Is There Merit In The Law Of Attraction?

Recently in the media, in coffee shops, in bookstores, and in office break rooms there has been a lot of talk about the universal law of attraction. The possibility of drawing into our lives anything that we lend our concentration to hard enough. For instance, if we focus on positive goals we are able to harness the energy to attract those goals in our favor. Mainstreaming spiritual trends like The Secret and The Power Of Now have influenced many people, including high profile celebrities, into changing their habits and patterns of thought.   Focusing on "in the moment" mentality to discard the anxieties of the past and make room for  bettering ourselves.

One of these methods requires an activity that sounds rather elementary but is supposed to be most effective: a "vision board". The concept of the vision board (or goal board, goal map, treasure map) is simple. It's a visual representation of your ambitions in the form of cut out photos, words, to-do lists, quotes, drawings - anything that reminds you of your passions. By surrounding yourself with physical tokens of your future accomplishments you are, as the scientists of universal law suggest, allowing them to manifest into reality.

So lately, I've been trying it out, this vision board business - only with a little less of the art project motif and more of a feeble attempt at keeping procrastination at bay. Admittedly, I've always been a vehement protester of the New Age-y "think of a lollipop and it will appear in your hand" doctrine, it all seems a little hokey. However, no one was more surprised than myself to discover that the act of writing things down is actually a remarkable source of motivation. Can I vouch for the idea that you get what you strive for every time you close your eyes? No. And of course that's a gross exaggeration of the belief system anyway. In any case, what I've discovered is that there is merit in outlining your goals and creating an environment that makes them your main focus. 

We all have tasks we want to accomplish within a certain time frame, they range from vocational to romantic. Sometimes they rank so low on our priority chart that after a while of leaving them to collect dust they seem unattainable.

To give you an example of the kind of template I found helpful in making wishful thinking seem less wishful and more tangible, here are some categories you might want to contemplate for your life:

Professional - Where do you want to be professionally? And by when? Consider your career goals and list them out one by one along with the necessary steps in achieving them. Don't rule out "the dream" - you know, that image in your head of fetching coffee for Lorne Michaels while your comedy sketches are reviewed for next week's taping of Saturday Night Live. Be honest about what you want and confident in the skills you have to get it. With some practical baby steps set out before you you'll be pleasantly surprised to see that your dream job is within reach.

Creative - What side projects do you see yourself working on within the upcoming year? Are you an artist with canvases to paint? A photographer who needs more shoots? It's hard to find time in our busy schedules for artistic endeavors, and it's easy to feel intimidated by friends who can. Make a list of all the artsy hobbies you'd like to pursue, even adding a few new ones you've been meaning to try.  

Travel - List your fantasy destinations and the finer details of potential trips. Do you need a passport? Tentative dates? Travel buddies? Flight deals?

Financial - This can be scary to think about but possibly the most beneficial category to stare directly in the eye. Most of us would rather sweep our money woes under the rug for the time being, not dealing with them until our monthly statement arrives or, worse, the collectors are on our case.Design a money map that details your current debt status, income, and the ideal financial situation you would like to see yourself in. 

Physical/Health - Forget making resolutions or diet plans, think about how you can maintain good health in other ways, practical steps in keeping your body in check. Also, you might have a certain style or look you want in the near future. New hair colour, drastic change in fashion.  

Love - Ah, l'amour. The one topic on the vision board that gets the most attention and thought. They say love comes around when you least expect it, and maybe they're right. Now if you're actively pursuing it, drawing hearts all over a gigantic piece of bristol board and staring at it every night before bed, you're not exactly in "least expecting it" mode. However, the list for love should be more of a reminder of what you need in a partner, rather than a countdown to the knight in shining armor descending from his noble steed.  

If nothing else, reinforcing positivity in your life and keeping your goals in central vision rather than peripheral, is a lifestyle that has more merit than expected. Put it in writing and it's more likely to jump off the page. 

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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