Do you sometimes wonder about your ideal life? Perhaps you day dream of a future in which you have accomplished all our goals, enjoy fulfilling relationships, and enjoy seemingly impossible levels of well-being. The Best Possible Self exercise offers a powerful tool to envision and help you manifest this future.
By visualizing your best possible self, you can tap into your innate strengths, enhance your optimism, and shape your path towards a brighter future.
Understanding the Best Possible Self Visualization
The Best Possible Self visualization exercise is a contemplative practice that has been proven to boost mood, increase positive affect, and foster a more optimistic outlook on life.
This exercise invites us to imagine ourselves in an ideal future, where everything has gone remarkably well.
It encourages us to explore various domains of our lives, such as personal, professional, and social, to create a holistic vision of our best selves.
The Benefits
Research has shown that engaging in the Best Possible Self exercise brings about several benefits. Practicing this exercise can enhance positive emotions, increase optimism, and help us take action to improve our future.
These benefits can be immediate, or may take a little time.
When I wrote my own best possible self the benefits didn’t come quickly. Actually, I felt quite flat after the exercise (maybe I was expecting too much!). But slowly I reflected further, went back to my writing several times, and the future opportunity came into focus.
That was about a year ago, now I review my best possible self statement occasionally, sometimes craft it a little, and draw inspiration from it. It helps me stay on track.
How to Practice the Best Possible Self Exercise
To fully harness the power of the Best Possible Self exercise, a little time and a little calm is required.
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can engage in the Best Possible Self exercise without interruptions. This could be your bedroom, a peaceful corner of your home, or any place where you feel relaxed and focused.
You might want to select a specific ‘future time’ to focus on. This could be a year from now, three years from now, or any timeframe that resonates with you. Or just keep it looser and maybe revisit timeframes afterwards.
Step 1: Explore the Dimensions of your Future Self
Take a few moments to explore your future self in vivid detail. Imagine how you will feel, where you will be, and who you will be with. Consider various aspects of your life, including personal, professional, and social dimensions. Allow yourself to dream and visualize the ideal version of yourself in each domain.
Imagine yourself in a future where your personal life is flourishing. Envision engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Picture your hobbies, health preferences, and any personal accomplishments you aspire to achieve. Paint a vivid picture of your ideal personal life, focusing on the details that resonate with your values and desires.
Shift your focus to your professional life and visualize your best possible self in this domain. Imagine a career that brings you a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Consider the type of work you engage in, the impact you make, and the accomplishments you achieve. Visualize the ideal professional success that aligns with your passions and aspirations.
Now, turn your attention to your social life and relationships. Envision yourself surrounded by a supportive network of friends, family, and loved ones. Imagine the quality of your relationships, the meaningful connections you cultivate, and the joy you experience in your social interactions. Visualize a vibrant and fulfilling social life that nourishes your well-being and brings you a deep sense of belonging.
Step 2: Write About Your Best Possible Self
After engaging in the visualization exercise, take a moment to reflect on your experience and write about your best possible self. Capture the essence of your vision in writing, describing the details of your personal, professional, and social success.
Be as specific as possible, articulating your values, strengths, and the actions you take to manifest your best possible self.
Step 3: Revisit and Refine Your Vision
Make it a habit to revisit and refine your vision of your best possible self, as you progress on your journey, your aspirations and goals may evolve.
Then continuously align your actions with your vision, adjust your course as needed, and celebrate the milestones you achieve along the way.
Embrace Your Best Self and Shape Your Future
The Best Possible Self exercise empowers us to envision and create the future we desire. By engaging in this practice, we tap into our innate strengths, cultivate optimism, and align our actions with our aspirations.
Embrace the power of visualization and the potential it holds for personal growth and well-being. Your best possible self can guide you towards a brighter and more fulfilling future!
