Occasionally, an author or podcast host will interview a guest in their 20s or 30s who has had some success in business, entertainment, or “influencing”. These guests often credit their success to believing in themselves, working hard and manifesting what they want to happen.
To me, whenever I hear about manifesting (ala “The Secret”) I think about people attaching meaning random chances. Instead of attributing their success to factors beyond their control like luck, being in the right place at the right time or beneficial nepotism, the recipients give themselves credit for “focusing on their goal, having a vision and really wanting it”.
They then talk about manifesting their dreams. As if this technique is a proven scientific law.
What a bunch of bullshit.
It’s like believing in magic, horoscopes or wishes.
You might as well pray for something to happen.
What about all the people who did the same thing but didn’t have success? Was it their lack of focus, a cloudy vision or not wanting it bad enough? Were they bad at manifesting?
Not likely.
I used to think the reason I got straight As in school and graduated as valedictorian was because I focused on my school work, set a goal to become valedictorian when I was in 7th grade and worked hard to get good grades.
I did do all of those things.
But a few other things helped.
I was born smart and compliant. School was easy for me.
I was encouraged to read and excel at academics.
I had decent teachers and schools. I had a chaotic, but relatively safe home life.
I went to public schools where my fellow students weren’t able to “beat me” in academics. In my city, there were other high schools that had multiple valedictorians who all earned straight As.
Now when I hear about “success stories” I am reminded of a Hall Of Fame NFL player who was being interviewed after he retired. When he was prompted to expound upon his discipline, his unique talent, his work ethic and how he made himself an elite all star, he replied, “I was always bigger and faster than everyone else. I was born that way.”
‘Nuff said.