Write It Down, Make It Happen

1. Write Down Your Goals to Make Them Happen

"If you know what you want, you can have it."

Activate your reticular activating system. Writing down your goals activates the reticular activating system (RAS) in your brain, which helps you focus on opportunities and information relevant to achieving your goals. This process makes you more aware of resources and chances that were always there but previously unnoticed.

Be specific and believe. When writing your goals, be as specific as possible. Instead of just writing "car," specify the make, model, and mileage. The more precise you are, the more likely you are to achieve your goal. Believe that what you write is attainable, and approach it with faith and confidence.

Create a suggestion box for your brain. Carry a small notebook or use index cards to jot down ideas and insights as they come to you. This practice honors your thoughts and encourages your brain to generate more creative solutions and opportunities.

2. Visualize and Focus on the Desired Outcome

"Hold it in your mind you want a pool."

Start from the destination. Visualize your goal as if it has already been achieved. Write about it in the present tense, describing how it looks, feels, and impacts your life. This technique helps you maintain focus and motivation, even when facing obstacles.

Consider the "benefit of the benefit." Go beyond just visualizing the goal itself and explore why you want it and how it will enrich your life or others' lives. This deeper understanding can strengthen your resolve and clarify your true desires.

Ask yourself:

• What will happen because of achieving this goal?
• How will it impact my life and the lives of others?
• What new opportunities will it create?

Use the power of writing as reality. Describe your goal in vivid detail, as if you're already living it. Date your description, as it will often feel like you wrote it after the fact when you read it back later, reinforcing your belief in its attainability.

3. Address Fears and Feelings Through Writing

"Writing is a good way to force my negative emotional reactions into words and not stomach churnings."

Acknowledge and explore your fears. When you write down your goals, fears and doubts often surface. Instead of suppressing these emotions, write them down as well. This process helps separate the dream from the fear, making both more manageable.

Write through to resolution. Use a technique called "Writing Through to Resolution" to overcome obstacles and find solutions. Start writing about your problem or fear, and keep writing even when you want to stop. Often, the solution will emerge as you continue to write.

Steps for Writing Through to Resolution:

1. Begin writing about your problem or fear
2. Continue writing, even if you feel stuck
3. Push through resistance and negative thoughts
4. Keep going until you reach a breakthrough or solution

4. Use Listing to Clarify Your Intentions

"Writing a list gets it out of the swamp, onto paper. You can see a list in black and white and it's real."

Crystallize your intent. Creating a list of your goals or desires helps you clarify what matters most to you. It gets your thoughts out of your head and onto paper, making them more concrete and actionable.

Be specific and prioritize. When making your list, be as specific as possible about what you want. Prioritize your items to focus on what's most important. Keep the list handy and review it regularly, especially when you feel discouraged or scared.

Use listing for decision-making. When faced with a big decision or change, create a list of non-negotiables or must-haves. This technique can help you stay focused on what's truly important and guide your choices.

5. Get Ready to Receive What You Want

"No one is ready for a thing until he believes he can acquire it. The state of mind must be belief, not mere hope or wish."

Prepare mentally and emotionally. Getting ready to receive involves more than just writing down your goals. It requires a shift in mindset and a willingness to work on yourself. Use your writing to explore any inner conflicts or beliefs that might be holding you back.

Take small, consistent actions. As you prepare to receive what you want, take small steps towards your goal. These actions demonstrate your commitment and readiness to the universe and to yourself.

Examples of preparatory actions:

• Research related to your goal
• Networking with people in your desired field
• Acquiring necessary skills or knowledge
• Making physical space for what you want to receive

Trust the timing. Understand that achieving your goal may take time. Use your writing to maintain faith and patience, focusing on personal growth and preparation rather than immediate results.

6. Take Initiative and Overcome Resistance

"Resistance has meaning, and getting behind resistance, not just around it, will set you free."

Identify the root of resistance. When you find yourself procrastinating or avoiding action towards your goals, write about your resistance. Keep writing until you uncover the underlying fears or beliefs causing the hesitation.

Take responsibility for your progress. Recognize that you are the primary driver of your success. Instead of waiting for perfect circumstances, take initiative by asking yourself, "What can I do right now to move closer to my goal?"

Turn resistance into action steps. Once you've identified the source of your resistance, use that information to create specific action steps. Break down your goal into smaller, manageable tasks that address your concerns and build your confidence.

7. Create Rituals to Reinforce Your Goals

"What you requested to be taken out of your life would be removed, and what you wanted to come in, came in."

Design a personal goal-setting ritual. Create a ceremony or ritual that feels meaningful to you for setting and reinforcing your goals. This practice adds a sense of sacredness and importance to your goal-setting process.

Incorporate symbolic elements. Use symbols, objects, or actions that represent your goals and desires in your ritual. These tangible representations can help reinforce your intentions and make the process more memorable.

Elements to consider for your ritual:

• Natural elements (earth, air, fire, water)
• Symbolic objects or talismans
• Special locations or times of day
• Meaningful words or phrases

Repeat and refine your ritual. Perform your goal-setting ritual regularly, such as annually or at the start of each new project. Adjust and refine the ritual as needed to keep it meaningful and effective for you.

8. Let Go of What No Longer Serves You

"Becoming a master means willingness to let go of whatever isn't working in your life. Letting go of the familiar is hard."

Create space for the new. To make room for your goals and desires, identify and release things that no longer serve you. This can include physical possessions, relationships, habits, or beliefs that are holding you back.

Practice intentional release. Create a ritual or process for letting go of what you no longer need. Write down what you're releasing and why, then dispose of the paper in a meaningful way (e.g., burning, burying, or releasing into water).

Embrace the discomfort of change. Recognize that letting go can be uncomfortable, but it's often necessary for growth. Use your writing to explore and process the emotions that come with releasing familiar patterns or possessions.

9. Express Gratitude for Your Achievements

"If you have a dream, follow it. If you catch a dream, nurture it. If your dream comes true, celebrate!"

Acknowledge your progress. Regularly write down your accomplishments, no matter how small. This practice helps you recognize your growth and maintains motivation as you work towards larger goals.

Thank those who supported you. Express gratitude to the people who have helped you along the way. This not only strengthens your relationships but also reinforces the positive support network around you.

Create a gratitude ritual. Develop a daily or weekly practice of writing down things you're grateful for. This habit shifts your focus to the positive aspects of your life and can attract more positivity and success.

Gratitude practices to consider:

• Keep a daily gratitude journal
• Write thank-you notes to supporters
• Create a "wins" list to review regularly
• Share your accomplishments and gratitude with others

Last updated: November 19, 2024