The law of attraction posits that if one thinks positively about a goal and envisions it clearly, it will come true.
There are several ways this idea got popularised, with its roots in deist belief in the book The Secret, but when it comes down to it, is there any truth to it?
Let’s find out.
From a Different Point of View, Yes.
As in many religious texts, as well as examples in life, the simple answer to the question in its most simple point of view is no.
No, just thinking and concentrating on your objective won’t force “the universe” or God, for that matter, to align reality, so you achieve your dreams.
However, positive thinking, in a broader sense, might just really help you in the long run.
Here’s how:
We’re all probably aware of the placebo effect - the tendency for people to act as if they are under the influence of something, even when they aren’t, just because they think they are.
The most common example of this is in medical trials, where people are given sugar pills
instead of the drug being tested and them displaying effects as if the medicine really worked.
This isn’t the only use of the term place, however, and this effect really does work in a lot more ways than just medicine.
Multiple scientific studies have proven that “fooling” ourselves into being more confident, hopeful, and upbeat can really actually give us a boost to those qualities.
Anything from thinking the girl you’re into already likes you to having hope there are better days coming ahead is a real, tangible effect where nothing has changed except for a person’s beliefs.
Another study confirmed that people who believe they can change their character actually do display positive changes throughout their lives, while those who think everything is predetermined from birth on average do not.
Keep It Real
Regardless of that, sometimes things won’t work out.
No matter how much you wish for it, envision it and even train your body, for example, it’s impossible to jump off a building and fly by yourself, so to speak.
This shouldn’t be taken as a disheartening fact, though; instead, knowing our limitations and realizing the right attitude is only a tool to help us get to the finish line we have to cross ourselves is the best bet people have for fulfilling their dreams.
As much as positive thinking can help us, becoming naive and thinking we can do anything without any sacrifices whatsoever turns around and becomes what we would call in the field of psychology a “maladaptive schema.”
Being optimistic is a great thing, but as with all things, if left unchecked, it can become toxic and unhealthy.
No one can succeed on hope alone, for even in most major religions, nothing comes from only ever praying.
If you are so inclined, almost every Abrahamic religion, for example, requires you to do everything in your earthly power before you pray for the big man upstairs to “tip the balance in your favor.”
The Verdict
The law of attraction is one of the most popular concepts in recent history and for good reason.
It’s simple, it makes sense, and it has the potential to change your life for the better.
But does it work? Well... From a different point of view, yes.
However, it isn't as easy as wishing and visualizing and then not doing anything about the goal...
Just DO more!