How to Use Intentional Imagining to Create What You Want


Imagination is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? In seconds, we’re transported to another place, another time, another situation. Too often, though, we don’t control what we imagine. Left to its own devices, the imagination floods our minds with anxiety-causing images.

Without your permission, your mind re-imagines past unpleasant events or future scenarios you hope never to experience. Specifically, those unwanted future mental movies are problematic, which is why you need to use your imagination intentionally.

What we focus on, we create. Maybe you don’t believe thoughts are creative, but consider the words of Albert Einstein, who said, “Imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

If we agree that Einstein knew more than a bit of a thing or two, we can also agree that our imagination is a creative tool. When we imagine, we create our future.

When you don’t intentionally imagine, your mind is likely to focus on negative possibilities, though. And that increases the likelihood that you will experience those as realities in the future. They will transform from your coming attractions to your life.

But that’s not what you want, is it?

Imagination vs. Visualization

In metaphysical circles, visualization—not imagination—is the creative tool of choice. We are instructed to put the Law of Attraction into action by visualizing what we desire. Yet, many of my clients and students say they struggle to visualize.

I sometimes find visualization hard, too—even though I’m known for writing and teaching about this conscious creation technique. Sometimes I find myself narrating what I want to see with my mind’s eye. Or I can’t quite get myself to be “in” the visualization, let alone use all my senses to experience it.

I’ve discovered that imagining is easier than visualization. You don’t have to try to imagine; you just do it naturally—even when you don’t want to. Daydreaming is unintentional imagining. But you can choose what to imagine.

Get Your Mind Out of the Way

When someone says, “Visualize what you want,” your mind immediately goes to work figuring out how to accomplish that goal. If you have negative thoughts or beliefs about visualizing—like “I can’t visualize” or “Visualization is hard for me.”—you will, indeed, find it hard to do.

Your mind becomes the obstacle to visualizing what you want. It stops you not only from seeing what you desire but also feeling what it would be like to have it. (And conscious creation requires emotion to be attached to what you visualize.)

When you are told to imagine something, the mind doesn’t put up obstacles. You don’t have negative beliefs about your ability to imagine. Therefore, the block to mentally seeing what you want and experiencing having it is removed.

Create a Preview of Your Life

Ready to begin creating a preview of your future life? I’m not talking about the future life you don’t want, which you create by unintentionally imagining. I mean intentionally creating the future life you want by harnessing the power of your imagination. If so, here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Decide what you want to create.

Make a decision about what you want to create. Be clear. You can even write it down.

2. Relax in a comfortable chair and quiet location.

Sit down in a quiet spot where you will be undisturbed for five or 10 minutes. Get comfortable, and relax.

Try the 7–11 breathing technique, which helps you relax and enter a deeper state of consciousness. Breathe in for seven counts and out for 11 counts. Place your hands on your stomach to be sure you are taking diaphragmatic breaths. Do this four or five times. Or just take a few deep breaths and get centered.

3. Using all your senses, imagine having what you want.

Do not imagine yourself wanting whatever you said you want to create. Instead, imagine yourself having it.

In addition to seeing a mental picture of yourself experiencing having what you desire, try to activate your sense of smell, taste, and hearing.

Then…just imagine.

I would love to own a beach house. So, I often imagine sitting on the porch or the deck of that house and looking at the beach. I imagine the ocean breeze gently stirring my hair, the smell of the saltwater, and the sound of the waves and seagulls. I see the sun glimmering on the water and watch people walking on the beach. And I let my mind drift…to the inside of the house, writing in my office, walking on the beach, or anything that naturally comes into view or that I place within my mind’s eye.

4. Let your mind wander and enjoy.

Enjoy your imagination doing what it does naturally and the good feelings that come with that mind movie.

You’ve directed your mind to imagine something, and it’s very comfortable doing that. So, let it go wild as long as it remains focused on your desire. If you notice it has wandered, gently call it back.

You will find that your mind will begin imagining things you don’t want or getting stuck on specific real-world issues. For me, that could be, “How am I going to afford this house?” So, I remind myself that I am not focused on the how right now. I am intentionally imagining having that house and living in it.

5. End your intentional imagination period.

If you like, you can set a timer for 10 minutes or more. When it rings, end your intentional imagination period with an affirmation of faith.

For instance, you might say, “Amen,” which means “it is done” or “it is so.” Some people like to end by saying, “So be it, so it is,” or “This or something better is now coming to me at the perfect time and in the perfect way for the highest good of all concerned.”

Then let the mental images go. Dismiss them. Have faith that what you imagined—visualized—will show up in your life. You’ve done all you can do, so release your desire to a higher power knowing “it is done.”

Other Ways to Use Your Imagination

Your imagination a necessity when working with affirmations or vision boards as well.

Affirmations do a better job of helping you create what you want if you imagine what it would like for that affirmation to be true. For example, if your affirmation is, “I am wealthy” or “I am healthy,” don’t just write or say the positive statement. Imagine it as true. Let your mind take you there…

Vision boards, which are visual representations of what you want to create and are meant to elicit positive feelings, naturally involve your imagination. You see a picture of—say a beach house—and you instantly imagine yourself in that house. Imagine intentionally, and you increase the power of that experience.

Pinterest is a great place to imagine what you want! Search for whatever you want to create, and let your imagination go wild as you view the selection. I have a Pinterest vision board filled with pictures of beach houses…

Keep It Simple

Don’t over-complicate your efforts to activate the Law of Attraction with visualization. Simply imagine what you want.

Yes…the Law of Attraction is activated by combining your thoughts and feelings as you visualize what you want. But that’s no different than imagining it. And imagining anything is easy and natural for all humans.

Devote time daily for at least one—if not more—short period of intentional imagining. Think of this as giving yourself permission to daydream. And who doesn’t like doing that?

Do you find it easier to daydream than to visualize? Tell me in a comment below. And please share this post with a friend.