Manifestation & Attraction - Writing Down What You Want Helps

Manifestation and attraction – writing down what you want actually helps!

Story time

Have you ever been in a position of wanting to write down your goals and seeing what happens?

One day I had a conversation with a friend who wanted to introduce me to one of her guy friends (single at the time). We started chatting about her friend and about relationships more generally. She thought her friend and I would be a great match. So I asked her: “what makes you think we would be a great match?”

This question left her thinking. She was only taking into account the qualities SHE thought I liked and was looking for in another person. I told her that the opinion she had was probably influenced by her perception of who I was and what a great “match” looked like for me. She agreed, but later she encouraged me to write down a list of things or qualities I was looking for in a partner. “That way, she said, I can compare the qualities in your list to the ones my friend has”. I took this as a fun challenge, and I was myself curious to see how the list would turn out.

I went home and wrote down the list. Later I sent it to her. (I never ended up meeting her friend by the way, but it was still fun and insightful for me to write down that list).

What happened then?

The list not only allowed my friend to see whether some of the qualities I was looking for in a partner were matching the qualities her guy friend had. It also helped me understand myself better. I had never truly thought about what I was looking for in a partner before, and what is interesting from all this is that I realized I had some of the qualities I listed myself. However, there were some things I didn’t have but which I knew I would value in someone else (especially if that someone was going to be my partner).

From that day on, I decided that I would show up with the qualities I wanted and “become” that list first – before looking for someone to match those qualities. This decision came from my belief that we attract what/who we are. I also believe that it’s always better to work on ourselves first and get what we wish others would give us from ourselves.

Funny enough, after less than a year, as I started talking and getting to know someone, I realized there was a deep connection from my side. I reflected on the relationship I had with this person for months. I came to the conclusion that not only did he match the qualities I had written on that list, but that I also (somewhat) manifested that person into my life.

I find it fascinating (although scary at times) to think about how life can change overnight. One day you are complete strangers with someone, and the next you get to have a new friendship/relationship in your life.

My say on manifestation

To be completely honest with you, I never thought manifestation was a real thing – despite the many people I heard saying the opposite – until this event happened to me. I’m not saying that the list I wrote down on a casual Friday night was magical and the catalyst for meeting a special person. But I do think that being honest with myself and taking the time to really think about what I wanted/liked helped. Similarly, doing some work on myself first to meet as many things as I could on that list, helped in attracting similar people into my life.

Now I believe that writing down your goals as specifically as possible, and visualizing them, can be helpful. Things may not change drastically overnight. However, if you keep the things you want and value in mind, every day for a while, that goal will be reached. Eventually, you will also get to where you want to be in a shorter period of time. This is because your brain has a hard time differentiating what is real from what is imagined, especially your subconscious brain.

Hence, if you keep working towards some goal, trusting the process and yourself, believing that what you want is already yours, you can get anything in life. It’s just a matter of mindset.

What is manifestation?

Manifestation means bringing certain goals or desires into reality through focused attention, thoughts, beliefs, and actions. This last point is important, because a common misconception is to believe that manifestation is simply saying or visualizing one’s goals. However, manifestation also involves taking action – small steps everyday that get you closer to that which you desire.

Another thing about manifestation is that it is rooted in the law of attraction. This law suggests that if a person asks a higher power for something specific, and believes that it is already theirs, they will receive it. In other words, the thoughts and energies one has – positive or negative – attract experiences or situations of the same energy. Hence the saying smile at life and it will smile back.

There is no empirical evidence that manifestation – or simply wishing for something to happen – works. Nevertheless, there is some evidence to suggest that if a person believes that they can achieve a goal, they are more willing to take the necessary steps to achieve it. Similarly, when using manifestation techniques such as visualizations, a person may create a placebo effect in their subconscious mind and body. Applied to the topic of manifestation, the placebo effect explains how a person’s mindset, beliefs and expectations can influence outcomes.

Manifestation techniques can enhance a person’s confidence, optimism and motivation. Despite this, it is important to acknowledge that manifestation alone is not a guarantee for actual results. The boost in confidence and self-esteem may encourage one to go after what they want in life, but aligning one’s inside reality with the outside reality is a crucial step. In addition, disappointments and setbacks may occur in the pursuit of something big. However, keeping a positive, growth mindset is what you need to get to where you want to be.

Techniques

Techniques to manifest often involve visualizations of success, meditations, positive affirmations, and the setting of specific intentions. Some view manifestation as a spiritual practice. However, from a psychological point of view, manifestation simply highlights the power of mindset and of being intentional in whatever you do. Indeed, setting intentions can greatly influence your everyday behaviors and way of thinking.

This means that using goal setting strategies along with manifestation techniques can help individuals feel more empowered and self-efficient. It can help them direct their attention towards what matters, increasing the chances of achieving their desired outcomes.

A specific technique you can use to manifest what you want is to make a 10-10-10 worksheet. This exercise consists in writing down 10 things you desire, 10 things you are grateful for, and 10 things you enjoy doing. Making this sheet will give you an overview of that which is important to you, as well as your goals and interests.

How does manifestation work?

Writing can give life to your goals. This is because writing down your goals can help you visualize what you really want and how you want to feel. Things are no longer in your head. They are “real”. Seeing things may help you make small progress towards a goal every day. Writing down your goals can be a reminder that what you want is reachable. If it’s something you will put energy into every day, real changes will happen.

Ways to start manifesting

1. Write down what you want and why you want it

The practice of writing down exactly what you want allows the idea to enter the subconscious mind. This could be anything from living in a specific place, to having financial stability, or having great relationships. Write down your goal in the present tense (as if you already have what you are looking for). At the end, say why that goal is important to you.

Uncovering the why can help you focus on the functionality of your goals. It can also act as a reminder when times get tough and you feel like giving up. Finally, it can boost your creativity. That is, you may realize there are many things you have or can do that can get you closer to your desired outcome.

2. Write down how you want to feel

Again do this in the present tense, and be as specific as possible. Focusing on how you want to feel will make it easier for you to get excited about your goal every step of the way.

3. Repetition is important

Write down the sentence describing your goal and how you want to feel as many times as possible.

4. Have some structure

Structured journals can help you be more intentional about your goals. Structure can help you narrow down your goals (e.g. one goal a year) and have you write them down every day. Having some structure helps you figure out which goal to focus on daily. It can also help you know what to do to get a little bit closer to your goal everyday.

5. Leave it aside once you are done

A piece of advice is to not open the journal for a few months once you are done writing your goals. This step will release any attachment you may have to a specific outcome. In addition, you may be surprised to realize how many of the things you wrote down actually came true.

Why is it important to write down your goals?

Writing down your goals can make you more goal-oriented and equip you with intention and motivation to achieve them.

Studies show that compared to people who simply verbalize their goals, people who write down their goals are more likely to accomplish them. This likelihood is further enhanced when people send their goals to a close friend. This might be due to an increase in accountability. In other words, the friend becomes an accountability partner who (either directly or indirectly) motivates the individual to achieve set goals.

Manifestation and coaching

In coaching, the coach may want to keep a diary or journal about the coachee’s aspirations, goals (both short-term and long-term) and mindset. Together, the coach and client can also set up a manifestation journal using the following steps:

1. Defining a vision

Take the time to reflect exactly on which area of your life you would like to work on and invest more time and energy in. This could be professional, spiritual, relationships, health, financial, fun, or creativity. Then write down what you want to achieve, experience and receive in this area.

2. Matching emotional states

When you act as if you already have what you want, your reality will shift to match your emotional state. Probably the greatest emotion you can have to manifest your goals is gratitude. This is because when you are grateful, you are in a state of receiving. Therefore, if you can be grateful for what you want before having it, you naturally attract it into your life.

At this stage, it may be helpful to think of your future self. How is s/he feeling? What is s/he doing? What does s/he look like? What can you do today to get closer to that version of yourself?

3. Setting a purpose or intention

In other words, know your “why”. Knowing why you do something can activate the part of your brain that directs behavior. Equally, having a “why” will inevitably motivate you to make the necessary changes and take action.

A reminder at this stage is to put away all distractions, and try to be as present as possible. Write down whatever comes up for you, and observe your feelings as you do this.

4. Designing a concrete strategy

Design a strategy, repeating your intention or listing some actions you will take and commit to in the near future. Reflect on the kind of support you need (if any) to keep going. Also reflect on the kind of obstacles that might get in the way of you achieving what you want. This will help you stand the challenges and know what to do in case obstacles do appear.

5. Reviewing

This is done after some time. The aim here is to review your vision or goals and evaluate your progress. This is also a time to question whether your initial vision is still aligned with what you want and who you are.

Make it a daily practice to evaluate your progress. If you pair this activity with something you enjoy, the activity itself will become more enjoyable. Try being consistent until the practice becomes a habit. A coach could help you with this, as well as help you set a clear measure of success since the beginning.

On a final note…

Manifestation and goal setting may go hand in hand. One could say that the two are not mutually exclusive. Writing down what you want in life is a form of manifestation and it will help you get clear and motivated on how to proceed.

Every now and then, don’t forget to stop for a while and reflect on your progress and accomplishments. Things you may have manifested in the past could be things you have right now as you are reading this. Be grateful.