Law of Attraction - Is It Magic?

Here’s a recurring question that I get about once a week in some form or fashion:

“Dan, what are your thoughts on the “Law of Attraction”, the thought that many self-improvement writers seem to forward. Being a Christian it makes me uneasy, as if it’s some sort of magic.”

Wow – it’s interesting that this concept is itself has such a power of “attraction.”  It seems to get everyone’s  attention – either out of hope, belief or skepticism.

So what do you think:  Is this just a modern-hip version of Proverbs 23:7  “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”?  As Christians how does our “thinking” play out in predicting what we will experience in business, health, spiritual vitality, and family & personal relationships?  Isn’t this the same principle talked about repeatedly in the Bible as the concept that shapes our ultimate position?

I think we can agree that we do move toward what we focus on.   So if you want to get an advanced degree, you imagine the new opportunities that will be yours and you create a plan of action.  If you want a better job, you refine your resume, and do a professional job search, contacting 30-40 prospective companies.  The Law of Attraction – and your concrete action will produce new job offers.  If you want to own your own business, you look inward to confirm your best area of focus, get the advice and counsel of people who are already successful in their businesses, create a timeline and specific action steps and you’re open for business.

On the other hand, if you fear losing your job, your actions may lead you to that conclusion.  If you believe the economy is “bad,” your reality will confirm that belief.  If you think about Krispy Kreme all day, chances are you’ll swing by there on the way home and continue gaining unnecessary weight.  We move toward what we think about.  The Law of Attraction will work for us – or against us.

The Law of Attraction isn’t magic at all.  Let’s look at some possibilities as it relates to getting that Mercedes you’ve been dreaming of:

If you just sit in your house watching TV and hope for a Mercedes to appear in the driveway – you do have to believe in magic for that to happen.   If you hope to win the lottery or win the Reader’s Digest sweepstakes or think the government’s going to give you one, you have to believe in magic.

If you go down to the local dealership and sign up for a lease on a new Mercedes at $900 a month and you make $1500 a month – that’s not the Law of Attraction OR God’s providence.   No – that’s just being stupid and allowing yourself to be taken advantage of.

But if you create a plan of action where you’re going to mow 10 lawns every Saturday at $60 each and you save that money for 12 months – and you get familiar with prices on eBay – and then you take that $28,000 that you earned and saved and buy a really cool 500SL – yes, that’s still the Law of Attraction at work – but in a positive way.

As I say in my upcoming book –Wisdom meets Passion:  “Success is never an accident.  It typically starts as imagination, becomes a dream, stimulates a goal, grows into a plan of action – which then inevitably meets with opportunity.  Don’t get stuck along the way.”  And there you have it – The Law of Attraction.

Dan Miller, President of 48 Days LLC, specializes in creative thinking for increased personal and business success. He believes that meaningful work blends our natural skills and abilities, our unique personality traits and our dreams and passions. Dan is active in helping individuals redirect careers, evaluate new income sources, and achieve balanced living. He believes that a clear sense of direction can help us become all that God designed us to be.

Dan is the author of the widely acclaimed 48 Days to The Work You Love and No More Mondays. He writes regularly for many popular magazines and web portals, including CBN.com, Crosswalk.com, In Touch, AARP and Success magazines and the Zig Ziglar newsletter. He has been a guest on CBS’ ‘The Early Show,’ MSNBC’s ‘Hardball with Chris Mathews,’ 700 Club’s Living the Life and Fox Business News with Dave Ramsey Show, to hit some highlights. He hosts a weekly podcast that is consistently ranked #1 under Careers on iTunes. Dan is also a frequent speaker and guest on popular radio programs like Moody Broadcasting, Crown Financial, Janet Parshall’s America, American Family Radio, and Prime Time Chicago.

Committed to personal priorities, Dan and wife Joanne have been happily married for over 42 years. They have three grown children, all entrepreneurs, and they enjoy spending time with their eleven grandchildren. Visit his website at: http://www.48days.com/wisdommeetspassion. 

Publication date: August 6, 2012