On Success and the "Law of Attraction"

(Warning: A rant coming ~ albeit mild.) In business and real estate circles the so called "law of attraction" gets talked about a lot. In a nutshell, it's the idea that if we think it, it will happen.

So, if you're not enjoying much success (let's define "success" here as making boatloads of money), the law of attraction says it's because you've been thinking contrary thoughts. (Yeah, it's all your fault you're not Warren Buffett.) And if you just change your thinking, everything will be all better. (This is the time in the presentation where the guru hawks his book to you.)

Now don't get me wrong. It's not that I think that there isn't any truth to the notion of our responsibility when it comes to our own success or lack thereof. Of course, we are responsible. And what's going on in our heads / minds (positive or negative) does contribute or detract. No question. It can be explained as simply as the difference between a frown and a smile. (Which person would attract you?)

But if we really had the power to think things into existence, what would keep the bad guy from thinking everybody out of existence?

And ~ maybe it's just me ~ but you see, I've been thinking, thinking and thinking some more (while biting down hard on my lip and furrowing my brow) for that big, bright and fiery, yellow ball up in the sky (see picture) to not come up one morning.

And you know what? It worked. I'm not kidding. It happened last winter. (Yes, it did.) It was cold. It was rainy. It was spitting snow. (Spit, spit, spit.) It was a cloudy, overcast and devoid of sunshine, dismal day. (Isn't that close enough?)

No, success doesn't come via some PollyAnnish, choo choo train, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." (But it's important to think right. I've already said that. And I like "The Little Train That Could." Please, no hate emails.).

Instead, success comes through the age long and accepted actions that most often can (and many times do) lead to success: Hard work, not giving up when the going gets tough, selflessness (versus selfishness), being responsible (versus expecting a hand out), honesty, integrity, etc. ~ you know the drill(?).

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Positively Negative Thinking Patterns (to break)
• Who's Responsible for Your Success?