We hear a lot about the law of attraction, also known as The Secret. But what is it exactly? It’s basically a belief that you can attract what you want into your life with your thoughts and intentions. Some people use vision boards, affirmations, or meditation. Some simply ask the universe and expect it to answer. There is more to it than that.

The Law of Attraction is often misunderstood. People think they can wish on a star and win a million dollars. It doesn’t work that way.

It’s not as mystical as it seems. It requires participation.

The premise is actually very simple. If you want to attract something into your life you have to make yourself open to it and prepare for it. You can’t ask the universe to make you a Cy Young winner without practicing throwing a baseball. You can’t ask the universe to let you win a gold medal at the Olympics without training every day in your chosen sport. You can’t ask the universe to send you the man of your dreams and then never leave your house.

How It Works

If you want to attract a group of good friends, you need to learn to be a good friend. Be the kind of person people want to be friends with. Show up as the best friend possible so you can attract those kinds of quality people into your life.

If you want to attract love, you need to be loving. Learn to love yourself first and the love will spill over into your relationships.

If you want to attract passion, you need to be passionate.

If you want to attract riches, you need to give value.

I’m reminded of a story told by Darren Hardy, Publisher of Success Magazine. When he was looking for the woman of his dreams, he wrote out a list of all the qualities he wanted in a mate. He was very specific, from her personality traits to the color and texture of her hair. When he had his list, he then set out to make himself into the kind of man this woman would be attracted to. When he met the woman who would become his wife, he was ready for her.

That’s how the Law of Attraction works.

How It Doesn’t Work

If you don’t have a clear vision of what you want, you will send mixed signals into the universe. It won’t know how to fill your order. You need to clarify your goals.

If you don’t participate or take any action, you will not get results. You can’t sit on your couch every night eating ice-cream and watching reruns of Friends and expect to meet your soulmate. You can’t sit back and wait for good things to happen to you. You have to make them happen.

Thoughts Are Energy

We create our reality. If you think negative thoughts all the time, you will find negativity. If you think positive thoughts, you will get positive results. Like attracts like. But you also have to take action. That is the law of attraction.

How will you attract the life you deserve?