The Law of Attraction suggests that your current thoughts will help to shape your future life. For example, if you stay focused on positive goals, you can help to bring them to fruition. But if you allow yourself to be overwhelmed by worries and dire predictions, negative outcomes are more likely to occur.

The Law of Attraction has been stated in many ways, including these:

I like the version used by Michael J. Losier in his book, Law of Attraction; “I attract to my life whatever I give my attention, energy and focus to, whether positive or negative.”

In her best-selling book (and film), The Secret, Rhonda Byrne equates the Law of Attraction with an immutable law of creation. She says that “when you become aware of this great law then you become aware of how incredibly powerful you are, to be able to THINK your life into existence.”

Byrnes’ controversial book has certainly raised awareness of the Law of Attraction.  At the same time, however, the book has several flaws that may make the Law sound ridiculous. 

First, Byrnes quotes “experts” who suggest that the Law once was known by only a privileged few who wanted to keep the knowledge away from the masses.  While science has stimulated new interest in how it might work, the Law in some form has long been embraced by many religious and philosophical traditions. 

Second, Byrnes’ book overstates the power of the Law, suggesting that everything you want is there for the taking.  Certainly visualizing what you want is a critical step, but it is also necessary to commit yourself to action and to be flexible when you are faced with the unexpected.

It is another area of overstatement that may have aroused the book’s loudest detractors.  Byrnes focuses on the increasingly mainstream view that the mind and body are deeply linked, and that your attitudes can impact your health.  Critics have said that the book goes too far, however, and might encourage victims of serious illness to forego treatment.  Similarly, detractors have said that the book could frighten readers into believing that a few negative thoughts might develop into terminal illness. 

I believe that the Law of Attraction is a useful principle, and a reasonable application might make a big difference in your work and broader life.  If you are looking for a useful guide to making the Law your own, I suggest Losier’s book.  In Law of Attraction, he offers this advice: