As a new year begins, many of us have evaluated our lives and made some New Years’ resolutions to stimulate personal growth and promote healthier lifestyles. Unfortunately, not many people know how to consistently stick to their resolutions or how to pursue their goals and dreams.
Many people sit back, cross their finger fingers for luck, and hope that they will wake up one day and all their dreams will magically come to fruition. That is not how life works though. We need to take responsibility for our own lives and work towards our goals and dreams.
Many people have discovered the power of manifesting their goals and dreams. They have transformed their lives from ordinary to extraordinary by intentionally seeking out the things that make them happy and letting go of the things that don’t. They have become active participants in their own stories instead of allowing life to happen to them.
They have achieved their own ideals of success and achieved their dreams and goals in life. You can follow in their footsteps and manifest your own destiny.
So, what is manifesting?
Manifesting is the practice of thinking tangible and aspirational thoughts with the intention of commanding your thoughts into existence. Manifesting is intertwined with the idea of the law of attraction: you attract the energy and events of what you put out into the universe. By focusing on positivity and specific goals, the frequency of your energy, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs all align to transform your physical reality.
Even though the idea of manifesting was popularized by the best-selling book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, the idea of manifesting your goals has been a widespread belief among spiritual thought leaders. In fact, the concept of manifestation dates as far back as the ancient times.
Of course, at that time, humans believed that only the gods could manifest their destinies, so they would pray and offer sacrifices to the many embodiments of our human nature in godly forms. Today, we have taken back our own destinies and the power to control them.
We no longer rely on the gods of the ancient world. We create our own destinies through the practice of manifesting our goals and dreams.
Does manifesting really work?
The biggest question you may have at this point is, does manifesting actually work. Yes, and no. Will it work if you sit at home, wishing for success without taking any steps towards creating a future you desire? No. Manifesting still requires you to proactively, and consistently, pursue your goals and dreams.
Success does not happen overnight either. It takes time. This is also where the law of attraction comes in. The more you focus on your goals and believe that they will come to pass while intentionally seeking out paths for your success, you will become more aware of the world around you and the opportunities that present themselves to you.
What does manifesting look like?
Manifesting can take on many forms. Sometimes, it is simply a vision board created by a collage of images. Other times, it involves writing your dreams on a piece of paper and placing it under your pillow at night. Most often, manifesting is done on paper in the form of a journal.
Generally, there are a few criteria to follow to ensure you embrace the full potential of manifesting your goals and dreams. The first, and most important criteria that needs to be met, is that you have a clear idea of what you want to manifest. You can manifest anything, such as love or money.
However, you have to be very specific. For example, it is not enough to wish that you were famous. You must be more accurate when you manifest your goals. Instead, try thinking about being a famous actress, known for exceptional performances on Broadway. Only you can define your goals and dreams. Don’t be afraid to dream big either but be specific.
Next, you ask the universe to provide your goals and dreams. You utilize the law of attraction and radiate positive energy into the world.
How to manifest something by writing it down
As we mentioned previously, there are several ways to practice your manifesting journey. You can pray about it, meditate, create a vision board, or simply voice your dreams out loud. Most people, however, discover more measurable progress when they write down their goals and dreams on paper.
Studies have also found evidence that people are significantly more likely to attain their goals if they write them down instead of solely vocalizing them. For these reasons, most people keep a manifesting journal. Ultimately, you must personalize your manifesting journey to work for you.
The process of writing your manifesting goals down is often referred to as scripting. It is simply a technique of writing down what the reality of your goals and dreams look like in greater detail. It is an art experiment of expression. You can explore the world you want to create for the future you. It is an especially useful tool for people who are not necessarily visual dreamers but prefer to describe their goals in words.
Scripting and using a manifestation journal
There are several different ways that people manifest on paper through scripted meditation.
One of the most popular manifestation journal techniques that people use is the 369 Method. This method of manifesting requires people to write down their goals and dreams in a journal. They write down their goals three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon, and then nine times at night before bed. The idea is to continue this routine for thirty-three or forty-five days.
Another similar technique is the 5×55 Method. For this method, you write your goals and dreams down fifty-five times for five days.
For more flexible manifesting through scripted meditation, you can express your ideal life by explaining your goals and dreams. This is your creative writing space. You don’t have to be a great writer or follow all the rules of writing. Now, it is important to use the present tense though.
Remember, the law of attraction works with the energy that you put out and returns it back to you. If you use present tense, you take ownership of your goals and dreams, so naturally, it will be granted to you. This is for your future self only, no one else.
Express your deepest goals and dreams. Don’t be afraid to dream big. But when you choose your goals, it is vital that you have faith in yourself and you wholeheartedly believe that they will be achieved. If you feel your dream might be just a bit too out of touch, aim a bit lower.
After all, once your start achieving your milestones, you will notice that perhaps your initial goal or dream was not that far off after all. You can always change and allow your goals to evolve with your journey. Set your goals and milestones to a challenging yet attainable level.
After all, a part of manifesting your goals and dreams is to gain confidence in your own abilities, as well as the universe. When you write down the goals and dreams you want to manifest, make sure you add your reason why you want them to come true and how they make you feel. The reasons behind your goals will be an additional motivator and an important component to your manifesting.
These added details behind your goals also challenge you to approach your goals in different way. You may find several different solutions or pathways to creatively meet your needs without necessarily reaching your specified goals, or perhaps it will challenge you to strive for a different goal entirely.
It is important to recognize that your goals were chosen for a reason. If your needs are met in a similar fashion, perhaps the real goal was not the one you specified but a way to recognize your unmet needs. So, it is important to maintain some flexibility when measuring the success of your goals and the milestones you reach. It is not necessarily about the details.
Let’s think about the goal of being a famous actress known for exceptional performances on Broadway. What are the feelings associated with this dream, and what are the motivating factors? Is it the thrill of standing on stage in front of a large audience?
Is it the celebratory vibrations you feel in your soul when the audience applauds your performance? Is it the relationships your build and the connections you make with your fellow cast and crew members? What are some other ways you can replicate this energy along the way that also enhance your goals?
Perhaps you play a musical instrument, and you decide to join a band. By adding more exposure and on-stage experience, you will be more equipped when you reach your dream of performing on Broadway. You are reminded of the euphoria of an adoring crowd and a close-knit team of musicians that fills your need for connection.
Consistently writing down your dreams for manifesting and staying motivated throughout your journey will maintain your momentum of pursuing your dreams. And perhaps, after a few shows, you realize that it was the music of musical theatre that enticed you to perform, but your true calling was to perform in a band.
In this example, the reasons behind the goals were met. While the ultimate details may look a bit differently than anticipated, the journey was about self-discovery.
Take action towards your goals
The final step in manifesting your goals and dreams is to take action towards your goals.
Start by incorporating your scripted manifesting meditation into your morning routine. Starting your day empowering yourself will have a much greater success rate than doing so before bed. It gives your mind a reminder of what you want to achieve and pays attention when the universe sends opportunities your way.
Be intentional about your time when working on your scripted meditation. The point is not to mindlessly write the same few sentences over and over again, but to engage your mind, soul, and body and unite them in pursuing the same goal.
Check-in with yourself and ask specific questions. What do your want to achieve or complete today? What are some challenges I may face along the way, and how can I overcome them? How do I want to feel at the end of my day? What am I grateful for today?
Take these questions and apply them to your future accomplished self. Respond to them in the present tense. Think about your timeframe. Are you looking forward one day, one week, one month, one year, five years, or ten years?
Once you have completed your daily routine of manifesting on paper, take small steps every day towards your goals or dreams. Manifesting your goals and dreams takes time and consistent energy on your part. They do not have to be dramatic endeavors.
Simply doing ten minutes of research a day will be enough to set you on your path. Soon enough, you will discover other opportunities along the way that the universe sets up for you. And usually, these opportunities come in the least expected ways.
Using the same example as earlier, if you want to be a Broadway star, you need to take steps that will land you a role in a Broadway play. You can start small, like going to see a musical or googling a few notable Broadway actors. Perhaps you have some free time and decide to take an acting class or join an acting networking group. Start small and build your way up.
Remember to be grateful for your current state
While doing the work and constantly focusing on the future, it can be easy to get frustrated and complacent in the present. We may underestimate the time it takes to achieve our goals and become resentful of where we currently are in our journey.
Take the time to remember how far you have already progressed and praise yourself for your consistency. Seek different perspectives and allow yourself to enjoy the space you are in. Perhaps your dream does not come to fruition, or perhaps it does not look the way you anticipated.
It is important to ensure your peace and happiness along the way. Acknowledge even the smallest and most insignificant progress and achievements. Expressing gratitude also helps us to maintain our positive mindsets when we feel stagnant.
One of the ways to remain mindful of our current state and focus on our current blessings is to keep a gratitude journal. Write down a few things, or even people, that you are grateful for every night before bed.
Tips for successful manifesting
Stay positive. Start by noticing your thought patterns. How positive or negative are your thoughts when it comes to the success of your goals? If you notice that you do not have enough faith or always focus on the barriers, eliminate or redirect your thoughts to a more productive mindset. Seek out the root causes of your disbelief and negativity for long-term resilience.
Surround yourself with a support system. Recruit your family and friends to cheer you on along the way and to encourage you when you need an extra boost. Join groups and networking events with like-minded people who share your dreams and understand your journey. The more people you have that cheer you on, the more accountable you will be to follow through and achieve your goals.
Be flexible. Remember, your process is not always linear. It may feel like you take steps backwards but trust the process. The goals and dreams you manifest may not look exactly how you imagined them. Many times, the universe surprises us and gives us something different, and usually even better than what we can imagine for ourselves. Live in the moment and enjoy the process.
Consistency and repetition are key. However you choose to manifest, whether in a journal or on a scrap piece of paper, be consistent. Set a reminder on your phone if needed, and remember to check in with yourself occasionally. Write down your dream every day, multiple times. Get creative with it.
Try writing it in the first, second, and third person. Make sure to use your name during your scripted manifesting meditation to take ownership of your goals and dreams. Put up sticky notes around your home to refocus your attention on success.
Reward even the smallest of achievements. This will go a long way for your motivation during your manifesting journey. Track your progress and remind yourself of where you started. Consistency will be rewarded by results.
Manifestation journal Examples
If you want to start your manifesting journey but you are unsure of where to begin, here are a few examples for you to follow or draw your inspiration from.
Manifesting love or relationships: Imagine yourself in this relationship. What are you thinking and feeling? How does it feel to be in love? What are some attributes of my partner? What are some things we may do together or share a passion for? How did we meet?
What is their family like? How do they make me feel? How do they treat me? What are some of their best qualities or attributes? Would I feel satisfied in this relationship? Make sure to reverse the roles as well to ensure a clear vision of who you are seeking out and how you would respond in that relationship.
Manifesting careers or dream jobs: Make sure you seek out a career that is fulfilling and compliments your personal lifestyle instead of chasing the money or the highest level in your chosen field for vanity reasons. And while money isn’t inherently a problem, the goal is to live out your dream life and find fulfillment.
What is my ideal daily schedule? Is this something I can do remotely? Who would I be working with? What are the daily task requirements or basic job responsibilities? Will I be my own boss? What would the anticipated income for this position be? Is this job sustainable long term?
How will it affect my personal life? What qualities do I need to perform the work effectively? Do I possess these qualities? Are there advancement opportunities? How would I feel performing the work? How would I feel about this industry? How would I feel if I achieved this goal?
Manifesting dream homes: Take some time to think about the important elements of your dream home. The floor plan or square footage may not be the focus of your dream home. Where is my dream home located? What is the climate or landscape like? Who do I share this dream home with?
What are some important features of this home? Does this home have large windows to let in the light or a spacious backyard? Are there any specialty or hobby rooms? What is my favorite room in the house and why? Where do I go to find peace in my home after a long day?
Manifesting a healthy lifestyle: While we cannot change the unexpected, there are some things we can take responsibility for in our own life that promote a healthy lifestyle. What does ‘healthy’ look and feel like in your own body? What is a healthy weight goal you would like to maintain?
What does a healthy diet look like? Do you have any dietary restrictions or adaptations? Are there specific physical, social, or spiritual activities you participate in? Do you consider only the physical aspects of your health, or do you include your emotional and mental health as well?
Additional resource
As mentioned before, read the book that popularized the practice of manifestation, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It will explain manifesting in much greater detail and provide you with additional tools for your manifestation journey.
Similar books to read include Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain, Law of Attraction by Michael J. Losier, and See It, Feel It, Have It by Joseph Balmaceda.
There are several online resources and templates to help you get started manifesting your goad and dreams. You can also join online groups and forums to network with people who are manifesting similar goals and dreams.
Final words
No one said that manifesting goals and dreams would be easy. It takes an incredible amount of commitment, consistency, and work. Do not get discouraged if you do not see immediate results. Manifest your dreams and goals on paper so that you can track your progress and celebrate the milestones you achieve along the way.
And remember, the universe may surprise you, so keep your eyes open. Good luck, and enjoy unlocking your own power of manifestation.