Last week, I shared how I made myself vulnerable and asked an old friend advice about how to move forward with my work. We had a great chat and one of the things we discussed was how we often don’t follow up on our dreams. That’s when he mentioned how it can take 17 seconds to change our mindset during the day. I hadn’t heard of this before and decided to look to it up.
17 Seconds
Several times a day, stop what you’re doing and visualize with as much intensity as possible the strong positive emotion associated with achieving your ultimate vision. 17 seconds of holding these thoughts and feelings and your mind will begin to transition from a negative state to an uplifted state. A full 68 seconds increases the power of the thought.
– Marla Tabaka
Having experienced the power of how our mind can lead and help us to grow, I decided that I was all for the 17 second practice.
It seemed a simple enough practice. But you’ll be surprised how strongly we can fight and stop ourselves from becoming the best version of our self!
As I’m writing this today, I plan to put it to the test and will keep you posted about the results.
I’m planning to take several printouts of these and (hit me up if you want a PDF copy) and put them all over as a reminder to take that 17 seconds every now and then to stop and visualize!


Have you heard of the 17 second rule and is it something that you would like to try out?


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Hi Corinne – I hadn’t heard of this before. If you read the post I attached for your link party today, you’ll see that this might be a bit tricky for me. I might have to look at an alternative way to focus that energy for those 17 seconds!
Thank you for sharing this, Corinne! I’ve not come across this technique earlier so would love to give it a try. I guess, I’m no different than most people when it comes to going for my dreams. Life gets in the way all too often. Priorities change and I’m not quite the same motivated self who set out to realise those lovely dreams.
Glad to join #mondaymusings after a long time. Thank you for bringing it back, Corinne. 🙂
Esha recently posted..A Leaf Out Of My Parenting Diary
Dear Cory,
This works wonders indeed. Have tried it many times in the last year, with instant success rates. This was introduced by Abraham Hicks – I usually do the 68 seconds intention setting.
Thanks for the reminder, had forgotten about it.
Here’s a link I found that might give your more insights:
https://www.evelynlim.com/68-seconds-of-pure-thought-visualize-in-4-creative-ways/
Natasha recently posted..The Grand Return | Spring | Fiction
I hadn’t heard of this! I’m going to try it too. I’ve been in a funk recently and need to pull myself out of it. 17 seconds seems very doable!
Modern Gypsy recently posted..Creating with the muse: On finding your creative flow
This is the first time I am hearing about 17 seconds to visualize. I agree with you on how strongly we fight and stop ourselves from becoming the best version of our self. But these reminders are helpful. We are trying despite the battle that occurs within us. Who knows, one day we might even succeed. 🙂
Vinitha recently posted..Fiction Monday – 101
I hadn’t heard of this! But I love it.
Aritha recently posted..Je bent mooier als je echt bent