Enhanced Cognitive Visualization

The Psychology Behind Safer Work! What if I told you your brain doesn’t know the difference between doing a task and vividly imagining doing it? That’s not a motivational quote. That’s neuroscience. Studies show that mental rehearsal activates the same neural pathways as real physical action. Just seconds of visualizing a task can improve performance, reduce errors, and increase focus. In safety-critical work, that means: • Better hazard recognition • Ensuring controls are present • Sharper situational awareness under pressure I’ve experienced the power of visualization firsthand. I’ve completed 10 consecutive San Francisco Marathons, and a major part of that success wasn’t just physical training; it was mental. Before race day, I’d mentally run the course dozens of times: • I visualized the start line nerves • I felt the uphill pain at Mile 10 • I saw myself crossing the Golden Gate Bridge strong • And I rehearsed pushing through “the wall” at Mile 21 By the time the race came, my mind had already been there. Professional athletes do this, too: • Michael Phelps rehearsed every detail of his swim, including his goggles failing (which happened in the Olympics… and he still won gold) • Lindsey Vonn mentally skied her courses before every race, so vividly that researchers said she would sweat just from imagining it So why don’t we use the same tool on the job site to improve situational awareness and ensure controls are present for high-risk work? Science backs it: • Mental rehearsal can almost match the benefits of real practice (Taylor & Pham, 1996) • In surgery, visualization reduced errors and stress in high-pressure environments (Arora et al., 2011) Try this during your pre-job briefing: Before a complex or high-risk task, pause for a minute and close your eyes. Imagine the worst-case scenario. Use tools like the Energy Wheel to identify the high-energy sources that may be present. Then ask yourself: What controls are in place to prevent serious injuries or fatalities? Mentally walk through each step of your work safely. Visualize yourself completing the task and going home safe. It is that simple. It costs nothing. It takes seconds. It rewires the brain for safety. and backed by science. Just like we check our tools, we need to check in with our mindset, for safe operation and keeping everyone safe. 📖 References: • Taylor, S. E., & Pham, L. B. (1996). Why thinking about goals and tasks enhances performance: Mental simulation and the focus on doing. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(5), 875–889. https://lnkd.in/gv6iv6xr • Arora, S., et al. (2011). Mental practice: Effective stress management training for novice surgeons. J Am Coll Surg, 212(2), 225–233. https://lnkd.in/gufqffNQ • Orlick, T. (2008). In Pursuit of Excellence. Human Kinetics. #SafetyMindset #MindfulnessSafety #HumanPerformance #SafetyCulture #ASSP #BCSP #NSC #CSP #SMS

Considering my work frequently intersects creativity and data for Marketing, I closely follow the work of Prof. Judy Fan from Stanford, whose research centers on visual communication, drawing, and how people learn and remember visual information. In a recent lecture, “Cognitive Tools for Making the Invisible Visible,” at MIT’s Quest for Intelligence, Prof. Fan discussed three important aspects of visualization:   ·       How creative visualization occurs in the human mind: Prof. Fan explored the cognitive processes that enable us to create and understand visual representations, highlighting the interplay between perception, memory, and imagination. ·       Why visualization is crucial in the modern world and the importance of early education: She emphasized the increasing importance of visualization skills in our data-rich environment and stressed the need to teach these skills early on to foster effective communication and problem-solving. ·       The limitations of generative AI, particularly vision language models, in comparison to human capabilities: Prof. Fan pointed out that despite advancements, Gen AI still lags human performance in complex visual tasks, indicating that further research is necessary to bridge this gap.   The paper “Evaluating human and machine understanding of data visualizations” explores these limitations, providing insights for future AI research opportunities.    https://lnkd.in/gmeCNzKy It's encouraging to see promising results in Higher-Order Language Features (HOLF) testing. As we increase our emphasis on System 2 thinking—the deliberate, analytical mode of thought—in these models, we can anticipate improved accuracy.   However, Graph Grounding and Reasoning (GGR) and Chart and Language Visual Intelligence (CALVI) proved more challenging for current Gen AI models. This difficulty may stem from our human capacity for relevance realization, as discussed by Dr. John Vervaeke in his paper "Relevance Realization and the Emerging Framework in Cognitive Science." https://lnkd.in/g6Ss72qr Relevance realization, the ability to discern what is pertinent in a given context, is a crucial aspect of human cognition.  The development of our capacity for relevance realization has been a long process. The lecture Cognitive Tools for Making the Invisible Visible is here https://lnkd.in/gcE3qvgh Here are some test results:  

Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. When you mentally rehearse a task—whether it’s delivering a presentation, handling a tough conversation, or staying calm under pressure—you activate the same neural circuits as if you were actually doing it. This is more than motivational fluff—it's neuroscience. A landmark meta-analysis by Driskell, Copper, & Moran (1994), published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that mental practice significantly enhances performance—particularly for tasks that require cognitive processing, like decision-making, problem-solving, and communication. The effect was especially strong when visualization was vivid, repeated, and goal-directed. Here’s why it works: Visualization strengthens the brain's predictive coding system, helping you anticipate actions, regulate emotion, and respond more effectively—before the moment even arrives. You can leverage the same technique professional athletes use to boost performance and catapult themselves toward their full potential. 3 Ways to Use Visualization at Work: 1. Start your day with a mental “preview” Before opening your inbox, take 2–3 minutes to visualize key moments of the day: leading a meeting, staying focused during deep work, or responding to a challenge calmly and confidently. 2. Pre-frame before high-stakes interactions Prior to a sales call, team conversation, or presentation, mentally walk through how you want to show up: articulate, grounded, empathetic. Imagine tone, posture, and positive outcomes. 3. Visualize how you'll handle obstacles and stress Don’t just rehearse success—rehearse recovery. What will you do if the meeting gets tense? Or your energy dips at 2 p.m.? Visualizing the pivot builds resilience and control. Visualization isn't wishful thinking—it’s a way to wire or even rewire your brain to think and behave in a way that your goals requires. #Neuroscience #Visualization #PerformancePsychology #LeadershipDevelopment #MentalRehearsal #BrainScience #ProfessionalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #leadershop #HighPerformance #Performance #SHRM #HR

New Video: The Psychology Behind Data Visualization The best data visualizations don’t just look good — they work with the way our brains process information. Understanding cognitive science can make the difference between a chart that’s ignored and one that drives real impact. In my latest video, I break down the psychological principles behind great data visualization, including: - Preattentive processing: Why some elements grab attention instantly - Working memory: How too much clutter overwhelms the brain - Dual-coding theory: Why combining visuals and text improves comprehension When you apply these insights, your charts, dashboards, and reports become more engaging, memorable, and actionable. Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/43pVAd9 Art+Science Analytics Institute | University of Notre Dame | University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Chicago | D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University | ELVTR | Grow with Google - Data Analytics #Analytics #DataStorytelling