Have you ever been so focused on a decision you had to make that it suddenly seemed like the universe was giving you signs? Years ago, I found myself in exactly that situation. I was debating whether to buy a car that I liked. I thought it had a unique design and rarely saw it on the road. But although I loved it, I hesitated. Was it the right choice? Most of my friends’ advice was simple; ‘Stop overanalyzing and just buy it’. One day, leaving a parking garage, I saw seven or eight of the exact car. Had they always been there? Probably. But in that moment, it felt like a sign. So, I bought the car.
I know the car hadn’t magically become more popular overnight. What changed was my awareness. Once my brain had locked onto the idea, I started noticing that car everywhere. This is called the “Red Car Theory”, or more formally, the “Frequency Illusion”. When you are focused on something, your brain filters the world differently to align with it.
But what if we can control this? What if, instead of passively noticing things after they’re already on our minds, we could intentionally direct our focus? That’s where visualization comes in. Unlike the Red Car Theory, which happens unconsciously, visualization is an active practice. Athletes do it before big games, entrepreneurs before launching a new venture, and performers before stepping on stage. They aren’t just hoping for success; they’re programming their minds to recognize the path toward it. They visualize the outcome before the event.
The real power is that these two concepts work together. The more you visualize something, whether it’s finding the right hire, landing a big client, or achieving a personal goal, the more your brain will start filtering reality in ways that support that outcome. It’s not about wishful thinking; it’s about training your mind to see opportunities instead of obstacles.
I’ve seen this play out time and time again in business. Leaders who set a clear vision don’t just work harder; they start spotting connections and possibilities to make it happen. A hiring manager who focuses on the perfect candidate suddenly “finds” them, not because they just appeared, but because the manager was primed to recognize them. Entrepreneurs who visualize success don’t just get lucky; they make decisions and attract people that align with their goals.
So, the next time you find yourself seeing red cars everywhere, take a moment to ask yourself: What else am I priming my brain to notice? Are you focusing on challenges and roadblocks, or are you actively shaping your perspective to see possibilities?
If you’ve ever experienced this shift, where a change in focus led to a change in what you noticed, I’d love to hear about it. Or better yet, try an experiment: pick something you want more of in your life, visualize it clearly, and see how your awareness shifts. You might be surprised by what starts showing up.
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay