Harnessing Positive Energy: A Guide to Transforming Your Life

Understanding positive manifestation

Positive manifestation espouses the idea that positive thoughts lead to positive outcomes and vice versa. Essentially, you are what you think. When we entertain pessimistic thoughts, there's a risk that they will begin to dominate our thinking patterns and curb our potential. In "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," a classic self-help book published in 1989, Stephen Covey talks about a paradigm shift. Instead of viewing present events with a negative lens, we must consider what we are grateful for and the steps we can take to improve the current situation.

The psychological underpinnings

Perhaps you're old enough to remember when the 2006 book "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne came out. Its central tenet, The Law of Attraction, was lauded by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, who has famously promoted pseudo-scientific concepts over the years. The book had numerous critics who dismissed the idea that thought alone could influence individuals' objective circumstances. This may be true, but psychologists agree that if we take the mysticism out of the equation, the Law of Attraction has merit as long as positive behaviors accompany our positive fantasies. It is goal-oriented action that places us closer to our realistic goals, not the simple act of envisioning success.

Fundamental principles

Let's examine The Law of Attraction in a little more detail. It comprises three principles. Firstly, like attracts like. This is the notion that positive mental energy brings forth positive experiences while negative energy does the opposite. By moaning and groaning all the time, we draw Debbie or Daryl Downers into our orbit, making it harder to escape the gloomy vortex.

Secondly, nature can't tolerate an empty space—we must fill the void with positivity, or negativity will take its place. If your job isn't aligned with your values, try to change it, and watch your quality of life and motivation to work improve.

Thirdly, the present is always perfect. You can do something, even if it's small, to make today's troubles less problematic. Paul Alexander lived in an iron lung, a machine that helped him breathe, for 72 years after polio left him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite these obstacles, he was able to study, practice law, and write a memoir.

Daily implementation strategies

"Psychology and the Good Life" is Yale's most popular course ever, taught by Dr. Laurie Santos. It instills the evidence-based WOOP method by Dr. Gabriele Oettingen, which requires participants to think of a Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and if/then Plan to overcome the obstacle. Notice that the positive thinking in this technique isn't about having rose-tinted glasses and chasing a pie-in-the-sky dream like becoming a singer when you're tone-deaf. It's about visualization and seeking solutions on the quest toward ambitious but achievable goals. A person with a substance use disorder may wish to be free of their crippling dependence and envision a healthy, more fulfilled life. Triggers for drug use are the obstacles. The plan might initially look like the following: "If I see anyone who can supply me with my drug, I will immediately create distance and call my sponsor."

Relationship enhancement techniques

How might you use the law of attraction to improve your personal relationships? Recognize what you do and don't have control over and work to increase your self-esteem to be the best version of yourself. This will hopefully attract people into your life with a similarly positive mindset. Easier said than done, right? Start by writing down positive affirmations and the things you love about yourself to boost your confidence during tough times. Open yourself up to being more vulnerable by signing up for new experiences that facilitate growth, and treat others with the kindness you'd like to receive in these moments.

Professional growth and success

Here's the thing about positive thinking—it can only take you so far. Michael Phelps's coach trained him to envision every part of a successful race. But in 2008, when Phelps's goggles filled up with water at the Olympics, obstructing his view, and he couldn't do anything about it without being disqualified, he relied on a worst-case scenario visualization to bag the world record. Phelps had gotten so bored of his coach's positive visualizations that he'd mentally simulated various problems and their solutions. This is true positive thinking at play, and you can implement it to achieve your career goals, too.

Financial prosperity manifestation

Success comes down to a growth mindset. It means existing in a mental headspace where you're focused on abundance and gratitude for what you have rather than scarcity and what is missing. It may sound simple, but it can be game-changing. Set SMART money goals for yourself—targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to your long-term aspirations, and time-bound with deadlines and progress milestones. Avoid greed and the herd mentality, and course-correct with patience, integrity, courage, and continuous learning. Forgive errors you made in the past, reframe how you think about your budget, and obtain the services of an independent wealth professional.

Spiritual and mental well-being

The Law of Attraction's success may be linked to people's spirituality. God or the universe is on your side when you decide to make the best of this one life you have, or at least that's the feeling. It sure is a powerful one and can reduce stress and depression. With one eye fixed on your goals, you're more likely to have the other on the lookout for risks and opportunities, all while karma looks on appreciatively.

Exercises for positive transformation

Myriam Mongrain, a professor of psychology at York University in Toronto, suggests that optimism is a way of thinking and not a fixed aspect of your personality. To this end, what other tactics can you use to cultivate a positive mindset? Daily journaling is an excellent way to see patterns in your thinking that could benefit from a paradigm shift. Creating mood boards reminds you of where you're headed if you can continue to be resilient and optimistic. These motivational mood boards will change as you achieve various goals. Place them front and center on your fridge, behind a door, you open every day or on your mirror. Cut down on negative self-talk, and write a positive letter to yourself from a future where things work out. What needs to happen to get you to that happier place? Be as detailed as possible.

Addressing pitfalls and critiques

Some criticism of the Law of Attraction revolves around the idea that negative thoughts invite negative experiences. This might cause some to feel responsible for events that are wholly out of their control, like a natural disaster or a demotion. It's important not to blame yourself for external circumstances. Your focus during catastrophes, minor and major, should be on responding with as much grace as you can muster and proactively taking steps to mitigate the situation.