The Chase vs. The Magnet – How to Attract Success Without Burnout
- Brainz Magazine
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Written by Memphis Ayoade, Advisor
Memphis is a globally recognised author, youth advocate, and advisor driving systemic change in education and workforce development. At 17, he authored a self-help book inspiring readers worldwide, and now collaborate with policymakers, schools, and nonprofits to create equitable opportunities for underrepresented youth.
Are you exhausted from constantly chasing your goals? What if the key to success isn’t relentless pursuit but strategic positioning? In this article, Memphis Ayoade, globally recognised author and youth advocate, shares transformative insights from their upcoming book on how to shift from chasing to attracting success. Learn how to align your actions, cultivate an abundance mindset, and create opportunities that naturally gravitate toward you.
What does it mean to attract, not chase?
Chasing success often feels like running on a treadmill; you’re moving fast but going nowhere. Attraction, on the other hand, is about becoming the kind of person success is drawn to. Think of it like a magnet: you don’t chase metal; you position yourself to pull it in.
In Memphis’s upcoming book, He explains, “Attraction flips the script. Instead of running after goals, you focus on becoming the kind of person those goals gravitate toward.” This isn’t about passive waiting; it's about intentional action and strategic alignment.
The science behind attraction
A landmark study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology tracked two groups of professionals over a decade. Group A chased promotions aggressively, while Group B focused on skill development, relationship building, and aligning their work with their values. Initially, Group A advanced faster, but by year five, Group B surpassed them in job satisfaction, leadership roles, and innovation.
Why? Two key factors stood out:
Resilience through purpose: Group B viewed setbacks as learning opportunities, not failures.
Network effects: By nurturing authentic relationships, Group B became hubs of trust and collaboration, effortlessly attracting opportunities.
This aligns with the concept of “Serendipity Engineering”creating the conditions for ‘luck’ to strike. As Memphis puts it, “Luck is doing something so many times that luck shows up. You have to create your own luck.”
How to shift from chasing to attracting
1. Reframe competition
View others’ achievements as inspiration, not threats. Celebrating their wins trains your brain to see possibilities everywhere.
2. Practice gratitude
Start a daily “attraction journal.” Write down three things (or people) that came to you effortlessly: a serendipitous email, a helpful stranger, or an unexpected opportunity.
3. Embrace detachment
Clinging to outcomes breeds desperation. Focus on doing exceptional work, then release the need for immediate rewards.
4. Define your identity
You can’t attract what you want until you know who you are. Write an “Identity
Statement” to guide your decisions. For example: “I am a compassionate innovator who solves problems through collaboration and curiosity.”
The quiet power of alignment
Attraction is about creating an environment where opportunities, people, and resources that align with your goals come to you. Think of a surfer: they don’t chase waves. They study the ocean, position themselves where the currents converge, and wait for the right wave to rise. When it does, they’re ready to ride it with skill and grace.
Memphis] emphasises, “The chase can be exhausting. But when you attract, you create a natural flow toward your success. Focus on becoming the person who naturally attracts the opportunities, relationships, and success you seek.”
Ready to start attracting success?
Shifting from chasing to attracting isn’t just a mindset change; it's a lifestyle transformation. If you’re ready to embrace this strategic approach, Memphis’s upcoming book dives deeper into these principles, offering actionable steps to help you align your actions, cultivate an abundance mindset, and create lasting success.
Read more from Memphis Ayoade
Memphis Ayoade, Advisor
Memphis is a trailblazing voice in youth empowerment, known for blending storytelling with actionable strategies to help individuals and organisations overcome adversity. His work spans advising the London Violence Reduction Unit, designing financial literacy and mental health initiatives for Gen Z, and leading grassroots programs to uplift marginalised communities.
A published author by 17, Memphis combines lived experience with expertise in non-traditional education, workforce readiness, and inclusive policy reform.
Through roles at Reachout2all CIC and Buildingpathwaysuk CIC, he equips youth with tools for leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
