The universe is always listening, and it wants to support you in achieving your dreams. Get really clear on what it is you are asking for, down to the smallest details. The universe responds to clarity and will deliver the things that you want with greater ease when you have a crystal-clear vision of what you’re calling in.

What is the real motivation behind your intention? Setting intentions based on feelings of fear or necessity will only perpetuate more fear and feeling like you never have enough. Be sure to set your intentions from a place of honoring your self-worth, love, and the desire to create true happiness. As mentioned above, set your intentions from a place of authenticity, not from fear and blocked or manipulated energy.

Now that you are really clear on what it is you want and why you want it, release your attachment to getting exactly what you want. It is not an easy task to set our intentions based on what we feel would bring us the most joy and fulfillment, but when you are unattached to the outcome, it allows you to live in flow. It’s not really the material object or condition that you need, it is the feeling that having that object or condition would bring you. That feeling might be delivered to you through an avenue you simply cannot perceive at this moment in time.

What would your life look like if you already had the thing that you want? How would you spend your time? What kind of food would you eat? What type of people would you spend your time with? What clothes would you wear? Intentions are energy, so, start living your life in a way that brings you into vibrational alignment with the energy of the very thing that you want.

As you set forth to manifest your intentions, you will more than likely be met with obstacles. Obstacles can signify one of two things: 1. The universe is testing you to see just how sure you are about what you’ve set out to create or get. This is your opportunity to stand your ground and remind yourself of your why. Be grateful for this chance to remember your true motivation. 2. You may have thought you wanted your dream job to look a certain way, and this obstacle is now directing you towards something similar, yet potentially much greater. Choose to look beyond the obstacle to see what doors it may have opened for you that you may not have seen otherwise.

Along your journey you will be faced with decisions that will ultimately create the energy with which you are trying to manifest your intention. Remember, like increases like. The good news is that your body is speaking to you, always. When faced with a decision, whether it’s a difficult decision or something more mundane like what you will eat for lunch or whether to attend the party you were invited to, all you have to do is tune in, ask your body a yes or no question, and feel the response. It’s likely you will feel the response in your gut, your solar plexus, or your heart. If your body responds with an uncomfortable sensation, the answer is no. If your body responds with a feel-good sensation, then the answer is yes. Feel your body and go with the first thing that you feel.

You are in constant communication with the universe through the language you use both in conversation with others and internally in your thoughts. Notice when you use phrases such as “I hope” or “I think I will” or “I’d really like to”. These phrases send a message to the universe that you are lacking what you want and part of you does not believe you can actually have it as yours. Thus, the universe will continue to deliver the lack.

Tension creates more tension. Ease creates more ease. Set your intention, and then keep your attention in the present moment. What can you do, right now, in this moment, to create more ease for you to attract what you want? Release your attachment to making it happen. All you need to do is be the container within which your intention can land.

As in any relationship, the most important aspect in your relationship to the universe, is trust. Trust that the universe wants to give you what you desire. Trust that you are more than capable and worthy of receiving that which you desire. Trust that you are a creative being with the power to transform your life. Trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be and trust that the entire process is divine in its very nature.

And lastly, but certainly not least, celebrate yourself along the way. Celebrate when you put in the time, effort, and commitment whether it produces the result you had in mind or not. Celebrate even the smallest successes and celebrate even when you fail, acknowledging what you have learned and what you have gained from this lesson. Celebrate when you’ve had a great day and when you’ve had a really tough day, but you are still breathing and still standing. We live in a culture that puts so much value on self-improvement and not nearly enough value on self-acknowledgment. I promise you, when you learn to receive your own love and acknowledgment, you will not only attract more of what you want, but the people around you and the entire universe will suddenly give you more of the love and acknowledgment that we all need to succeed.