January has come and gone and we are now fully into 2011. Resolutions can be delayed no longer (although many people have probably already given up on the ones they made prior), and we must begin to activate our goals and dreams for the year. You’ve got to dream it to do it, I say! With this in mind, I begin to think of the many methods we can use to envision 2011 to help manifest all our dreams and goals and make them a reality. A few different ideas came to mind and I thought I’d share some of the tips I’ve learned from friends and acquaintances as well as some of my own.I was speaking with a friend of mine recently who started the year off by welcoming several dreams of hers into her life. Not only did she dream her dreams, and invite the universe to assist her in making them possible, but she took an active role in manifesting them as well. The method she used was a “vision board”, which Wikipedia defines as a “simple but powerful visualization tool that activates the universal law of attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality”. She attributes her recent encounter with a great love, and the soon to be move to a country she’s always wanted to live in, to her vision board and relentless belief in herself and the gifts of the universe.

Another friend of mine is big on making detailed lists and putting her dreams and goals for the year down in writing. She does this every New Year’s Eve and continues to update and make new lists throughout the year. Many spiritual teachers have also recommended writing in red ink because red represents life, creation, beginning, inspiration, and passion, along with movement and circulation. I’m also big on lists and do this quite often. Aside from writing lists in red ink, I at times also create a little ritual and then burn the list and blow the ashes into the air (best done outdoors, of course), so that they are carried off by the wind and into the heavens, ready to be recreated tangibly on the earth.

I also met one woman last year who, rather than creating a complete vision board or a thorough list of dreams and goals, would post inspirational words and phrases, photographs, magazine cutouts, and sketches and doodles all around the house – stuck on bathroom and bedroom mirrors, taped to doors and walls, magnetized to the fridge, etc. This way she was constantly reminded about the things she wanted to bring into her life, thus having these dreams ceaselessly in her consciousness. This might be a bit overwhelming to some, but for those who need constant reminders to get themselves motivated, this technique may be the winner.

I think positive affirmations are also worth mentioning here. Our “self-talk” is so often negative and unproductive (and then we wonder why nothing good ever happens). Flipping the conversations we have with ourselves, and with others, to be positive and encouraging is sometimes easier said than done, but with practice, this too can be a great way to manifest our dreams. Begin by writing down a couple of positive phrases about things you want in your life right now, and then make a habit of repeating them throughout the day. The best way to do this is by association, for example, one phrase can be said in your mind over and over again while brushing your teeth, another while you’re riding the bus or driving to work, another at meal times, and then a final one before bed. By “scheduling” a few positive thoughts throughout the day, you will find that you will begin to speak to yourself in a much more encouraging and motivating way naturally.

And share your dreams with your friends and all the people you talk to. For example, I love to travel and always have it on my mind. I’m constantly researching destinations online, flipping through travel books, checking out travel websites, imagining all the things I’ll do when I get to my dream destination, and then I talk about it relentlessly as if I’ve already planned the trip and made all the reservations. Sure, some people might find it annoying and tire with hearing you talk about all the fabulous places you will one day visit, but don’t worry about that, you’ll forget all about it when you’re off on your dream vacation and they’ll be thanking you when you bring back a souvenir to make up for your incessant babble. Better yet, join a travel forum and chat with other people who are as passionate about travel as you are. This way, not only will you not be driving your friends and family crazy, but you might also make new friends and learn about some other great places to add to your list as well. Win – win!

Whatever method you choose, the key is to actually choose something and stick with it; persistence is essential. As Goethe so eloquently states, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”