While scrolling through social media, one might encounter videos on positive mindsets and manifestation. Along the lines of tarot cards and astrology, manifestation is a concept in which one can bring something into their life through belief. This idea, when used in the right way, can be the key to one’s success.
Manifestation is much more than a silly concept popularized by millennials and Pinterest. It first reemerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many young Americans were forced into frantic job searches or tough financial situations due to recession. According to a brief by the Congressional Research Service, unemployment rates in America reached a peak of 14.8% in 2020. A year later, this percentage only decreased to 6.2%. For many, manifesting gave back a sense of control and hope in a time of uncertainty.
Instead of focusing on the negatives of the world, manifestations simply allow one to focus on visualizing a better future for themselves. Manifesting is meant to rewire one’s subconscious beliefs, and in turn, their decisions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is loosely connected to manifesting.
Healthline reported that CBT is a therapy treatment used to identify negative or unhelpful behavior patterns. After their identification, it is also used to find coping strategies. Many of the techniques used in CBT are similar to the ones in manifestation, like restructuring thoughts and goal setting.
Setting clear goals is one of the keys to success, and manifesting allows individuals to clearly define what they want to achieve. By creating specific goals, one can have a more structured plan to remain focused on their objectives and have clarity in the direction they want to take.
Believing in manifestation and their goals also lead individuals to an increase in actionable steps. When one can visualize their goals, they are more likely to make progress toward achieving them. They can gain confidence about their goals through manifestation and consequently work harder to make them happen. Instead of worrying about if something will happen in the future, belief in manifestation makes the goals more concrete.
Another aspect of manifesting is the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy. According to Simply Psychology, when people believe something will happen, their behaviors start to become aligned with that belief. This increases the chances of it happening. One’s subconscious will act toward that goal once their belief is locked in.
Some may argue that manifesting can also lead to toxic positivity, which is a form of optimism that dismisses negative emotions. Manifesting, however, is not simply dreaming. It is a focused, balanced way of setting a goal, and dedicating time and energy to work for it. One should not depend on manifestation to make something happen without putting in hard work, and instead remember that it takes time.
Manifestation, in short, is a belief-based goal system. If individuals put their energy and time into an objective, it will happen to them. This idea is revolutionary as a starting point and the success it can bring with a simple mindset switch.