by Carjamin Scott on October 25, 2020 at 5:50 p.m. EST

I have not met anyone who does not want to be successful. We all have this in common. So, why aren’t we all achieving the life of our dreams? The problem is two-fold: some of us have not determined what it will take to achieve success and others haven’t defined their own success. That’s why you need to be sure that you know how to reach your success goal and that you are creating your own success path. To make your dreams a reality, you need to believe that they can happen. You also need to be sure that you are staying in your own lane and not comparing yourself with others. This article will provide 8 ways to manifest the life of your dreams.

1. Practice the law of attraction.

In “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, the law of attraction is described as a historical belief that an individual can have, do, and get everything they want, if they know how to apply ‘the secret.’ The secret is: anything that is going on in your mind is what you will be attracted to. The simplest way to understand this is, your level of thought will reflect your reality. Therefore, you must train your brain to live in abundance and create a favorable life. You need to dismiss ideas that are harmful to you or else you will attract it.

2. Count your blessings.

Let’s face it. It is hard to be grateful everyday. But when you choose to focus on what you’re grateful for instead of your problems, you are able to manifest what you want and dismiss what is troubling you. There is a song by Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir called, “Count Your Blessings.” Whenever I am overwhelmed, I hum that song. It reminds me of what God has done. The next time something is bothering you, I challenge you to go to a mirror and look at your facial expression. Then turn that song on and notice if your expression changes. Use this as a visual example of how you can reprogram your brain to focus on the good rather than the bad.

3. Establish end goals.

Bad things happen. Embrace them, learn from the situation, and move on. Shirley Chisom, the first Black woman elected into Congress and the first Black woman Presidential nominee said, “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” What are your ideas? What are your end goals? I cannot imagine the strength Shirley Chisom used to face adversity and continue when things did not go her way. What keeps you going even when the going gets tough? Use your end goals to keep you on your life path.

4. Serve others without expectations.

The Bible teaches that you will be blessed when you give to others without expecting anything in return, “You will be blessed, although they cannot repay you,” Luke 14:14. A life of service is a life worth living. If you are in the position to choose between having or giving, choose to give. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered,” Proverbs 11:24-25. The lesson is: give what you can when you can. You will be rewarded for your service.

5. Set and enforce boundaries.

You cannot give from an empty cup. In Brene Brown’s Netflix special, “The Call to Courage” Brown says, “When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated.” Let’s be honest. Are we giving freely and without expectation when we allow others to abuse us? I get it. It’s hard to enforce boundaries, especially, if you seem to always be called upon to problem solve. Therefore, I suggest you start to enforce boundaries by creating a self care schedule. That way, you can designate time to restore yourself.

6. Take a risk and exercise your faith.

What’s a believer without faith? In the Netflix series, “Story of God,” Morgan Freeman said, “If you live a life of make believe your life isn’t worth anything until you do something that challenges your reality.” Are you living a full authentic life? When you think about the life of your dreams, are you playing it safe or are your dreaming big dreams? Are you focused on all the things that can go wrong? Or are you manifesting the circumstances that can make your dream become a reality? The best way to trust God is to test God. Always chose faith over fear. Dream big and go for what you want. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. There is success in our failure.

7. Bloom where you are planted.

Say this out loud: I am not waiting on the life of my dreams to happen. I am being prepared for it. Friends, you will not leave your current situation until you give it all you’ve got, right now. I know it’s hard, I have been there. Trust me. But, you have to power through and bloom where you are planted. If you’ve done all that you can; but, just can’t handle it any longer, you can give it to God. Pray this prayer: God, I am grateful for the situation I am in right now. I recognize why I am here and I have learned from it. I’ve done all I can do. I thank you Lord for delivering me from this situation. I thank you Lord for trusting me to do your will in this situation. I ask you Father to please let me move on from this. In Jesus name, Amen. When the time is right, you will be removed. Nothing lasts forever. Keep doing what you can so that you can leave when you want to leave and on your own terms.

8. Evaluate your inner circle.

Show me who you fly with and it’ll show me how high you will go. Evaluate your inner circle. Who are these people? Can you trust them. Do they truly care about you? Do they want what’s best for you? Do they take or give from you? Do they lift you up? Do they mentor you? Do you mentor them? If you have to question your relationship with them, let them go. Those people are taking up space. When you let them go, it’ll make room for new people to enter your life. You reflect the company you keep. Life is too short and you’ve got work to do. Don’t waste time with small minded people.

Thank you Dr. Brittany Hawkins for the photos. Follow Dr. Hawkins here.