The business world is full of self-proclaimed experts, gurus, and influencers who claim that success can be achieved through manifestation. Dr. Lucas Dixon from the University of Queensland’s Business School wanted to explore whether belief alone can lead to success. To do this, he developed a “Manifestation Scale” and conducted a project to examine the relationship between belief and success.
Dr. Dixon acknowledges that while many people who practice manifestation feel more confident and optimistic about achieving success, there is a lack of objective proof to support the effectiveness of manifestation. Some researchers believe that this approach can even lead individuals to make risky financial investments and end up bankrupt.
Manifestation beliefs involve the idea of turning thoughts and desires into reality through focused thoughts, intentions, and actions. These beliefs are often associated with the New Age and self-help movements, and are rooted in the belief that one’s thoughts and emotions can influence the physical world. The Law of Attraction is a well-known manifestation belief that suggests positive thoughts attract positive experiences, while negative thoughts attract negative experiences.
The study conducted by Dr. Dixon and his team involved three studies with over 1,000 participants. They found that over a third of the participants believed in manifestation. Higher scores on the manifestation scale were associated with perceptions of success, strong aspirations for success, and the belief that future success is achievable. However, these individuals were also more likely to be drawn to risky investments, have experienced bankruptcy, and have an unrealistic expectation of achieving success quickly.
The researchers also found that a person’s manifestation belief did not align with their level of success. Despite a gap between their goals and current situation, manifesters maintained a positive outlook. They were more likely to believe they could become wealthy quickly, potentially leading them to overlook the pitfalls of get-rich-quick schemes.
Dr. Dixon and his team emphasize the need for more research into manifestation influencers who promise success in areas like career and financial decision-making. While belief in manifestation may provide some benefits such as increased confidence and positive thinking, it is important to approach it with caution and not solely rely on it for achieving success.