If you’ve read any of my books, then you know that goal accomplishment goes more smoothly if you “see” what you want in your mind as though it’s already happened, “feel” it as though it is already true, and then move your feet until it happens. Right?
Well, what if you’ve done all that and it still didn’t work?
Let me add some insight to help you achieve your goal.
When it comes to little things (like getting the perfect parking spot at the grocery store, or locating a lost roll of packaging tape) simply seeing the success in my mind and feeling the gratitude I expect to feel when the goal is achieved is often all that seems to be required. The goal is accomplished with relatively little effort. I’ve been able to really develop my faith in the principles of prosperity through accomplishing trivial things such as these.
However, when I’m striving for something more significant, sometimes it’s much harder to sustain my faith. A half-hearted attempt to apply the principles of prosperity isn’t enough. It makes sense that the bigger the goal, the more focused I need to be.
For goals that make a positive difference in your life, or in the world at large, there will probably be more opposition to overcome than for trivial goals that affect very little. I don’t recall much opposition when I was trying to locate packaging tape, but I experienced quite a bit when I was trying to start a seminar business.
I don’t say this to scare anyone off from setting lofty goals. Set them anyway; it’s worth it! I just want to prepare you to tackle them in a way that will yield the success you seek. There is one element that has made all the difference for me, and it is NOT mentioned in The Jackrabbit Factor.
When I have only a general idea of what I want, it can take time (days, weeks, even months or years) to develop a real clear picture in my mind that includes detail. It’s really hard to “feel” it as though it is accomplished, when those details haven’t been decided. Sometimes I simply don’t know what I want the details to be, and that’s okay. So, I write as much as I can, and think on it often. As the details I do know become second-nature to me and I can recall them in my mind at the drop of a hat, I’m able to add a little more detail here and there.
Eventually, it becomes easier to “feel” it as though it has already been accomplished.
But sometimes “feeling it done” wasn’t what finally prepared me to receive it. It was something else. What I really needed was a different kind of feeling, one that I didn’t create.
Let me explain:
It has become increasingly important to me to know I’m not asking for something God wouldn’t think is best for me.
So, intellectually, I can do my best to figure out whether I think it would be what’s best, but before I can really put my whole heart into a goal, I need to know what God thinks. I want to know whether HE thinks it’s a wise thing for me to go after. Inevitably, there comes a time in my quest when I feel like I really need to get that figured out.
(I used to pursue anything I wanted – boldy and fearlessly – until I actually achieved some things that I regretted later. I’m telling you what, those experiences will change and humble you, and that’s a good thing.)
So as I ponder and pray, I will begin by addressing Him, and then I’ll really take the time to try to picture myself speaking with my Heavenly Father, as if He were in the room with me. I imagine Him as a glorious Father figure, not as something nebulous and vague. I take time to imagine what it would really feel like to be with Him, like a daughter returning home from a long and difficult journey. I express – and feel – my gratitude for all of His blessings.
Then I picture myself with the success I desire, just as I’ve been practicing all along, and I’ll express my desire for it, and ask if I have His approval. I live the success in my mind for a time.
I pay attention to my initial feelings – the ones that come too quickly to invent myself. If I feel at peace, or love, then that’s confirmation to me that He wants it for me too, and that it’s truly on its way, so long as I continue to believe.
If I feel scatterbrained and confused, then I may rephrase my request by saying, “would it be better that I pursue something else, instead?” and again, I pay attention to the immediate, first feelings I feel.
The initial feelings, like I said, come too fast to generate on my own, and sometimes only last a split second. It is in the next few seconds that we as humans tend to second-guess and over analyze, sometimes clouding the answer.
This process takes practice, and it requires trusting the initial feeling. Sometimes it will be a word or phrase that pops into my head, like “be still”. One time, it was simply that I sensed a smile. It was not what I expected, which helped me believe it wasn’t something I just made up myself.
These verses from Moroni 7 help me believe that He’s real, and is interested in guiding me:
12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
With this in mind, when those feelings of peace and love come in response to a sincere question about choosing worthy goals, I know they can be trusted.
So from now on, when you hear me say that you have to “see” the goal and “feel it” – remember, “feeling” it may also refer to feeling a confirmation of God’s approval. Once you really know that God is on your side, and that He desires the goal for you as much (if not more so) than you desire it for yourself, your confidence will be stronger than ever. And, as you keep the memory of that confirmation forefront, you’ll be unstoppable.
Know that God lives and loves you more than you can comprehend. He is your true Father, and waits for you to give Him a chance to communicate with you. Know that He wants to be involved in your life, and He wants YOU to have all that you need for your complete mental, physical, and spiritual unfoldment. If you feel this is true, trust that feeling, and don’t second-guess it anymore.
For more on the relationship between God and the laws of success, read Hidden Treasures: Heaven’s Astonishing Help with Your Money Matters – it’s my gift to you. Originally published December 14, 2006.
If you’d like to learn more about how to live by the rare kind of faith that causes things to happen, join me in my Mindset Fundamentals eCourse.
- The Rare Faith Book – Part 1 - November 20, 2024
- Why your future is no secret - November 13, 2024
- Unwavering Commitment and Focused Intent - November 1, 2024
15 Responses
I can totally relate to this. Several years ago I had gotten to the point that nothing was coming together because I was listening to a lot of outside voices. I knew I had to literally step away from all of it so that I could hear the most important voice of all. It’s taken a long time but I’m starting to see things come together now. I must tell you that one of the reasons I didn’t stop listening to you is because I know you understand the importance of listening to the Spirit. I appreciate you so much and the message you send with no apologies. We can set lots of goals but if they are not in line with God’s will, we will never get the desired results. I’ve learned over and over again the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ and then allowing Him to bring things to pass. I’ve seen huge miracles in my life by doing so. That’s the way the principles work. I love it and love how you teach it. Thank you.
Thank you
Wonderfully expressed. And today it has helped me with this: As an ‘aged’ person, with most of life and lofty goals behind me, getting thru the day and managing the things before me, becomes ‘the’ goal. What you have written is also encouragement and reminders to ‘feel’ acceptable by God for what has been accomplished. After a lifetime of seeking the spirit, hoping I have been humble enough to recognize it, the feeling isn’t always a flash of lightning, or a thunder both, but quiet confirmation. I loved your comment about remembering what a memory of quiet approval feels like, when we flounder a bit. A great article, Leslie, and it can be applied across all areas of life. I guess we have to be a little selfless to find what God expects and knows and then blesses what is best for us. You have taught so much about ego, and isn’t that another word for stumbling block!
I needed this today. Thank you so much!
I’m so blessed to know these truths and to have access to them at any time.
Wow. Leslie that was awesome. You’re writing continues to enlighten me. Thank you so much for your encouraging and thought-provoking articles. The last paragraph made me cry.
Thank you, Leslie. Your description gives sound guidance without mandating that we all see God the same way. Our intuition, I believe, is God’s voice and it’s true that we must capture that immediate response before our sense of reason interferes with faith and our ability to take appropriate steps.
Question for James John – Who is forcing you to focus on “her” and “her problems”? There is a lot of blame in your diatribe.
Beautiful written and so true. Thanks a lot. Keep up the good work.
AWESOME!!! Thanks Leslie.
This really resonates with me and seems so obvious as a step – now you’ve highlighted it.
Thanks
Thank you so much, I have been curious about the loa for a long time in regards to God
but you have such a nice way of explaining it and now I feel as if I can pursue it further.
thanks again
John
What an excellent article Leslie, thank-you!
I suspect that many people may experience the same difficulty that I have with the creative process. It appears relatively easy to visualise those things in life that you’d like to have or that you’d like to experience, but somewhat harder to visualise with ‘feeling’.
For a long time, I found myself really trying to feel what I thought I ‘should’ feel or ‘ought’ to feel. I ended up trying to force feelings that didn’t seem right, or feelings that I couldn’t really experience. It all resulted in me questioning what different feelings really felt like to me, and whether I had the ability to experience ‘feelings’ at all!
Eventually, what I discovered was that it’s okay to settle with feeling say contentment instead of excitement. It’s okay to settle with feeling say pleasure instead of exhilaration. But, it is important to sense the quality, or the depth or the ‘reality’ of whatever feeling you have, and far more important than merely hanging or attaching a label on it.
I like your article because, whether a person shares similar spiritual or religious convictions to you, what comes across to me is this same experience of feeling the total reality of the underlying feeling.
Thank you again.
Jon
Thank you for the advice but I have great difficulty imagining a heavenly father as my earthly father keeps popping up as the image, and much as I love him, he is very domineering and has robbed me of confidence for most of my life in one way or another. He can’t help it and much as I love him, I find it difficult to not feel hurt and disappointed by him. For instance, if I say, “you’re upsetting me Dad, I find the things you are saying hurtful” he will always have some deeply hurtful remark in response to that Eg. “you bring it on yourself, cut the crap, miss, you won’t win with me, you need to toughen up” then visibly looks pleased with himself when he has reduced me to tears (which usually results in a slap around the head – still at 44 years of age) so obviously I have learnt to not cry and have a very guarded posture when such events occur.
Back to your advice … if it is OK with you, I find it much more helpful to imagine my Grandmother (now deceased) in the role of heavenly father as she would never hurt me and loved me for who I was and I could reason with her if I wanted something. In view of my relationship with my father and my inability to see a male heavenly father, if God exists, would he mind awfully if I use my Grandmother as a loving being?
Jacqui, If that is the image that helps you feel the love, then I think that’s a wonderful way to experience how a loving Heavenly Father would respond to you. If he really is so loving, don’t you think he would completely understand? Your grandmother would 🙂 so I’m sure he would too. That’s just my personal opinion.
Wow, how beautiful.
For those that would prefer to not “speak to God” either because of doubt or because they may not be worthy of speaking with Him, this is very similar to asking your intuition for an answer. Perhaps intuition is God talking ot us. Perhaps God talks to us through our intuition.
Either way, the result is the same!
I totally want to say thanks. I can see it. I run the steps in my mind every night.
I get into a meditative state with white light surrounding me. I do what I can to feel it but I still have a challenge with it. I know that its good for me. I know it’s going to excite me. I can see that I will have my time, space and my family and friends around me again. I just still have a block. I am running out of time. I am very close to losing my home. I sabotaging the situation to get free of a draining relationship. I have tried everything I can. I have had doctors help me understand the situation. I have had her friends and mine tell me what to do. I have told her that she needs to get help and deal with the emotional and personal issues that she has had for over 20 years. All I keep on getting from all the help is that she has to be willing to see that she needs to get help. She is on the deed and will not take the actions to get help. I am angry that I have to damage my credit, and much more just to get away. My parents tell me that’s OK. Because my emotional and mental state is more important than a home or money. She cannot work or will not work. She blames me and others for the long term stress. She says that she is the one that is burdened because she had to focus on me and other people so she did not get her needs meet. I agree that she saw some things I done with trying business and dealing with people helped me with her insight. BUT NONE of us told her to focus on us. I gave her a safe place while I had jobs and going to school. I was fired two times from jobs because of the long talks and more. I could tell that she is stressed out and has high anxiety. I just did not know what was deeply going on inside. She talked for hours, kept me up, would just get angry about small things. I talked to her about it. She would turn it around to me and blame me. Now, She forced a friend to get this home. I later got the mortgage when Her friend’s family would not help her and would of put her on the streets if I did not buy the home. I was angry. I just could not see her on the streets with no way to get medical attention and have the time to deal with the past. So, I bought the home. It was special. It had my eagles and my colors that I liked. It was very unique. We found it exactly the way that we wrote the affirmation. I was so amazed. The amazing way she found it and the timing was so fast. I was working and she found it while listening to her guidance. We both felt it was a miracle. The only issue that was missing from my affirmation was having a balanced/loving relationship with free flowing prosperity. Since than, I was hoping that in 5 years somehow she would find someone else to help her or love her It did not happen. So, Now; I am at the cross roads again. We have 2.5 weeks to find away to stop the home sale and/or find a place for her to start a much better life and give me the time and space to go forward because I have the capability to do all maintenance on the home and work, create money online and more. She does not have any interest in doing that. She wants someone else to take care of her/love her/ Marry her etc– matter what. She can take care of managing food, her 300 plants in pots etc. I do the housework, yard, pool, etc.
I do not have a place for her to go yet. MY heart says that I should save her again and pray to find a job that she will not get me fired from again. If I do she will stay because she says the house was given to her because her friend caused her to lose her apartment and she had to spend two years going to rooms and being afraid for her life and also living in her car etc. The truth that she does not want to face is that he got upset that she would not look for work or do what is needed to secure her life. So, He saved her stuff and put it in his storage. but , did not help her otherwise. So, She is the blame not him. I know that I can create money online, or with a job in my area and it may take longer and so far it is. So, Conclusion, Yes, I talk to god. He makes me feel that its right to have my life back so that I can spend time with my friends, family, my jobs, school and later to date again but I do not see that someone yet is coming forward to take her away I am doing what I can to keep faith. I know I am acting on what I can and she is talking to others to see if they will bye this home and allow me to leave. I know she cannot take care of this home because of the age and maintenance issues. She is so blinding for the truth. She has always gone after what she wants without reasoning it out. She will fight for what she wants without thinking about others. She manipulated things and people by talking thier head off until they give in. This is how she survived. I got this from past people. That’s one reason why others have walked away. I am very mad that their is no system set up to push people into taking action to heal themselves and provide a place, money etc to give them time to heal. The system would of saved me a lot of money, time, and others time and space. Lastly, She is very smart other wise. I meet some wonderful people. I had interesting experiences. I know this will enhance me in some way. I will be able to help others later. I need help first. I know she wants better. She wants people to love her very much and she is so baffled why they do not. I am also confused and need to get a clear path that will allow both of us- to get our own places to live and the means for each one to heal, and grow with space, time and prosperity away from each other very fast. Thanks for hearing me. JJ PS: I am creating a website to raise money to allow her to be on her own and heal her past for good and stop this drain on others.