That night, an acquaintance took me to a party. I met Jeff while wandering about. Jeff was recently single, as his girlfriend had just moved out the month before, and he did not enjoy living alone in his elegant apartment in the Marina district overlooking the Bay. I moved in two days later, and instead of paying rent, bought the bare necessities for the refrigerator. Since Jeff never ate at home, I lived there virtually rent-free for six months while I studied for my chiropractic boards. What were the odds of this happening?

Make a list of the things you want but do not yet have. Maybe you want a better job, a new car, a place to call your own, a good relationship, or a better spiritual life. Whatever it is, just put it down on paper.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe out fear and limitation, and breathe in new ideas, opportunities, changes, health, wealth, and happiness. Imagine you have the most perfect life. Let’s make this image more concrete and real.

Think deeply about what you want. It is not enough to say, “I want a career as a fireman.” You must then describe every detail about life as a fireman. Describe exactly what you want, where you will live, how you will look, and what it will feel like.

My ideal job is …

Visualize. Continue to get even more specific about your life. How many hours do you want to work and when? What part of town do you want to work in? What do you want to wear while on the job? What type of boss are you compatible with? What types of coworkers would you enjoy working with? What type of salary do you want to make? Then take it a step further. What type of neighborhood will you return to at night? What type of lifestyle will you live? Who are your companions? Be very specific in writing down your expectations and desires. Put this list on your mirror and other places that you look at frequently throughout the day.

What can I do right now to start making this dream a reality?

If I could have any car in the world, what would I drive?

Visualize yourself at a car dealership speaking to an employee there. Really see yourself on the lot, scanning the vehicles. Then you find that perfect one for you. What color is it? What brand is it? What year was it made? Read the tag. How much does it cost? Forget about your doubts at this point. Envision yourself driving away in the hottest car on the lot.

Describe your perfect car.

So you want a new home? Create a picture in your mind that shows you living this new life. What does the new house look like? How large or small is it? How many stories would you have in your perfect home? What amenities come with it? How have you decorated the inside, and what are you cooking in the kitchen? What does the new place smell like? How does it feel to live in this future home?