Can you feel it too? That excitement and energy that comes with the start of a brand-new year? It’s like a buzz in the air, full of anticipation for all the goals we promised ourselves we’d achieve. From small personal goals, like drinking more water, to big career moves that could change everything. But here’s the thing—sometimes even the simplest goals can feel overwhelming when you add them to the long list of things we want to do.
But I’m going to share something that’s been helping me push past the doubt and overwhelm that I bet you’re feeling too. Manifestation is something we all know about, but there’s more to it than just dreaming big. You’ve got to take action.
Now, let me point out something that might be pretty obvious: tapping into your potential can be scary and stressful. It can be tough to even see your potential (especially in a competitive field like professional photography), and once you do see it, you might not know what to do with it. That’s why having a clear idea of your goals is so important. This is where manifestation really helps.
So, what exactly is manifestation? It’s the process of reaching your goals by creating a clear, intentional plan to get there. Sounds simple, right? Well, it’s not always that easy. I went through a lot of trial and error to figure out not just where I wanted to go, but how to get there. But don’t worry, I’m going to share some tips with you that will help you turn your dreams into reality.
Here are the exact steps I took when manifesting my own goals for this year:
1. Get Clear About What You Want
When I first started studying photography, I didn’t have a clear plan. I just knew I loved it and needed it to be part of my life. But as I got deeper into it and realized I wanted to turn it into a career, I was already so caught up in my work and just life in general, that I jumped in without taking the time to really plan where I wanted to go with it.
Instead, I started building my career and planning shoots at the same time, creating a messy portfolio that showed I didn’t have a clear vision for my photography career. That’s when I realized I needed to take a step back and create a plan to guide me toward the life I wanted.
Figuring out what my actual goals were was the hardest part for me, but manifestation helped me see my potential and uncover where I was getting stuck. Once I stopped worrying about how I would reach my goals, I could focus more on what it would look like when I finally achieved them. And that clarity was a game-changer. Once I could really imagine my dreams coming true, I was able to start taking the necessary steps to make it happen.
Getting clear about exactly what you want is the first step toward truly manifesting your goals. Seriously, I can’t stress this enough! But be patient with yourself—it takes time. Our visions of the future are often clouded by what we think others expect from us—whether that’s family, teachers, partners, or society. Make sure to ask yourself what you truly want in your heart. This kind of clarity is what leads to successful manifestation, so give yourself the time and space to find it.
2. Identify The Limiting Beliefs That Are Holding You Back
A lot of the time, we end up being our own worst enemies, especially when it comes to our creative goals. Our limiting beliefs about what we’re capable of often stop us from realizing we deserve the goals and dreams we long for.
I recently got a message from an amazing photographer who told me she was struggling with editing and finding consistency in her photos because she didn’t see herself as “a photographer.” That’s exactly the kind of limiting belief that can hold us back! Instead of saying you’re not a photographer, try reframing it: “I’m a photographer still learning what that means for me, and I’m open to all the knowledge and experiences I need to move forward.”
When it comes to manifesting your dreams, it’s important to get in the right mindset. We need to remind ourselves (and each other!) that the stories we tell ourselves aren’t real until we make them real—and this applies to both the negative and positive stories. Limiting beliefs often sneak into our minds without us realizing how much they control our lives and our progress.
So, take a moment to identify the beliefs holding you back, and think about how you can take your power back. Shift into the mindset that you deserve every success you dream of, because this will make you more aware of the opportunities around you. Celebrate where you are now, even if it’s not exactly where you want to be. Showing yourself gratitude and love right now is what will help you get where you want to go in the future.
3. Envision What Success Looks Like To You
This is where the real manifestation happens. Imagine, just for a moment, that all the stress and overwhelm you’re feeling are gone. What do you see? Where do you find your joy? This is where your future lies, and this is where the success you’re looking for—in your life, career, or new business—is waiting for you. All of it can be yours.
So, here’s my challenge to you: take an afternoon to really focus on your desires, goals, and dreams as a photographer. Picture the life you want. Maybe you want to turn photography into a full-time career while being financially stable, or maybe you dream of traveling the world doing what you love.
Now, imagine what your life will look like when you achieve those dreams—not if, but when. Truly feeling what it would be like to reach your goals with all your senses will help create positive, supportive energy around your intentions. And that’s exactly what will bring you closer to making them a reality.
4. Take Action!
Now that you’ve done the hard work in the first few steps, it’s time to put everything into action. You can’t just sit back and imagine your dreams coming true—you’ve got to go out and make them happen. Once you know exactly what you want, it’s time to take action right away. Don’t wait!
Action comes from the energy you’ve already put behind your intentions. Once you’ve set your goal, the energy starts moving, and all you need to do is keep up with it! Without taking action, you’ll just be someone with a beautiful dream but no results. No one is going to call you out of the blue with an amazing opportunity while you’re lounging on the couch. If you want to see real results, you’ve got to work for them and take action.
I often get emails from photographers asking how to find work. When I ask what they’re doing to market themselves, I usually hear, “I update my Instagram every day and send out a few DMs and emails.” While that’s a good start, it won’t bring the big results you want—and trust me, I’ve learned that the hard way. Clients and jobs aren’t just going to come to you. You need to go after them with passion and hard work. But believe me, it’s always worth it.
Now, think about the next five steps you need to take to get closer to your goal. Be really specific. Then, write a letter to your future self congratulating you on completing each step—how you did it and how amazing it felt! Then, read it out loud. Seriously, give it a try! There’s something powerful about hearing your dreams out loud that can really boost your confidence.
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, take a moment to remind yourself what you’re truly working toward. Make sure you can clearly see your vision of success before moving forward. It’s hard to follow your dreams if you’re not sure exactly what they are.
Visualizing your success is a great way to figure out the steps you need to take to get there. But remember, just manifesting won’t get you to your goal. Manifestation is a tool to open your mind to possibilities and remind you of what you truly desire—and that you can achieve it.
Also Read: What Tools and Techniques Worked Best for Others Success?
We all deserve to see our dreams come true, but sometimes it just takes a little more imagination to get started. Manifesting your dreams into a clear vision of your future is empowering. It shows you not only where you want to go, but also how to get there. And let’s be honest—clarity and confidence are key when starting something new, and both are within your reach this year and beyond.
Let’s work together to turn our dreams into reality!