Visualization techniques - anyone had success?

[Powerslide]

As much as I tend to dislike the way books such as 'The Secret' present things, I do tend to believe strongly that visualization can help make pathways in the brain that translate into success when you actually go and do that thing.

I was thinking specifically for sports, as there was a study done where 30 basketball players were instructed to practice shooting for a period of time, 30 were instructed NOT to practice and to just visualize shooting, and 30 were instructed to do neither.

Both of the first two test groups showed similar improvements when tested and compared with the third, even though only the first group was actually practicing shooting.

What I want to know is - have any of you have similar success in sports/life by visualization? Do you have a set method of doing it, or a technique?

[rJZx]

Im sure I am not alone when I say I visualize before each set in lifting weights... Might be a mindset thing or whatever but it does help me personally.

[Excelsis]

Originally Posted by Powerslide

Do you have a set method of doing it, or a technique?

As easy as it may sound all you have to do is visualize things, more practice, more visualization = goal accomplished

it's like building a house, you only start building when you finish thinking what it wants to look like, otherwise you're just going to be stacking bricks randomly and not knowing where you're going

kinda same mentality here if you catch my drift

[truth]

I visualize when I push for new maxes to chase away self doubting thoughts in my head.

[Powerslide]

anyone have any more insights into the mechanics of why it works or is effective?
I started reading a bit about neural-plasticity...

[Excelsis]

Watching a documentary now..

it's talking about how when we perform an action certain neurons are stimulated

when we watch the activity or visualize it many of the same neurons fire again

so i think it's making that neuron pathway stronger through visualization, therefore increased performance levels