Interesting stuff. I'm glad you brought it up. I've just listened to an old tape set from the library that I thought did a very nice job. It's called "The Neuropsychology of Self-Discipline" by SyberVision.
They contend that visualizing isn't enough. They contend that the reason most self-help programs fail is because they lack (drum roll....PURPOSE!). They get you excited by getting you into group-think or by appealing to your sense of greed, but they don't teach you how to develop a strong purpose that you can use to keep you going when things get tough.
Their plan is:
1. Define your purpose -- What do you really WANT to do?
2. Build models of possibility by finding role models or mentors who have accomplished similar feats.
3. Build a strong multi-sensory vision of the goal (they do a really nice job with this one).
4. Build emotion about the goal -- this is the key for them and is generated by the interaction of purpose and clear multi-sensory goal experiences.
5. Plan! Plan! Plan!
6. Determine what else you need to learn and go learn it. Pay attention to feedback to see what's missing.
7. Be persistent -- some days are going to suck. Rekindle your passion every day by going through your purpose and vision.
I haven't done the set justice, and I apologize, but it was well done.
