Visualization

Challenge & Selection

I have used the Visualization tool many times and it has resulted effective. The first time I applied  this tool was when I played tennis. Before a match, I closed my eyes and imagined myself playing.  Then, I imagined myself running, hitting the ball, and winning. The tool was highly effective since  I won! The second time I used the Visualization tool was when I wanted to open an online shop,  which I did. Visualization not only helps me achieve what I want by drawing a clear picture in my  head, but also helps those around me to understand the message I want to communicate.  Visualization is any technique for creating images, diagrams, or animations to communicate a  message. It is an effective way to communicate both abstract and concrete ideas. When I first came  up with the idea of opening my own shop, I used Visualization by imagining a positive outcome;  then, I used Visualization again to draw charts and diagrams for a better explanation of my idea.

Application

For personal and professional purposes, I used the tool of Visualization to open my own online  shop. At the time, I had to find a way to convince my peers that this was a good idea. I needed the  help of my parents to get started on what I wanted to achieve. I used to draw a picture in my head  of the perfect shop and how I wanted to be. I wrote it down, I calculated costs and materials, and  I made a chart of prices, costs, timing, etc. After I clearly visualized what I wanted, I communicated  my message to my mom by first creating an image in her head and then showing her a diagram of  how the shop would work, for a better comprehension of the idea.

I start the process by creating an image in my head. The shop I opened using Visualization is about  selling skin care products. I began imagining how nice it would be if people could find beauty  products bought from all parts of the world in one single online store. After I pictured it in my  head, I wrote it all on paper. I drew the logo, which products I wanted in the shop, etc. When I was  done, I felt so excited about the idea that I searched for products and costs online. Then, I created  goal pictures. I went to beauty stores and took pictures of many products and posted them asking  reviews about those products. Each time I went to a skin care store, I imagined as if it was mine.  After writing in paper what I wanted and how I would achieve that goal, I went to my mother and  after analyzing all the drawings, charts, and tables I drew, she finally agreed with my idea and  decided that she would help me out.

While in the process, I was afraid of giving up. So, I came up with another Visualization technique.  I would reappear repeatedly what my goal was. I used affirmations to support my visualization. I  used to say: “I am opening a beauty and skin care shop and it is going to be popular and  recognized”. This technique kept me focused on my goal. I was motivated every day to keep on  working on what I wanted to achieve. The Visualization tool was very effective. First, I imagined  what I wanted, then I wrote down my goals; and finally, I used the power of visualization and  repeated my daily affirmations.

Insight and approach

Visualization is a powerful tool. I didn’t know what I was doing when I wrote down what I wanted  or when I drew charts and diagrams. Now I know I have applied Visualization in many occasions.  Of course, sometimes the technique may not be effective since imagining is not the same as doing  what we want to do. Visualization is like drawing a picture and believing what you see is true. One  becomes so convinced and so attracted to the idea, that wants to keep on working to achieve it.  Visualization made me thing about my challenge more broadly since it was like organizing my  ideas to get where I wanted. Next time, I will use the visualization activity as a starting point for a  series of design thinking. Visualization makes things happen since it introduces us to the context  we are looking forward to be in.

