I missed out on a lot of opportunities in 2022 because my actions were not loyal to (or in alignment with) my thoughts. If I had acted on every idea, dream, and wish, I know for a fact that I would be a lot further along in life. For example, I started a motivational brand because (if you can’t tell) I love to motivate. I keep having this idea to also become a motivational speaker, but for some odd reason I cannot find it within my soul to talk on camera—specifically motivating people. This is extremely bizarre because I talk on camera for a living!

Anyway, I have been praying about becoming a motivational speaker. I can see it; I dream it, and I can feel it, but there has been no work done on my part to make it happen. The point I am making is this: God cannot give me what I want just based off my thoughts. If I truly want this for myself, I am going to have to take some serious action. I need that Yo Gotti energy because just waiting for something to happen is cowardice to me.

Yo Gotti said nobody was going to outdo him this New Year—the Memphis rapper and Angela Simmons just made it official in 2023! So, if you did not believe in manifestation before, then this is enough proof to let y’all know it’s real. If you’re wondering why I am so hype for the Memphis rapper, it’s because he has been publicly shooting his shot at Angela since like 2015. Ever since the rap song “It Goes Down in the DM”, all this man ever talked about was wanting Angela Simmons. And now he doesn’t have to wish any longer because they are making public appearances together.

The internet went crazy—me included—when the couple uploaded their sophisticated, dressed-in-all-black, New Year photos to Instagram. Not only did their elegance shut it down, Gotti captioned his photo “Ain’t lost a crush since high school.” All I could think was God I see what you have done for others! First of all, that is a very long time, and I knowI am not the one to be chasing nobody that long. (Now that I think about it, this is also probably the reason why Michal B Jordan still isn’t my husband. I have been manifesting that man since way before Lori Harvey was even thinking about him, so I need that Gotti prayer ASAP. But I digress.)

Second, and what is even more profound about this whole Gotti situation, is the persistence this man had. They say you miss 100 percent of the shots you do not take, and it’s clear Gotti took all 100 of those shots. This is the part a lot of people don’t get when it comes to obtaining what we truly desire: Manifestation alone cannot get the job done. You can’t just sit around, hope, and pray things into existence.

If you are not actively putting in the work for what you truly desire, then you are wasting your brain space. Wishes are cool and all, but I’d rather up my stakes and increase my chances by putting in the work. Achieving requires persistence, unwavering discipline, and an abundance of faith to obtain what many cannot. Our thoughts have a lot of power, but if we do not act on our thoughts, then our ideas are in vain.

So, when you are claiming and manifesting this year, do not allow the fear of your idea to chump you out of receiving what you are capable of having—2023 is our Jordan year. I expect nothing but wins for us all.

What are some of your goals for this year, and how do you plan on achieving them?