Ginny Wilson-Peters' Blog

“I’ve always been the opposite of a paranoid. I operate as if everyone is part of a plot to enhance my well-being.” – Stan Dale

I met a husband and wife recently who shared their dream to quit their jobs and begin public speaking full-time. They shared their individual and collective stories of overcoming obstacles and I could clearly hear the strength and conviction of their faith. The stories they told were compelling and I know they will woo audiences with their heartfelt compassion, vulnerability and strength.

The woman said she had a clear vision of being on a stage in front of a large group of people. In her vision she is wearing a suit. So, what did she do? She went out and purchased two new suits. She began acting “as-if” her dream had already come true.

In his book, “The Success Principles”, author Jack Canfield talks about the power of creating a vision and then acting “as if”. “One of the greatest strategies for success is to act as if you are already where you want to be. This means thinking like, talking like, dressing like, acting like, and feeling like the person who has already achieved your goal. Acting as if sends powerful commands to your subconscious mind to find creative ways to achieve your goals and it sends strong messages to the universe that this end goal is something you really want.”

Canfield shares the following story. “Fred Couples and Jim Nantz were two kids who loved golf and had very large dreams. Fred’s goal was to someday win the Masters Tournament, and Jim’s was to someday work for CBS Sports as an announcer. When Fred and Jim were suitemates at the University of Houston in the late 70s they used to playact the scene where the winner of the Masters is escorted into Butler Cabin to receive his green jacket and be interviewed by the CBS announcer. Fourteen years later, the scene they rehearsed many times in Taub Hall at the University of Houston played out in reality as the whole world was watching. Fred Couples won the Masters and was taken by tournament officials into Butler Cabin, where he was interviewed by none other than CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz. After the cameras stopped rolling, the two embraced each other with tears in their eyes. They always knew it was going to be the Masters that Fred won, and that Jim would be there to cover it for CBS—the amazing power of acting as if with unwavering certainty.”

Acting “as if” is not reserved for golfers, celebrities or “other people.” Just like the couple I mentioned in the beginning, this powerful tool is available to you and requires just two things. First, is a dream or vision of where you want to be in the future. Second is an unwavering commitment and belief in your self.

Over ten years ago, in February 1997, I wrote a 5, 10 and 15 year vision for my future. My 10 year vision included these words: “I will be running my own corporate leadership development company—training others to be the source of their own creativity.” My 15 year vision was “I will be teaching at the university level—to masters level business students.” Those words were step one of creating my vision for the future.

My business, Integrity Integrated Inc was started from scratch over eight years ago. I left a six figure salary as President of a printing company to start this business. People have called me courageous; perhaps that is true. What is true for me though is that I knew to the depth of my soul that it was time for me to leave the comfort of my previous role and start this company. To be totally honest, I didn’t feel afraid at the time, because I just knew that the business would succeed. That sense of faith, together with the unwavering commitment from my husband and friends has helped me to achieve my 10 and 15 year vision far in advance of when I thought I would do so.

“The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.” – Ben Stein, author and actor