Maybe you’ve heard of manifestation, but you’re not really sure what it is or how to start. If self-improvement is a goal of yours in 2021, it’s not a bad idea to research methods like manifestation to understand how they might be able to improve your life. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of what manifestation is and offer some tips that even absolute beginners can benefit from.
What Is Manifestation?
Popularized in The Secret and embraced by a number of celebrities including Oprah, Will Smith, and Ariana Grande, manifestation is the idea that you can essentially make your goals and dreams reality through focused, intentional thoughts and actions. Depending on what resources you use, the exact actions involved in manifestation can be different. According to The Oprah Magazine, the basic framework includes naming and writing down your goals, combining them with action, and being grateful for what you have and receive.
6 Tips to Get You Started with Manifestation
Like most things, it would be hard to succeed with manifestation without a plan. If you don’t know where to start with exploring this discipline, try implementing these seven tips into your daily routine.
Get Crystal Clear on What You Want
According to The Oprah Magazine, it’s important to do some soul searching and know exactly what you want in any given area of your life when you begin your manifestation journey. Try not to be too general. Imagine specific elements of your goals. Think of this as similar to setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. For example, instead of making your goal “I want to be rich,” or “I want to save more money,” think about the exact dollar amounts involved in these goals and how you’ll go about reaching them. Once you know your goals, write them down so you can see them and even speak them out loud daily.
Don’t Be Afraid to Daydream
According to Gordana Biernat in her Psychology Today article: “Daydreaming creates blueprints of what you do want in your future” as opposed to worrying, which causes you to visualize things you don’t want. If you don’t really have a clear idea of what you want in life, allow yourself to daydream, and notice what you daydream about. Then use that knowledge to clarify your vision for your life.
Create a Vision Board
Based on the concept of visualization, vision boards are a creative way to compile images of everything you aspire to in a way that’s easy to see on a daily basis. Use this exercise to compile pictures of things you want to bring into your life, states of mind you want to cultivate, places you want to visit, and more. Look at it daily and visualize yourself achieving these things.
Don’t Forget about Action
It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll manifest a million dollars or anything else you want just by sitting on your couch and thinking positively. Manifestation goes beyond simply wanting and visualizing things and also requires action on your part. According to manifestation expert Gabby Bernstein, quoted in The Oprah Magazine, “Manifesting is also known as co-creating because it’s a collaboration between you and the Universe.” That means you have to work toward the intentions and goals you set to really get the most out of them.
Be Grateful
Gratefulness is a great habit to cultivate because it truly can make you happy. Even before you start to see any positive changes in your life from manifestation practices, make it a habit to be grateful for what you have. If manifesting and working on your goals start to pay off, be grateful for the things you receive as well.
Use an Established Method
If you want a more structured approach than the above, try the 5×55 method from the Through the Phases blog. In short, this method requires you to select an intention, create affirmations to support that intention, and narrow them down to one. Every day for five days, you should then write your affirmation down in pen 55 times. The blog emphasizes to make sure to do this exercise in a “high-vibrational space” and to consider meditating beforehand to put yourself in the right frame of mind.
———
When you break it down, manifestation has a lot of good aspects that good benefit just about anybody. Try incorporating one or more of these ideas into your routine in 2021.
