Why did everyone go gaga over this orange book in 2022?

Is it possible to tell yourself to get the life you want and then actually make it a reality? The single world that ruled social media in 2022 was ‘manifestation’. Among the many books that have been written recently about goals, plans, and action, Manifest by Roxie Nafousi stood out with high acclaim. The hardback, now globally famous is available at Indian bookstores. Here’s a peek into what it offers.

 
MANIFEST | 7 Steps to living your best life by Roxie Nafousi

The minimalist book cover in bright orange fetches your attention even before you turn a page and worldwide, in 2022 the title was visible in the hands of several influencers. Not a book on business management but Manifest is a book on managing the business of life. Why did the title become a runaway hit? Possibly because the word was already in the self-help lexicon for some time. In many ways, Nafousi’s book is an answer to Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret. 

Is 'manifestation' a social-media hype?
On Instagram, the hashtag 'manifestation' has so far been used 8 million times, the hashtag 'manifest' has been used some 7.1 million times. You can’t scroll Instagram without coming across a post or two about manifestation at any point. Nafousi thus seems to have made the most of a thinking pattern that has emerged over the last several months which basically assures that one can create wealth, money, and the good life with the power of thoughts followed by action. 

The 7 steps 
Nafousi defines manifestation as the ability “to create the exact life” one wants, to “draw in” anything one desires, and “become the author of one’s own story.” The book starts with her own journey since she was 27 when she had no sense of purpose or direction and how she transformed her life. It is a story of hope. The objective of the book clearly is to empower the reader with a clear desire and a roadmap to achieve that desire. She breaks the process down into 7 steps: 

. Be clear in your vision
. Remove fear and doubt
. Align your behaviour
. Overcome tests from the universe
. Embrace gratitude (without caveats)
. Turn envy into inspiration 
. Trust in the universe 

On avoiding self-sabotage
Of the many tips that Nafousi offers her readers on the journey towards self-actualisation, two significant ones are on leading an authentic life and avoiding self-sabotage. Nafousi says that aligning one’s behavior with a future that is desired often may force people to come out of their comfort zones, in fact, the journey towards actualisation may start with discomfort. She explains how our mind is wired towards safety, comfort and familiar and changing direction could challenge mental status quo. The book shows how one can easily tutor oneself to step out of the comfort zone and work towards growth.
 

Towards authenticity
The start point of the manifesting journey is authenticity, suggests Nafousi. Authenticity, she explains is an inward journey of knowing oneself and acting from that place, fearlessly.
 

End Note
The book is full of wisdom that seems to have emerged from Nafousi’s personal journey of self-discovery. This is not just a book to flip through, but one to work with. An easy read, it will draw you in within the first 20 pages. Of the many books published in recent years that promised to help you ‘make it happen,’ this one certainly stands out. Pick it.