Why Manifesting Doesn’t Always Work!

Let’s get real for a moment.

You’ve probably tried manifesting something before. You made a vision board. You wrote down your desires in a beautiful journal. You visualized, meditated, aligned your chakras, whispered your intentions to the moon. You gazed lovingly into a mirror and repeated your I am enough affirmations. You believed in you. And yet despite all this inner work nothing changed. Or if it did, it was a small, fleeting, feel good moment.

So, what gives?

We’re told that the universe responds to our thoughts and feelings. That if we just believe hard enough, feel abundant, radiate gratitude, and stay “high vibe,” everything we want will effortlessly flow into our lives like magic.

But here’s the honest truth many people won’t say out loud: Manifesting just doesn’t always work. This is not because you’re still broken, blocked, or misaligned but because manifestation without action to validate it is simply wishful thinking. It creates an illusion of progress, but not the real thing.

Yes, your mindset matters. Yes, it’s mighty powerful to believe in yourself, to feel worthy, to align your energy with your goals. But belief without behaviour is hollow. Intention without action is but a dream. And the universe? It doesn’t always want to speak the language of feelings and thoughts. It also wants to speak the language of behaviour.

The Cosmos Responds to Your Actions, Not Just Your Affirmations

If you want to show the universe that you’re serious, that you’re ready, that you’re deserving of the things you desire, don’t just think it. Don’t just feel it. Don’t just dream it. Prove it.

You don’t prove it by shouting your desires into the void or scripting your future in a journal. You prove it in the smallest, most unglamorous moments of your day. You prove it when you choose to wake up early and move your body even when you don’t feel like it. When you send that email, launch that project, save that money, say “no” to what drains you, and “yes” to what lights you up.

Success and fulfilment are not gifts you magically receive when you feel energetically aligned. They’re built, brick by brick, through your daily actions and routines. Through doing the things that stretch you, challenge you, and move you one step closer to who you want to be.

Stop Waiting for a Sign. Become the Sign

We often wait for the universe to give us a “sign”—a mystical green light that says, “Yes, now is the time. You’re ready.” But here’s the rub: you are the sign.

Your daily actions are the most powerful form of manifestation you have. Yes, this sounds like good old fashioned common sense, but when you get trapped in your head you often miss what is staring you in the face and blindingly obvious.

Want to be healthier? Show up to your workouts even on the hard days. Want to be more confident? Do the things that scare you until they don’t. Want to be successful in your business? Be consistent, show up, keep learning. Want more love? Love yourself through boundaries, self-respect, and honesty.

Each small action you take is a signal to the universe: I am serious. I am not just wishing it. I am also becoming it. I am walking my talk.

The Myth of “High Vibes Only”

Here’s another myth to let go of – that you need to feel positive all the time to manifest good things.

Nope.

Real growth happens in the discomfort. Real transformation often starts in the dark trenches, when you’re tired, confused, uncertain, but still moving forward slowly and doing it anyway. You don’t have to feel amazing every day. You just need to keep on going, moving forward one small courageous and steady step at a time. Channel the tortoise, not the hare.

The real magic isn’t in being high vibe 24/7. That isn’t just exhausting, it is a superficial approach to life. It’s in being resilient not just when others are watching but behind the scenes. It’s in showing up even when it’s hard. It’s in the things you repeatedly do when no one’s watching.

That’s where the universe meets you, not in the vision board or your mirror, but in the gritty, consistent action that says: I believe in myself enough to do the work.

How to Make Manifestation Actually Work

So how do you blend the spiritual with the practical? How do you turn manifestation into momentum? Here’s a reliable formula:
Clarity – Know what you want and why it matters to you.
Belief – Trust that it’s possible and that you’re worthy.
Action – Build daily habits that reflect that belief.
Consistency – Keep showing up, even when motivation fades.
Openness – Let go of the exact how and when but stay committed to what, or the bigger picture.

To recap: The universe doesn’t just respond to your energy, it responds to your movement. To the living proof you offer it every day. To what you show it, not what you tell it.

So, from now on please stop trying to think, feel, affirm, visualise or dream your way into a rewarding life. Start doing things each day like you already have it. Let your daily power moves become your loudest prayer and affirmation. Let your repeated actions whisper to the universe:

I’m ready now. My real power to attract success and happiness lies in what I choose to DO with my precious life. In Walking My Talk! 

This blog was written by Theresa Cheung. Find out more about her and her work at www.theresacheung.com. 
Preorder her new book Walk Your Talk today - stop wishing and start doing!