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Fiona Brennan on living with intention: Turn that goal into reality using positive visualisation

In her final positive mindset column, clinical hypnotherapist Fiona Brennan shares the importance of microgoals, and of finding the opportunity within each hurdle

Clinical Hypnotherapist and author Fiona Brennan. Photo: Steve Langan

Making a start does not have to be radical, small steps are what matter. Getty Images

To achieve your goals, start from a place of belief and strength. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Clinical Hypnotherapist and author Fiona Brennan. Photo: Steve Langan

Making a start does not have to be radical, small steps are what matter. Getty Images

To achieve your goals, start from a place of belief and strength. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Clinical Hypnotherapist and author Fiona Brennan. Photo: Steve Langan

Fiona Brennan

January 25 2023 02:30 AM

Welcome to week four of living an intentional life. You may have heard the word ‘manifesting’ a lot in popular psychology recently, and have possibly dismissed it as a pseudoscience that states if you want something you only have to think positive thoughts and it will appear. However, stay open to it — manifesting is a powerful tool that is worthy of your attention.

There is some solid research in the field of positive psychology to support how an optimistic outlook does, in fact, shape our reality. One study in the Journal of Financial Economics shows how optimistic people tend to have more financial abundance and remarry if they divorce.

The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of the verb ‘to manifest’ is very straightforward: ‘to show something clearly, especially a feeling, an attitude, or a quality’. To live a life with intention and purpose is also to show something clearly, and to be specific about what qualities you wish to portray.

The link between manifestation and intentional living is significant. They are the GPS and compass of your mind, setting and also guiding you in the right direction with purpose. If you get into your car with no idea of where you are going, you can’t expect to end up at your desired location. To manifest something in your life, you need to consciously create positive thoughts and feelings and then apply positive actions to turn an idea into reality.

The most important part is to focus on the positive feeling that arises from realising your future goal in the present moment. It is this feeling that spurs action. With repetition, you create neuroplastic changes and transform states into traits.

It is common sense that if you want to achieve anything in your life, it needs to be created from a place of belief and strength rather than doubt and weakness. For example, let’s say in 2023 you want to start your own business. However, you are full of negative thoughts and fear, convinced the business will fail before it has even begun. This negative feeling is also manifesting, but unfortunately in the reverse. Without creating a clear vision of the business being a roaring success and the emotional state that will create, you will find both yourself and the business struggling. Belief matters.

Manifesting relies on positive visualisation of the goal being realised. On a subconscious level, your brain will filter the world to seek out opportunities that match the vibrancy of your ideal self living the life of your dreams, and how that feels. It is an internal process, and the external rewards are simply perks.

The cult classic The Obstacle Is The Way, written by Ryan Holiday in 2015, has become a well-known phrase and it is worth remembering as you implement your goals. Whatever you choose to do in life, it will have many twists and turns and rather than giving up, it is essential to find the opportunity within each hurdle. Manifesting and the groundbreaking work of Carol Dweck, who developed the term ‘growth mindset’, are also connected. The idea of focusing on effort and not results is paramount to resilience and sustaining new positive habits.

To achieve your goals, start from a place of belief and strength. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Always start with micro goals that lead up to the overall goal, and hold yourself accountable to them. For example, if I have a dream of buying a house abroad but I am not in a financial position to do so yet, I can book a trip to the country I wish to buy in and spend time exploring the area and making connections.

When I allow myself to feel energised by the dream, I will begin to practically find ways to increase my income and save money to make it happen sooner rather than later. As Thomas Eddison once said: “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves”. Whatever you wish to create, don’t wait. Do not fall into the ‘when I…’ trap. For example, ‘I will start a yoga class when I have more time’, or ‘I will look for a new job when the kids are older’.

Most people wait far too long before they start to take steps. Perfection is the enemy of action and many people procrastinate to wait for the ‘perfect time’ — it doesn’t exist. Commencing does not have to be radical, small steps are what matter. Often when you begin, a momentum all of its own will follow. For example, you might do an online yoga class that motivates you to join a studio or you might retrain part-time in a new profession so by the time the kids are older, you are ready to launch a new career.

Let’s practice. Actions always speak louder than words. This powerful manifestation exercise will help you to visualise your ideal self now. Remember, to manifest is to co-create with the power of intention and action, supported by a deep belief in your ideal self.

Choose one of the goals, whether personal or professional, that you would like to achieve.
Imagine it is January 2024 and you have made this happen — the new house, the masters, the book deal you have been dreaming of — it is yours.
Start to notice the feelings of having realised this goal NOW.
Soak in the positive feelings. Imagine standing under a shower and allowing the feelings of success to flood through your entire being.
Specifically notice how it feels to be standing in the new house, going to your graduation, or meeting with your publisher.
Write down all of the details. The more clearly you visualise this, the better. Do not hold back. Can you imagine the aromas, the feel of the furniture, and the expression on people’s faces?
What thoughts are you thinking now that you have succeeded? Write these down also.

Notice how your confidence builds as you continue. Cultivate a feeling of gratitude. Hold onto the positive energy and start to use it to start taking practical steps. Remember the internal emotional state is what catapults the motivation to turn this idea into a reality.

My intention while writing this series to guide you into 2023 is to provide you with the belief that you deserve to live your life to its fullest capacity, whatever that looks like. For some of you, it may be to go on a wild adventure and for others, it is to create more peace and quiet in everyday life.

Whatever it is that you want, I am manifesting success for you now. I see you clearly devoting the time and the love you deserve to live a meaningful life with intent. I believe in you. But what matters is that you believe in yourself. Never underestimate yourself and the significance of your life.

For a free sleep time hypnotherapy audio, visit thepositivehabit.com and follow Fiona on Instagram @the_positive_habit_

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