You may be familiar with the term “acting as if” or it’s cousin, “fake it ‘til you make it.” Both sentiments reflect a principle of manifestation, which is using your thoughts, beliefs, and actions to create the life that you want and to accomplish your goals.

Instead of chasing a dream, you instead act as if it has already been realized. You learn to BE the thing that you desire in your life. And when you do, you can unleash the real power of manifestation and the law of attraction to help you actually achieve it. Here’s how.

How Acting As If Can Change Your Life

Whatever it is you cultivate or embody in your life, you will see this reflected in your lived existence, in your reality. This is the Law of Attraction. That which you put out into the world returns to you. So, when you start to act as if your dreams have come true, as if your life has everything that you want or need, then you will soon see that you actually have these things.

When you act as if, you adopt the mindset, behaviors, and habits of someone who has attained their goals. And, when you do this, you change your mental perceptions, you open yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities, and you see ways to realize your dreams that you had previously ignored or been blind to.

Those people who act as if they are full of confidence, for example, are perceived by others to be confident and therefore treated differently. When you perform as if you are knowledgeable and successful, people will listen to you and follow your lead. When you act as if you are healthy and active, you start treating your body in ways that nurture your well-being.

While this may seem like a trick, it is harnessing the power of your mind and the psychological rules that govern our species to change how you perceive the world and how others see and judge you. And it is a powerful force for realizing your dreams and getting what you want.

How to Act As If

Step 1: Act Like You’ve Already Achieved It

Whatever it is you want in life, you must act like you have already realized this goal. That means behaving in ways that someone in that position would behave. Write down a list of behaviors you would expect from someone who has realized your particular dream. Then, start acting the part. Do this all the time, in all that you do. Act as if your goal has already come to pass and see how it changes how you see the world and how others see you.

Step 2: Speak Like Someone Who Has What They Want

How you speak to others, react to the world, and talk to yourself are all helping you to realize your goals. Changing your words to reflect your “as if” reality is crucial. It transforms your self-talk and changes how you answer other people’s questions or requests. Speak the part of someone in authority, with confidence, and who is thriving by their own measures, and it will change the trajectory of your life.

Step 3. Believe in Your Role

While you are currently playing a character, this role will soon become a reality, so you must believe in yourself and the energy that is making this come true. Believe that you can achieve your goals and realize your dreams. Without this confidence and faith, your efforts to manifest anything will be unsuccessful. Love yourself and invest in yourself by being willing to commit to your new life and dreams.

Acting as if your dreams have come true can help them to materialize. Following these three simple steps will help you manifest whatever goal you may have.