The Process of “Vivid Thinking” Which Makes Success Certain” - Part 1 by: Jason KatzenbackSome principles are so simple that we often overlook their significance. For instance, success is lack of failure; each failure is due to some mistake; each mistake in action originates in some mistake in thinking. To change from failure to success, it is necessary to develop those processes of thought which prevent mistakes, and which lead to success.
There is a process of success. It is a dual process. The first step is vivid imaging in thinking. It is
subject of this chapter. The second step is idealized doing. It is subject of next chapter. This dual process-vivid imaging and idealized doing -guarantees success. You have often been told that success comes to man who "uses his brain"- that is, to man who thinks. But mere thinking will not prevent him from making mistakes; neither will purposeful thinking, nor well thought out plans.
Thinking in vivid images is only process which always prevents mistakes.
Even great experts make mistakes when they fail to think in vivid images.
The great Quebec Bridge fell down in process of construction. All factors determining its construction had been given careful thought by great engineers. There had been months of exact figuring and calculation of stresses and strains. Certainly, engineers and constructors did not intend it to collapse, delay their work, injure their reputation as bridge builders, and cause loss of life.
Yet, it did collapse, and hence someone- evidently many engineers - made some serious mistake in thinking, overlooking some important factor. Can such mistakes in examining a plan-no matter what it is -be prevented? Can they always be prevented?
As you study failure of noted engineers who planned Quebec Bridge, and colossal blunder of great engineers who planned two of subways of New York City, you will be convinced that most expert and careful thinking about a plan, and most exact examination of it, do not guarantee success nor prevent failure. You will also be convinced that nothing but vivid images can prevent such failures.
