I had so much fun playing make believe as a little girl. Growing up, I had two friends whose mothers were educators, so we had access to left over supplies, workbooks and worksheets. Over the summer, we would play and take turns being the teacher and giving assignments to each other. In those moments you could not tell me I was not Mrs. Ridgel with a class full of students in need of my tutelage. I was acting as if and it felt real.

I don’t know when playing make believe became something reserved only for little children, but somewhere along the way many adults stop believing what they imagine could be real. In the book, Hidden Solutions All Around You, the author, Daniel Castro, said, “The ability to believe in things we cannot see as though they are real is one of the most important things that separates us from the animals.” Imagination doesn’t have to be lost forever. We can rediscover it and use it daily with confidence because imagination is not only for child’s play—it’s strategic.

On the “Acting As If” episode of Constance Arnold’s Thing Believe and Manifest podcast where I was a guest, she demonstrated the power of utilizing your imagination to achieve your dreams and greatest desires. In it, she and one of her brave coaching clients role played a scenario together and as I listened, I was struck by the powerful strategic communication principles they illustrated.  

First, let’s cover what it means to be strategic. The key is to understand strategic goals are not achieved overnight, but with focused action over time they can be. The length of time could be three months or three years. To meet or even exceed the goal, one must manage expectations and complete consistent, focused action over time.

Now, let’s unpack the communication principle that, when used strategically, can make imagined goals a reality. The principle is two-way dialogue and it is the cornerstone of strategic communication. Within personal and professional dynamics, when messages and communication are one-directional, the experience is limited and restrictive and the results are less effective. Think of the last time you had a conversation with someone who did most of the talking and you were barely able to get a word in edgewise. Or, being in a work environment where you are only to follow directions and to ask questions or offer recommendations is frowned upon. Doesn’t that feel awful?

Two-way dialogue, on the other hand, builds trust, fosters emotional well-being, morale, and commitment. We see two-way dialogue in action on social media where effective messages empower message receivers’ behavior to organize, mobilize and act. The same effects are felt on an individual level as well. Engaging in two-way dialogue with people we trust about our hopes and dreams allows our ideas to be refined and solidified. It also enhances our commitment and creates accountability. As Constance’s client said at the end of their dialogue, it made it feel so real.

Her realization brings me back to the power of imagination. Sometimes, as we travel paths that lead to our goals, they may still feel unreal or unachievable. However, research shows that people are more likely to achieve their goals when they imagine themselves achieving them. Neuroscientists have discovered through brain scans that as we imagine ourselves in an activity, many of the same parts of our brains are activated as if we were doing the activity in real time. The act of visualization also improves outcomes and performance. Castro writes, “Basketball players who were only allowed to visualize shooting free throws scored nearly as high as those who actually practiced shooting free throws with a real basketball. All top-level athletes use the power of visualization to improve their performance.”

To put acting as if into practice:

• First, understand what it means to be strategic. Remember, consistent action over time is the formula. 

• Then, identify an experience or state of being that you want to feel real or make a reality. That could be anything from vacationing in an exotic locale to leading an important project at work. Get clear about what you want and use your imagination to envision yourself in the experience. Remember, using your imagination is strategic and proven to improve performance and outcomes.

• The final step will help you get comfortable describing and living out your goal as you actively engage your imagination and speak about it out loud in two-way dialogue! Do it more than once or twice. Participate in consistent two-way dialogue about your goal over time. For a personal goal, talk to someone who can serve as an accountability partner and be curious with you. A curious person will ask you questions and guide you to elaborate about what you envision for yourself and the actions you are taking to achieve it.

The dynamic nature of collective creation or co-creation comes into play when you activate strategic two-way dialogue. in the song “Make Me Better,” one of my favorite R&B crooners, Ne-Yo, encapsulates the concept with passion when he sings, “I’m a movement by myself, but I’m a force when we’re together.” Most importantly, for those of us who still feel like imagination is just for child’s play, recognize the strategic aspects of it so that you feel more adult as you do so. Now go out and act as if!

Keshawn Hughes is a strategic communicator, wellness advocate and neuroscience enthusiast. She helps individuals and organizations improve their lives and business outcomes by providing practical methods and data-based principles along with lessons from her own personal and professional development journey. Learn more about Keshawn and ways to optimize your life at keshawnhughes.com.