There's some interesting research on how visualizing success could potentially hurt your chances of success. For a more detailed discussion of some of this research, check out this article. As noted by researchers, visualizing success can calm you such that your ambition is lowered. In terms of helping you to pass the California bar exam, I believe this research shows that you should carefully plan when you begin the visualization process. As discussed below, proper timing can really help you as you go into the California bar exam.
The night before the exam, my partner, one of our friends and I tried out a visualization exercise. We were all laying in the hotel beds when we tried this out. It was the perfect time to clear our minds of anxiety and relax. When you step foot into the examination room on the first day you should be feeling confident and relaxed. A little bit of adrenaline might help, but any anxiety will most likely hurt you. At this point in the process you no longer need "ambition" - you need confidence and a clear mind.
If this sounds like something that might interest you, then read more after the jump. If it all sounds too new age for you, then feel free to skip this post. But please do not skip this post because you feel like you do not have the time for such an exercise. If that is your mentality, then you are probably just the person (e.g., overwhelmed, burnt out) who needs some visualization help.
How can you visualize success on the California Bar exam? Spend some time really picturing just what it would look like for you to succeed on the California Bar exam. Turn off the TV, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and tap into your creative side. Now follow these steps.
1. Reflect on your past accomplishments. Think about all areas of your life (i.e., not just in terms of law school). I had finished a marathon just before I started law school. I am a terrible runner and had an awful time, but that was all the more reason why it was a big accomplishment for me. Think about any time that you felt really accomplished. Scaled a mountain? Lost 20 pounds? Passed a really difficult class? Once you decide on your accomplishment, really focus on the experience itself. What emotions did you experience? How did it physically feel? How did you feel about yourself? Reminding yourself that you have already accomplished great things and what it felt like will help you in visualizing success on the California Bar exam.
2. Picture yourself handling the bar exam like a pro. Imagine yourself breezing through the MBE and catching all of the nuances; catching all of the issues in the essay questions; and perfectly structuring your answers to the performance tests. Imagine yourself keeping a steady pace, allowing yourself time to review answers. Imagine your demeanor - calm, confident, and in charge. This will help you to keep a cool head going into it. If you have already pictured yourself breezing through the bar exam, you will truly believe that you can do it. Do not psyche yourself out by imagining the worst as you go into the exam - now is not the time for such thoughts. You need to and should feel like you have everything under control because you do.
3. Then take it a step further and picture what life will look like after you pass the California bar exam. Imagine seeing your name on the pass list. Imagine celebrating with your friends and love ones. Imagine yourself in your dream job as an attorney and let your creative juices flow in coming up with the picture (e.g., arguing in the Supreme Court, sitting on the bench, passing laws). Would you love to be an immigration attorney fighting off deportations and feeling wonderful as you see families remain together? Would you love to be counsel to a Fortune 500 company that helps in its success? Would you love to be a public defender or district attorney, fighting for justice? Now is not the time to be humble about your dreams. This will help you to feel inspired and to put the bar exam in context. This is just one small step that is a part of a much bigger picture. It is not "everything." You can and will do it, and you can and will go on to do even bigger things.
If you want to learn more about visualizing success, you can watch a few videos here and here or read a few articles here and here.
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