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How to actually manifest according to an expert
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Ready to be the master of your own fate? Tara Rafter, aka The Navigation Coach, shares her insights on how to truly manifest your dreams and how the practice can transform every area of your life.
Manifestation is often described as the process of bringing desires, goals or intentions into reality through focused thought, belief and aligned action. From working with my clients over the last seven years, I see manifestation as more than just ‘thinking things into existence.’ It’s about cultivating a clear vision, developing the right mindset and taking purposeful action to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that manifestation is both a universal and deeply personal practice. The core principles include intention setting, visualisation, psychological and emotional alignment and action. These are universal, but how each person experiences and applies them varies greatly.
At its essence, true manifestation is deeply connected to wellness – mentally, emotionally and physically. It requires self-awareness, emotional regulation and alignment of energy to shift limiting beliefs and sustain motivation. When done effectively, it can reduce stress and anxiety, encourage self-worth, gratitude and confidence. It can also motivate lifestyle changes and strengthen faith in oneself and the universe’s timing.
From a very young age, I used my imagination to escape uncomfortable or painful situations in my life. I remember being very young and sitting on my bed thinking and dreaming about a life that was so different to what I had. On reflection, it was almost like a coping mechanism. I would daydream about a life that could be created, and I would visualise every inch of it; I would conjure up the feelings, scents and sounds of my new reality. In my mind, I thought about how education could change my life, and I saw myself receiving my scroll and throwing up my graduation cap; I saw myself wearing a suit to work, buying my own house, driving a BMW and having a little white fluffy dog. The feeling was contentment, safety and peace, and I bathed in it, sitting there on my bed in my little box room.
I kept my final destination firmly in mind and began to think, feel and act as if that life was already mine. This meant taking small, consistent actions every day toward my goal. I consciously chose thoughts like ‘That’s possible for me,’ ‘I am intelligent,’ and ‘I am full of potential’. These positive affirmations sparked feelings of hope and excitement. When we continue to operate from a mindset of fear and lack, that’s what we’ll attract.
As the years passed, I did eventually pass my Leaving Cert, and I remember telling Mam that I wanted to go to college. I’d saved up a bit of money because I knew we couldn’t afford to fund it. I graduated with an honours degree in business, worked in Dunnes Stores and SuperValu, and worked my way up from the checkouts to management.
Eventually, I was wearing a suit to work, buying my own house and driving my BMW. I even had a little white dog named Daisy. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to that small box room and wrap my arms around that little girl, telling her that everything was going to be okay – that she was more than capable of everything she was dreaming of and so much more.
Take action
To take control of your life, here are the steps I’ve personally taken and have seen work for my clients:
- Clarify your desire: Give your brain clear commands about what you truly want and make sure they align with your values. Be specific. For example, instead of saying, ‘I want to be healthier,’ say, ‘By the end of 2025, I will effortlessly run a 10k in X minutes. I will do this by training Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6pm for 40 minutes at my local running track.’
- Rewire limiting beliefs: Your subconscious mind holds core beliefs that can create resistance. Begin to dismantle these beliefs by journaling, using affirmations, practicing reframing, engaging in talk therapy and expanding your circle of influence.
- Aligned action: Manifestation is not passive; it requires action. Take daily, consistent, intentional and aligned steps toward your desired result.
- Embody your future self: Move through the world as if your goals have already happened. Ask yourself, ‘What would the version of me who has achieved this think, feel, and do?’ Practice gratitude as if it has already come to fruition.
- Stay consistent and flexible: Be fluid in your approach. If you encounter a stumbling block, readjust and course-correct rather than giving up.
3 do’s of manifesting
- Get crystal clear on what you desire and why.
- Align your thoughts, feelings, actions and behaviors with your goal.
- Take consistent, inspired action.
