Someone make the ladder excercise make sense 😅

Ok please explain it to me like I'm 5, because it's really tripping me up. I pride myself on taking concepts and ideas and breaking them down and explaining them to where they "click" for other people, so its driving me crazy that the ladder excercise simply doesn't make sense to me. It could be that I've heard two separate people explain it with two completely different take aways. I need to listen to the original neville goddard story myself, but I have been a little burnt out on consuming more info and focusing on creating instead of consuming.... however, I need this solved so my brain will stop arguing with itself on the topic. Ok so this is the two opposing take aways I've heard explained:

1st: that by affirming during the day that you won't climb the ladder, and then in fact climbing a ladder you are proving that it doesn't matter what you're affirming but that it's what you're giving your energy to.... (my issue with this lesson is that I assume I am manifesting exactly what I affirm)

2nd: is that it proves how much more powerful SATS visualization is. Basically it's doesn't matter what your thoughts are during the day, because you'll manifest what you visualized in SATS. (My issue here is that it contradicts other teachings of his about how important your thoughts are, and what you give your energy to)

I feel like the actual lesson is a mystery 3rd option.... help