What you focus on, you attract
Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your career? Do you have big aspirations but struggle to make progress towards achieving them? If so, you may benefit from tapping into the power of the law of attraction.
The law of attraction is a principle that suggests we can attract positive experiences and outcomes into our lives by focusing our thoughts and intentions on them. When applied to career development, the law of attraction can help you to clarify your goals, cultivate a positive mindset, and take consistent action towards achieving success.
In this article, we'll explore the power of the law of attraction in career development and provide practical tips on how to use this principle to accelerate your career growth and achieve your goals.
What is the law of attraction?
The law of attraction is a philosophy and is one of 12 universal laws. It argues that positive thoughts and actions prompt positive outcomes - and the same school of thought applies to negative ones. It's based on the idea that we can manifest our desires and goals by focusing our thoughts and energies on them.
While you may not have heard of the law of attraction, it often appears in our day-to-day lives.
For example, the phrase “fake it 'til you make it” is an aphorism that suggests that, if you act as if you're already successful and confident, even though you aren't, this positive behaviour will eventually lead to real success or confidence.
The idea behind this phrase is that by adopting the behaviours and attitudes of successful or confident people, we can change our mindset and ultimately achieve our goals. This is the same as the law of attraction.
However, you shouldn't ignore or suppress negative emotions or experiences to maintain a positive attitude. This is toxic positivity.
Instead, acknowledge and accept negative emotions and experiences, while focusing on the positive aspects of life and seeking solutions to problems. We have to accept that life comes in ebbs and flows and the law of attraction embodies this.
The science behind the law of attraction
The science behind the law of attraction was explored in The Secret, a 2006 spirituality documentary turned self-help book by Rhonda Byrn.
To summarise, some believe that the law of attraction is a universal law, akin to gravity, and there is real science that supports it. But critics argue that this universal law lacks empirical scientific evidence and can be harmful if it encourages people to believe they are solely responsible for negative experiences.
As such, the law of attraction is best described as pseudoscience.
That said, the law of attraction can still be used as a tool for personal growth and empowerment, particularly in your career. It can be used in conjunction with other personal development techniques too, such as mindfulness.
How does the law of attraction work?
How the law of attraction works differs depending on who you talk to. At its core, the law suggests that like attracts like, and if a person embraces a positive mindset, then that energy can channel through to action and success.
The law also suggests that a person requires a growth mindset to truly succeed. That means being someone who chooses to say “I can do better” rather than “I'm not good at this,” or “I can learn from my mistakes” rather than “I give up because it's beyond me.”
The law of attraction also manifests in group settings, due to emotional contagion. Imagine you're sitting in an office and everyone is in high spirits, but someone arrives in a foul mood. It's likely their negativity will slowly seep through the office environment, creating a sour vibe. If that person had embraced an open mindset and focused on positive energy, the result could have been different.
Ultimately, the foundations of the law of attraction make sense: if your outlook on life is positive, you stand the best chance of thriving.
What are the seven laws of attraction?
The law of attraction can be broken down into seven sub-laws. While not exactly natural laws, you could view each sub-law as a tactic or tool within your law of attraction toolkit to help you develop your career. See if anything speaks to you from the following:
1. The law of manifestation
The sub-law of manifestation involves bringing our desires and intentions to physical reality.
The idea behind manifestation is that we can use our thoughts and emotions to create vibrations in the energy around us that attracts people, situations, and circumstances to help us to achieve our goals.
To manifest something involves setting clear goals, visualising what we want, and taking actions that align with our desires, so that our aspirations become reality. If you focus on something you deeply desire, you will stay focused and take action, and it will manifest.
2. The law of magnetism
The sub-law of magnetism is hinged on the concept of like attracting like. This law suggests that our thoughts and emotions emit a vibrational frequency that can attract similar energy or experiences into our lives.
This means that if we're focused on positive thoughts and emotions, we'll attract more positivity into our lives, and if we are focused on negative thoughts and emotions, we'll attract more negativity.
The law of magnetism also considers the company we keep, in that we often attract people that reflect our own energy and beliefs. If we surround ourselves with positive and supportive people, we are more likely to attract positivity into our lives.
3. The law of unwavering desire
The sub-law of unwavering desire is about maintaining a strong and persistent focus on goals and desires, even in the face of obstacles and challenges.
It means staying committed to our aspirations, remaining upbeat and optimistic, and taking consistent and deliberate action towards achieving our objectives.
Clarifying goals and desires, being specific and detailed about what you want to achieve, harnessing targets with a strong sense of passion and excitement, and making consistent, deliberate actions, even in the face of adversity, is how to cultivate unwavering desire.
4. The law of delicate balance
The sub-law of delicate balance appreciates that when there are highs there are lows, when there is fullness there is emptiness, and where there is push there is pull.
There is a balance of energy in the universe and we can't always have it all. But the law of delicate balance suggests that we need to celebrate our wins, acknowledge our losses, appreciate the now, and focus on the future. It's all meant to be.
5. The law of harmony
The sub-law of harmony is about how all energy in the universe is connected to one another. Our inner energy is connected with the people and environments around us. Energy flows through everything like liquid golden threads that we can draw from and return.
If we are in harmony with the energy around us, which is likely to involve sharing spaces with like-minded people and in wholesome environments, then we can create a more fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us.
6. The law of right action
The sub-law of right action can be summarised as taking concrete and meaningful steps towards your goals.
It's arguably the most important sub-law, as it grounds itself in reality. It suggests that we could have all the positivity in the world, but if we don't take actionable steps towards our aspirations, they won't realise.
In order to take the right action, it's important to cultivate self-awareness, clarity, and focus around our goals and desires. This may involve setting clear and specific goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, and creating a plan of action to achieve them.
7. The law of universal influence
You'll be familiar with the sub-law of universal influence. It's akin to karma, in which someone will receive good or bad luck as a result of their actions. Universal influence suggests that our actions have an effect on ourselves and ripple out to the world around us.
This sub-law underscores the importance of taking responsibility for our thoughts, emotions, and actions and recognising the impact that they can have. In short, the more you put in, the more you'll get out.
How to use the law of attraction to reach your career goals
Whether you're spiritual or not, the tenets of the law of attraction create a solid toolkit for helping to reach your career goals. Here are a few ways to leverage the law of attraction to propel you through your career:
Define your career goals
If you don't know what you want to achieve, how can you channel your energy into career success? Take some time to consider your short and long-term career goals.
If you're not sure where to start, reflect on what matters most to you. Consider your passions, values, and interests, and how they could align with your career.
From there, consider what you want in your career. For example, you might write down your ideal job description, including the type of work you want to do, the skills you want to use, and the kind of environment you want to work in.
Then try to make your career goals as specific and detailed as possible, using the SMART method, to ensure that they are achievable, realistic, and timely.
Once you've defined your goals, you'll have a better idea of where you're going.
Visualise success
Visualising is a core part of the law of attraction. Set aside regular time to check in with yourself to visualise your career goals becoming a reality and what that would unlock for you. Daily practice is best. Try dedicating a small amount of time in the morning, before bed, or on your lunch break.
Also, use positive language when manifesting your success. For example, “I am successful in my career” is much more encouraging than “I can't fail,” and keeps your thoughts focused on the positives and your potential rather than your obstacles.
Cultivate a positive mindset
A positive mindset often starts with believing in yourself. Career goals might seem unrealistic when you're comparing yourself to other people, particularly those of a similar age or path.
Ignore the temptation to compare. Nobody's career path is linear and each person can achieve what they put their mind to.
Practising gratitude, reframing negative thoughts, and using positive affirmations are all ways to cultivate a positive mindset.
Having a positive mindset won't only help to keep up your own motivation and discipline, it will ripple around you to other professionals. And who knows how many career-furthering opportunities may lie in that circle.
Take action towards your goals
Your career goals are unlikely to realise if you don't take actionable steps. The path in front of you might seem overwhelming, but remember you don't have to do it all at once. A career lasts a lifetime.
Create a plan to achieve your goals. It might involve researching opportunities, developing new skills, networking, or seeking mentorship.
Also break your goals into smaller, manageable steps and take action each day towards achieving them. Don't forget to celebrate your progress along the way, to stay motivated.
And remember that setbacks are a natural part of the journey towards achieving your career goals. Instead of giving up, engage your growth mindset and use setbacks as an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt your approach.
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