Getting What You Want

Have you ever done something that seemed silly but you really hoped it worked?

I have, and I’m here to tell you all about it. It’s a little embarrassing— admitting that I actually did this and believed in it.

The month before I published my debut novel, The Card, I created a manifestation board. You know, one of those collage type of things that have a bunch of pictures of what you want to accomplish or acquire. You’ve probably heard about them in books or movies like The Secret.

Well, I did it. I cut out a bunch of pictures and words that related to life and my new writing career. The picture is proof.

Here are some of the key points that I included. Some things are going to sound silly to a lot of you, but hey, you have to start somewhere.

Let’s start small. I cut out pictures of things like an iPhone and Kindle. Back then, I didn’t have those things. Check and Check. Like I said, some of these things you’re going to say, “No big deal,” but for me, they were. I didn’t have them.

I was a neophyte with social media, so I included symbols that related to that. Today, while not an expert, I’ve created a nice following and have created a social media marketing company, working with clients from Manhattan to Miami.

I included things that spoke about how I wanted to be—helping others and giving back. I know that a piece of paper is not going to change me, but looking at this daily reminder keeps it in the forefront of my mind. Since then, I’ve been invited to the staff of Indies Unlimited, where (I hope) I help people every week and I’ve refocused on instituting regular donations to causes that are important to me.

I included the first page of the first chapter of the edited manuscript of The Card, red marks and all. I was bold enough to plaster “bestseller” all over the page. Why not? Isn’t that what we want? Sure enough, The Card has hit number one in its category multiple times.

This board has been sitting in my writing room, has traveled 5,000 miles in the car across the country and now sits on my bookshelf where I live now. It’s become so familiar. I’ve gotten over being embarrassed by it. I don’t care if anyone sees it. It’s a part of me. Matter of fact, I think it’s time for a new one! New goals, new dreams.

Has everything happened that I included on the board? Not yet, I’m still waiting to be optioned for a movie and of course, the video game—but, there is no time limit in the universe. 

So give it a try. Let me know how it works for you. Get silly, dream big.

Author: Jim Devitt

Jim Devitt’s debut YA novel, The Card, hit #1 in three separate categories on the Kindle Bestseller list in early January and was a finalist in the Guys Can Read Indie Author Contest this past summer. Devitt currently lives in Miami, FL with his wife Melissa and their children. Learn more about Jim at his blog and his Amazon author page.

23 thoughts on “Getting What You Want”

  1. Hey Jim…I have had the same kind of board up for seven years and inch by inch I have seen some of my desires manifested. The other thing I do is cut up several pieces of paper, write on them #1 bestseller, paid my editor in full etc. When I wake up in the middle of the night, usually around 3 am, I take a flashlight and flash each paper 12 times(don’t try to read them, this is subliminal). I then go back to sleep. So far I’ve had a few success’s. It is about the positive thoughts that we each are capable of producing. I also stopped hiding my board; it works for me.

  2. I would never laugh at someone honing in on their dreams and adding a wish component to their action in making those dreams come true. It’s just like any kind of plotting or planning. A list, a visual reminder of what we need, what we want, what we are hoping for…is a very good thing. It shows commitment and passion. Sounds like a great idea!

    Jim, what do you think about the people who will say using Pinterest, they can achieve the same thing? Do you think that the manifestation board should be visually available all the time or would collecting items on Pinterest boards help to move a person in the same direction?

    1. Jo-Anne, thanks for the support. That’s a great idea about Pinterest. I think I’m going to go back and redo some things on that site. Why not put positive motivators everywhere. I really think you’re on to something there!

      1. Jo-Anne,
        That is a great use for Pinterest. A couple of my boards are dream boards. Others are for inspiration. You are really getting what Pinterest is all about.

        Jim,
        This is a wonderful post. I surround myself with things that inspire me, but I like your idea of setting goals using visual reminders. I will be redoing my manifestation board tomorrow. 🙂

  3. Great article! I also have a manifestation board and have kept it updated over the years. It really does make a difference!

  4. Enjoyed the post. I’ve used a manifestation board in the past but forgot about it in the haste to jump on the Indie Author bandwagon. Well, your post has given me a kick in the pants and I’ll be doing on this week – thanks for the reminder – I know from experience that they work!

    1. Of all the posts I’ve done in the past, I think this one has given me a lot of hope. I love the fact that so many have engaged in this practice. It’s funny how we can forget about it, and even put it away for awhile. Life has a funny way of giving us little reminders.
      Thanks for your feedback, good luck with your new board.

  5. Adhering to a dream you hold dear is anything but silly. Glad you are comfortable enough now to put your board out for everyone to see! Plus, I hope you reach that dream of getting a book optioned, because The Card would make a great movie!

    1. Hey Brian,

      A big thanks to you, I agree, it I think it would make a cool movie. I’ve gotten it into the hands of a couple of people, but nothing yet. I’ve got plenty of time though!

  7. I kind of poo-pooed that Secret thing at the time. Two things a board like that WILL do for us though is to let us set goals we can see clearly, and when we achieve them we can feel the gratitude that ought to come from that. I still don’t have one but maybe I should rethink my cynicism

    1. Hi Yvonne, I did the same thing in the beginning. However, I do believe that we are what we think, and while it is not the end all, it sure can’t hurt to have more positive stuff in our face. Good luck with your board!

  9. A timely article for me – my husband just unearthed my five year old manifestation board from storage (it went into a box when we moved countries and stayed there, until now) and I’m dismayed to see how irrelevant all my five year old desires seem now. Time to refresh, recreate and re-commit.

    1. Tracie,
      I can relate, I look at mine and say the same thing and it’s only been a year and a half. What a great exercise to go through and get your mind in the right place.

      Thanks for sharing!

  10. I like it for two reasons. #1 you took a risk by doing something silly – you weren’t afraid of what others thought and #2 you had the strength to believe in yourself but more importantly you took action and did something about it. We could all learn from that.

  12. Hi Jim,

    I think your Board of Dreams is FANTASTIC! I have to adopt your idea to fit mine . . . with your permission, of course. This post must work . . . I’m rushing over to buy “THE CARD”, even though I’m long, long past the YA reader group.

    Best of Success to you,

    Michael Phelps
    Miami Shores, Florida

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