Manifestation Part 2: Getting Clear on What You Want.

In the second part of this series, we will follow on from refining our focus to getting clear on what your goals actually are. Having clarity in your vision is the foundation of achieving what you want. Without a clear vision, your brain cannot prioritise the necessary steps to achieve your goals. This is where we provide specific focus for the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which is the system of neurons in the brainstem responsible for filtering information that was introduced in the first article of this series. It’s important to understand that the clearer you are on your goal, or the more focused the more effective this “search engine” is. When you clarify your desires, you program your RAS to notice opportunities, ideas, and patterns that align with your goals. However, before we begin to get a clear focus it’s worth making sure that our vision is not limited by our current belief in what we are capable of. You see, what we see in our mind is mostly based on what we have achieved in the past. As we achieve bigger goals, we are able to see further toward our true potential. To help understand this, I’ll share a brief story on the progression of my vision.

Expanding Vision Through Experience

Several years ago, I found myself standing in the bathroom of a small house, located in a small village deep inside the Alaskan interior. I was in pain, my swollen and stiff joints ached as I struggled to remove the layer of thermals that had provided the inner layer of protection against the – 40 and below temperatures over the last 9 days. As I peeled off my socks the full extent of the damage to my feet was revealed, with large open wounds covering both heels. Despite the pain and suffering I was now experiencing, my mind now pondered what covering 1600km’s to complete the full Iditarod in these conditions would require having just completed the 550km qualifier.

Although I had completed a 750km event years earlier in the Yukon, I had wondered if covering the 1600km was even possible for me. Based on the condition I was in, there was only growing doubt that I could get it done. Despite the doubt, I could envision myself covering the distance and 2 years later I was standing on the platform under the Burled Arch in Nome having quite comfortably covered the 1600kms. From this vantage point my view changed, I could now see myself attempting to cross the Antarctic and do what is considered as mostly unachievable. Up until now though, I could not see it, it had never seriously entered my vision. It was a desire, but one I thought was out of reach. However, once I ascended through enough challenges, I had gained the literal height to see further, to see past the smaller summits to the true challenges that I could achieve. You see, my vision or perception of what I thought I could achieve was limited by my past accomplishments and we have difficulty in dreaming too big. If I had known this years ago I could have gained clarity on a bold vision and set out on achieving more truly remarkable feats and realising my true potential. There are several mechanisms associated with this, but the point is, our ability to accomplish big goals is often constrained only by our perception of what we are capable of and relies upon past success. Which is why achieving incremental goals or consistent improvement, unlocks new perceptions of what we can achieve and larger visions after each accomplishment. This has not only been limited to my adventure racing, but it has also been present across most of the endeavours I have been involved in.

Build Incremental Success

So don’t let your belief in what you can do limit your vision. Dream big, but be prepared to consistently achieve smaller steps as you go. These smaller steps can have specific clarity in what you want to achieve, whilst the larger goal can be a little more fluid, as this may change as you go. To help with this process there are a few things to help with giving clarity to your vision so you can focus on what you need to do to achieve your goal and avoid unnecessary distraction.

To begin, specificity is key. A vague goal like “I want to be successful” doesn’t provide your brain with enough direction. Go big and be specific, once you have this, then break it down into actionable, measurable terms to give your brain a concrete target. Writing down this goal further strengthens your neural pathways. Neuroscience research shows that physically writing something engages the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for planning and decision-making.

Next, make sure your goal is challenging enough to create emotion. Emotions play a critical role in memory and focus. When you feel excited or passionate about your goal, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances motivation and attention. To deepen this connection, ask yourself why your goal matters. What will achieving it bring to your life? This emotional anchoring makes your goal feel real and achievable.

Keep It Current

Finally, revisit and refine your vision regularly. The brain thrives on repetition. By revisiting your goal daily—through journaling, affirmations, or visualisation—you reinforce its importance and keep it at the forefront of your mind. Let this vision grow in your mind, reinforcing your desire to achieve it and your belief in your ability to do it.

By getting clear on what you want, you activate your brain’s natural mechanisms for focus and achievement, programming your brain to identify and focus on opportunities aligned with your desires and setting the stage for success.