You’ve probably heard the term manifesting everywhere lately. Social media is full of posts about visualising success, aligning your energy, and attracting the life you want. Celebrities swear by it, influencers promote it, and self-help books are filled with techniques to help you “manifest” wealth, love, and happiness. But while the idea sounds modern and mystical, it’s actually based on well-established psychological principles—ones that are central to the work I do as a solution-focused hypnotherapist.
What Is Manifesting?
At its core, manifesting is the belief that focusing on a positive outcome increases the likelihood of achieving it. The idea is that by directing your thoughts, emotions, and actions toward a goal, you bring it into reality. While some interpretations of manifesting lean into the mystical—suggesting that the universe “delivers” your desires—the more practical explanation is rooted in neuroscience and psychology.
The Science Behind Manifesting
Rather than being a magical process, manifesting aligns closely with how the brain works. Here’s why:
Neuroplasticity: The brain is constantly adapting and rewiring itself. When we repeatedly focus on a goal, we strengthen neural pathways that support behaviours leading to that outcome. This makes it easier to take actions that align with what we want.
Reticular Activating System (RAS): This part of the brain filters information and helps us notice opportunities that match our focus. If you start looking for red cars, you’ll suddenly see them everywhere—not because there are more red cars, but because your brain is now tuned in to them. The same happens when you focus on your goals; you start spotting opportunities to achieve them.
Expectation and Behavioural Change: Research has shown that what we expect influences how we behave. Psychologists Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) demonstrated the Pygmalion Effect, where teachers’ higher expectations of students led to improved academic performance. In the same way, when we expect success, we unconsciously adjust our behaviour to align with that expectation.
How This Links to Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy
Solution-focused hypnotherapy (SFH) is, in many ways, structured manifesting—without the mystical packaging. Here’s how:
Focus on the Positive: In SFH, we don’t dwell on problems; we focus on solutions. Clients are encouraged to visualise what they want rather than what they fear, reinforcing positive neural pathways.
Guided Visualisation: Hypnotherapy helps clients vividly imagine their future success, making it feel real. This mental rehearsal strengthens motivation and primes the brain to seek out relevant opportunities.
Small, Achievable Steps: Instead of simply wishing for change, SFH encourages practical action. We break goals down into manageable steps, making progress feel natural rather than overwhelming.
Shifting Perspective: By helping clients develop a more optimistic outlook, SFH reduces stress and increases confidence—two key ingredients for success.
The Key Difference: Active vs Passive Manifesting
One of the criticisms of mainstream manifesting is that it sometimes promotes the idea that simply thinking about success will make it happen.
While mindset is important, real change requires action. Solution-focused hypnotherapy ensures that clients are actively moving toward their goals, not just waiting for the universe to deliver.
Want to Learn More?
Manifesting may be the buzzword of the moment, but the principles behind it are well-established in psychology and neuroscience. Solution-focused hypnotherapy takes these ideas and applies them in a structured, evidence-based way—helping clients shift their mindset, take action, and create lasting change.
So, if you’ve ever doubted whether manifesting really works, the answer is: yes—but not in the way social media might suggest. It’s not magic; it’s your brain working with you. And with the right guidance, you can harness that power to shape your future.
If you’d like to learn more about how solution-focused hypnotherapy can help you achieve your goals, get in touch—I’d love to help you start creating real, lasting change.
Instead of just wishing for change, focus on training your brain to think in ways that actually help you take action and move forward.
Sue Wimpenny is the owner of The Willows Hypnotherapy. She holds the Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma, The Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
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