self improvement

As a high-functioning perfectionist, I’ve come to realize something: manifestation is actually my superpower. I’m constantly shaping and molding scenarios in my mind, crafting the perfect outcomes and solutions for whatever situation I’m facing. Sound familiar?

Think about it—how often do you mentally rehearse conversations, visualize the flawless execution of a project, or set expectations so high that reality has no choice but to stumble short? (If you’re nodding, trust me, you’re not alone.)

I once planned a weekend getaway with such precision, down to the color-coded itinerary, that when we missed one brunch reservation, it felt like the entire trip was ruined. My mind had painted this flawless masterpiece of the “perfect weekend,” and life dared to color outside the lines. But here’s the thing: all that mental planning and energy? It’s power. And that power can be redirected.

From To-Do Lists to True Alignment

For years, my life revolved around to-do lists. If it was on the list, it had to be crossed off—no matter the cost. I’d schedule my week to the hour, meticulously plotting time for every task. Sound obsessive? Maybe. But isn’t that manifestation in its purest form?

We take thoughts, pair them with actions, and bring them to life.

Once I realized this, I started asking myself bigger “what if?” questions.

• What if I redirected this energy toward becoming the best version of myself?
• What if I stopped setting unattainable goals for everything except my own well-being?

This wasn’t an overnight revelation—it took years of therapy, trial and error, and moments of tough self-reflection. But slowly, I began to shift.

My Manifestation Reset

Here’s how I started using my perfectionist tendencies for growth:

1. I Got Honest About What I Want
   I stopped pretending to be okay with things that didn’t serve me. I let go of relationships where I felt the need to shrink myself. I prioritized what I wanted—not what others expected of me. 
2. I Practiced Self-Kindness
   The mirror used to be a place of harsh judgment, but I began speaking kindly to my reflection—even on bad days. I’m still working on turning my inner critic into an inner coach. 
3. I Allowed Myself to Be a Beginner
   This is by far the hardest thing I still encounter. As a scientist, I leaned into logic and reason, dismissing creativity as frivolous. Everything had to be meticulously planned, well-thought out, and executed with precision. These hyper-unrealistic expectations were so damaging, I couldn’t bring myself to pick up any hobbies out of fear of not being perfect from the get-go. Being in a beginner mindset means being kind to yourself and letting go of what I consider “failure.” 

And now? I’m a 27-year-old PhD scientist, standing at the crossroads of reinvention, finally living for me.

Take Your Manifestation to the Next Level

Ready to harness your superpower? Let me share my favorite tool for clarity and focus: a vision website.

It’s like a vision board but better—dynamic, actionable, and entirely your own. Here’s how to create one:

Start by imagining the life you truly want—no limitations, no filters, and no “realistic” constraints. Picture it in vivid detail.

For me, success looks like becoming a bestselling author. I’m in a mountain retreat, where the crisp air smells of pine, and I’m sipping spiced tea (I don’t even drink spiced tea now, but future-me swears by it). Sunlight spills through a window onto my pages as I write, and I feel a deep sense of joy, freedom, and fulfillment. The setting is beautiful, yes, but what makes it powerful is the feeling: contentment and alignment with my purpose.

Now, here’s the hard part: You have to let go of every mental boundary you’ve built around yourself. That little voice whispering, “You can’t do that,” or “It’s too late for you,” is the same voice that’s kept you in a cycle of burnout and exhaustion. You’re not here to listen to her anymore.

Take my journey as proof that you can redefine success anytime. I’ve wanted to be a scientist since I was seven. SEVEN. Twenty years later, here I am—PhD in hand—but my vision of success has evolved. Now I dream of writing books that connect with people deeply. Some days, I laugh at myself for thinking too big. Other days, I’m proud of myself for daring to think bigger. But most days, I feel an overwhelming sense of freedom knowing that I get to define what success looks like for me.

My point is: success looks different for everyone, so it’s crucial to define what it means for you—without external pressure or comparison. 

Action Step:

• Take a blank piece of paper or open a fresh document. Write the sentence: “If I could have any life I wanted, what would it look like?” Then answer it with no limits. Describe your ideal day, the work you do, the people you surround yourself with, and the feelings that fuel you.
• Don’t judge your answers. Just write.

This exercise isn’t about the “how” yet—it’s about the “what.” The version of success that’s meaningful to you.

Design Your Digital Presence

You don’t need a big budget or a design degree to bring your vision to life. The best part? You can build this for free using platforms like WordPress, Canva, or even a simple Google Site (you don’t actually need to publish your website, but make sure to bookmark and make it accessible to you!). Think of this website as your digital manifestation board—a glimpse into your future life. Here are the essentials for how to get your vision website started:

1. Landing Page: Make a Bold Statement

This is the first thing visitors (and future-you) will see. Your landing page should set the tone for your entire vision.

• Headline: Craft a one-liner that embodies your mission, your vibe, or your mantra. Think big and inspiring. For example:
  “Ambition Without Burnout: Achieve More, Live Fully” or “Empowering Women to Redefine Success on Their Own Terms.”
• Visuals: Include a striking background image or bold graphic that reflects your future life. Maybe it’s a serene mountain retreat, a bustling city skyline, or even a snapshot of a dream office space.

2. About Section: Meet Your Future Self

Write your bio as if you’ve already achieved your wildest dreams. Let this section reflect your values, accomplishments, and the impact you want to make.

• Start with Confidence: “Hi, I’m [Future You], a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and founder of [Your Dream Company]. My mission is to inspire women to lead bold, fulfilling lives without compromise.”
• Highlight Key Wins: Mention the milestones you envision, such as publishing books, hosting retreats, or leading a global team.
• Add Personality: Include hobbies or quirks your future self embraces, like “an avid traveler who’s visited 20 countries” or “a coffee aficionado with a flair for latte art.”

3. Portfolio: Display Your Dream Wins

This is where you showcase what you want to accomplish. Think of it as a highlight reel of your future successes.

• Projects: Add mock-ups of the books, courses, or products you dream of creating. For instance, upload a Canva-designed book cover or an image of a product you’d like to launch.
• Achievements: Create a section for imagined milestones, like “Spoke at TEDx” or “Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30.”
• Testimonials: Add quotes from “future clients” or “readers” who rave about your impact. For example: “Her book changed my life!”

3. Add Inspiring Visuals

Think of your vision website as the mood board for your best self—a space where your future feels tangible. For high-achieving women—content creators, CEOs, public speakers, and top executives—your visuals should reflect ambition, power, and a life lived with intention.

Picture this:

• A sleek corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a city skyline, where sunlight reflects off minimalist décor and a bookshelf filled with titles you’ve written or inspired.
• A stage illuminated by spotlights, capturing you mid-speech in front of a captivated audience, your presence commanding the room.
• A podcast studio with cutting-edge equipment and a gallery wall of signed memorabilia from guests who’ve shaped industries.
• A jet-black notebook open on a marble desk, next to a latte in a handcrafted mug, symbolizing the quiet moments where big ideas take shape.
• A private retreat villa overlooking the ocean, your laptop open to the draft of your latest project, while a vision board framed in gold rests on the wall behind you, filled with milestones already checked off.

Use visuals that evoke power and calm, ambition and balance. Include snapshots that inspire you to step into this future self every time you revisit your website.

4. Make It Actionable

Your vision website isn’t just a creative exercise—it’s a blueprint for your future-self, the best version of yourself. This space should reflect who you want to become, tailored to your unique standards of success. Here’s how to take this concept further:

Visualize Your Ideal Day

Start with this question: What does a perfect day in your dream life look like?

Get specific. Write it down as if you’re already living it:

• Where are you? Is it a sleek corner office, a cozy home workspace, or a bustling café in Paris?
• Who are you with? Business partners, clients, loved ones, or maybe just your dog at your feet.
• What are you working on? Think passion projects, impactful collaborations, or groundbreaking innovations.
• How do you feel? Centered, confident, energized, and fulfilled.

Ground yourself in the emotions of this vision. This exercise isn’t just imaginative—it’s foundational for creating alignment between where you are now and where you want to go.

Crafting Her Schedule

If you’re like me, you’re no stranger to having multiple calendars at once. Building the future-self version of your calendar should be as fun as it is intentional. Think of it as mapping her daily rhythm—balanced, ambitious, and rejuvenating. Here’s how to design it:

1. Define Her Work Rhythm:

• Ambitious Weekdays:
  
  • Morning: Early workout or mindfulness practice, followed by high-priority creative or strategic work.
  • Midday: Power meetings or collaborative sessions.
  • Afternoon: Focus on growth tasks like writing, planning, or networking.
• Evenings: Relaxation, hobbies, or reading to recharge.
• Balanced Weekends:
  
  • Block off time for family, self-care, or passion projects.
  • Leave one evening for quiet reflection or journaling about the week.

1. Highlight Rest Periods:

   Even your super successful, highly-demanded future self prioritizes rest. Schedule it for her! How does she recharge and what are her non-negotiable down-time commitments? You know her best, think:

• One tech-free evening per week.
• Quarterly “me days” where work is off-limits.
• Yearly retreats to reset and refocus.

Tools to Bring Her Schedule to Life

Your vision website’s schedule should feel alive and dynamic. Here’s how:

Mock Calendar:
Create a visual representation of her week using tools like Google Calendar, Canva, or Notion.

• • Use aspirational placeholders like:
    
    • “Morning Mindset Ritual.”
    • “Keynote Speech at [Event Name].”
    • “Evening Yoga & Reflection.”
  • Highlight rest days or family time with distinct colors for balance and clarity.
• Future-Looking Projects:
  Include visionary placeholders like:
  
  • “Keynote Speech at [Event Name].”
  • “Author Signing at [City].”
  • “Launch of [Product/Service].”

By building your future-self’s schedule with intention, you’ll create a life roadmap that feels inspiring yet realistic. She’s everything you’re working toward becoming, living a life fully aligned with your definition of success. And step by step, as you embody her, she’ll transition from vision to reality.

Here’s the truth: your big picture is built one small, intentional step at a time. It’s not about making massive leaps overnight.

It’s about consistently showing up for the life you want to create. 

Whether you’ve crafted your vision website, defined your dream day, or simply entertained the idea of what’s possible for your future—you’re already further along than you think.

Call to Action: Start Small, Dream Big

Today, I challenge you to take just one tiny step toward the big picture:

• Write down one thing your future self would do daily. Try to do it once this week.
• Open Canva or WordPress and create the first draft of your vision website—it doesn’t have to be perfect, just started.
• Block off 30 minutes this weekend to journal about what success means to you.

The power isn’t in perfection; it’s in momentum. Every small action is a vote for the person you’re becoming.

So, what will you do today to get closer to her? Take the tiniest step forward, and trust that the ripple effect will carry you toward a life that feels big, bold, and completely yours.

Let’s make her real—one step, one action, and one choice at a time.