You probably know that successful people in all fields use these two tools to perform at high levels. Did you know that you can use them to reduce stress and create the life you desire? You can use them to improve your relationships, master your diet and exercise, and succeed at any potentially stressful event in your life.

At first, they may seem so obvious that you might wonder how powerful they could be. However, when you learn to do these two things well, they can change your life. They’ll help you immediately shift into feeling empowered, relaxed, and confident while getting the results you’re looking for. In this article, we’ll explore the profound effects of Planning and Mental Rehearsal.

If you were going to put on a play, you’d start with a Plan. You’d look over the script and assess the resources you were going to need, including the stage, the set, the director, the actors, the musicians, the stage crew, and so on. You’d set up auditions, define a rehearsal schedule, and decide on how to market and sell tickets.

In other words, you’d get very clear on what you wanted to create, the resources you needed, and the steps to carry it all out. You’d be conscious and intentional about every move so that the end result would be the best possible. Then you’d rehearse again and again until you got it just right. With all that in place, you’d know that you put yourself in position for a successful run.

In life, we often get stressed and don’t see the best possible results because we approach things without the same conscious awareness and intentional action. We allow life to happen to us, rather than taking charge of what is going on. Instead of planning for and rehearsing the outcomes we desire, we complain about circumstances, blame others, and feel overwhelmed by the endless barrage of things we have to do.

Let’s look at how a little Planning and Mental Rehearsal can work wonders to reduce stress and create better results. Planning is being proactive and ahead of the game. It begins with getting clear about what you desire. You then imagine the resources and action steps you might take on the way to that outcome. In my experience as a trainer and coach, many of us get hung up because we don’t do these first steps consciously or very well.

Planning can only proceed if you first get real clear on your intended objective-if you know what you want. You need to have a clear mental image of your desired destination. This will help you decide what is in line with that and what isn’t. It will help you to prioritize and make decisions.

Once you define your objective, imagine the steps you’ll need to take to get there. Imagine the possible challenges you’ll face and the resources you’ll need to meet those challenges. Write these things down in your Plan.

Once you have your Plan defined, you can use Mental Rehearsal to prime yourself to carry it out. For example, if you have an important meeting, first Plan what you want to cover and what you need to bring with you, then Rehearse how it might go. Mental Rehearsal is a powerful tool to prepare your mental circuits to execute your Plan. In fact, Mental Rehearsal is so powerful that the brain doesn’t differentiate between doing that and doing the activity itself-the same brain circuitry is involved either way. When you Rehearse something it also helps you refine your Plan. In Rehearsal, you may notice that your Plan left out a key step or resource.

To Rehearse, imagine the situation you are preparing for in full sensory detail. Imagine what the environment looks, feels, sounds, and smells like, who is there, and what everyone is doing. Then walk into that scene in your mind’s eye. Step right into your mental image and go through what you will say. Imagine how others might respond and respond back to them. Imagine the best possible outcome. Imagine what it feels like in your body when it all goes well. Feel that as if you are there and it is happening right now.

Planning and Mental Rehearsal are great to do at night before you go to bed. Your brain will then integrate your Plan and your rehearsed actions while you sleep. When you get up in the morning review your Plan and Rehearse it again. Repeat that right before you enter your planned event to prime you once more. Then relax and step into the situation in real life.

Trust your Planning and Rehearsal and then see what the real event brings. Be open to things moving in the best possible way, even if it isn’t exactly as you planned. Know that your preparation has put you in the right frame of mind to handle whatever might come up. Keep your objective in mind and allow real life events to show you the best way to get there.

You can apply Planning and Mental Rehearsal to anything that stresses you out or that you’d like to improve. For example, with diet you can Plan and Mentally Rehearse what you will eat in the coming day. You can do the same for your exercise routine, for a conversation with your spouse or kids, or for a trip that you’re about to take.

What might happen if you used the tools of Planning and Mental Rehearsal for everything that is most important to you? If you approach the events in your life with this degree of consciousness, positive intent, and preparation, I think you’ll be amazed how it reduces stress and gives you more and more of what you truly desire.

Enjoy your practice!

Are you ready to quiet your mind, relax deeply, and manifest what you truly desire? Discover how to take your practice to the next level. For the best meditation techniques, information, and tips, be sure to visit us here.

Are you ready to quiet your mind, relax deeply, and manifest what you truly desire? To discover how you can use meditation to de-stress and create success, be sure to visit us here:
http://www.mindbodytrainingcompany.com/meditation/so-many-meditation-techniques-which-do-i-choose/

Author Bio: Are you ready to quiet your mind, relax deeply, and manifest what you truly desire? Discover how to take your practice to the next level. For the best meditation techniques, information, and tips, be sure to visit us here.

Category: Self Help
Keywords: reduce stress, manifest, stress management, goal setting, creative visualization, mental rehearsal