Learning how to receive or how to be a good receiver is key to manifesting the life you dream of.

Yet, so many of us are better “doers” than “receivers.” We are more comfortable giving than receiving. Once you get too old to believe Santa’s going to take care of that “wish list” we swing to the polar opposite, believing: “It’s all up to me!” It’s part of our culture which supports the go-out-and-getter.

Yet, we know that maintaining a healthy energetic balance in life means incorporating both giving and receiving, asking for us and fulfilling for others. Go all toward giving and you risk being a martyr. Go all toward give me, give me, give me and you exhibit dis-empowered entitlement.

With the abundance of information on dream life manifestation, the law of attraction and the power of visualizing your desires available to us, it can still be difficult to practice receiving in a heart felt way that feels natural. So here are three tips to being a better joy, abundance, prosperity and dream receiver:

1. Open your receiving channel. Make an intention each morning to open-heartedly receive from others. The mindfulness of your intention will help you stay aware of opportunities as they arise when someone offers to: take you to lunch, edit your manuscript, hear your ideas, take care of your dog, hold the door open, let you merge in traffic, brainstorm, mow your lawn, or meet to get to know you better. Pay no attention to the internal editor that says “That’s too much,” “I can’t accept that,” or “What will I owe you in return?” You good intention to receive allows others to fulfill their good intention to give. This will also make you more aware of how often people act kindly and generously.
2. Just say “Yes” to happy opportunity. I know that there’s a lot of emphasis on learning how to say “No” for people who let others take advantage of their giving natures. Yet, I see people saying “no” to opportunities that can enrich their lives. The “yes” I’m encouraging is not a reflexive yes, it’s a mindful “yes” to something that has the potential to be helpful or fulfilling for you. Sometimes it’s just the thing you need. Say “yes” to the spa day opportunity with your sister, say “yes” to the introduction to a potential new client, say “yes” to the job move that will lead you into a new adventure, say “yes” to the inspirational speaker that grabs your attention. When considering an opportunity that comes your way, take a breath and ask yourself if it feels like a positive opportunity or a busy-making opportunity. Only say “yes” to the opportunities that will help you grow, relax or feel joy.
3. Ask yourself what you need. Many people get out of touch with their real needs because they are busy checking off their to-do list or reacting to the demands of others. Take a minute during your day to close your eyes and ask: “what do I most need right now?” Then take note of any thought that comes to mind. You may hear: “time to yourself,” “a bath,” “a night out,” “15 minutes to read a magazine in peace,” “meditation,” “a walk,” “time in nature.” Trust what you hear (if it’s positive) and honor receiving the message by acting on it. For instance, my latest dream boards keep showing me that I need to “sit.” So I take five minutes each day to just sit in my backyard, in my living room. No meditation just quiet contemplation time. This practice has made me feel much more grounded and peaceful.

Receiving is really an inside job. When you learn to receive from yourself and others with mindfulness, then you’ll be ready to receive abundance and riches from the universe.