By Cari Skrdla

The Law of Cause and Effect is often referred to as the Iron Law of the Universe. Ralph Waldo Emerson even called it “the law of laws.” First articulated by the Greek philosopher Aristotle back in 350 B.C., it teaches this simple, powerful truth: for every effect in your life, there is a specific cause. “Effects” are the results you're seeing; “causes” are the actions you took that created those results.

For example, if you're overweight, that’s an effect. And that effect didn’t just show up randomly—or overnight. There’s a direct, causal relationship between weight gain and calorie surplus. So again: “Causes” are the actions you take. “Effects” are the results those actions produce.

This law confirms what many of us sense deep down: everything happens for a reason. There are no accidents. If you want to change your life or create real impact, shift your attention to the cause—and trust that the effect will follow.

When you see someone with a fit, sculpted body, you don’t assume it happened by accident. Their body is a result—an effect—that came from consistent actions: disciplined eating, regular workouts, focus, and intention.

Thanks to science, we already know what actions typically lead to a “ripped physique.” It’s not a mystery. Eat less, move more. And yet, so many people get stuck obsessing over the effect—saying things like “I can’t get rid of this gut” or “my cellulite just won’t go away.” But that’s focusing on the result, not the behavior that created it. Focusing on the effect just creates more of the same effect. Like thoughts lead to like actions. In a way, our results become self-replicating.

What works better? Focus on identifying the causal relationships behind the result you want. Look inward. Ask yourself what specific actions will move you toward the destination you have in mind. Your destination is the effect. The route is the cause.

Let’s say I put you in a car in the middle of Los Angeles and tell you to drive to San Francisco. If you head south instead of north, you’ll never get there. It won’t matter that you wanted to go to San Francisco. The route you picked was the wrong cause, which led to the wrong effect.

The Law of Cause and Effect doesn’t care what your intentions were—it only responds to the actions you take. The law simply delivers what the route produces. And this applies to everything in life.

Identify the Causes of the Effect You Seek

Let’s take this concept and apply it to a specific goal. Say I asked you to name a top health or fitness result you want to achieve, and also list the causes—the actions—you believe will get you there.

If you told me your goal was “to lose weight,” I’d say that’s too vague. You need a clear, specific destination. A better statement would be: “I will weigh 120 pounds by [X Date].” Now you’ve given your mind a tangible target in the present tense, with confidence and intention. That’s how you create momentum.

Then I’d ask you what causes—what daily actions—you plan to take to reach that goal. If you said “eat less, exercise more,” again, that’s not specific enough. You need clearly defined behaviors and frequencies. A better answer would be something like:

“I go to the gym every weekday morning from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. I spend 45 minutes doing high-intensity weight training, and 15 minutes on the treadmill doing HIIT. I don’t eat soft drinks, sweets, junk food, or baked goods. I eat porridge for breakfast, lean turkey with quinoa for lunch, and sirloin steak with sweet potato for dinner.”

Make Sure the Causes Are Proven

Next, let’s say I ask how you know those actions will actually get you the result you want. If you tell me they’re modeled after a personal trainer who already produced the same result—that they’ve walked the walk—I’ll say “Congratulations!” That means you understood the Law of Cause and Effect. If you consistently stick to those proven causes, then the result—your destination—is inevitable.

Start With the Effect You Want

If you want to succeed in any area of your life—health, relationships, finances, work, or even your environment—you must first define the effect you want to produce. Your brain is a psycho-cybernetic system. It needs a clear target in order to function at its best. Without clarity, you get confusion. And confusion robs your goals of their fuel.

Once you’ve identified the effect, you then ask: What specific actions must I take to produce this result? Those actions are the causes behind the effect you’re aiming for.

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