How to Manifest Anything You Want or Desire

Yes, that even includes love…and money.

You may be familiar with manifestation, or the laws of attraction. After all, the process was the focus of a 2006 bestselling book, The Secret whichsold more than 30 million copies—and it’s something that thought leaders, including Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, Gabrielle Bernstein, Iyanla Vanzant and Oprahhave spoken about. (For the record, they all agree that you really can manifest things.)

But, first things first, even though manifesting is about turning your dreams into reality, it does require that you to take proactive steps towards whatever it is that you desire—so you shouldn’t expect it to happen instantly or overnight while you sleep. That said, it’s a small price to pay (at least in our humble opinion) for something that can have such a profound impact on your life:

“You control a lot by your thoughts and we control a lot by our joined thoughts…by what I [and we] believe,” Oprah told LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner in 2015. “When I started to figure that out for myself, I became careful of what I think and what I ask for,” she explained. “I was like what else can I do? What else can I manifest, because I have seen it work. I have seen it happen over and over again.”

Looking to give manifestation a try yourself? Here are the steps experts propose you take to attempt to manifest anything you desire—money and love included.

Let’s back up. What is manifestation exactly?

Essentially, manifestation is bringing something tangible into your life through attraction and belief, i.e. if you think it, and it will come. However, there is more to manifestation than willpower and positive thinking. As Angelina Lombardo, the author of A Spiritual Entrepreneur, tells OprahMag.com, “manifesting is making everything you want to feel and experience a reality… via your thoughts, actions, beliefs, and emotions.”

To start manifesting, be clear about your goals.

While everyone approaches manifestation differently, Lombardo believes most follow the same basic principles. First—and perhaps most importantly—you need to know exactly what you want. “You are the only one who dreams your dreams, so whether it’s a new partner and a healthy relationship or a better job, know it and own it,” she says.

Whatever you desire, though, one thing is essential: Make your intention as specific as possible. Lombardo says, “The more clear and concise, the better.” Instead of, for example, saying “I want to meet my soulmate,” develop a detailed picture of what that person would look like (think: qualities, characteristics, values, etc.)

Once you’ve set your intention, ask for what you want—and write it down on paper.

Once you’ve pinpointed exactly what your hopes, dreams, and goals are, you need to ask the universe for what you want. This can be done in a variety of ways—prayer, meditation, visualization, speaking your intentions out loud, a vision board and/or a “future box,” which is a container full of pictures of items you want to manifest—but you need to say exactly what you want.

You can also write your intention down on paper. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you might be familiar with the 369 method—in which you write down what you want in the following order: 3 times in the morning, 6 times in the afternoon, and 9 times at night for 33 or 45 days—but it can also be as simple as a letter to the universe.

And start working towards your goals.

According to Gabrielle Bernstein, author of Super Attractor and The Universe Has Your Back, “Manifesting is also known as co-creating because it’s a collaboration between you and the Universe.” Which is exactly why knowing what you want is only half the battle— you will not see any results without action. Set aside a bit of time to think about what steps you can take to reach your goals yourself, then build them into your routine. For example, if you want to make a major career change, start networking with people in your new field and practice for a job interview.

“Another way to be ‘in action’ when manifesting is to ask yourself the question, ‘What would my future self be thinking?’” Lombardo says. The reason? Reframing your mind can (and will) enable you to be successful. “‘Being’ the person who already has, does, and feels your goals, dreams, and desires helps you become that person,” adds Lombardo.

The next step is to be mindful of—and thankful for—what you receive.

While you may not get everything you envision in the order and time frame you want, you should receive and acknowledge what you do get—no matter how big or small it may be. According to Lombardo, gratitude is key.

To do this, consider creating a gratitude journal. Before bed, spend five to ten minutes writing down a few things for which you are grateful, as well as anything that happened that day to bring you closer to whatever it is your trying to manifest. Maybe you want to save enough money for retirement and you receive a call from your cable provider about a way to lower your monthly bill or you come across an informative podcast that inspires an idea for a money-making side hustle.

And let go of any resistance and limiting beliefs.

In addition to changing your mindset and behaviors, you will need to remove any obstacles or limiting beliefs which may cloud your vision, including fear and negative self-talk. “Telling yourself you’re not good enough, you’re not worthy enough, you’re not smart enough, you’re not enough—it’s a tape that’s playing for a lot of people.

To take it a step further, the next time you find yourself questioning your worth or saying “I don’t deserve this,” pause and think of all the reasons why you are deserving, says Lombardo.

Make sure to check (and change) your energy.

Energy is everything. “The energy we put out in the world is the energy we get back.

But, be flexible—and trust the process.

All that said, the process is fluid. The steps you take do not matter as much as your belief, so “trust your actions, visions, and clarity as well as the ‘powers that be,'” Lombardo says. Faith is a powerful motivator and guiding force.

Yes, you can manifest love.

The best part about manifestation is its wide-reaching applications. The law of attraction knows no bounds. “Once you start dialing in your manifestation process, there’s no limit to what—or how often or much—you manifest,” Lombardo explains.