Manifesting 101: What you visualise, you materialise.
Well, it’s not that simple, but I like to live by that mantra for a variety of reasons. You may hear articles in lifestyle, wellness or even business-driven blogs buzzing about mindset and how it’s practically the magic wand for making your life 110% more successful. We live in a society driven by corporate-owned media that makes its money off pandering fear, death, failure and misfortunes in a world that seems practically set up to let you down. This can do a number on us creatives and business owners who are just trying to stay positive and focused after a year that…well, you know…kind of flipped us upside down, shook us around and dropped us down, hoping to land feet first.
I’m glad to report that most of us made it out rejuvenated and ready to jump into creative action. As a tattoo artist, many of my ideas surrounding design and business efforts come to me through a mix of creative intuition, focus, time blocking and, most important staying mindful. It’s hard to describe manifesting to someone who is not familiar with the idea, and many may watch ‘The Secret’ once and think that if we think hard enough about something, it will appear. That multi-million dollar house, a Tesla or a dream job is just one thought-inspiring session away, right? Well, let’s take a few steps back and explain. For those who practice Yoga (assuming most of you reading this), you know that each session is just that, practice and an openness to reaching a new level. It’s a continued effort without giving up and truly understanding that each day is a new chance to get 1% better at the things you are most passionate about.
Where people begin to steer off path, is where manifesting comes in and can help immensely. Creatives do this often; they hit a stride, and perhaps for a day or even a week, they hit that creative block that takes the wind of their sails. They begin to doubt their abilities and negative self-talk begins to come into play. The solution isn’t necessarily abiding to PMA; this is more about keeping your focus, believing you are worthy of your dreams and remembering to go easy on yourself. Society and media have taught creatives and entrepreneurs that if we don’t succeed within a short period of time, or if we haven’t reached a specific place in our life, then we are a failure or not worthy of those incredible opportunities we all can achieve.
So yes, manifesting is a practice just like Yoga or any creative skill would entail. It carries elements of mindset, practice, self-care, visualising and maintaining a belief system that shows you are worthy regardless of any challenge, setback or unforeseen delay.
I preach this to creatives because so many of us live without certainty, or say without a typical day job that has certain expectations, plans and, of course, paydays. The creative can be a designer, musician, entrepreneur or really anyone that must create to thrive but understands that producing results is not everything in life. Achieving a great manifesting practice relies on the daily mindset that you can and will get to the destination you are targeting.
Lastly, let’s talk visualising. Let’s say you booked an exciting vacation, but it’s two weeks away, and you’re feeling a bit stuck in whatever it is you’re up to. You know that feeling. You think about that vacation coming up, and all of a sudden, you spring to life and feel a bit of euphoria in your body. That is visualising, and that is part of what manifesting can do for you, even if that “vacation” isn’t booked yet. This applies to everything else, being creative, starting businesses, taking a new journey in life or whatever it is you want. This is the practice of visualising the finish line, putting in the work and, of course, keeping a mindset that is always reminding yourself that the goal is achievable and deserving.
Dillon Forte
Dillon Forte is known for his contemporary style of Sacred Geometry tattooing. Forte views the body as a whole, creating harmonious designs that flow seamlessly with the skin. Forte has developed an incredible online following and high-profile client base and has other ventures, including photography, painting, NFTs, and his Forte Tattoo Tech product line.
