I used to be a freshly graduated student with a mountain of ambition but only a small amount of student debt—which I was fortunate for—but the job I landed right after graduation was just enough to break even. Each month felt like a delicate balance of paying off my loans, covering rent, and managing the occasional splurge. Five years later, I’m standing in a completely different reality. I’ve tripled my salary, paid off all my student loans, and launched a side hustle that brings in additional income.
No, it’s not magic, nor is it wishful thinking. Manifestation is a combination of mindset, action, and clarity that can change your life in profound ways—if you do it correctly. Here’s how I did it and how you can too.
When I first started my journey, I didn’t understand the power of manifestation fully, but here’s what I learned you can attract into your life when you’re intentional:
Career Growth: I went from a paycheck that barely covered my bills to a role that excites me, challenges me, and rewards me financially. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, but manifestation played a huge role in making it happen.
Relationships: It’s not only about money and career. I also attracted mentors, supportive friends, and meaningful personal relationships that align with my values and push me to grow.
Wealth: More than just making money, manifesting wealth meant growing my financial independence. I learned to generate extra income streams, save more, and invest in myself.
How to Manifest Effectively (With Examples)
Get Clear on What You Want: Visualize It
If you don’t know what you want, you’ll never get it. I started by getting incredibly specific about my goals. What kind of job did I want? What salary? What did my ideal life look like?
I created a
vision board and wrote down exactly what I wanted—whether it was paying off my student loans or landing a promotion that came with a higher salary. Then, I took it a step further by visualizing myself living that reality. I pictured myself in meetings, successfully contributing to projects, getting recognition, and negotiating a higher salary.
Recently, I came across
Zenii, which has been amazing for helping with visualization. I can use my own face to create a personalized vision board that reflects my identity, making the manifestation process feel even more real and aligned with my goals.
- When I wanted to manifest a career change, I got specific about the type of job I wanted. I pictured myself working for a company that values innovative design, collaborating with creative people, and taking on exciting projects. Instead of just saying, “I want a new job,” I started affirming, “I will land a UX design role at a creative agency that values my work and pays a salary of $80,000.”
- For manifesting wealth, I got detailed with my financial vision. I visualized paying off my $12,000 in student loans within five years and having at least $10,000 in savings. I also visualized earning income beyond my day job through freelancing—setting a goal of making $1,000 extra per month by offering consultation service on the side.
Set Positive Affirmations: Rewire Your Mindset
Next, I replaced all of my self-doubts with positive
affirmations. Instead of, "I hope I can pay off my loans someday," I told myself, "I am financially secure. I have the power to pay off my debts and build wealth."
These affirmations helped me overcome fear and scarcity thinking. Every time a negative thought crept in, I countered it with a positive affirmation. It became a habit that shifted my mindset from one of survival to one of abundance.
- When I was aiming for career growth, I started affirming every day: “I am worthy of earning $80,000 and I attract job opportunities where my skills are valued.” I repeated this until I believed it. This shift in mindset made me more confident in interviews and more proactive in taking steps to reach my goal.
- For relationships, I affirmed: “I attract meaningful, supportive relationships. I deserve to be surrounded by people who uplift and inspire me.” This helped me focus on cultivating positive relationships and letting go of connections that didn’t align with my values. Soon, I met mentors and new friends who not only supported my career but also contributed to my personal growth.
Take Inspired Action: Make Your Goals Tangible
Manifestation without action is just daydreaming. Once I visualized and affirmed my goals, I took action steps every single day. Whether it was learning new skills, networking, or taking on extra projects at work, I made sure to do something that aligned with my vision.
- To manifest a new job, I revamped my portfolio, signed up for UX design courses, and networked with professionals in my field. I sent out 30 job applications and made it a point to attend at least two industry events per month. When I wanted a raise at my current job, I started asking my boss for regular feedback and took on more responsibilities. After a few months of persistence, I landed a role at a creative agency making $85,000/year—just above my original goal
- When it came to money, I started by getting organized. I made a budget, tracked expense, and set a savings goal of $500/month. I also launched a freelancing side hustle, where I initially made $800/month. That extra income helped me pay off my student loans two years early and grow my savings
Trust the Process: Release Control
One of the hardest parts of manifesting is trusting that the universe (or whatever you believe in) is working behind the scenes. I had to let go of the need to control every outcome and trust that things were happening for me, even when they didn’t seem to be moving.
During a tough job search or when my side hustle wasn’t gaining traction, I reminded myself that my breakthrough was on its way. I continued taking action, staying positive, and trusting that it would all come together in time.
- During my job search, I applied to over 30 roles and faced several rejections. I was discouraged at times, but I reminded myself that rejection was part of the journey. I trusted that something better was coming. When I finally landed my ideal UX design job, it was at a company I hadn’t even considered before but ended up being perfect for me.
- When I was manifesting financial growth, I didn’t see immediate results. There were months when my side hustle wasn’t bringing in as much as I wanted, but I stayed consistent. Within a year, I received a $10,000 raise at my full-time job and secured a large freelance project worth $5,000. The only thing I did is I didn't give up and trusted myself.
Gratitude: Appreciate What You Already Have
Gratitude is a powerful tool for manifestation. Even when I didn’t have everything I wanted, I practiced gratitude daily for what I did have. It raised my energy and kept me in a mindset of abundance rather than lack.
- Even when I was stuck in a job that barely paid enough to cover my bills, I practiced being thankful for what it provided. I was grateful for the steady paycheck, the skills I was learning, and the opportunities to grow. This mindset shift not only helped me attract a much better job but also maintain a positive relationship with my previous colleagues which later even helped me to expand my freelance network.
- When it comes to relationship, I showed my appreciation and gratitude for the supportive people already in my life—my family, close friends, and even colleagues who cheered me on. This helps me to keep a positive supporting system.
Looking back, I can confidently say that I couldn’t have achieved all of this without manifestation - your mindset shapes your reality. It’s not just about wishing for things to happen; it’s about aligning your mindset, energy, and actions toward your goals. By getting clear on what you want, setting positive affirmations, taking inspired actions, and trusting the process, you too can manifest abundance in your life.
So, what will you manifest next? Will it be career success, financial independence, fulfilling relationships, or something else entirely? The power is in your hands. Trust it. Manifest it. Watch your life transform.