Imagined Rehearsal Practice

To begin with, it is important to note that imagined rehearsal is all about mental practice. It involves rehearsing desired behaviors simply by practicing them over and over mentally before actually performing them (Watson and Tharp, 2013). This way, the person is able to visualize possible areas that might pose challenges and then come up with a plan on how to cope and overcome them. According to Watson and Tharp (2013), “There is convincing evidence that imagined rehearsal improves every performance that has been researched” in sports, the workplace, among salespeople, and other fields of work (p. 208). Before performing a high risk or an unfamiliar task, many people engage in some form of mental preparation. For example, when

Imagined rehearsal therefore can be simplified as the process through which people actively imagine themselves in a coping situation. A typical procedure of imagined rehearsal involves first looking for time and place where there will be no interruption. Once a person is in such a location, one can recline or even close one’s eyes in order to maintain concentration. When one is relaxed, focus on the ideal challenge or situation that requires rehearsal. Then build up confidence and have the self-belief that the task at hand can be performed successfully. It is also important to imagine what might be encountered during the task as well as visualize oneself as the active participant rather than the passive observer (Watson and Tharp, 2013). Afterwards, rehearse how to overcome challenges and imagine having engaged in a successful performance while at the same time maintaining a state of relaxation. After having successfully performed the task through the mind it will be important to engage in self-appreciation and self-reinforcement as this will enhance self-motivation and confidence during the actual performance (Watson and Tharp,

According to Watson and Tharp (2013), remembering a time when one coped well in a certain situation and then transferring that to an imagined problem or situation at hand, one is more likely to overcome or succeed at one’s problem. This technique has been used among “test anxious students,” and has helped them in improving their “grade point averages” (p. 209). The most important thing to avoid here is imagining failure as this will diminish “subsequent actual performance and confidence” (Watson and Tharp, 2013, p. 210). Another newly discovered technique or feature associated with imagined rehearsal is the “third-person visualization” technique which involves imagining self-performance from an audiences’ perspective. For example, before presenting a speech, one can imagine themselves as the recipient or the target audience the speech is meant for. This way, one is able to correct their own presentation or performance, and practice on areas which require more improvement in order to attain perfection. Generally, imagined rehearsal helps in improving the subsequent real