If you only read one part of this series, First name / friend, I hope it's this one. Because I'm about to tell you a rule I absolutely live by.
I'm not sure when or how this philosophy really clicked into my head, but once it did, it changed my entire life.
The philosophy is this: there is a huge difference between goal-setting and manifesting—and most people THINK they're doing the former, but really, they're doing the latter. And where most people go wrong is their lack of differentiating the two.
(Sidebar: if the word “manifesting” doesn't resonate with you because of annoying people on the internet, swap it out with whatever does resonate. Maybe “visualizing” or “calling in”… something of that nature.)
I decided a few years ago that I would only set goals that I had complete, full, & total control over. And then any other vision for my business or life or career or whatever else would become a manifestation that I could release the pressure from entirely.
Here's an example of what I mean.
Let's say you've been thinking a lot about 2024 and you've decided that you want to bring $X amount into your business this year.
You might say “my goal is to bring in [$insert your dream number here!]”.
The thing is… you don't actually have control over that number. Like, at all. In order for that number to happen, the right people have to be in need of your services, they have to find you or be connected with you somehow, the price has to be right for their business, both of you have to like each other on a discovery call, the timeline has to be right…
^Like, actually, when you think about it, the number of miracles that have to happen to work on ANY client project is truly bonkers.
And you're not in control of any of the above, really.
There are some things you ARE in control of, though.
+ You can make sure your portfolio is up to date.
+ You can post on Instagram consistently to increase your chances of being found.
+ You can send a weekly newsletter to deliver consistent value to your audience.
+ You can make sure your website looks professional and your copy is communicating your value.
… the list goes on.
Once I stopped setting “goals” I had no control over and turned them into manifestations that I could release the pressure from… and once I started setting smaller, concrete, goals that I could turn into daily/weekly/monthly habits and had full control over… it was the biggest mental shift I have ever made.
I want you to take out a new piece of paper, draw a line down the middle, and label one side “GOALS” and one side “MANIFESTATIONS”. Then, I want you to go through that big ambitious list, think deeply, and categorize them accordingly. Which ones do you actually have control over? And which ones are visions that are basically up to the Universe?
If you get stuck, here's a good rule of thumb: if you can't easily break down your goal into a recurring daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly habit, then it's probably out of your control, which means it's a manifestation.
And once you've done that, meet me back here next week for week 5 :)
