What Manifesting is Not
I despise the word “manifest”. It implies you don’t have to do anything. I’ve purchased manifesting products that were simply journaling prompts. Now I have nothing against journaling prompts. They’re helpful in getting clarity on what you really want.
But do journaling prompts in and of themselves help you manifest your dreams?
No!
Manifesting is not just woo-woo stuff. It’s more than journaling, positive thinking, visualization, vision boards and similar passive techniques.
Think about it. If that’s all it takes we’d all be millionaires!
What Manifesting Is
One site defines it like this: “To manifest something means to visualize your desire and harness the power of your imagination to make it a realty.”
But where’s the action?
Manifesting isn’t passive at all. It’s active. Think of manifest as an action verb. It’s not something that happens to you. It’s something that you DO. When you finish visualizing and imagining you have to take action.
I truly believe we are capable of achieving our biggest goals and dreams. But I’m convinced we’re often going about it the wrong way. That’s why I created Dream Slayer Society – to help ambitious women who want more to manifest their dreams the right way.
So…what is the right way? Keep reading!
What You Really Need to Manifest Your Dreams
A Vision
If you don’t know where you want to go, any road will get you there. The problem is you might not like it when you arrive. Having a clear vision of what you want is key to manifesting your dreams.
This is what a lot of manifesting tools and teachers get right. (Unfortunately, it’s also where a lot of them stop). However, you can help develop your vision and gain clarity by:
- Journaling
- Creating a vision board
- Visualizing
- Meditating
- Try & See (in short, test drive various options whether that be cars, careers, etc.)
- Talk with a coach, mentor, or friend
A Plan
Once you’re clear on what you want (or at least on what you think you want) it’s time to create an actionable plan that will help you achieve the goal. In Dream Slayer Society creating a plan is a major focus.
A lot of people can tell you want they want, yet when asked what they need to do to achieve their dream they have no idea. That’s a recipe for failure. If you want to bake a cake you know you need certain ingredients (milk, flour, eggs) and tools (an oven, pan, etc.).
There are certain steps you have to follow. The same is true for your dreams. You will find that there is a certain process that you need to follow. It’s unique to you, your goals, your values, and your personality. Following a plan that works for someone else but doesn’t work for you will make it more difficult for you to achieve your dreams.
There’s many ways to skin a cat as they say. Develop a plan that works for you and aligns with your dream. Then work your plan.
How to create your plan:
- Firstly, gain clarity on your dreams
- Secondly, set goals that will help you manifest your dreams
- Thirdly, Create a plan for achieve the goal.
DREAM: As an example, let’s say your dream is to be a homeowner. You should create goals that will move you closer to your dream.
GOAL: That could be saving money for a down payment.
PLAN: Your plan is the specific actions you need to take to save money for a down payment. Some people will work a second job. Others may cut unnecessary expenses such as cable or eating out. Someone else may move in with someone else to save money. As a result of these actions, one is able to save money for a down payment.
Once you’re clear on your dreams, goals, and plan you have to get to work. Take action!
Need help getting clarity on your dreams, goals, or actionable plan? Join Dream Slayer Society where we tackle all of this and more!
Consistency
Now that you know what to do, you have to actually do it long enough and consistently enough to see results. Build consistency by creating a schedule and sticking to it.
For example, you may decide to exercise Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 5pm. It helps not to be vague about. If you plan to exercise 3 days a week without defining which 3 days it’s easier to miss the mark. On Monday, you’ll say, “well I have 5 more days to get it in.” On Tuesday, you’ll say something similar and so on. Before you know it the week is over and you didn’t get your 3 days in.
The good thing about consistency is that it is more important to be consistent in the long run than in the short run. If you fall off the bandwagon, but always get back on, then the breaks you take won’t matter as much.
(Of course, minimize breaks and falling off track, but hey, it happens to all of us. Just get back on!)
In summary, you have to take action on a consistent basis to manifest your dreams. Which leads me to my next point:
Accountability
Reach shows you’re more likely to accomplish your goals when you have an accountability partner. An accountability partner (AP) is someone who will hold you accountable to the things you said you wanted.
It’s important to choose someone who will actually hold you accountable. This is a high caliber person who is self motivated. That may sound counter intuitive. Why would anyone need an accountability partner if they are self motivated?
It’s similar to the notion that banks don’t want to lend money to people who need money. The likelihood that they will get their money back declines the more the borrower needs the money.
You may have experience with accountability partners who don’t hold you accountable. You said you were going to lose weight with your bestie and hold each other accountable. If they’re not self motivated enough to keep themselves on track, they won’t be able to keep you on track either.
Your accountability partner must stay on you! That also means you have to be a high caliber person (who is also self motivated). Unless you’ve invested financially in a coach or accountability partner, you have to also hold your partner accountable. Are you self motivated, focused, and dependable enough to be a good AP?
This is where a lot of partnerships fail. Neither person follow throughs with the other. They allow each other to fall off the track. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
We have a saying in Dream Slayer Society – “No dream slayer left behind”. Subsequently, you’re not allowed to fall off track in the society. If your friends and family haven’t been the best accountability partners it may be time to invest in one.
Some tips to help you choose (and be) the right accountability partner:
- Choose someone who is generally good at achieving their goals. They are dependable, do what they say they will do, and can motivate you.
- Create a schedule for when you will check in. Put it on your calendars.
- Keep note of what your AP’s goals are and what she has committed to achieving and by when
- Check in with your partner at regular intervals. Ask for updates on her specific deliverables. Be prepared to give updates on your deliverables as well.
Growth
In order to manifest something in your life that you have never had, you have to be someone that you’ve never been. That means you have to grow.
When’s the last time you made an effort to grow on purpose? To overcome your toxic traits, to gain new knowledge or habits, to tackle the obstacles standing in your way?
It’s important to make personal growth a priority to truly be a manifestor. Moreover, you should be learning on a regular basis.
How to encourage your own personal growth:
- Read books
- Listen to audio programs, podcasts, etc.
- Take a course (online or in person)
- Work with a coach or mentor
- Dedicate time to self reflection/discovery
- Identify areas you’d like to grow in and find resources to support you