Before you start calling BS and rolling your eyes, hear me out. Manifestation isn’t just for hippies and lunatics — the practice has a legitimate place in even the most logical person’s life if you know how to use it. By learning how to zone in on what you want and draw it into your life, you’d be surprised what you can accomplish. However, it’s important to follow some simple rules if you want to increase your chances of success.
- Visualize what you want/want to happen. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth stating. You can’t start a manifestation practice without knowing what you’re trying to bring into your life. Is it a promotion at your job you’re wanting? To travel to your dream destination overseas? Achieving a fitness goal like running a marathon? Whatever it is, get a clear picture of it happening in your mind and allow yourself to visualize it happening. What does it feel like? In what ways is your life different because of it? In what ways you are different? Feel free to really get into the nitty-gritty here.
- Believe the things you want can and will happen. Negativity truly has no place in a manifestation practice. If you think it’s a pipe dream or that the idea of manifesting something is ridiculous and doesn’t work, it’s not going to. You have to have faith that the process will ultimately bring about your desired goal. Otherwise, what’s the point?
- Practice gratitude. It’s fine and well to want things in life — we all do — but you also have to remember to be grateful for what you have. There are so many things in your life that you’re fortunate to have. Your health, for one thing. Your family and friends, a roof over your head, money to put food on your table… the list goes on and on. Your situation is unique to you, and while there are likely things in your life you want to change or that you dislike, it’s so important to focus on the good. By doing this, you continue to put out good energy, and that will eventually come back to you.
- Set clear and precise intentions. When building your manifestation practice, it’s important not to be vague. It’s not enough to think, “Oh, I want a new job.” Instead, you should get as specific and detailed as possible. Something more like, “I want to move into a senior position in the design department at my firm and eventually start my own business” is more like it. The clearer your vision, the more likely you are to make it a reality.
- Take action — you need to work for it too. A manifestation practice can help you bring any number of things you want to fruition, but let’s not kid ourselves here — you’re going to have to put in the effort too. Manifestation is more about mindset than the misguided belief that you can sit back and kick your feet up while the world lays everything at your feet on a silver platter. You can set your intention and clearly see a path forward, but you’re going to have to take the necessary steps yourself to get there. The sooner you realize that, the better.
- Practice patience. Accomplishing huge tasks like buying a house or climbing to the top of your career field doesn’t happen overnight. They take time, energy, and hard work. Don’t get frustrated if the things you want don’t suddenly flood into your life in a few weeks or even a few months. Understand that it’s a journey, one through which you’re constantly advancing and that you will get there. It’s hard to stay patient, but it’s important not to let your frustrations destroy your optimism.
- Stay open to opportunities as they arise. It’s possible to become short-sighted and overly focused on the object of your manifestation, turning the practice into a hindrance rather than a help. While it’s great to have a clear picture of your mind when it comes to where you want to end up, but it’s important that you recognize the path to getting there could look different than you’d expect it to. Keep your eyes and your mind open to various opportunities as they present themselves. You never know what might come of them!
- Reflect on the objects of your manifestation and adjust if necessary. One thing about manifestation is that it doesn’t have to be rigid. You may find a few months into your practice that you no longer want the thing(s) you once thought you did. That’s okay! Check in regularly with the goals you’re pursuing and see if they still align with your current desires. If they don’t, switch them up!
- Celebrate your wins. You don’t have to wait until you achieve your ultimate goal to celebrate the power of your manifestations. Even the small wins along the way are important to recognize and get pumped out. They prove that you’re on the right path and doing the right thing, and that’s amazing!
