Which is probably why I've read Pavlina's article more than a couple of times and told friends and family about it. I've often thought about it to myself but Steve puts it into words quite well. The general idea is if truly make something a goal that is always in the middle of your mind, the world around you will seem to align to help you meet that goal. By the "middle of your mind", I mean that it isn't something that you let drive your life to the point of detriment or so far out of your thoughts that it isn't there. I don't think the world around you actually changes to your personal and individual intentions (that's only feasible in Harry Potter movies). Yes, it is essentially the same thing adults have told children for ages- "Timmy, if you believe you can- you can." But try taking a more logical view into that. My current explanation is that there is so much data we're exposed to living in this world, that you can set a "filter" in your mind to pick out the bits you need to see or experience meet your goal.

I personally have done it several times- but in a slightly different way. I didn't realize how much control I had over it. For example, a lot of people are surprised that I am a self taught programmer. I didn't even really go to school beyond high school. But, at a certain point, I decided I wanted to be a software engineer. This was in the mid-90's and the Internet was not as robust as it is today, so I was constantly reading books, magazines, and making my own experiments. And finally a series of events lead me to be a professional software engineer. A few months passed and I decided I really wanted to work in video games. Once again, I became obsessed with it and it became a 6 year adventure. Being a Lead Programmer in a modern day video games industry with only a few years experience and no formal education is pretty unique. I'm not bragging by any means, I'm just pointing out that your intentions can be wildly different from conventional wisdom and still work out.

I even see it with working on cars and motorcycles. Not more than 2 years ago, I was only watching Saturday morning car shows with no tools or even 1 good screwdriver. Now here I am with a classic car I drive every day, and my Dad has even fell victim to my intention by providing me more cars to work on (sorry Dad!). I've got every basic tool a mechanic needs because I acquired them as necessary. I've done a motor swap, disc and drum brake service/repair/replacement, modern import suspension modifications, modern import axle replacements, oil changes, alternator replacements, starter repair and replacement, and the list goes on. Now these are not impossible or even difficult tasks to anyone with a mechanical background. But keep in mind the majority of these have been done in the past year!

I don't think I'm special in any way. I used to explain it that I'm a pretty good self-teacher. But I'm now wondering if I'm pretty good at making and keeping intentions. I'm intrigued by the thought of taking less control (not being so obsessed/proactive in pushing the intention) and letting the world manifest my intentions. Note that's much different than sitting around waiting on the world to deliver you with an intention to manifest- I think that's what maybe a lot of people do these days without realizing it. It's the difference between asking for something and telling what something will be.

I also think that it is entirely possible to manifest negative intentions. You know, those times when things seem to spiral into worse and worse situations beyond your control? Maybe they are in your control because you manifested them intentionally (albeit subconciously) in the first place.

Steve Pavlina has created a group intention of manifesting 1 Million dollars. He's got a couple of personal examples of his intention manifestation experiments. He also has entry describing a reader submitted intention-manifestation story.

Anyway, give it a shot. It doesn't have to be a career or life changing intention. If you read Steve's article, you'll see you can try it on small experiments. I really think you'd be surprised at the "coincidences" you can string together that lead back to your intention.