“Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is what you will manifest on the outside.”
-Unknown
What is Manifesting?
The word manifesting has been thrown around a lot lately. Most people use it as a way to describe the process of attracting and creating the things we want in our lives. By definition (www.dictionary.com), manifest means: readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident; obvious; apparent; plain. This definition describes the direct meaning of manifest which means something that is “obvious.” Many would argue, however, that manifesting something is not always obvious. After all most of us don’t always know what we need or want in life. More commonly it’s a process that takes time and lots of learning, unlearning, as well as self-discovery. Knowing what we want or value is what makes manifesting so powerful. You see once we know where we are headed, then we can begin our journey and reach our destination! So, how can we start to manifest and make our dreams a reality? Well like with everything worth something in life, it takes work. Below are some steps to help you get started and guide you in your journey.
5 Easy Steps to Start Manifesting
Set intentions: also known as goals. Be clear, realistic, and reasonable when setting them. For example we don’t want to make our goal so difficult that we set ourselves up for failure. An example of a goal that may be unreasonable includes “becoming the smartest person in the world.” While this is an amazing wish, it is not something measurable, or possible for that matter. Instead think of goals that you can set and hold yourself accountable to along the way. Examples of reasonable goals can include “becoming debt free,” “buying a home,” “making career moves,” and “finding a good partner.” It can also be helpful to get a journal and write down your intention clearly, what steps to take, and check your progress. Other ideas can include creating a vision board or joining a support group that relates to your intention as a way of holding you accountable.
Get to work!: After you get through the first step and identify intentions the next step is to work on them. How do you do this? Well, remember that journal I mentioned in step 1? Use it to write down what steps to take and how you will follow through on these steps. For example if your goal is to become debt free, then it can be helpful to sit down, document your spending, bills, and necessities (rent, groceries, etc.). After you create your list, spreadsheet, or whatever you decide to create then it’s time to identify ways of achieving your goals. This can include cutting out wasteful spending. This is where it can get a bit tough because we all have different perspective on what is “wasteful” spending. What is valuable to you, may be a waste to me. One easy tip to follow is to ask yourself “does this make me happy?” If your answer is “no” or “not sure,” then it is likely something you should consider cutting out.
Invest Yourself in the Process: Manifesting is powerful because it’s not simply about wishing or wanting. It’s a mind, body, and spiritual process. This requires a lot of energy and may sometimes be uncomfortable. You see, when you manifest something you are putting faith, time, energy, and physical work into making it happen. This is a huge commitment! Make sure that you continuously re-evaluate and re-commit to doing the work and taking the necessary steps to help you along your path. Remember the universe can do its part and help you out, but if you aren’t open to doing the work then it won’t make a difference. Be patient with yourself and engage in self-care as a way of maintaining your hard work.
Thank the Universe for any Gains: This is a must! If you find that you are accomplishing your goals and making movement, remember to thank the universe, God, or whatever you believe in. Being thankful not only demonstrates acknowledgement of the success you are making, but also helps you focus on gratitude. When we are grateful, we feel good. Practicing gratitude is also something we can benefit from doing daily. Find things in your life that you are grateful for such as friends, partners, income, family, your home, support groups, time, etc.
Be flexible, open, and adaptable: The tricky thing about manifesting is that sometimes we end up with a completely different result. This isn’t an easy thing to accept or appreciate, however, it becomes worthwhile if we focus on being flexible, open, and adaptable to whatever life brings. Be flexible and practice being out of your comfort zone. Be open to exploring the path you are taken on. Be adaptable and learn to adjust as your path unwinds. One thing I learned from a previous supervisor was “enjoy and trust in the process.” When I first heard this it was such an alien concept that I quickly dismissed it. Years later I realized that the process is crucial and we can’t simply focus on the end result. We grow from the process, we become stronger from the process, and in all truths we must go through the process in order to get to our destination.
Luis is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who graduated from Long Beach State University with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology (2015). He also has a Bachelors's degree in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on Public Policy from San Francisco State University (2011). Luis has over 9 years of experience working with children and families both in education and mental health. Previously, Luis worked for a non-profit agency in San Francisco, CA providing mental health consultation in early head start programs and SFUSD pre-schools. Currently, Luis works at Kaiser in San Francisco providing mental health services.
His therapeutic interests include working with Trauma, the LGBTQ community, Children, Families, Couples, and POC. His personal interests include; Films, Reading, Writing, Art, Travelling, Disney, and Food. He is also a recipient of the California State Stipend award (2015). PsychoSocial is part of Luis' dedication to mental health and an example of his passion to educate others. Luis hopes that through PsychoSocial he will be able to help in the fight to end the stigma around mental illness.
#EndtheStigma
