How long have you been working on your goal? Maybe a month, 3 months, 6 months, or maybe even upwards of a year or longer?
And in that time, you’ve kept yourself going because you see signs everywhere, right? Some are small signs, but sometimes you might see really obvious, clear signs.
And you think that this is great news, because it means that what you want is on its way. And yet, it never comes.
I’ve seen a lot of my clients experiencing this very same issue lately, so I wanted to address it.
Signs Aren’t Always Good
The issue is that in the LOA community, we are inundated with the message that signs are the precursor to a manifestation.
And a lot of times, this is true. But it isn’t always.
You know from my previous posts that if it has been 6 months or more and you’ve seen zero progress, you’re doing something wrong.
But we can fall into this trap of getting excited about one sign after another, and so it does seem like things are happening.
And indeed, if you previously were not getting signs, but now signs have been arising, then that’s great!
But, if it’s been weeks or even months, and you’ve been getting lots of signs, but still no real, practical movement, then there’s certainly a problem.
Are You Stuck in Sign Limbo?
The law of attraction requires self-honesty, which is extremely difficult for many people. We get into this loop where we find any reason to believe that we are moving towards our goal.
In some cases, this is actually a good thing, especially when it helps you to move past your resistance.
But in other cases, it’s not so much. For instance, if you focus on reasons things are going well, as a way to delude yourself and escape the uncomfortable reality that what you want isn’t here yet, then that is not very helpful to you. 🙂
I call it Sign Limbo: when you’re getting plenty of signs, but it never advances into anything more than that.
I get requests all the time from clients who believe that they are destined to have a relationship with this one, specific person. Sometimes I think they have a good chance, and other times I feel that they are simply deluded.
They’ll tell me how they keep seeing signs of this person everywhere, almost every day or even multiple times per day.
But if I ask how long it’s been since they’ve started working on this goal, they say it’s been several months or even years.
The signs keep their hope up, but nothing actually comes of it. In such cases, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I tell them, in as gentle a way as possible, that it very well just might not happen, and that perhaps they should broaden their focus a bit.
So why does this occur? Why do we get stuck in Sign Limbo?
Signs Are Cheap
Signs are cheap. What exactly do I mean by that?
I mean that it’s really super simple to manifest signs. When I begin on some new manifestation, I can often see signs within a matter of days, if not within hours.
If you can tune in to the vibrational signature of your goal, then you can certainly create a few signs.
But if you see some signs of your manifestation, it doesn’t mean your work is done quite yet.
So signs are ridiculously easy to create. But that doesn’t mean that they are useless.
In fact, signs are quite useful for really tuning in even more deeply to your goal. At first you have to create the energy from nothing, but once you start getting signs, you have a clearer and clearer reference point to focus on.
In fact, this is why signs are so cheap to create. Whereas we tend to interpret signs as the Universe saying, “Hey, it’s almost here!”—in reality, it’s really saying something more like, “So is this kind of like what you want?”
Signs Are a Mockup of Your Manifestation
There is something in web design called a mockup. It’s basically whipping together a very quick sample of what the finished product will look like: colors, fonts, graphics, etc. It allows you to see how all the visual components fit together, without actually going through all the work of coding those elements on a webpage.
That means its cheap to create, and cheap to modify. Say you see the mockup and realize you prefer the navigation menu to be a different color. You can ask the designer to make that change, then see the result, and perhaps make another change.
The point is, it’s not the final result. The final result doesn’t come until you approve the mockup.
Do you see the parallel? Just as above, signs are cheap. They are the mockups of your manifestation. They basically show you, “Hey, if you keep focusing the way you are focusing, here’s what you’ll get.”
Then, you have the choice of continuing as you were, or subtly changing your focus to alter some element of the manifestation.
For example, let’s say you are trying to manifest a new car. You decide you’d like a car that’s economical, safe, yet classy, and you select a car that matches these criteria.
So signs start showing up. You start seeing that type of car everywhere. But as you start seeing those signs, you start to notice something about that particular type of car you actually don’t like so much, or an extra feature you forgot in your initial focusing.
For instance, let’s say you realize you would really like heated seats, because it gets really cold in the winter. So, you add that to your list of criteria for your desired car.
Now that you add that to your focusing sessions, it’ll be easier to find cars that have all the features you’ve specified.
And you might alter your requirements even more later on, and that’s perfectly okay. Your signs will keep shifting to match whatever your latest requirements are, provided you are adequately focusing on them.
So you see, as mentioned, signs are cheap. But this is good, because they are also easy to modify to match exactly what you want to manifest.
Transitioning to the Final Manifestation
Now that you have the signs just how you want them, you obviously want the finished product. You want your actual manifestation in real life.
But instead, you just keep getting more signs.
It’s as though the designer just hands over the mockup and says, “Here you go. This is the finished product.” Well, you really have no use for it, but it looks so nice, that you just keep looking at it and hoping that somehow, miraculously, the final product will just fall into your lap.
That’s sort of what it’s like when you see the signs of what you want and say, “Hey, my manifestation is almost here!” and then you just try to ride the momentum the rest of the way.
The issue is that you’ve not even done most of the required work so far. Your subconscious could still potentially have quite a bit further to go to attune to your goal.
When you see your signs, that doesn’t mean you’re now at the required level of consciousness to reach your goal, and that all necessary subconscious programs have been installed. It just means you’ve attuned just enough to that goal that the Universe can start showing you signs of it on the outside.
For example, a few years ago I believed I wanted to move to California. Almost immediately, I started seeing sign after sign after sign about California.
Did that mean that my subconscious was suddenly ready for this goal? No, probably not even close. It just meant I was really focusing on that goal and the energy was ready to show itself in my outer reality as signs. That’s good, but it didn’t mean that I was there.
In fact, I eventually decided that it wasn’t the right thing for me after all, and so the signs gradually tapered off.
So, let’s say you have your goal, and you have some signs that show you that this is indeed exactly what you want.
Now what? How do you convert this into an actual manifestation?
Well, you really just keep doing what you were doing, knowing that you’re on the right path because of the signs you are getting.
You can use those signs to aid your focusing. For example, if you are manifesting abundance, and you start seeing other abundant people around you, you can imagine yourself in their shoes. This will help you to make it even more real to you.
As long as you realize that you still have work to do, and you aren’t quite there yet, you should be fine. Seeing signs does not mean that you’re almost there.
If you’ve been working at your goal for 3-6 months and seeing a lot of signs, but nothing more than that in the way of manifestation, then start analyzing your own practice. Are you really doing the inner work to route out any incompatible subconscious programs? Are you still working just as hard to make your goal reality?
Allow yourself to be encouraged by the signs, but don’t delude yourself into thinking that your work is done.
How About You?
Now it’s your turn. Have you been seeing signs, but no actual manifestation? If so, how might you change things in the future? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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This is very helpful, Brandon! Actually, a year ago, there was a guy I liked, and I kept seeing signs about him a lot, like his birthday, etc. At the time, I suspected that the signs were the Universe telling me that the 2 of us are a great match. However now I see just how much we are different, and how he definitely isn’t a match for me (or not yet at least). I also find it very helpful to know that only when the signs start showing up, have I actually created enough of the start momentum.
You keep coming up with topics that refine the whole LOA / magic understanding, and that’s amazing. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me! 🙂
Thanks @Z, I appreciate your comment. 🙂 I’m glad the post helped.
This is very helpful, Brandon! Actually, a year ago, there was a guy I liked, and I kept seeing signs about him a lot, like his birthday, etc. At the time, I suspected that the signs were the Universe telling me that the 2 of us are a great match. However now I see just how much we are different, and how he definitely isn’t a match for me (or not yet at least). I also find it very helpful to know that only when the signs start showing up, have I actually created enough of the start momentum.
You keep coming up with topics that refine the whole LOA / magic understanding, and that’s amazing. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me! 🙂
Thanks @Z, I appreciate your comment. 🙂 I’m glad the post helped.
Wow, synchronicity at work again. The past week I have been pondering this exact question that you have answered here. I have even been doubting that what has been happening is really signs or if it is just the RAS at work. Now I know that I need to focus more I can see that I’ve just been cruising. Thanks for this
Thanks @Peekay, glad it helped. 😀 It’s definitely a common issue to just ride the momentum once you see signs.
Wow, synchronicity at work again. The past week I have been pondering this exact question that you have answered here. I have even been doubting that what has been happening is really signs or if it is just the RAS at work. Now I know that I need to focus more I can see that I’ve just been cruising. Thanks for this
Thanks @Peekay, glad it helped. 😀 It’s definitely a common issue to just ride the momentum once you see signs.
This is such an insightful post! I can remember reading a thousand times that 90% of a manifestation is just energy, and once signs start showing up in the physical world, you are on the last little 10% and the goal is almost there. That’s another of the LOA myths out there. This post really clarifies what signs are and how much or how little they should mean. It’s exhilarating sometimes to see such a quick response from the universe when you start focusing on something and then soon see signs of it. That exhilaration sometimes tempts me to think, “I must be almost there!” when really there is a lot of subconscious work to be done.
My favorite parts of this post were the phrase “sign limbo,” which is hilarious, and the metaphor of the mockup. They illustrate what is actually going on very clearly.
Thanks @Lisa! I appreciate your comment.
Yeah, I’m not sure why that myth is so widespread. To be fair, I believed it myself for quite some time, until I started looking at my real-life experiences, and saw that signs almost always started showing up soon after I started working on a goal, but well before I knew I was actually ready for it. Also when working with clients, as I mentioned, I noticed some of them would get signs, but nothing more than that.
This is such an insightful post! I can remember reading a thousand times that 90% of a manifestation is just energy, and once signs start showing up in the physical world, you are on the last little 10% and the goal is almost there. That’s another of the LOA myths out there. This post really clarifies what signs are and how much or how little they should mean. It’s exhilarating sometimes to see such a quick response from the universe when you start focusing on something and then soon see signs of it. That exhilaration sometimes tempts me to think, “I must be almost there!” when really there is a lot of subconscious work to be done.
My favorite parts of this post were the phrase “sign limbo,” which is hilarious, and the metaphor of the mockup. They illustrate what is actually going on very clearly.
Thanks @Lisa! I appreciate your comment.
Yeah, I’m not sure why that myth is so widespread. To be fair, I believed it myself for quite some time, until I started looking at my real-life experiences, and saw that signs almost always started showing up soon after I started working on a goal, but well before I knew I was actually ready for it. Also when working with clients, as I mentioned, I noticed some of them would get signs, but nothing more than that.
Hey! This might be a little off the topic – but Im kind of stuck in a hurdle. My ex boyfriend and I broke up a while ago but decided to remain friends after the ordeal. Theres always been an undoubted magical love between us and even us meeting and getting together was full of little miracles, and situations you just cant consider coincidences. Anyway, we remained friends until he had a sudden change of min in June, and decided him & I couldnt be friends and that we should go back to being friends again when he comes back. Now that just seems a bit silly. However, I KNOW for a fact hes still very in love with me. My question is, how can I manifest us starting to communicate again especially if theres resistance from his side (hes very stubborn)? Im doing all my practices & I cans see inner changes in me already! But is it even possible to manifest something like this if theres resistence from the other person’s side?
Hi @Halieema,
Thanks for commenting. 🙂
The truth is that you are responsible for everything in your reality. No, you can’t change his mind, necessarily, but why is someone in your reality who isn’t certain he wants to be with you? That is a reflection of your own resistance.
So I personally never recommend looking to what the other person is doing. It just encourages powerless thinking. Look to what you’re believing, expecting, and feeling, and go from there.
If you’re not already, I recommend entering your email to receive my checklist on the ten things you could be doing wrong with the law of attraction. You’ll also receive updates from me, and my posts tend to build on one another. 🙂 You can do that at the bottom of this post, or at the top of any page.
Ohhh makes sense!
I hae been trying my best to release resistene as much as I can ?
But is it possible to manifest him back in my life? Or is even trying to do that, futile effort?
Hi @Halieema,
Maybe, maybe not. It really depends on your individual situation. I’m certainly happy to work with you on the issue in coaching. That would be the only way for me to tell.
Hey! This might be a little off the topic – but Im kind of stuck in a hurdle. My ex boyfriend and I broke up a while ago but decided to remain friends after the ordeal. Theres always been an undoubted magical love between us and even us meeting and getting together was full of little miracles, and situations you just cant consider coincidences. Anyway, we remained friends until he had a sudden change of min in June, and decided him & I couldnt be friends and that we should go back to being friends again when he comes back. Now that just seems a bit silly. However, I KNOW for a fact hes still very in love with me. My question is, how can I manifest us starting to communicate again especially if theres resistance from his side (hes very stubborn)? Im doing all my practices & I cans see inner changes in me already! But is it even possible to manifest something like this if theres resistence from the other person’s side?
Hi @Halieema,
Thanks for commenting. 🙂
The truth is that you are responsible for everything in your reality. No, you can’t change his mind, necessarily, but why is someone in your reality who isn’t certain he wants to be with you? That is a reflection of your own resistance.
So I personally never recommend looking to what the other person is doing. It just encourages powerless thinking. Look to what you’re believing, expecting, and feeling, and go from there.
If you’re not already, I recommend entering your email to receive my checklist on the ten things you could be doing wrong with the law of attraction. You’ll also receive updates from me, and my posts tend to build on one another. 🙂 You can do that at the bottom of this post, or at the top of any page.
Ohhh makes sense!
I hae been trying my best to release resistene as much as I can ?
But is it possible to manifest him back in my life? Or is even trying to do that, futile effort?
Hi @Halieema,
Maybe, maybe not. It really depends on your individual situation. I’m certainly happy to work with you on the issue in coaching. That would be the only way for me to tell.
Hi,
My bf broke up with me a month ago because he needed time to be alone but he told me we would still keep in touch and see each other. I started the law of attraction the week after he broke up with me but I knew i had resistance as I always felt the emptiness inside of me realizing he wasn’t there. I kept seeing signs tho. Then this week i texted him because i wanted answers and he told me he moved on and didnt want us to meet. I was crushed because i still wanted him in my life but I think is what made me realizes to just hope for the best without waiting for him or something from him. Am I on the right path?
Hi this is great, I have been dedicated to changing my life for a while through manifestation and have got many good signs but am really confused of what is happening. I manifested the perfect partner, everything I wished for but then before we really got going he left on business no contact whatsoever until he is due back (3 months later) on 22 August. I also manifested a college place which was unbelievable circumstances, but can’t enrol until again 22 August. I have also recently had to move back to my parents and am desperately needing a house manifestation. Now there is word of possible inheritance coming my way..so it’s all signs and in some way appeared but everything is on hold. I don’t know how to act to make it all go smoothly and hop effortlessly to this parallel I’ve been dreaming about I keep imagining things going wrong like my partner not getting in touch or still being at my parents months from now. The date 22 August keeps popping up to all over the place too, I am in a very good vibrational place but this hold is really testing me ?
What have you manifested? Are you a millionaire? I only want advice from someone who is actually successful with LOA.