Why Manifestation (Sometimes) Doesn’t Work

For many years, manifestation has been a buzzword in the spiritual community. An array of manifestation gurus advise us every day to journal, set intentions, clear our chakras, consult our pendulums, visualize our wishes and goals as if they are already real, and maintain a “high vibe” energy.

In theory, this should bring our desires into manifested form. But wha tif we do all the right things…and still, nothing happens?

If you’ve ever felt deflated after months, even years of affirmations, vision boards, visualized meditations, crystal grids, and candle lighting rituals, you’re not alone. There are real reasons why manifestation doesn’t always work the way we expect.

Years ago, a young man called me for a reading, utterly discouraged. He’d been practicing the Law of Attraction for months with no results.

“I still don’t have a Porsche in my driveway,” he said flatly. “This manifestation thing just doesn’t work.”

So, I asked him, “What have you actually done to get the Porsche?”

He looked confused. “Well, I’ve visualized it. I’ve journaled about it. I imagine myself driving it every night before I fall asleep. But it’s still not there.”

I smiled and said, “That’s a great start. But what else have you done?”

Confused silence.

That’s when I explained: manifestation isn’t just about imagining or magic. It’s about alignment. You can affirm, wishlist and believe all you want, but if your daily choices, habits, and actions aren’t in harmony with your vision, the energy stalls.

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action ~ William James

If you want a Porsche, you might need to get up earlier, refine your goals, build that business, save strategically, and stay centered along the way. The Universe responds to your beliefs and intentions, yes, but it amplifies your actions. The Law of Attraction works best when you get up and do something.

There’s a common misconception that we must wait for the perfect alignment of stars, signs, or circumstances before acting. But in truth, there’s no such thing as the “right” time. Sometimes, you just have to leap.

Every delay, every excuse, every “maybe later” pushes your dream further away. The most powerful signal you can send to the Universe isn’t a crystal grid or a ritual. It’s mindful and determined action.

Each step you take says, “I’m ready.” Each effort, however small, becomes the next stepping stone to reach your manifested dream. So, stop waiting for confirmation. Be the confirmation.

Here’s another myth: that you must stay perpetually positive and happy and upbeat to manifest what you want. Not true. Real growth often happens in our darkest moments. Sometimes the real magic happens in those times that challenge our resilience and courage, and force us to keep moving anyway.

If you want to lose weight, you’ll still have to get up and cook healthy meals and go to the gym on the days you don’t feel like it. If you want your business to grow, you’ll need to post, create, and share even when you’re tired or afraid of judgment.

If you want love, you’ll need to show the Universe how you treat yourself with care and kindness, by honoring your needs, setting boundaries, and practicing self-love daily.

Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it ~ Jack Canfield

These grounded actions speak louder than any affirmation. The Universe responds to what you demonstrate, not just what you declare. True manifestation blends the spiritual and the practical. You need both the mindset and the movement.

Here’s a simple 5-step formula that actually works:

Be Clear On What You Want: Many people think they know, but when asked for details, they hesitate. Clarity creates direction. Be specific. The more precise your vision, the more tangible your results.

Believe In Yourself And The Process: Self-doubt is the great disruptor of manifestation. Believe in your worthiness and in the intelligence of the Universe that’s working with you, not against you.

Take Consistent Action: Incorporate habits that align with your goal. Even one small, deliberate step forward each day is better than none.

Fake It Till You Make It: Live your life every day as if your dreams and goals are already a manifested reality.

Stay Open: When people ask me how or when something will happen, I always remind them that time doesn’t exist in the spiritual dimension. The “how” belongs to the Universe. Your job is to stay aligned and keep showing up. The Cosmos will orchestrate the details you can’t yet see.

The Universe doesn’t just respond to your thoughts. It responds to your energy frequency, your consistency, your courage, and your follow-through.

Manifestation isn’t just about dreaming your life into being; it’s about attracting it through aligned thought and committed action. So, stop waiting for signs. Stop chasing unicorns. Take the leap, act on your vision, and trust that the Universe will meet you halfway.

Now go make it happen.