Does the law of attraction really work?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
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**Bababam** (1:04)
Does the law of attraction really work?
Thanks for asking. Over on TikTok, the I don't chase, I attract hashtag is nearing in on 20,000 publications at the time of recording. It really took off in late 2023, especially after Kendall Jenner said the following in an interview with Enews.

**SPEAKER_1** (1:27)
I don't chase, I attract. What's meant for me will simply find me.

**Bababam** (1:31)
Behind the simple statement are young women advocating that with enough belief, you can manifest whatever you want in life. You might have also heard of lucky girl syndrome and manifesting. Ideas which went viral on TikTok in the past and are based on similar principles. And these trendy ideas are essentially a modern spin on an age old principle, the law of attraction, which gained popularity in the early 2000s within the realm of personal development. How exactly did the law of attraction come about then? It traces back to the new thought movement of the 19th century, spearheaded by the teachings of Phineas Quimby, an American philosopher who famously claimed to have cured himself of a seemingly incurable illness through the power of the mind. Then from 1886 to 1892, American writer Prentice Malford expanded on these ideas in a series of essays entitled Your Forces and How to Use Them, suggesting that Quimby's theories could be applied to various aspects of life beyond just health. Fast forward to the early 2000s, an Australian television producer Rhonda Byrne propelled the law of attraction into the mainstream with her book and documentary both entitled The Secret. Byrne advocated that by adopting a positive mindset, one could attract positive outcomes. However, it wasn't just about positive thinking. Byrne preached that by asking for something, visualizing it and truly believing in it, one could make their desires a reality, almost magically.
Is there any scientific basis to these ideas? In truth, there's no concrete evidence that the law of attraction exists, and it's often dismissed as pseudoscience. But there is a psychological concept known as the self-fulfilling prophecy that bears some resemblance. Essentially, if you believe you're going to fail at something, you're more likely to underperform due to increased stress and lack of focus, thereby fulfilling your negative expectation. Conversely, believing in your abilities can boost confidence, focus and ultimately lead to success. So while these methods may not hold any magical powers, they can help clarify goals and set the stage for achieving them. Instead of relying on luck, it's about setting realistic goals and cultivating optimism, positivity and self-confidence. By staying grounded, patient and optimistic, you can certainly increase your odds of success. There you have it.
Now you know whether the law of attraction really works. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.
Ba ba ba.