"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." —Albert Einstein

Have you ever met anyone who wanted to have a life of luxury but couldn't really see themselves in that life? Have you ever read a story about a person who longed for a loving soul mate but had difficulty picturing herself in a happy marriage? Have you heard about anyone say they wanted to have a successful business but couldn't imagine being self-employed? Truth is, our ability to create the future we dream of is limited by what we can see for ourselves.

Here are two fundamental steps to empower your ability to imagine your extraordinary possibilities:

Step One: Envision

What do you see as your future? Some people misguidedly think that their future is a projection of their past. They live out their history instead of creating their future. What you can imagine for yourself is limited to your view of who you are and what possibilities are available to you.

Ask your heart of hearts, "If I got really radical today, stopped fearing the consequences, let go of any doubts about my ability to succeed and enthusiastically set out to be what I know deep down inside that I was born to do, what would I want for my future?"

Whatever you can see you can create. Muster up the moxie, the confident courage, to turn up the volume on your imagination.

"I believe in imagination. I did (the movie) Kramer vs. Kramer before I had children. But the mother I would be was already inside me." —Meryl Streep

Once you have formed a picture of the answer to that question expand upon that vision. Make it bigger. Stretch beyond your comfort zone of desire. Now get very specific about what you now see. If you see yourself in a beautiful home what does it look like? Is it in the mountains or by the ocean? How does it feel to see yourself in that home? Use all of your senses. What do you hear, taste, smell and touch? Are there any paintings or photographs on the wall? Is the color palate used in the decor warm or cool? Imagine yourself living in that home.

"One way we can enliven the imagination is to push it toward the illogical. We're not scientists. We don't always have to make the logical, reasonable leap." —Stella Adler

You can use the same imaginative exercise for your career, relationship, entrepreneurial business — whatever you wish to create for your life experience. All experiences begin with a vision. Use your vivid imagination to create what you really really want!

Step Two: Act

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lost the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." —Gloria Steinem

Once you have fully immersed yourself in the imaginative vision of your aspiration, hold that feeling. If you imagined a beautiful home, for example, bring that future vision to the present moment. Show up in your day in the warm glow of that embrace.

"Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality." —Jonas Salk

Think, speak and act in the direction of that imagined reality. Imagination without action is merely an unfulfilled dream. Be mindful of any inner thoughts, feelings, uttered words, decisions and choices you have and make each and every day. Do they get you closer to what you've envisioned for your future or away from what you long for? Let go of anything that distances you from what you want. Take positive action upon anything that will move you closer to your goal. Even if its just a baby step.

"Imagination has brought mankind through the dark ages to its present state of civilization. Imagination led Columbus to discover America. Imagination led Franklin to discover electricity." —L. Frank Baum, Author, "Wizard of Oz"

Each and every day flex your imagination muscles. Continue to see beyond your current circumstances to expand upon what you see as possible for you to create. The more you see the more extraordinary your life will be.

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination." — John Lennon

Next: How to Rise Above Challenging Circumstances

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Copyright ©2010 Valery Satterwhite. All rights reserved.

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