Letters to the Editor
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The Law of Attraction Redux
I'm an ghostwriter for people in the self-help industry (yes, I'm a whore, but the work allows me to write my personal projects about good writing technique and journalistic works about privacy protection), and The Secret is nothing more than the bullshit Law of Attraction repackaged for the 465th time by the latest slick shyster. It's a load of crap for the self-esteem-challenged set.
I've sat in packed ballrooms watching slack-jawed as hundreds of dewy-eyed simpletons soaked in some speaker's pronouncements that they could visualize their success and make it happen. Provided, of course, that they slurp up the speaker's book and audio CD set at the back of the room for only $599——personal coaching program for a mere $2499! What a bargain, as my Korean laundress used to say.
I believe in the power of intention, but the only way to achieve success in this life is to:
a. Decide what success means to you (news flash to Oprah: it may not be wealth).
b. Make a plan to achieve it.
c. Have a positive attitude.
d. Work your ass off and never quit.
e. Treat people right and do great work so people will help you along the way.
That's the formula, ladies and gents. Unfortunately, no one will ever buy 2 million copies of "The Bust Your Butt 23 Hours a Day Secret to Success." And astonishingly enough, some of us want only a nice living, a comfortable house in a great town, a peaceful existence with the people we love, our health, and the opportunity to give back and help others less fortunate than us...like suckers who blow their money on The Secret.
PS: I'm getting ready to blow the lid of this BS self-help industry with a book/documentary in 2008. Stay tuned.