The Power of Visualization

The providers at Areté Performance Consulting have honed their expertise as Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC) with a specialized focus on developing the mental acuity of elite athletes from the MLB, NBA, MLS, and NHL over the last five years. They are deeply committed to unlocking the potential of each individual by emphasizing the importance of cultivating mental skills that are essential for peak performance.

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Visualization is one of the mental skills that are being utilized at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels with some of the athletes that I have the opportunity to work with. It is very important for athletes of all ages to start learning the research behind visualization so that they can implement it in their pre-, during, and post-performances, as it allows them to prepare, helps them connect with what matters the most at the moment, and helps them reflect afterward. Athletes and coaches should have the opportunity to collaborate with a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) to find different ways to incorporate the practice of visualization in their day-to-day, a couple of examples would be to visualize not only success, but also potential challenges and their response as anticipation (for athletes), and coaches specifically to carve a few minutes pre-performance and post-performance for athletes to engage with this practice.

Visual Boost for Performance

Evidence-based practice shares the following characteristics of effective imagery practice: being able to decipher whether visualizing in third (birds-eye view) vs first (like an ESPN camera) person comes easier to the athlete and being able to commit to it. Giving oneself the patience to as much as possible try to control the speed of the images, as athletes at times feel like they have no control over them (especially at the beginning of practicing the skill), when in reality we can press play and pause as a movie. Finally, being able to engage all 5 senses (visual, smell, touch, hear, taste), to make the images as clear and as vivid as possible. From there, being able to tailor the practice to whatever they want to work on whether is skills, decision-making, or overall performance, would be key.

Coaching with Visual Precision

Pre-game anxiety is very normal in athletes of all ages, and most of this performance-related anxiety can come from feelings of doubt, the common "impostor syndrome" feeling, among others. The most recommended type of imagery pre-game would potentially be the one of visualizing success, as it provides the athlete with a sensation of a positive image. While this type of imagery is helpful, it can also neglect what actually happens during games, which are potential mistakes, misses, and so on. I would recommend athletes visualize challenges and obstacles that they have seen happen on the field, and focus fully on visualizing their desired response towards those challenges and obstacles, which will increase their sense of overall preparation, helping those pre-game anxiety feelings to be managed in a productive way.

Unlocking Soccer's Visual Success

Similar to what has been shared so far, it is important that the athlete understands that there are different types of visualization. "Motivational" visualization is to help themselves visualize success, "Anticipatory/Preparatory" visualization is to help themselves prepare for potential challenges, and "Reflectory" visualization is to keep themselves in check in relation to their process, all can be related to the goals they want to accomplish, specifically for them to have that "I have been here before" feeling.

The Visual Advantage Unleashed

Being able to practice different breathing techniques, paired with journaling is something that I recommend to collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes. Those two different skills are crucial to not only connect with the present moment, as we know our mind will wander to the past and future oftentimes throughout the day, but also will allow the oxygen to flow through our bodies, to engage with a clear mind. Finally, the practice of journaling will provide the athlete with a strong sense of autonomy and guidance, crucial for a demanding season.