Law of Attraction

What it is

The Law of Attraction is a belief framework rooted in 19th-century New Thought philosophy holding that "like attracts like" — meaning that consistently focusing your thoughts and feelings on a desired outcome tends to bring that outcome closer. Popularised globally by Rhonda Byrne's 2006 book and film "The Secret," it was later amplified by teachers like Esther Hicks (Abraham Hicks) and absorbed into mainstream wellness culture through social media. The practice combines visualization, gratitude, affirmations, and intentional action, with the core claim that your internal mental and emotional state shapes your external circumstances. It has no scientific consensus behind its metaphysical claims, though researchers note that goal clarity, positive expectation, and consistent action do have documented psychological benefits.

How to do it

1. Get specific about what you want — write it out in present tense as though it already exists (e.g. 'I have a fulfilling job that pays $X').
2. Visualize the outcome daily for 5–10 minutes: close your eyes, picture it in concrete sensory detail, and try to feel the emotions you would feel if it were already true.
3. Practice gratitude — list 3–5 things you are grateful for each day to reinforce an 'abundance' rather than 'lack' mindset.
4. Use affirmations — repeat your stated desire aloud in present tense to keep it front of mind.
5. Take aligned action — identify one concrete step you can take today toward the goal and do it; the framework treats action as how the universe delivers results.
6. Let go of desperation — release rigid attachment to exactly how or when the outcome arrives, and stay open to unexpected paths.

What people use it for

• love/relationships (attracting a specific person or partner)
• money and financial abundance
• career advancement
• health and body goals
• general life improvement and happiness
• confidence and self-worth

Where it comes from

Rooted in 19th-century American New Thought philosophy (Wallace Wattles, Phineas Quimby, Charles Haanel). The term "Law of Attraction" was used explicitly by New Thought writer William Walker Atkinson in 1906. Brought to global mainstream by Rhonda Byrne's book and film "The Secret" (2006), then further popularised by Esther and Jerry Hicks (Abraham Hicks) whose workshop recordings have circulated since the early 2000s.