Have you ever heard the saying, “Imagine yourself as the hero of your own story?” Well, that’s exactly what visualizing your inner champion is all about. It’s a powerful tool to become your own best advocate. 

Simply put, it means creating mental images in your mind and using your imagination to see yourself in a particular way. 

In this case, it means seeing yourself as a strong and capable individual who is capable of speaking up for yourself and pursuing your dreams. This visualization is your “inner champion,” an idealized version of yourself that embodies all of the qualities you admire. 

How do you begin to visualize your inner champion? Here are six actionable steps to get you started:

Step One: Identity the Qualities Your Inner Champion Has

Begin by sitting down and thinking about the qualities that you most admire. Is it confidence, courage, resilience, or something else entirely? Once you have identified these qualities, picture them in your mind as a person. What does this person look like? How do they act?

Step Two: Create a Detailed Mental Picture

Now that you have identified the qualities that make up your inner champion, it’s time to create a detailed mental picture of this person. What do they look like? How do they dress? How do they speak and carry themselves? Use your imagination to create a vivid and realistic image of your ideal self. 

Step Three: Be Realistic Yet Optimistic

When creating your inner champion, being realistic yet optimistic is important. If you are a shy person who struggles with self-confidence, envision yourself as someone who is more confident and outgoing. This doesn’t mean that you should expect to become this idealized version of yourself overnight — rather, use the visualization as a way to inspire positive change little by little. 

Step Four: Give Your Inner Champion a Goal

To become your own best advocate, give your inner champion a specific goal. Make sure the goal is something you work towards over time, such as setting yourself up for a successful job interview or improving your public speaking skills. Having an achievable goal will make staying motivated and on track easier as you strive for self-advocacy. 

Step Five: Visualize Yourself in Challenging Situations

Visualizing yourself in challenging situations is important to help you see your inner champion in action. Imagine yourself speaking up for yourself in a meeting, negotiating a salary increase, or pursuing your dream career. This visualization will make you feel more prepared and confident when faced with real-life challenges.

Step Six: Bring it To Life

While visualization is a powerful tool for boosting self-advocacy and achieving your goals, creating tangible representations of your inner champion takes this practice to the next level. Bringing your vision to life will allow you to become clear about what you want to achieve. This may mean writing down your goals, creating a vision board full of inspiration, or even making a physical representation of yourself as a champion to look at and get motivated by. No matter the form, engaging with this representation will keep you motivated and inspired on your path to success.

Now that you have the tools to visualize your inner champion and boost your self-advocacy, it’s time to take action. Don’t let self-doubt or fear keep you from becoming the person you want to be. Remember, you are the hero of your own story. Through visualizing your inner champion, you tap into the confidence and strength needed to be your best advocate.