I am  absolutely convinced that we have much more ability to create our own reality than most of us ever take advantage of. I know some people may consider this idea to be “new age” nonsense, but it would more accurately be described as ancient wisdom, as related manifesting practices have been used throughout the world for centuries. It’s also quite practical, relatively easy, and most certainly risk-free. I help my clients work towards achieving their goals by identifying their priorities, helping them make commitments, supporting them in accomplishing tasks, etc., in a very traditional way. This is important work and it can be very effective.  However, the manifesting work can really help facilitate progress, particularly when someone is struggling with getting started or finds themselves stuck along the way.

Every thought we have sends out a particular energy, and one way or another, which initiates a process that impacts the material circumstances of our lives. This dynamic and how it works can be discussed and explained in both scientific and spiritual terms, but I won’t get into that aspect of the topic here. You can think of it very practically, in that your thoughts affect what actions you take and your actions affect outcomes, or you can think of it in the same way you might view prayer or any spiritual practice that connects you to the Divine. Fortunately, you need not have any particular belief system in order to benefit from this kind of work. The bottom line is that the more we can create and maintain a stream of positive thoughts that support our desires, the better our chances of bringing to ourselves those things that we would most like to have.

Of course, very few people have total control over all their thoughts. It is very difficult for most of us to have a completely focused thought for any period of time without some doubt or fear or contradiction coming to mind. It is not necessary or helpful to feel anxious about that–it is simply a condition associated with being human! The idea is to consciously focus some attention on what’s going on in your head and to question whether it is serving you. Little by little, you can slowly change your habits along these lines and see what kind of affect it has on your life.

The following is one technique that I find very helpful in supporting the manifesting process. It hope you’ll consider trying it.

Abraham’s Placemat Process

The Placemat is an extremely easy to use but very powerful tool of deliberate creation. It helps you to clearly focus on what you want without resistance. I have seen this work like magic in terms of changing the circumstances of a person’s life and bringing to them something that they desire but have been previously unable to secure.

The Placemat Process accomplishes the two main prerequisites to deliberate creating:

• Identifying your object of desire (getting clear on what you want)

• Allowing it (having no resistance)

Want it, allow it, and it is! It certainly can’t hurt to try.

If you’re wondering about the name, Jerry and Esther Hicks, who designed this technique, named it as such because they used it while they were traveling and eating in restaurants, where the back of the placemat was a convenient place to make their notes.

How to do this practice:

On a piece of paper, draw a “T” dividing the paper into two sections. Write “ME” on the top left side and “UNIVERSE” on the top of the right side.

On the left side (your side), write down all those things that you are ready and willing to take action on now with respect to your goal. Include only those things that you really want to do or feel inspired to do, not anything that you think you “should” do or have an obligation to do because there would be resistance already built into those kinds of tasks.

So, on your side, you might write things like:

• “Look for more things to appreciate.”

• “Try to be fully present in each moment.”

• “Clean off my desk.”

• “Make three sales calls.”

• “Eat three meals each day.”

On the right side (Universe’s side), write anything you want to have, to do, or to be that you are not ready to take action on, don’t know how to do, or don’t think you have the resources to secure/accomplish/achieve. You can think of this part of the process as “delegating to your staff” those things that you don’t want to put on your own to-do list.

You can include whatever your heart desires here, no matter how big or small. Your personal list could be very short and the Universe side can be as long as you want it to be.

There is no particular follow-up to do on the items you write on this side. As a matter of fact, Wayne Dyer recommends that when you are manifesting generally, you should identify and express your desire, then let it go and trust that the process is underway. It isn’t required that you keep telling the Universe what you have, but rather important that you cultivate a belief that it is on its way or already here in some form.

See Manifesting, Part II for more information on this topic.