2019-09-01_Shape

Damien Cuypers

SEPTEMBER 2019 64 SHAPE.COM

MENTAL SHIFT

The tagline of your new book is “Methods
for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest
Dreams.” The idea of manifesting can be
polarizing—people are super into it or super-
wary. What do you think people get wrong
about the concept? People don’t realize they’re
already doing it; we’re always doing it. Manifesting is the
practice of aligning your energy with what you desire.
Embody the feeling and belief in your desires, and you
become a magnet for them. When we focus on the
positive, we bring more momentum to what we do want.
It can work against us, though. When we’re stuck in a
negative story, we create more negativity.
It’s the difference between thinking that

nothing ever works out for me and

everything is working out for me.
When you’re in the second mind-set, you’re calmer, happier,
less stressed. And your energy attracts its likeness.

L et Õs

TA L K

In her new book, Super

Attractor, GABRIELLE

BERNSTEIN lays out a

simple plan for creating the

life of your dreams. Listen

in as she explains how

DOING LESS HELPS

YOU DE-STRESS

and achieve more.

By Mirel Zaman

MAKE LIFE FUN

In the book you talk about doing less to

get more. Can you explain what you mean?

It’s about not trying so hard. Many of us have this idea

of “no pain, no gain.” But if your focus is

“I have to work incredibly hard to

succeed,” you may achieve a significant

amount, but you’ll always burn out.

I’ve learned that you can focus on enjoying life and still

reach your goals. If you shift your mind-set to “How can

I make this fun?” your energy changes. You might

do half the amount of work but have a better impact

because your energy is more positive. Or you might put

in more work, but it feels easier because you’re

taking the action from a happier place.

It sounds easy, but in practice it can be hard

to stay positive when you’re stressed or

feeling stuck. Any tips? I do this thing called

choosing again. I’ll ask myself, What’s the best

thought I can find right now? For example, I was

recently diagnosed with postpartum anxiety.

I could go straight into victim mode, thinking, Life sucks;

things are bad. Or I can think, I caught it early.

I have so much support. I can speak about this and

help other people. I reach for any thought that’s slightly

more positive that I can believe, and I run with it.

DON’T OVERTHINK IT

Is there a mistake people often make

when they start manifesting?

It’s really hard to stop trying so hard.

People can fall into this trap of what I call manic

manifesting, when you’re obsessing over meditating

on your vision every second of every day. Your energy

is frantic. It’s backed by fear and uncertainty.

“I’m going to manifest so hard!” Right. If you’re

falling into that trap, sometimes what you need

to do is nothing. Stop thinking about it altogether, and

think about anything else in your life. Focus on the good.

Gabrielle

Bernstein

is a speaker

and the

best-selling

author of

seven books.

Super

Attractor

comes out

September 24.