Attracting what you want into your life is about sending out what you want to receive. This is the foundation of the Law of Attraction, a central tenet in manifestation. By using your energy, values, beliefs, and mindset, you can send powerful messages to the world and yourself, which can transform what happens to you in the future. And manifesting your dreams starts by asking for what you want, sending messages to the universe that communicate your desires and goals in ways that help you achieve your dreams.

But how do you send a message so big? And how do you do it a way that it will be heard and understood? There are many ways to ask for what you want. Here are just a few strategies for communicating your goals to the world.

Create a Dream Board

This is perhaps the most well-known of all the manifestation techniques, and it is popular for good reason. Dreams boards create visual reminders of the dream you are working toward, and they can become a focal point for your affirmations, meditation, and other visualization work. Create a board or space on your wall that is filled with images of what you want. The pictures should represent the various aspects of your life that you are seeking to improve. You can use words or phrases or other physical objects in your collection. Put your board somewhere where you will see it often. Every time you see it, you should think about what you want and ask the universe to bring this reality to you.

Use a Focus Wheel

This is another technique to help clarify your goal as well as remind you of the positive beliefs you will need to foster to attract this dream into your life. To create the wheel, start by drawing a small circle in the center of a paper. Within in, write what it is you want. Draw a concentric ring around this goal, and inside this circle, write one positive thought or belief you have about this goal. This can be anything that helps you get closer to achieving this goal. Draw another concentric circle around this one and do the same thing. Repeat until the page is filled. What you are left with is a list of the powerful and positive messages, values, and thoughts you have that will help you get what you want. Place this visual reminder somewhere prominent and read it every day.

Create a Focus Object

Some people prefer to use an object rather than images or words to help them ask for what they want. Select an object that represents your preferred reality, the goal you are trying to manifest. As you impart your desires onto the representative, hold it and touch it while you speak your message to the universe. Every time you see or feel this object, it becomes a reminder and a talisman to ask for what you want. You can put it in your pocket to remind you to focus and seek your goals. You can use it during meditations or visualization exercises. You can touch it whenever you need motivation or a boost in your confidence.

Engage in Gratitude

When you focus on your gratitude, you communicate to the world what you want and what you value. When you are thankful, you will have more to be grateful for. Take time every day to focus on your gratitude, to remind yourself of the way your life is positively influenced, and the positive emotions and thoughts that are generated by your gratitude list. The more you focus on what is positive, the more positivity you will find in your life.