The area people get hung up the most with the Law of Attraction is “the how” of it all.
Meaning, they set an intention and then wonder and worry about what to do to actually manifest the end result.
They want a how.
That’s a mistake.
As I wrote in in my book The Attractor Factor, after you state a clear intention, your final step is to let go while taking inspired action.
What does that mean?
Here’s an example to help clarify the point…
After my personal trainer, Scott York, and I met and spent time at my home with legendary bodybuilder and actor Lou Ferrigno, we speculated who we’d like to meet next. Hanging with Lou for hours was a highlight of my life. He was charming and open. I’ll never forget it, or him.*
Who did we want to see next?
The obvious answer for us was the legend himself, a man who even inspired Lou: Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Loved Arnold's book!
We had both finished reading Arnold’s autobiography, Total Recall, and was in awe of the man and his accomplishments. Arnold’s list of record breaking successes is staggering.
Even at age 65, he’s not slowing down. He has new goals, new passions, new projects, new movies, and a relentless drive to achieve more.
We decided we wanted to see him.
That was our new intention.
But how would we achieve it?
We didn’t fret over how it would happen. We didn’t make plans, or calls, or ask people for introductions. I could have done that. After all, I know people who know Arnold. I could have reached out and started to shake the trees, looking for my intro to Arnold.
But I didn’t do any of that. Neither did Scott.
Why not?
We didn’t feel inspired to do so.
When I say “let go and take inspired action,” it means let go of any attachment or addiction or need for the end result. This requires faith. It requires trust. It requires a knowing that the intention will manifest, but in its own time and place. Or something even better will come along to replace it.
We let go of any “how” to make it happen.
That’s detachment.
But that’s only part of the formula.
And at the same time, when you are inspired, act.
One night Scott was fooling around on his iPhone, just browsing emails while his kids played and watched television. As Scott thumbed through all the emails, he saw one that said, “Want to see Arnold?”
Scott couldn’t believe it. He thought it was a joke or a scam. But he clicked on the email and read that a local person who has connections in the movie business was hosting the premier of Arnold’s latest action movie, The Last Stand.
Turns out there was a contest where twenty winners could see the movie, and then visit with Arnold (and costar Johnny Knoxville) after the show for a private Q & A.
Scott doubted this was a ticket anywhere, but he took inspired action.
The host wanted a paragraph and a photo of every person wanting to win. Scott completed the requirements. He sent in his photo and such. And then he forgot about it.
Later that same night he received a response by email saying, “You won!”
He was told he could attend the event with a friend.
Scott thought of me.
Together we went to that movie premier. We sat with a few other people and asked Arnold questions about the movie (great), politics (dirty), his goals (many), his future (movies), his exercise routine (daily), and more.
We got our intention!
Do you see how this works?
A clear intention – stated without desperation or need but with a childlike spirit of trust, faith and fun — led to an opportunity nobody could have predicted or orchestrated.
Our job was to take inspired action when it appeared. We did.
That’s how the Law of Attraction works.
What do you want? What would be cool for you to have, do or be?
Arnold said his father taught him to “Be Useful.” That advice has guided his entire life.
Be useful.
What intention can you state that delights you while making you useful to others?
That will kick the Law of Attraction into overdrive. Just don’t worry about how you will accomplish it. When ideas present themselves, act.
So, what is your benevolent intention?
State it.
And then let go of it while paying attention to any nudges from within or opportunities that come your way.
When you feel the inspiration to do something, act.
That’s the “how” of making your dreams come true.
Ao Akua,
joe
* My evening with Lou Ferrigno, complete with photos, is here: http://blog.mrfire.com/dinner-with-lou-ferrigno/
PS – Here’s Arnold Schwarzenegger and costar Johnny Knoxville talking about their movie “The Last Stand” (in theaters January 18th):
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25 Comments
Your post always has some value with me.
Thanks Joe
Wonderful, Dr. Joe. I’ve been a “how” freak most of my life. Finally, I’m breaking out of that mold.
I love how you stated, “A clear intention – stated without desperation or need but with a childlike spirit of trust, faith and fun…”
And “how” has most often been a desperation to cling to something knowable, rather than merely trusting in faith.
Thanks for helping to make this all more fun.
Thank you for your truly inspring books and posts but I must disagree with you on the issue of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s greatness. He did achieve a lot in his life but while pursuing his every accomplishment he totally failed his family. Do you really believe that people are worth being admired when they have such dark sides and have caused a great deal of suffering to others? I believe in honesty in business and in personal life. I think being two-faced never really pays off and I do not have any respect for such people. I am quite staggered that you admire him.
You might be throwing the baby out with the bath water. Learn his success lessons and you’ll go far. But ignore them because of a mistake on his part, or a judgement on your part, and you’ll risk not learning something great. Up to you.
I’ve been thinking about what you wrote and I am sure that there’s a lot to learn from Arnold e.g. his goal setting, determination and hard work. But if you take an example of Tiger Woods or Osama bin Laden you will find that they also set their goals high, were determined and worked hard. My question is whether we can ignore somebody’s low morality because there are aspects of their personality worth imitating? Should morality matter when we choose our role models?
I’m impressed that you are reflecting on it. Here’s another thought for you: I wouldn’t take relationship advice from Arnold, but I’d take fitness advice from him. I wouldn’t take marriage advice from Tiger, but I’d take golf lessons from him.
The Universe knows the best possible way of making you reach your goal, without you interrupting the attraction process.
That’s the message I took from your update above Joe.
Thank you for that reminded.
& to always take inspired action.
~ Musa
Action is the ticket…
I agree you don’t need to worry how it will all happen, that is for the universe to decide. All you need to do is let it know what you want, and let it all unfold before you
And take action when you see the chance…
Joe, I got your book for free Attract money now, but not wanting to wait, I translated into Italian, because I’m Italian and it is easier to read the whole book in the mother tongue. Can I send it to you so you put it on the page of the book and distribute it to others, I’m asking for anything in return.
That is very kind of you. yes, send it to my office suzanne at mrfire.com
okay. The time to read it again to see if they understand the ideas and without errors. Just give me a few days.
Thanx, really clear, now I better understand why sometimes I can’t make my dreams come true!
Bless you! 🙂
Inspired action, – love that one!
BTW: did you know that the link to your book “Attract Money Now” doesn’t work? Hope you can fix it because I keep sending it to my friends all the time,- and today I couldn’t. Keep shining, dear Joe!
Yes, we are working on it. Thank you.
Awesome example. This is a question that comes up all the time. Thanks Dr. Vitale. I can’t wait to share it on my page http://www.facebook.com/successwithl.o.a. for my blog readers to benefit from.
I´m so happy to finally found an accurate description for the feeling: Inspired action. I just got an scholarship that I´ve been dreaming of for a couple of years now (but doing nothing about it). Then suddenly one morning woke up inspired, got the action, asked for the program and filled out the papers with no previous plans and from the bottom of my heart. Then when results came, I was not the winner. And I totally forgot about it and set my mind for plan B. After 3 weeks I got a called saying that one of the winners was not going to make it, and the next finalist was me!!!! I was and am so happy. This is just a big example for me so I can understand how it works and helping myself to be aware of the LOA and totally agree with you that when inspiration hits is like an enlightenment and a reason to act according to your heart! Very interesting post Mr. Vitale, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Greetings form Spain!!
Dr. Joe, I want to thank you for your books which have opened my eyes, especially “Zero Limits” and “The Awakening Course: The Secret to Solving All Problems”. Miracles happen to me every day! But I still have a question. And what about non-acting? Can it be inspired to, as letting go the situation? I noticed that sometimes I don’t have to act – I state my clear intention, feel no inspiration to do something and get the answer I was waiting for. But I have to get thoughts of need for this thing and dependence on it out of my head – they stopped the intention power as I understood. Thanks for your guiding!
Hi Katherine. Thanks for the compliment and nice message. There’s really no such thing as “non action.” Some things happen faster and easier and with less action, but there’s still action. You might have to open the door to let someone in — that’s action. You might have to answer the phone – still action. You might have to sit quietly and let something come to you – action, again. Too many people think they don’t have to do *anything* to attract results, but the reality is, you’re always doing. You’re always acting. It’s called life. 🙂
wow! thanq joe! thats exacly what i need,i be a little desperate latly about attracting s.th but now i understand why i didnt attract it,because i want a end result soon,thinking about how . befor this i attract anything i want so easy because i just let it go but because this last thing is so important for me iam getting canfused! tanx a lot joe. u are wonderfullllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!:)
thanks a lot for everything, dear Joe! the big problem in my life was “how”!!!…. now I know that faith in the Universe is all I need to make my dreams come true! God bless you all! thank you for all your precious advices and the lessons I learned reading your book “the Key”. Regards. Alessandra 🙂
Hi Joe,
Wow, you got to meet one of my heroes, the Govenator himself. With 4 of your books read and having lost 60 pounds as a 68 year old retired pilot/ exercise nut living in Thailand. I want to share a bit of my reliance on the hormone Leptin and “how” Dr. Richards can explain its manipulation to achieve your weight loss goals. Google Leptin Diet. We share many things even though we are complete strangers, but that’s only technically so. I, too struggled with “the How”. and find your approach inspiring in its faith based way. Faith for me is “the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld”
You and Nerissa are welcome to visit visit our million dollar home in the Mountains where the temps are mid 70s year round and eat some of my wife’s fabulous green curry. Love your stuff, Joe
David Todd
Hello Joe,
I completely understand the letting go and taking action however I am confused and/or don’t understand why you would pass on calling someone who does know Arnold. Can you explain why you wouldn’t take action on that opportunity? I know you didn’t feel inspired to take that route but is that the only reason? Is this also a case of pursuit or having the desire to accomplish the end result without attracting it directly (as in calling someone) and alternatively just allowing it to appear? Hope this makes sense what I’m asking. Thank You always for your great ideas, insights and passion.
Jay
Just following inspiration when it’s there to follow.