Law of Attraction and Money

[cbvc]

This is not a criticism, but I notice a lot of self-help people advocate the use of the law of attraction (and other teachings of the same kinds of things) for getting money, and saying things like, "know that the cash and the opportunities are right in front of your face."

I found this web site and noticed Steve's personal development ideas and books he's read and philosophies he's followed are very similar to what I've done in my life since I was around 14 years old. I knew what I wanted and I was willing to work hard to get it.

But now I'm 50 and completely broke. In all those years I've never had more than $3,000 a month, just barely enough to struggle into the next month and start over again. I've tried and tried the techniques and advice recommended by what I'll call these "Tony Robbins-types," I've worked hard and I've never given up, I've had very high-level mentors who have liked my ideas and thought they had real value and were going to generate money sooner or later if I just kept at it. And I did, very diligently. But I've never, ever made more than just a very basic amount of money.

I notice people who do have money, Hillary Clinton, Morgan Freeman, David Koch, George Soros, people in the news, people I read about, other people in my own community who are wealthy, some of whom I know personally, these people don't use the law of attraction or Tony Robbins kind of thinking to get their money. In fact, other than the self-help people themselves (many of whom I suspect made their money not using these techniques, but selling self-help books and seminars) I don't know or know of any other person in the world who made their money using the law of attraction. Many, many wealthy people I know are completely disgusting human beings, people you would never want to have for friends, but they certainly do have enough money to live the good life and more.

I'm working on a project right now that involves very wealthy and influential people. Reading some of the articles on this web site, I see I am already doing many of the things that are recommended, mostly from years and years of doing the same kinds of things that are always recommended for success, but never achieving it.

So far I'm getting the same reaction I always get: everyone loves what I'm doing, thinks it's the greatest thing they've ever seen, don't have any advice for improving it, it's perfect the way it is, but it's not making any money including from these people themselves. They won't buy it, they won't invest in it, they like me and they'll introduce me to other influential people until the cows come home but then they don't do anything, either. And the whole time I'm drowning here and have nothing to do but get a 9 to 5 job which, I agree with Steve, is a stupid way to live your life. I don't understand.

I'm not usually this negative, I'm trying to express my frustration at constantly working to stay positive, do the right things long enough, become what you think about and all that but never, ever seening any results.

I don't need to feel good about myself, I need some money in my bank account.

[moonrambler]

I was in a very similar place a couple years ago. I'm not so big on the whole "law of attraction" thing, but I learned a lot from people in the Intention Manifestation forum here, which attracts a lot of law of attraction people. One thing I learned, for myself at least, is that 'techniques' such as affirmations and believing the money was already here and all that, were not effective until I changed myself fundamentally in regard to money. I needed to stop having mixed emotions and mixed beliefs about money and deal with a lot of psychological gunk I had built up over the years in regard to money. That was the only way I was going to 'attract' money.

[meghufree]

Sometime ago I read the book - Ask and It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks which is apparantly the book that first introduced the law of attraction. This book has an interesting law of attraction technique that involves writing cheques to yourself and imagining that these cheques are cheques that you are receiving. This technique inspired me a lot and I have written more about it here: How to Attract Money? Here's an Interesting Way to Manifest Money

Hope it helps.

Apart from this, to test whether law of attraction can actually be used to manifest money, I conducted an experiment to manifest $500 in 21 days using the law of attraction. You can read more about the experiment here: A 'Manifest Money' Experiement. Will I Be Able to Manifest $ 500 in 21 Days?

[falcan]

Moonrambler is totally right, I'll go in more depth if you don't mind From what I've read you seem to be a really intelligent guy but have probably one or two mindset issues which prevent your success from happening. At least based also on my experience with my own limiting beliefs and mindset.

People tend to think they are special in the way the laws of universe are applied to them We probably all agree that physics works for everyone. But we somehow have a problem accepting the other laws also follow the same rules, because it's not that "visible". I believe that laws for success work the same for everyone.

From what I gathered you tend to blame others a bit for not being successfull. I know it must be frustrating, but it sounds like "why doesn't it work, if others like it and say its great, will make money, etc. but then they never bother to buy anything".

Sounds like your initial expectation was that the success of your XXX will be determined by what people say about it. Of course, it is important that people like your product or idea but the core must be your own belief. People and sales should follow right after. Now the most important part - If it doesn't work, your belief was wrong, not the people. If that's the case, you have to reexamine your beliefs, like how you research your market, if you weren't too original, too unexperienced etc. (maybe better to try clone a business model which generates money on the market already to build up your beliefs first) etc. But accepting and correcting your own beliefs has a good chance of success. Correcting other people doesn't usually work

There is also another assumption/belief sticking out, that being disgusting is probably a way to get wealthy, which you don't want of course..and that those "laws" only apply to self-helf gurus, who made their living selling self-helf books to other people(which is you hinting they manufactured this to scam other people). While I agree there's a group of people doing this, it's causing you to refuse success again. From my own experience the laws do work. And I know a wealthy software developer(makes routinely 50K/month or more if you must know) who knows other, much more successfull people, and we all believe that those laws work(we often joke about the universe, waves etc.). The laws of physics and laws of success are here for everyone, even for the scumbags, and they can use them as well(unfortunately) - even I think long term the negative energy will return back to them usually(at least mentally causing depressions) :P

So anyway, don't give up but perhaps shift the focus from the outside mentors, people, techniques and whatever else to yourself and your deep down, core mindset about success. By the way, in case you are from US people there usually tend to say everything is great even if it's otherwise, the supportive mood there can sometimes backfire Just give it out to someone from Czech Republic, they'll find 199 issues with your project (we tend to be all negative on the contrary )

[DreamingAwake]

Originally Posted by cbvc

This is not a criticism, but I notice a lot of self-help people advocate the use of the law of attraction (and other teachings of the same kinds of things) for getting money, and saying things like, "know that the cash and the opportunities are right in front of your face."

I found this web site and noticed Steve's personal development ideas and books he's read and philosophies he's followed are very similar to what I've done in my life since I was around 14 years old. I knew what I wanted and I was willing to work hard to get it.

But now I'm 50 and completely broke. In all those years I've never had more than $3,000 a month, just barely enough to struggle into the next month and start over again. I've tried and tried the techniques and advice recommended by what I'll call these "Tony Robbins-types," I've worked hard and I've never given up, I've had very high-level mentors who have liked my ideas and thought they had real value and were going to generate money sooner or later if I just kept at it. And I did, very diligently. But I've never, ever made more than just a very basic amount of money.

I know this might sound like bad advice at first glance, but maybe you're trying too hard. In a sense, you might have to ease your grip on the reins of life a little bit to manifest what you're seeking.

If you are trying to manifest abundance in your life, but coming from a state of fear (or even extreme seriousness) it will never manifest. You have to approach life with a playful attitude, as if the outcome doesn't matter.

Change your focus and orientation so that you focus more on present reality rather than the future. Still plan for the future and create goals, but don't live there mentally.

My life started to change when I stopped focusing on the future and started trying to improve the conditions of my present reality. Steve's blog entry really resonated with me because I had already been gradually working into this without realizing it.

It took me a long time and a great deal of hardships to break the pattern of the "monkey mind"--and I still have quite a bit of growing to do. In my teens and twenties, I spent my life chasing all these pre-defined ideals. In my teens I wanted the right relationship and in my twenties it was the right career.
When I finally realized that everything external that I was seeking would not bring me everlasting happiness, I chose to let go of my need for results. I finally started to realize that I have the power to create my joy regardless of circumstances (easier said than done I know). I know this is the ultimate paradox because you have to totally let go of the need for results.

Attracting prosperity into your life occurs on so many more levels than just money. You literally remake your character in the process.

Lastly, I am an optimist in the sense that I believe people are always improving to some degree whether or not they are conscious of it. The troubled mind is like a knot that is slowly unraveling itself. As you go through life, there is a part of your awareness that is slowly working to unravel that knot. I think that is why older people tend to be happier. I know that I have become much happier as I have gotten older.

But anyways, the main idea is to focus on what you want in life but don't make the process unpleasant. You almost have to focus on it like a child would approach going out to play.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by cbvc

I'm working on a project right now that involves very wealthy and influential people ... So far I'm getting the same reaction I always get: everyone loves what I'm doing, thinks it's the greatest thing they've ever seen, don't have any advice for improving it, it's perfect the way it is, but it's not making any money including from these people themselves.

That's because subconsciously, they sense that you regard them as "completely disgusting human beings".

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by cbvc

I found this web site and noticed Steve's personal development ideas and books he's read and philosophies he's followed are very similar to what I've done in my life since I was around 14 years old. I knew what I wanted and I was willing to work hard to get it.

But now I'm 50 and completely broke. In all those years I've never had more than $3,000 a month, just barely enough to struggle into the next month and start over again. I've tried and tried the techniques and advice recommended by what I'll call these "Tony Robbins-types," I've worked hard and I've never given up, I've had very high-level mentors who have liked my ideas and thought they had real value and were going to generate money sooner or later if I just kept at it. And I did, very diligently. But I've never, ever made more than just a very basic amount of money.

I notice people who do have money, Hillary Clinton, Morgan Freeman, David Koch, George Soros, people in the news, people I read about, other people in my own community who are wealthy, some of whom I know personally, these people don't use the law of attraction or Tony Robbins kind of thinking to get their money. In fact, other than the self-help people themselves (many of whom I suspect made their money not using these techniques, but selling self-help books and seminars) I don't know or know of any other person in the world who made their money using the law of attraction. Many, many wealthy people I know are completely disgusting human beings, people you would never want to have for friends, but they certainly do have enough money to live the good life and more.

Your examples don't necessarily prove anything either way.

1. There are lots of people who are 50 years, never heard of the Law of Attraction and are not broke.

2. If Hillary Clinton, Morgan Freeman etc used the Law of Attraction, they probably wouldn't say so publicly.

[Peterw]

Originally Posted by cbvc

But now I'm 50 and completely broke. In all those years I've never had more than $3,000 a month, just barely enough to struggle into the next month and start over again. I've tried and tried the techniques and advice recommended by what I'll call these "Tony Robbins-types," I've worked hard and I've never given up, I've had very high-level mentors who have liked my ideas and thought they had real value and were going to generate money sooner or later if I just kept at it. And I did, very diligently. But I've never, ever made more than just a very basic amount of money.

So far I'm getting the same reaction I always get: everyone loves what I'm doing, thinks it's the greatest thing they've ever seen, don't have any advice for improving it, it's perfect the way it is, but it's not making any money including from these people themselves. They won't buy it, they won't invest in it, they like me and they'll introduce me to other influential people until the cows come home but then they don't do anything, either. And the whole time I'm drowning here and have nothing to do but get a 9 to 5 job which, I agree with Steve, is a stupid way to live your life. I don't understand.

I know exactly where you're coming from as I was there myself a few years ago practicing all these law of attraction exercises trying to attract "wealth" and still getting no results.

From what you've said it looks like your current situation is keeping you in it no matter how much you try and manifest another one. Do you think more about your current struggle than your desired one? That's what I did. I would do the LOA exercises etc then go and spend the rest of may day obsessing about hjow long it was going to take me to get out of debt on my current crappy salary and that was what won - for quite a while.

What changed was when (as others have said) I looked at what was keeping me where I was and holding me back. I found that I was sabotaging myself with negative beliefs and resentment for people who had what i didn't. It's not something you can just change overnight but you can replace beliefs that are holding you back with others that will propell you forward. Try this:

1. Write down every limiting belief you have about money, yourself, other people and money - don't hold back and be brutally honest.

2. For each limiting belief you come up with look for evidence in your life/experience/results etc that this belief is not actually true.

3. Use this evidence to write down a new set of positive beliefs ie "My time and effort is worth a premium because I have been told this x amount of times by people who really know this stuff" etc

4. Read these positive beliefs to yourself every day until they are hard wired into your brain.

Another thing I notice and identify with from your post is that everyone loves what you're doing but they won't buy it/invest in it but are happy to rave about it and refer you to others. Basically they want to help you but not hire you.

Maybe your beliefs and situation are affecting the way you come across when pitching/networking/negotiating? This took me a while to overcome because I wasn't a natural sales person and I was in a desperate situation which came across when talking to people.

It's essential when in this situation to actually be in a position where you can walk away from a deal and it won't affect you in a bad way. As soon as you feel like you really need this sale then the whole thing is screwed. People will either run away from you, try to exploit the situation and get you to work for free/pittance, or be 'nice' and compliment you, refer you but not buy from you.

The way to change this is to work on your situation so that it really doesn't matter if someone says no or a deal falls through. Do you have a stable income? Are you in debt? Are you flying by the seat of your pants trying to cover your basics every month? If you're not on solid ground then you need to focus on getting on solid ground ASAP so you can then present yourself with confidence.

Work on some positive beliefs and get out of any struggle then things will just start to fall into place. If that means taking a 9-5 for a while to serve your purpose then don't discount that. There's nothing wrong with doing what you have to do to get a steady income and build some stability from which you can launch your self with confidence and clout. Can you freelance/contract?

[Mcoroklo]

Let's start with the facts.

During the last 5 years, exactly which projects did you start? Which products did you make? How did you market them?

Show us your website/products and we can give you feedback and give you an idea why it is not helping.

[fooka]

Originally Posted by cbvc

This is not a criticism, but I notice a lot of self-help people advocate the use of the law of attraction (and other teachings of the same kinds of things) for getting money, and saying things like, "know that the cash and the opportunities are right in front of your face."

The reason that the law of attraction idea has become so popular is because it sells. People like the thought that they can get something for nothing - and so law of attraction sells.

But in the end, the people who have money are the ones who are able to reach out to a lot of people and make sales - while either selling their own stuff or someone else's. If you have money - buy and sell. If you have no money - then just sell first and then buy. Someone wants something, you say "ok, I'll take your money and then bring you the stuff." and then you do it.

Listen to Jim Rohn. He doesn't teach you law of attraction. His philosophies are basic and simple - yet make a difference.