One of the most popular songs of all time, for good reason, is the John Lennon song Imagine.
That led me to think about the power of the imagination and how it can be used to really ramp up your ability to influence people.
When you ask somebody to imagine something it directs their awareness to it, even if it’s just to make sense of the sentence.
They have to imagine it in some way, however briefly.
People won’t do something until they first imagine doing it.
Now, the unconscious doesn’t distinguish between a real experience and a vividly imagined one.
Here’s the twist: your unconscious mind is never unconscious.
Only your conscious mind is unconscious, of what your unconscious mind is actually conscious of! Wow – a bit of a mouthful!
We know your thoughts and ideas guide your feelings and actions.
So, what happens when you imagine having the thoughts, feelings and actions of a very successful you?
Your thoughts can switch our genes on and off.
They can alter the anatomy of the brain.
The brain can change its own structure and function through thought and activity.
By using your imagination you can alter your perceptions and give yourself permission to create the life you want.
So, to influence people you want to encourage them to engage with their imagination about the benefits of what you have to offer.
“Imagine how happy you’ll feel when you’re relaxing by the pool on holiday in the Bahamas.”
“Imagine how wonderful you’ll feel when you have finally resolved this relationship issue.”
You can identify a situation in which you’d like someone to do something, or to move in a certain direction.
Then stop and ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?”
Figure out the potential benefits to the other person.
Then get them to imagine themselves reaping those benefits.
“Imagine what it will be like when you can motivate people effortlessly.”
“One of the things I’m curious about is what happens when you imagine yourself being really amazing at influencing others.”
Just to answer that a person has to imagine being amazing!
How amazing is that!
“Imagine yourself feeling really fantastic for days on end!”
How do you feel?
Fantastic!
A key is to suggest to people how they’ll feel when they imagine themselves achieving something really worthwhile.
Actually pinpoint it.
“Imagine how great you’ll feel when you’re at your perfect weight looking absolutely fabulous!”
Other patterns you could consider include:
Can you imagine…?
Imagine yourself…
What’s it like when you imagine…
The bridge between the future and the present is your imagination.
Your imagination is the rocket fuel to propel you forward.
Finally, just imagine having the know-how to fire another person’s imagination!
Now that’s influence! Ok, I hope that’s useful for you.