This is the Mindset for Life podcast, a place for personal stories, coaching, neuroscience and my favorite positive psychology tools to master life, relationships and work. I'm your host. Bethanie Hansen.

Hello, wonderful listeners! Welcome to another exciting episode of ‘Mindset For Life,’ where we dive deep into the tools and strategies that help you live your best life. I’m Bethanie Hansen, and today, we’re going to explore the powerful practice of setting goals for success by visioning your ideal workday. Whether you’re tuning in during your morning commute or winding down after a long day, I’m thrilled to have you here with me!

Let me start with a personal story. A few years ago, I was stuck in a rut, feeling overwhelmed and unproductive. I decided to try something different: I sat down and visualized my perfect workday. I imagined waking up refreshed, having a productive morning, engaging in meaningful work, and ending the day feeling accomplished. This simple exercise transformed my approach to work and life. It gave me clarity and a sense of purpose that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Coaching Neuroscience Insight
Now, let’s dive into some fascinating science. Did you know that visualization can actually rewire your brain? According to coaching neuroscience, when you visualize a successful outcome, your brain generates the same neural pathways as if you were actually experiencing that outcome (Rock, 2006). This means that by regularly visualizing your ideal workday, you’re training your brain to make it a reality.
Positive Psychology Tool
One powerful tool from positive psychology that can help you change a specific habit is the practice of gratitude journaling. By writing down three things you’re grateful for each day, you can shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. This simple habit can improve your mood, increase your resilience, and help you build a more positive outlook on life (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
Visioning Your Ideal Workday
So, how do you start visioning your ideal workday? Here are some steps to guide you:

Find a Quiet Space: Sit in a comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed.
Close Your Eyes: Take a few deep breaths to relax.
Visualize in Detail: Imagine every aspect of your perfect workday. What time do you wake up? What do you eat for breakfast? How do you feel as you start your work? Picture yourself handling tasks efficiently, interacting positively with colleagues, and ending the day with a sense of accomplishment.
Write It Down: After your visualization, jot down the details. This helps reinforce the vision and makes it more tangible.
Set Goals: Based on your vision, set specific, achievable goals. For example, if your ideal day includes a morning workout, set a goal to exercise three times a week.

In today’s episode, we explored the transformative power of setting goals for success by visioning your ideal workday. We discussed how visualization can rewire your brain, supported by insights from coaching neuroscience (Rock, 2006). We also introduced gratitude journaling as a positive psychology tool to help you change habits and master life, relationships, and work (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
These practices are integral to life and wellbeing coaching, helping you create a fulfilling and balanced life.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or on the brink of burnout, now might be the perfect time to consider making a change. Many people seek coaching to gain clarity, set meaningful goals, and build resilience.
Thank you for joining me today! If you have any questions or want to share your experiences, feel free to reach out. Remember, you have the power to create the life you envision. Until next time, stay positive and keep striving for success!

Rock, D. (2006). Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work. HarperBusiness.
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003).