59 Seconds: Change Your Life in Under a Minute
Richard Wiseman
A gentle guide to building self-worth, trusting your instincts and facing fear. Sarah Prout offers seven practices, from affirmations and journaling to careful wording and visualization, for creating a happier life from the inside out.

1 min 04 sec
If you feel stuck, short on confidence or worn down by comparison, Sarah Prout’s starting point may sound almost too simple: the energy you send out decides what comes back to you. In Be the Love, the author and host of the MANIFEST podcast builds on the law of attraction, the belief that the universe returns what you give it. So the love you hope to receive has to start with you.
Prout sets out seven ways to do that, and they move from the inside out. First you believe you deserve change and learn to trust your own instincts. Then you face fear, feel your pain fully and release it. Finally you choose your words with care and reconnect with the love she sees in everything.
Her own story runs through each step, from welfare and pasta with ketchup to a hospital bed and a phone call from Hallmark. So do practices small enough to try tonight: a spoken affirmation, a notebook of hunches, one honest question before a scary decision.
1 min 47 sec
Leaving a painful situation can feel like the end of the struggle, yet for Prout it was only the start. What kept her going through welfare and lean dinners was something she said to herself every day.
1 min 40 sec
Most of us once had a moment when our direction felt obvious. Prout believes we all have that inner signal, and she names social media as one of many channels that compete with it for our attention.
1 min 45 sec
Prout’s first speech on stage went about as badly as a speech can go. She still counts it as a step forward, and the reason changes how a frightening decision looks.
1 min 56 sec
A trip to hospital with severe chest pains ended with a diagnosis Prout never expected and a piece of advice from her doctor that she now treats as a lifelong warning sign.
1 min 54 sec
A word most people know from children’s magic shows carries a meaning Prout takes seriously. It explains why a popular money goal may be working against the very people who repeat it.
1 min 45 sec
At 14, Prout mailed her drawings to companies and heard nothing back for weeks. What she did every night while waiting became the habit she has relied on ever since.
1 min 22 sec
Prout’s seven ways share a single logic. The kindness, trust and attention you want from the world have to begin as something you give, first to yourself and then to the people around you. Her story makes that concrete: a woman eating pasta with ketchup on welfare kept telling herself she was worthy, failed on stage and stood up again, and learned in a hospital bed to cry instead of holding everything in.
As she describes it, manifesting depends on deliberate intention expressed through affirmations, journaling and careful attention to intuition, plus a frank look at past emotions and at the poor sense of self-worth that could be keeping you stuck. She also stresses small daily acts of self-care, and the book offers 111 of them. Her examples include finishing a minimum of one new book every month, keeping a dream journal to capture your intuition’s messages, and painting in vivid colors with no talent required, simply to watch your feelings appear on canvas.
If you start anywhere, start with your words. Rewrite one goal around the result you want, and before your next frightening choice, ask what could realistically go wrong. Then let the hard days be one season among many. Abracadabra, by Prout’s reading, was never only a magician’s word: you create as you speak.
Plenty of people know they are stuck: in self-doubt, in comparison with others, in an old hurt they never dealt with. Sarah Prout's answer starts from the law of attraction, the belief that what you send into the universe decides what returns to you. If that is true, the love you hope to receive has to begin with you. Prout lays out seven ways to put that into practice. You believe you are worthy, listen to your intuition, step outside your comfort zone, accept that you are whole even on bad days, let go of control, speak with intention and reconnect with the love she sees in everything. She grounds each one in her own life: an abusive first marriage, years as a single mother on welfare, a disastrous first speech, a stress attack that sent her to hospital and a call from Hallmark when she was 14. Readers get simple tools they can start the same day: spoken affirmations, a journal of hunches, a question to ask before a scary decision, a way to rewrite goals in positive words and a short nightly visualization.
People stuck in self-doubt after a hard relationship, job loss or setback who want gentle daily practices.
Listeners drawn to manifestation and the law of attraction who want a warm, personal guide.
Anyone worn down by social media comparison and looking to trust their own instincts again.
Sarah Prout was born in Wanganui, New Zealand, and moved from life as a single mother on welfare to work as an entrepreneur. She has written four books, including Dear Universe and Be the Love, and her books have sold more than 250,000 copies. She created and hosts the MANIFEST podcast, downloaded more than 10 million times. Her work covers manifestation, creativity, metaphysics and intuition, with a focus on how the words we write and speak shape our lives.
Listeners find this work deeply inspirational, with one describing how it shifted their perspective toward a positive mindset, while many others highlight its potential to transform lives. The content is practical, as one listener pointed out its effective methods for navigating life's challenges, and listeners value the lessons on embracing self-love. They consider the writing relatable and accessible, with one review mentioning it helps them stop overthinking. Listeners commend the narrative's healing quality and storytelling, with one review specifically enjoying the intimate look into the author’s own life experiences.
After hearing Sarah’s podcast for months, I finally dove into 'Be the Love' and it didn't disappoint. This isn't just another book about thinking happy thoughts; it’s a deep dive into the frequency of the universe and how our energy interacts with it. I found the section on 'Wholeness' particularly moving, especially the idea that we aren't broken, but simply moving through different seasons of life. It’s a very grounding perspective for anyone who has struggled with trauma or feels stuck in a rut. While some might find the 'manifesting' language a bit much, the practical steps Sarah offers make it feel attainable. I've started using the affirmations every morning, and the shift in my mindset is already noticeable. It’s about reclaiming your power and responding to life with kindness rather than just reacting to every little stressor.
Show moreFinally got around to reading this during a major life transition, and the timing couldn't have been better. This book is a masterclass in how to stop being a victim of your circumstances and start being the creator of your own joy. I loved the emphasis on visualization; it reminded me that our internal world is just as important as our external one. Sarah’s writing style is conversational and kind, almost like a late-night coffee chat with a wise friend who has been through the fire. I’ve recommended this to three people already because the 'Seven Ways' are so easy to implement immediately. If you want to get out of your head and back into your heart, this is the book you need on your nightstand.
Show morePicked this up on a whim at the bookstore because the cover was so inviting, and I'm so glad I did. Not gonna lie, I was in a pretty dark place with a lot of self-doubt, but reading Sarah’s words felt like a lifeline. Her story about her first speech being a 'disaster' but leading to growth really resonated with me. It taught me that failure isn't the end—it's just a bridge to something better. The focus on becoming the love you want to receive is such a simple but profound concept. I’ve been practicing the visualization techniques before bed, and I feel so much more grounded and ready to face the day. This book is pure healing energy in print form.
Show moreThis book feels like a warm hug mixed with a much-needed reality check on how we speak to ourselves. Sarah Prout’s story about leaving an abusive relationship and building a life from scratch is incredibly inspiring and adds a layer of authenticity that many manifestation books lack. I was particularly struck by the discussion on intention and how words like 'debt' can negatively impact our subconscious. Switching to focus on 'abundance' instead of what I lack has been a total game-changer for my mental health. The writing is accessible and flows quickly, making it easy to finish in a weekend. My only gripe is that it can feel a little repetitive toward the end, but the message of self-worth is one I think everyone needs to hear.
Show moreSarah Prout shares some incredibly raw moments from her past that make the advice feel earned rather than just preached. I didn't expect to read about her struggles as a single mom on welfare, and that vulnerability really helped me connect with her message about intuition. In my experience, most spiritual books gloss over the hard parts, but Sarah leans into the 'wholeness' of life, including the pain and the 'winter' seasons. The focus on 'abracadabra' and the power of language was a fascinating linguistic detour that I’ve already started sharing with my friends. It’s a solid 4-star read for anyone needing a boost in self-esteem. Just be prepared for some heavy emotional content, as she doesn't hold back on the grisly details of her own life experiences.
Show moreThe chapter on intention and the word 'abracadabra' actually changed how I view my daily vocabulary. I never realized how much power I was giving to negative words until I read Sarah's breakdown of the Law of Attraction. To be fair, I did find the parts about social media and 'information bubbles' a bit standard—we've all heard that advice before—but the way she ties it back to our intuition made it feel fresh. The book is physically beautiful and the content is very uplifting. I particularly appreciated the specific advice on how to surrender control, especially as someone who tends to micromanage every aspect of my career. It's a gentle reminder that the universe has a rhythm we need to trust.
Show moreIs it possible to manifest a better life just by shifting your internal frequency? Sarah Prout certainly makes a compelling case for it in this beautiful hybrid of memoir and self-help. Frankly, I was skeptical at first, but the chapter on intuition really won me over. It’s so easy to get distracted by social media feeds, and her advice to spend more time in nature to reconnect with ourselves is something I desperately needed to hear. The book does contain a few intense descriptions of trauma and medical issues, so be aware of that if you’re sensitive. Overall, it’s an empowering read that pushes you to take responsibility for your own happiness. It’s not about magic tricks; it’s about choosing love every single day.
Show moreCan we talk about the journal prompts at the end of each chapter? For me, those were the absolute highlight of this entire reading experience. Truthfully, I found the personal anecdotes a bit hit-or-miss—some were very relatable, while others felt a little too specific to the author's unique lifestyle to be helpful. The book sits in a weird space between a memoir and a self-help guide, which might frustrate readers who want a more structured approach. However, I did appreciate the 'Seven Ways' framework. It provides a decent roadmap for anyone looking to unlock their heart, even if some of the 'woowoo' elements made me cringe slightly. If you’re already a fan of the Law of Attraction, you’ll love this, but skeptics might find it a bit hard to swallow.
Show moreIn my experience, 'Be the Love' is a decent introduction to spiritual manifestation, though it lacks the depth of some older classics in the genre. Sarah is clearly a very compassionate person, and her personal anecdotes are the strongest part of the book. I liked the analogy of life having seasons and how we shouldn't judge ourselves for feeling 'down' during the winter months. However, the 'Seven Ways' felt a bit like common sense at times. I wish there had been more unique exercises besides just journaling and affirmations. It’s a pleasant, quick read that offers some nice positivity, but it might not be the life-altering revelation the marketing suggests. It’s a good 'bridge' book if you’re just starting your spiritual journey.
Show moreLook, I really wanted to vibe with the manifestation stuff here, but it felt a bit too esoteric for my taste. While I respect the author’s journey and her vulnerability in sharing past traumas, the advice often felt vague. Repeating 'I am worthy' is great, but it doesn't always address the systemic issues people face. The section where she describes a medical emergency as a sign to 'let go' was actually quite disturbing to me and felt a bit reckless. I think if you are already into the Manifest podcast, you will find value here, but it didn't offer the practical, grounded steps I was looking for. It felt more like a collection of blog posts than a cohesive guide to changing your life.
Show moreProut builds on the law of attraction, the belief that what you send into the universe decides what comes back. Her conclusion is that you have to be the love you want to receive. She offers seven ways to do it: believe you are worthy, trust your intuition, leave your comfort zone, accept you are whole, let go of control, speak with intention and reconnect with love.
She describes an affirmation as a short phrase you repeat regularly until it changes your mindset. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and say a line such as I am worthy several times, as if you mean it. She admits it can feel silly at first. She also advises wording intentions positively, so I am now debt-free becomes I am now living in abundance.
Prout argues that growth happens outside the comfort zone and that the saying no pain, no gain holds some truth. Before a scary decision, she suggests asking what the worst realistic outcome would be, since we tend to imagine disasters. Her own first speech was a disaster, yet she treats mistakes as steps toward improvement and believes persistence is rewarded.
It suits readers who feel stuck in self-doubt or old pain and want simple, gentle practices rather than a strict program. It will appeal most to people open to manifestation and the law of attraction. Prout draws on her own life, including an abusive first marriage and years as a single mother on welfare, to show the practices in use.
Start small. Repeat an affirmation regularly, write your hunches in a journal, and limit daily social media in favor of time in nature. Before a scary choice, ask what the worst realistic outcome would be. Say I appreciate you to someone close without saving it for rare occasions, and try visualizing a goal before bed, as Prout did with her drawings.
Richard Wiseman
Pico Iyer
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
William B. Irvine
Andrew D. Thompson
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