3 Steps to “Act as If” (and Get What You Want!)
“Act as if.” It’s a great line from the movie “Boiler Room” (and if you haven’t seen that movie before, check it out because it’s great!). It’s also a great line to remember when you are trying to use the Law of Attraction to bring you what you want.
What does “act as if” mean? It means that if you want something, you must act as if you already have it in order to get it. So, if you want to be healthy, you must act as if you are already healthy. If you want some new friends, you must act as if you already have friends.
“Act as if” is a simple way to explain the paradox that makes up reality: we get what we want when we stop wanting. Once we drop the “wanting” and simply feel like we already have what we want, it comes to us.
This is why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. When we act as if we are wealthy, more wealth is attracted to us-even if we don’t need it. When we act as if we are poor, we attract more poverty-even if we desperately need money.
So how do you “act as if?” Here’s how, in three steps:
1. Find the emotional root of your desire.
So you want a new car, and you’d really love to manifest it with the Law of Attraction. This is a great thing to want….but what is at the root of this wanting? What emotion are you trying to feel by attracting a new car?
Perhaps you want the car because it will make you feel free, or maybe because it will make you feel prosperous. Perhaps you want to feel successful or you want to feel excitement. What emotion are you trying to gain by getting this car?
Identifying the emotion you want to feel is an important to the process of acting as if. Once you have identified the emotion you want to feel, move on to step two.
2. Be aware of the root emotion in all areas of your life.
Once you have identified the root emotion of what you really want, you can move on to the next step which is finding evidence that you already feel this emotion in your life.
For example, it might be hard to feel as if you have the new car you want already. You’ve never had the car, so how would you know exactly what it feels like? However, you know what freedom, prosperity, success and excitement feel like because you’ve had these emotions before, even if they were only in small doses.
So if the root emotion you are hoping to gain with the new car is a feeling of “success,” look into your life for examples that you’ve already felt successful before. Take note of every time you feel successful every day. Focus on how success has already been attracted to you and continues to be attracted to you daily.
Revel in the feeling of success whenever, and however, it comes to you. Dwell in the feeling of success with the small things (like finding your keys after you’ve been searching for them) and the big things (like getting a great promotion at work). Focus of the feeling of the root emotion and you will start to project the vibe of having what you want.
So start feeling your root emotion now. As you project more of this emotion, your desire will draw closer to you as you start to feel the way you will feel when you have it.
Feeling the way you will feel when you get your desire is a powerful way to “act as if.”
3. Watch your reactivity
The first two items are “front end” things you can do to act as if, but this is what you can do on the “back end.”
Start to react to situations as if you are someone who already has what you want when the subject comes up.
Consider the following examples:
Would a person who has lots of money say “I can’t afford that?” when she saw something pricey she wanted? No, she would probably say something like “I’d love to get that!” – so you should too. Even if you can’t afford it, act as if you could.
Would a person who has a great relationship be jealous when her best friend gets engaged? No, instead she would probably be happy for her friend-so you should be too. Even if it feels a little weird, you can smile and say “good for you!”
Would a guy who had a great career complain about his job when he was asked about it? No, instead he would probably share all of the good things that were going on at his job-so you should too. Even if the bad outweighs the good, you can still choose to focus on the few things going right.
While these reactions might be unnatural at first ,with practice, they will become easier and in time, habitual. As they say, fake it ’till you make it.
Each time the subject comes up and you feel yourself reacting, ask yourself: “How would someone who has what I want react to this issue?”
So as you move forward, start to “act as if.” Instead of focusing directly on what you want and getting lost in the wanting, use these three steps to project the vibe of someone who already has what you want.
Related Member Video: Become the Higher Version of YOU (28 min)
Remember, identify the root emotion you are trying to bring into your life. Then, feel this root emotion in the present to project more of it. At the same time, be aware of your reactions, and always be asking yourself how someone who has what you want would react.
I hope you find these steps useful!
XO, Andrea (Law of Attraction Educator)
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63 Comments
rishu
ausm article ..!!thankyou for d post… Looks like I attracted dis post myself.Thankyou again!!!
rishu
ausm article ..!!thankyou for d post… Looks like I attracted dis post myself.Thankyou again!!!
😉
pari
Beautiful topic.I needed to see this.Thank you.Love and Light.
Anonymous
Wonderful article, we’ll watch the movie too! Thanks xoxo
Sunny
This is very helpful, thanks loads Andrea!
Babs
Thank you!
Andrea Schulman
Your welcome Babs! 🙂
Andrea Schulman
You are welcome Sunny! 🙂 🙂 -Andrea
Andrea Schulman
Hope you enjoy the movie 🙂 It’s a good one, though it’s not Law of Attraction themed…just something fun to watch. -Andrea
Jeana
My 29 year old son has recently had very scary results to a medical test. I am saying every day that my son is healthy and vital. His heart is strong, healthy, and vital. I am trying to only “feel” what I want to happen and let the fearful thoughts and emotions go. Do you have any other suggestions to stay in a high vibration so that what I am believing for his health will manifest?
Andrea Schulman
Hi Jeana
Prayers to you and your son!
I would recommend focusing on the things that are already healthy about him. Run through all of the aspects about him that are healthy and strong and keep reminding yourself of those areas of strength. For example, I could say of myself that I am strong enough to walk, my heartbeat is strong, my eyesight is in good condition, and I have good endurance. What areas of health does your son exhibit?
Wishing you and you son the very best!
Andrea
Hardi
I felt I was one with the article makes soo much sense to me now,,,,, thank you i really needed that.
Andrea Schulman
I am glad you liked the article Hardi! All the best 🙂 Andrea
Hannah
This article is exactly what I needed thank you so much Andrea
Andrea Schulman
Thanks for your feedback Hannah! Much appreciated 🙂 -Andrea
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Pari! I appreciate that 🙂 -Andrea
Andrea Schulman
thank you Rishu, and yes, you did! 🙂
Natasha
Fantastic article Andrea!! Makes perfect sense to me. The topic you cover is my biggest challenge with the Law of Attraction but, you put the pieces of the puzzle together so effortlessly it marinates to my core. It seams that whenever I’ve had an internal struggle I’ve put too much emphasis on the wanting and not having that I forget how it would actually feel to already have what I want. Thank you for this beautiful article. I will read it over and over again until I start “acting as if.”
Natasha
What feelings would you describe for “acting as if I had a lot of money?” What areas of my life could I look for as an example?
Andrea Schulman
Hi Natasha! Thanks for your comments 🙂
As for your question about what to focus on for “acting as if you have a lot of money:”
How are you hoping to feel when you start attracting money?
For example, maybe you want to feel security or perhaps you want to feel prosperous. Maybe you wish to be admired, or you wish to be influential. Why is attracting money a goal for you? Let me know what you think and I’ll get back to you on some suggestions.
-Andrea
Alma
Hi Andrea,
I think out of all the articles of laws of attraction, this is the hardest to work with. Trying to feel the emotion as if I already had is it challenging especially with distractions in life. Is it best to exercise this once a day, as many times as you can during the day or right before I go to sleep? And is it best to focus on one thing at a time? For example, I would like a brand new car, be debt free and married to my boyfriend. Would you suggest I choose what’s most important to me now and move on to the next thing or work on all three at the same time?
Thank you for your website. It’s much appreciated!
Alma
Hi Andrea,
Do you have the schedule for your group educational seminars and webinars which start Summer 2015? If you do, could I please have it?
Thanking you in advance… 🙂
Andrea Schulman
Hi Alma! Great questions 🙂
I would recommend working with this strategy when you feel most inspired. If you force yourself to do it, it might feel overwhelming or boring. You can certainly work on several things at once. Figure out the root emotions to the car, money and marriage and then allow yourself to feel those emotions when you are reminded of them.
For example, perhaps you want to be married because you want security. When you are reminded of the security you already have, take note of it. For example, maybe you feel secure in your friendships, in your job or in your relationships with family members. When that root emotions peeks out (and it will), allow yourself to really revel in it.
I hope this helps! 🙂 Andrea
PS, I’ll be having some “free” webinars popping up soon. They’ll be posted on my Facebook so look me up and follow my notifications so you can sign up when they roll out! If you are looking for some tutorials right now, you can definitely sign up for my member website for access to my digital law of attraction resources. Here’s the link if you are interested https://raiseyourvibrationtoday.com/trial-membership-offer/
Alma
Thank you for answering my questions! I will try them out and let you know how it goes…have a great weekend! 🙂
Kathy Joyce
Loved this article Andrea! Thinking back to past successes and how you felt at the time is also a good idea. Some days it may feel as if you’ve made no success at anything, but if you really think hard enough you can always find something.
Sina
Great article Andrea! Just yesterday I felt so helpless and asked the universe to send me sth to help me get out of it. And automatically I startend to “believe” I had received the help. Now it is here. Thank you!
But one question: what happenes if At some point I can’t feel AS if all the time? What if I’m weak at some point and forget it and think it won’t end up good? Is the Vibration then gone? Do I have to Start over cause the universe thinks I don’t want it anymore? I hope you understand my question .
Thank you
Sina
Andrea Schulman
Hi Sina
This happens to all of us from time to time! My suggestion is that when you’re feeling less than “as if,” distract yourself with something more enjoyable to think about or spend your imagining time on a dream that DOES feel “as if.”
When we get happy, we feel optimistic about everything and this helps put us in the vibe of the things we want, even the things we aren’t focused on in the present moment. So when it’s hard to be positive about topic A, move on to topic B and get happy about that topic so the happiness spills over on to topic A.
Have a great day!
Andrea
Nat
Very well explain Andrea 🙂
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Natalia! <3
Anonymous
I like the work of Dr.Richard Wiseman on the ‘Act As if’ principle. I have captured it here in my visual notes. http://sathyawrites.com/positive-action-not-positive-thinking/
Andrea Schulman
Thank you for sharing 🙂
NV
I reviewed this article again and just realized that i have to identify with one emotion / feeling to manifest that desire.
I was identifying with multiple emotions like sucess, appreciation, loved and happiness.
Andrea Schulman
Awesome! Yes, directing the emotions is critical!
Yogesh Shinde
Hey Andrea,
After reading your post I’ve added the movie Boiler Room in my wishlist. I will watch it soon.
I think, the steps you have mentioned are very hard for someone who is not optimistic about his/her goals. But people with positive mind set we can easily achieve our goals. Attraction rule works for people who knows how to use it.
Thanks
Andrea Schulman
Hi Yogesh:)
Boiler room is not inherently and optimistic movie, but it IS highly entertaining so enjoy:)
Sam
Hey Andrea,
What feelings would you describe for “acting as if I had a good job?”
Andrea Schulman
Hi Sam, I would probably try to do things I expect people in that job would be doing. For example, let’s say I want to be a high-powered executive. Perhaps, I believe that a guy like this gets up early to go to the gym before work, dresses well, stands tall and acts with confidence. I would do my best to emulate these behaviors in my life as it stands now. Now, this varies from job to job and your expectations of what someone with a good job would act like, so be sure to evaluate behaviors based on what you see in your reality 🙂
Juan
Andrea,
I love this article and how it can be applied to every aspect of every day life. This is such an easy way to project the things we want in our lives. I see clearly how it applies to my passion in life- sport.
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Juan-I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it! XO
Elizabeth
This is the best blog post on LOA that I’ve ever reas. The reason that I say this is because it doesn’t just say “act as if” but rather you break down exactly how we can “act as if”. It seems simple but ive never thought to write the root emotions of what I would feel like when I get my wants and then making sure to feel these specific emotions as much as I can. Thank you so much for this post! God bless you xx
Andrea Schulman
So glad to hear you enjoyed this article Elizabeth! Best wishes to you on the way to your dream XO
SPH
Hello Andrea. I just recently happened to stumble upon your blog when I was reading about LOA. I have a confusion about it. Let’s say my boyfriend broke up with me and I want him back. And then I decide to use the LOA and try to manifest him back into my life. So I ‘act as if’ he is back in my life . And keep my vibration up. Now he may or my not come back to me, only he knows if he will. So in that time that I am acting as if, wouldn’t it be like a denial of the fact that he isn’t there anymore and keep me stuck instead of working on myself to move on? I know that you have to stop wanting to get what you want. Contradiction in terms. If you stop wanting him, how does it matter if he comes back then or doesn’t? I hope my question isn’t really out of context of the topic.
Andrea Schulman
Hi SPH, thanks for your question:) I actually created a free video series on love attraction that may clear some of this up for you. If you’d care to check it out, here is the link to the first video in the series (there are links to subsequent videos in the post). I hope this helps!
XO, Andrea
Anagha Mirgal
Thank You So much! This has benefited me infinitely! I am so so so thankful to you! Lots of Love from me :-*
Andrea Schulman
Thanks for the positive feedback Anagha! <3
e. A
Hi andrea
thanx for your nice post and nice blog
I’ve got a big problem in my mind!
step three says : even if you dont have the money to buy your favorite stuff, act as if you have that money to buy!
So it creates a great CONFLICT in my mind and makes me feel bad about myself …
how on earth can I act like that when I dont even have 1/10000 of that money?
every time I act like that (or atleast when I try), My damn mind says : come on man! why are you doing this silly bull s**t!! I cant CONVINCE my mind that “act as if” really works
I think this is really common CONFLICT among all LOA dummies.
so, do you know any way to hack this Conflict?!
im sure if I overcome this and pass this step, I will manifest my dream car!
peace
Andrea Schulman
Hi E.A!
Instead of reaching for “big” money manifestations, I think it may help to do some “vibe work” first in the area of abundance. Here is some recommended reading for you if you are interested:
https://raiseyourvibrationtoday.com/?s=abundance+wealth+money
sunny naik
Thank you. This is article is what I was looking for.
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Sunny! 🙂
Aarti
Hi Andrea, appreciate your knowledge and really loved the article. could you suggest me how to attract wealth, health and promotion in office. how should i feel it is already done.
Andrea Schulman
Hi Aarti, here are some archived resources on my website about wealth, abundance and money. Enjoy: https://raiseyourvibrationtoday.com/?s=wealth+abundance+money
nelu
Hi Andrea,
Thank you so much for this short article which is very useful, and helps to understand how one should practice “act as if”. All this time i didn’t know how and now i get a clear idea. But have one one more issue to clarify with you, so i’m decided to buy my 1st car and made a small advance payment not even having a clue how to pay the rest of the amount. but i know i am gonna buy that somehow, but i try not to talk to the dealer since i haven’t found the money and the few of my close friends knows keep asking when are you getting ur car?? and i dont know what to tell them…..
i keep talking about it and visualizing about the car but how to act as if and answer my friends every time they ask ..?? plz help me
Andrea Schulman
Sounds like there is some doubt and resistance you are working through. It is important for you to identify what limitation you believe is holding you back, and to shift the belief structure at this point <3
nelu
Hi Andrea, thank you for your reply, i think unconsciously i’m thinking of how to find the money to pay for the car cos i don’t like to go for loans. so please explain more on how i should change my thinking. and what i should be saying when my friends ask about my new car??
nelu
Hi Andrea, thank you fro your reply and i think you are correct i have a bit of a doubt and fear subconsciously as in to how to find the money since i don’t want to go a loan.
So how should i act as if for my new car?? and what should i say in a positive way to my friends when they ask “when are you getting your car??””………
Andrea Schulman
I’ll be posting a video on YouTube in a few days on uncovering limiting beliefs…I think it may be helpful as you will want to figure out what is in the way first and foremost in this situation 🙂
Prince James - Motivational Life Coach
This is a fantastic post!
I am so grateful for the amazing work you do!
Prince James
https://www.MyLife.Coach
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Prince James! 🙂
Chirag Aggarwal
Really! Interesting and life-changing information I read today. I am learning and implementing Law of attraction from months. Daily I used to read success stories of people who manifest their desires. Act as if technique somewhere I was missing and that’s why Universe introduce this technique to me so that I can learn the right way of receiving the things. The way you clear every point I appreciate your efforts and Congratulate you for directing the worth way of fulfilling the wishes to people in the world. Thank You! So much.
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Chirag!
Robert Myers
I’m very interested in your work which is completely new to me. I wish to delve in 100% and totally immerse myself in the principles of your work. I see you as a Guru. I’d like to be awakened.
Andrea Schulman
Thanks Robert:)
There are many resources I offer you may find useful.
For all of my public content: https://raiseyourvibrationtoday.com/ryvt-free-portal/
For information regarding membership content: https://raiseyourvibrationtoday.com/membership/
diana
hello, how to act as if when on weekends you dont have anyone to hang out with? nobody calls or texts? thanks.