As presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, makes his way through the Middle East and Europe, the pundits have been incessantly saying things to the effect of, “He has to stop pretending he’s president.”

Well, duh. Why would he? Have you ever seen what an actor goes through to embody a role?

Obama is using a device that dates back to, well, at least William James’ lifetime (1842-1910). “If you want a quality, act as if you already had it,” said the American philosopher and psychologist and – thank you, Wikipedia -- leader of the philosophical movement of pragmatism.

Depending on whether you’re reading a book or article designated as economic or spiritual or somewhere in between, it may tout the “act as if” approach or, put another way, the “preparing for the outcome you desire” approach.

Metaphysician and lecturer Florence Scovel Shinn wrote The Game of Life and How to Play It in 1925. She put it this way: “We have a wonderful illustration of this in the bible, relating to the three kings who were in the desert, without water for their men and horses. They consulted the prophet Elisha, who gave them this astonishing message: ‘Thus saith the Lord – Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet make this valley full of ditches.’ Man must prepare for the thing he has asked for, when there isn’t the slightest sign of it in sight.”

Life coaches use this device all the time in a myriad of ways. If someone wants to be paid to write articles about travel, I have him write the articles as if he is being paid. The idea is to act as if you are a travel writer until you become one. If someone wants to buy a fabulous, brand new bed but it’s not yet in her budget, I have her buy the sheets or a throw pillow that will go on that bed. It’s a form of visioning that is wonderfully optimistic, often allowing a person to go from the feeling that her goal is a fantasy to one where that goal tips more to reality.

‘Acting as if’ says this is what I really want. It says I have the confidence and the imagination to put myself out there and do it. And it says I don’t care what anybody else thinks because it is up to me to make this happen in my life. This is my process and it feels great.

Wayne Dyer really captures this in his book The Power of Intention: “Initiate actions that support your feelings of abundance and success. Here, the key word is actions. I've been calling this acting as if or thinking from the end and acting that way. Put your body into a gear that pushes you toward abundance and feeling successful. Act on those passionate emotions as if the abundance and success you seek is already here. Speak to strangers with passion in your voice. Answer the telephone in an inspired way. Do a job interview from the place of confidence and joy. Read the books that mysteriously show up, and pay close attention to conversation that seem to indicate you're being called to something new.”

Dig those ditches. It’s a way of being in lockstep with your desires. And doesn’t that sound appealing?

Whether or not it works for Senator Obama remains to be seen. But it’s an ambitious and daring way to live nonetheless.

Nancy Colasurdo is a practicing life coach and freelance writer. Her Web site is www.nancola.com. Please direct all questions/comments to FOXGamePlan@gmail.com.