Alter
Altered Mental State
Magic begins in the mindset.
To perform magic you must first "get out of your own way", as the conscious mind is quite unqualified to be meddling in the unconscious arts.
Meditate; dance yourself crazy; make love to the universe; plunge yourself into your greatest fears. Do whatever it takes to get in the zone.
(Skip the drugs, they're really not the shortcut you think they are.)
Believe
Belief is Key
Know thyself.
Our hearts and minds are full of barriers; learn the maze of your own beliefs, and work within them. Over time you will change the maze, or the maze will be changed for you. This is growth. You don't need to break the maze, you are the maze; change it slowly, one wall at a time.
Communicate
Communicate your Intention
Like it or not, we are many; and we do not all communicate in the same ways.
The craft requires clear intent and deep communication; both internally within the selves, and externally between the selves and reality.
Whatever your intentions might be, you are going to need your subconscious on board; so learn the tools or build your own.
You get out what you put in.