There are countless authors, influencers, podcasters, success coaches, motivational experts and internet personalities who pitch manifesting as the method for “creating the life you want”. In addition to these pitch men, there are innumerable multimillionaire athletes, actors, musicians, executives and entrepreneurs who credit their success to “really wanting it and working hard”.
No wonder so many people buy into manifesting as the solution to their problems. It’s being sold by the grifters and credited by seemingly thoughtful, earnest celebrities who have achieved wealth, fame and accolades.
Too bad it’s bullshit.
I understand why people want to believe it will work. When I was younger, I tried positive affirmations, pop psychology, quasi-religious mantras and motivational techniques touted by Tony Robbins, Zig Ziegler and Dale Carnegie.
Of course manifesting your dreams to make them come true is appealing – just think of the life you want and you’ll get it. Who wouldn’t want that?
I used to believe people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jack Welsh and others were successful because they were mission focused, success driven men who out hustled and out-thought the competition.
It never occurred to me that they weren’t so special. Maybe they were were lucky to have been in the right place at the right time. Maybe they grew up in stable families. Maybe they had financial cushions that enabled them to take risks, fund their startups or pay their bills. Maybe they had industry contacts, the right education or parents who could open doors for them.
Of course, few people mention the role of luck in their success.
When I hear “how I did it” stories today, I see luck everywhere.
If wanting something badly and working really hard was really the reason for success, then we’d have many multimillionaire manual laborers, housecleaners and tradesmen wouldn’t we?
Don’t believe the hype.