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I believe that theirs a difference between the Law of Attraction and the Law of Action. Oftentimes people confuse Law Action with Attraction. What do you think?
For years, the Law of Attraction has been and is one of the most talked-about concepts in personal development. People believe or want to believe that by simply thinking positively, visualizing success, doing the right affirmations using a well-written statement, and feeling good about their desires, they can manifest their dreams into reality.
While there is some truth to this, it’s only half the equation.
That’s right, it’s just half the equation. So, what’s the missing piece of the equation?
What most people overlook is the Law of Action—the true driving force behind any success.
It’s not that people don’t understand the importance of action. It’s just that they get involved in the first part of the equation so deeply that they forget to focus on the second part of the equation. In due course, it becomes a never-ending loop. Sometimes there’s confusion – when to stop doing visualization and affirmations and start taking action.
The confusion between these two laws often leads to frustration, disappointment, and a never-ending cycle of wishful thinking without results.
In this blog, we’ll look into the two from a different perspective using an interesting example of a middle-class working professional.
Let’s dive right into it!
My favourite pastime activity is: I love to play with words and phrases and also doing some research on the root meaning of certain words. In addition to these I love to watch podcasts on some unconventional topics, question my beliefs on them and try to bring in different perspectives on the topic.
Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of podcasts on the Law of Attraction, and it’s been lingering at the top of my mind for quite some time now. As I listened to hours and hours of content from different so-called experts on the Law of Attraction, I was introduced to an array of perspectives on the subject.
As I was churning over what I had listened to on the Law of Attraction, suddenly out of nowhere a thought surfaced in my mind:
If there is a Law of Attraction, there also must be a Law of Action.
Both bring results in different ways.
Once I had this thought I decided to understand attraction from a very basic level.
The question that came to my mind was in simple layman’s terms – what is the attraction?
If I were to explain the meaning of attraction to a child it would be something like this: Attraction is when something is so interesting or fun that it makes you want to be near it, possess it —just like how you feel when you see your favourite toy or a friendly cute puppy.
The same thing if I explain on a little mature level:
Attraction is a special quality within a person or thing that naturally draws certain people or elements toward it like a magnet pulling in what resonates with its energy.
The next question is: what is action?
Action is what we consciously do to get the desired result.
So, comparing the Law of Attraction and the Law of Action we can say that:
The Law of Attraction is when you become a magnet, unconsciously attracting experiences, while the Law of Action is when you consciously take steps to create or attract a desired positive feeling.
This idea sparked a realization, which led me to a simple but powerful example—the story of a man and his daily bus ride.
The Law of Attraction vs. The Law of Action: Stop Waiting, Start Creating
Here’s an interesting story that most of you can relate.
Every morning, a man boards a crowded bus on his way to work. The bus always gets crowded and sometimes the behavior of fellow passengers irritates him.
Tired of the daily struggle in the crowded bus with frustrated people, he turns to the Law of Attraction.
He visualizes an empty bus, affirms that he will have a peaceful commute, and believes the universe will deliver.
He does it for days and ends.
But unfortunately, nothing changes. The bus remains just as crowded, sometimes even worse than before. Oftentimes the bus is running late or even gets cancelled. Frustrated, he wonders—why isn’t the Law of Attraction working?
According to my realization, the answer is very basic and obvious.
The law of Attraction isn’t working because the man is waiting for the world to adjust to him, instead of adjusting his actions to create the experience he desires.
For him to experience a peaceful commute he is waiting for other passengers to stop travelling in that bus in which he travels. Unknowingly he’s wishing that the people travelling in that bus should change their jobs and move away so that he can enjoy his manifestation.
Will it work?
The answer is – No!
There’s going to be resistance.
I believe this is where the Law of Attraction takes a back seat and this is where the Law of Action comes in.
The Illusion of Control in the Law of Attraction
Many people believe the Law of Attraction means the world will bend to their wishes if they simply think the right thoughts and do the right affirmations.
But the reality is, the world doesn’t change just because you want it to—YOU must change to experience something different.
In the above example, the man wants a peaceful, uncrowded commute. Instead of relying on thoughts, visualization and affirmations alone, he needs to align his actions with his desires.
The Law of Action: Changing Your Orbit
The key to inviting the desired experience is what I call shifting your orbit.
What it means is: changing the way you operate in the world to create the results you seek.
Here’s what the man should do to create the desired experience:
Clarify the experience he wants – He must not just focus on “less crowd,” but the emotions behind it: peace, space, ease.
Experiment with action – He must start taking an earlier bus. If still crowded, try an even earlier one. He must keep adjusting until he finds the right rhythm. Once he finds the right bus timing that gives him his desired experience, his manifestation is complete. Another thing that will happen is that he’ll start reaching his office much earlier. That’s okay. He can use this time to plan his day or even get a headstart on his day’s tasks.
Recognize that real change happens through movement – This brings to the forefront a realization that: The Law of Attraction is passive; the Law of Action is proactive. Sometimes we need to let go of the passive and embrace the proactive.
I am not saying that one doesn’t work while the other works just fine.
But there are times when we can practice the Law of Attraction and then there are situations where the Law of Attraction doesn’t move the needle and we need to change gear and focus on the Law of Action.
The Difference: Bending the World vs. Bending Yourself
Law of Attraction: “I will think positive thoughts, and my commute will improve.” (Waiting for external change)
Law of Action: “I will wake up earlier, change my schedule, and create a peaceful commute.” (Internal shift leading to external results)
Final Thoughts
The Law of Attraction is about aligning your energy with your desires, but the Law of Action is about making deliberate shifts in your actions to invite those desires into your life.
Instead of wishing and then waiting for the world to adjust, adjust your own approach—and watch your reality transform.
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