief, the deep down core belief that they can have the life they dream about is missing.  They say affirmations in their head but they aren’t supported by the feelings in their heart.

With experience, you begin to recognize when you have the necessary feelings.  It is frequently described as “just knowing” that your goal is going to happen. 

If you can’t see it, feel it, and believe it, you have to identify and remove the underlying beliefs that are causing blocks to success.  Some people have to do a little more foundational work in order to develop those unmistakable feelings you get when you know you are working with an idea whose time has come.  But anyone can get there!