People who follow the Law of Attraction believe that positive and negative thoughts directly affect our reality and that ‘if you think it, it will come’. Numerous influential mentors have suggested that we belong to an infinite consciousness, and we can influence matter and fulfill our desires by visualizing and believing our thoughts. Authors like Deepak Chopra and Rhonda Byrne have outlined steps to manifesting desires in books such as The Law of Attraction and The Secret. It has become a global phenomenon: to get what you want, you must ask, believe and receive.
How Does the Law of Attraction Work?
The Law of Attraction states there is a path to be taken that will ensure a clear intention becomes your outcome. The Law of Attraction needs a realistic visualization of your goal. Therefore, begin by being grateful and open to the opportunities and good fortune you already possess. You need to believe you have attained that goal and surrender to the higher power of infinite consciousness to detach from any fear or doubt. Focusing on positive affirmations and waiting patiently for your dreams to materialize is not the answer, though. The Law of Attraction requires you to be open to opportunities and actively working towards your goals.
What Is the Psychology Behind the Law of Attraction?
The Law of Attraction is fundamentally tied into this idea of an infinite consciousness: our thoughts leave our minds and magnetize the results we are searching for. There are quasi-scientific terms in use like ‘quantum entanglement’ and ’electromagnetism’ in books and seminars; however, there is some proven science behind the claims that positive thinking brings positive outcomes. It is a fact that positive-minded people tend to have more success within their careers, relationships and health. Positive people tend to surround themselves with other positive people, creating a supportive and like-minded support network. That makes them more likely to take on challenges and deal with problems positively, with a can-do mindset, rather than being plagued with self-doubt. The positive mindset that aligns thoughts, feelings and actions with goals rewires the reticular activating system (RAS) of the brain to focus on goal achievement. The idea that positive thoughts manifest goals through the actions of the universe or infinite consciousness might not be true. However, ‘magnetism’ does happen in the brain. To offer a more scientific, reasoned description of the power of positive thinking, the idea that positive people tend to have better outcomes will help you to be more open to the process. In this way, you can consider the Law of Attraction as a social scientific phenomenon rather than a universal law.
Clarity
The first stage of your process requires clarity regarding what it is that you want to achieve. If you have a specific job role in mind, that is what you should focus on. If you are looking to change careers, then make a list of what you want from your ideal job. Consider the commute, the number of hours, colleagues and the industry. Use a journal to write it all down, focusing on using positive language. Replace: “I don’t want to travel more than 30 minutes to get to work” with: “I will only travel 20 minutes to get to work” Some people find that displaying their goals and intentions makes it easier for them to focus. A whiteboard might be a great addition to your visualization process. When considering your goals, understand how you will feel when you have achieved the goal to make the visualization more realistic. Immerse yourself in those feelings.
Removing Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs
Positively phrasing your intentions banishes negative thoughts and feelings; however, self-doubt is a normal response to challenging yourself. To manifest your goals, you must believe in yourself. Write down your limiting beliefs and self-doubt. If you believe you are not deserving of that perfect role, question why you feel like that. Is there a specific event that made you doubt yourself? Is it because you compare yourself to others? Rephrase each doubt and limiting belief and turn them into something positive. For example: “I am not capable of running my own business” can become: ”I can learn the skills I need to make my business a success”
Do Not Fear Failure
Throughout this process, you might be worried about the potential for failure, and these fears are normal. However, if you worry about what will happen if you fail, you are introducing negativity into what should be a positive experience. To simplify, think about the worst thing that could happen if you fail. Chances are, it will not be anything life-changing. Accepting the process means surrendering yourself to it. That will help you detach yourself from the fear of it going wrong and simplify your plan to overcome any setbacks that you might experience. Appreciate the process and remember to be open-minded and accepting.
Take Action
The Law of Attraction might be about opening yourself up to possibilities through the power of positive thinking; however, it is not limited to thought. To make things happen, you need to take positive action yourself. Start by making a list of all the things you need to accomplish and the steps you need to take. The easiest way to do this is to think about a timeline of actions, with clear steps to take, which can then be broken down into more manageable tasks. Small actions soon add up, and as long as you remain positive and strive every day towards your goal, it is easier to manifest. The universe isn’t just going to come to you.
Stay Positive
When your manifestation does not work immediately, it is understandable that those limiting beliefs and self-doubt can return. To battle this, remember your goals. Look back at your visualizations, remind yourself of your affirmations and see how you have turned those self-limiting beliefs into positives at the beginning of your journey.
Take Responsibility
According to the Law of Attraction, positive thoughts and negative thoughts that result in positive or negative events are the results of your actions. You need to relinquish the mindset of being a victim of circumstance and disconnect from negativity to benefit from the universe. Take responsibility for positive thinking, but remember to look after yourself. Know yourself and your limits to take time for self-care and gratitude for what you have achieved.
Pay Attention
While you are following the Law of Attraction, you will be manifesting daily, although it might not always feel like that. Paying attention to signs around you will maintain your positive mindset and direct you towards achieving your goals. Maybe you continue seeing an advert for a particular job, or a brand is consistently manifesting in your consciousness (or your newsfeed). Then you could receive an email from a recruiter or be invited to a new networking event. Recognizing these signs and taking the opportunities presented means paying attention to the world around you and being open-minded to the fact that these signs are not coincidences.
Final Thoughts
Whether you believe in an infinite consciousness, or you believe that positive thinking tends to bring positive results, a process that focuses on the power of positivity has many benefits. Rephrasing your negative and self-limiting beliefs to focus on positive action will make you more open to opportunity, whether that is a dream job, a pay rise or just a positive world view.
