Why Manifestation Works (And How to Really Use It)

First, I have to break your hearts. Manifestations means to bring something forth. It’s not magic. It’s not a pipe dream. It’s not you putting a note under your pillow and you wake up as a billionaire without ever doing any sort of work. Manifestation involves making something. That, my friends, requires action. So, before we get to how you can actually use the concept of manifestation, let’s talk about why it works.

Why Does Manifestation Seem to Work?

You’ll note I said above that manifestation is not some sort of magic trick or pipe dream. It does, however, rely on your ability to picture yourself achieving whatever goal or goals you have in mind.

This isn’t just a broad image in your mind. This is a highly detailed image. You can picture what you’re wearing, where you are, what you do for a living, the type of people you hang out with, the type of people you work with, how you feel about yourself (including self-confidence), what the weather is like in that image, smells that may be present…everything. It’s like writing a story in your mind.

Our brains cannot necessarily differentiate between an actual memory and a highly detailed scenario we put together in our head. Sure, we know on the conscious level (if we’re in touch with reality). However, to the subconscious…there’s no difference. It’s just there.

For example, I have complex PTSD. Although I finished specialized therapy to learn to better manage and live with it, I still have triggers. And when a memory is trigged, I can see, smell, feel, and hear everything from that moment. My body doesn’t know the difference (including the brain). Sure, I still know that I am not in that instance. However, I panic. I feel fear. I sweat. My blood pressure goes up. I get into fight or flight. I deal with more hypervigilence. From a physiological standpoint, it is the same situation all over again.

The brain can and does work in the same way for positive images. The trick is making sure that the image is so detailed in your mind’s eye that you can engage each and every sense you have. If you’ve ever read Unlimited Power or even Awakening the Giant Within by Tony Robbins, you know, at least in theory, the power of putting yourself into “state.” He advocates remembering certain times where you felt really good, confident, and competent…and when you get into a bad space, you shut your eyes and remember that certain time with so much vivid detail, that your body re-enters into that state. It takes practice (and sometimes I don’t remember to use it if I’m involved in a C-PTSD moment), but it can be very relaxing and very powerful.

How to Really Use Manifestation

Alright, now that I’ve drop kicked the mystical bullshit out of the way (which is funny because, by and large, I do enjoy me some mystical bullshit!), let’s talk about how to really use manifestation.

Gain Clarity – Why Do You Want What You Want?

“Clarity” is a word that gets people excited right now (much like the word “disruption”). To clarify something means to get clear on it.

You need to think about why you want what you want. You need to really understand why you want what you want. What would it mean to you? How would it really change your life? Does it break a cycle? Does it set a good example for children or young adults in your life? Does it get you out of a bad situation? Do you want to prove people wrong? (Ain’t nothing wrong with that…that was a motivating factor for me for a lonnnngggg time.)

Much like when you think about what you want out of life, which takes a certain level of clarity (making a clear image), you must understand why you want it. This is what will continue to drive you in the future.

Do yourself a favor and write this down. I don’t care if you share it with anyone. Sometimes it is helpful to go through this entire process with others, but you have to choose people who are also goal (and future) oriented. You can’t do this with just anyone.

Start Detailing What You Want

Dream big…and dream in detail. I also recommend you think about what you want to be in the near future (week, month) and going on out. You should set one-year goals, three-year goals, five-year goals, and ten-year goals. Make some that you know you’ll meet and add some that are challenging…and add your ultimate goals.

Take time to really engage with yourself on the entire scene. Picture it. What are you wearing? Where are you? Who are you with? Where do you live? Where do you like to go? Recognize how you’ll feel during that time. Will you feel more confident? (The answer is yes.) Will you feel peaceful? Will you feel content? Will you feel happy? Will you have less anxiety / depression symptoms? Think about your relationships, but don’t sugarcoat them (because you can’t make anyone change – people change on their own). Are you strong enough to make the best decisions for yourself and for your future?

Think about everything. Picture it. Hold it. These images need to really stick with you. You must be able to picture yourself as the future you.

Write It All Down

Write them all down…and include those details. This is something you can read over to help keep you motivated. Then, separate out your goals. Write out the very basics of your goals in the next year. For example:

I want to travel more.
I want to be healthier.
I want to make these certain repairs around the house:

Those examples could all be one-year goals. They are things that could all be accomplished within a year.

Do the same thing for three, five, and ten year goals.

And, by the way, it is perfectly fine to make changes. Shit happens and to some degree, we all have to learn to roll with the punches. It doesn’t mean you fail if you have to tweak or something (or if your goals change altogether). It means you have the right frame of mind to recognize that something needs to change. Knowing that and taking action upon it is a recipe for success in life.

Goals Are Nothing If You Don’t Take Action

And, drop kicking more mystical bullshit out of the park….you can’t reach your goals if you don’t put in the work. Daily work. You need to create an action plan. To start, think about what you want to accomplish this year as well as what you need to do this year to move you closer to your long-term goals.

You are taking your goals and breaking them down into steps you take. Think about what you need to do this month. Then, consider how you get to that by thinking about what you need to accomplish each week. Then, think about what you need to do each day. Yes, day.

Write it down. Write down your action plan…and follow it.

Monthly Review and Refocus

Every month, take some time (pick a time of the month and stick to it…I’m writing this during the new moon because it is a good time to set goals) to review how far you’ve come, setbacks you’ve faced, thoughts you have, and pat yourself on the back. Even if you didn’t have a month full of awesome days, pat yourself on the back. Readjust, refocus, and prepare for the new month.

And Understand Some People Will Try to Discourage You

Manifestation takes a lot of internal motivation. You cannot rely on others to cheer for you. Of course, some people will cheer for you and support you (but they cannot do the work for you). You have people in your life who will work to discourage you. They may call you names. They may sabotage you. They may abandon you because “you changed.”

You cannot allow the fear of losing a relationship (or more than one) to deter you from working on what you know is best for your future. Giving up is giving into fear. It is returning to the rut or situation you know you want out of in life. And you do it because it’s easier to stick with the known than to face the unknown. Some people come around…some don’t. Not everyone wants or believes in living better than the place they’re currently in. Some are quitters…so because they quit, they think no one can do it.

Manifestation is a personal process. You must go through the entire experience for you.