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Assessment by Longe Opeyemi Dotun...
As A Man Thinketh
Assessment Longe Opeyemi Dotun (Nigeria)
1. What ideas were personally most important to you in this book? Do not
simply list the ideas, but explain or discuss why they were important to
you, using personal examples.
I now understand the fact that ideas rule the world and the owner of
ideas is the ruler of the world. The idea of joining I.I.G.L. came as a
thought. Everything I do on earth is a product of my thinking. This book has
made me understand that I am the master of my thought, molder of character,
the maker and shaper of condition, environment and destiny. I am who chooses
what to think, I own my thoughts, others cannot see my thoughts, and they
can only be seen by me.
Man is essentially and continuously searching for ways in increasing his
standard of living. From my own perspective, the increase in the standard of
living of man can only be derived by the concentration of thoughts on a
skill. I possess the power to make myself whatever I want to be in life,
since I now know I have the power, then I believe that one day I will create
jobs for the unemployed. The harboring of God like thoughts produces awesome
results. This is known to be true, because I have noticed this in my
environment, whatever a man does consistently, be it good or bad will
definitely yield results. Nigeria is a very corrupt nation, because the
common person harbors thoughts that are negative. Since I have decided to
obtain knowledge and alter my thoughts through the books I am being sent, I
believe I will discover the hidden strengths in my mind.
Another idea that is important is that a man only begins to be a man when
he ceases to whine and revile and commences to search for the hidden justice
which regulates his life. This idea is important to me because I usually
complain and accuse others such as my parents as the cause of my condition.
I now understand that when I am determined and build up myself in strong and
noble thoughts thereby turning problems into opportunities.
Little did I know that when I complain about my condition, solutions
cease to come forth. I now become a victim of circumstance. Another thing I
have noticed about bad thoughts is that when they come, the mind keeps it
secretly and the body seeks to find another individual with that same
mentality to relate that thought with.
I really desire to improve myself and improve my circumstances and by
doing this, I am unconsciously making a name for myself. I have just
concluded my academics in the university and I am about getting into the
real world, and I have been exposed to the information which says those who
have no central purpose in their life shall fall an easy prey to pretty
worries, fears, troubles and self pitying. Whenever I think of what I want
to be in future, I think of business and rendering quality services to
people.
The man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in
right thinking. I can exercise myself in right thinking by concentrating on
good thoughts. Thank God, I can differentiate between good and evil. A man
should mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement looking
neither left nor right. I interpret this pathway to be a business plan,
identifying and concentrating my thoughts on my strengths knowing the
weaknesses and evaluating them.
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the
result of long and patient effort in self-control. This is an attribute I
need to obtain in the discovery of myself. I believe calmness breeds
heavenly thoughts and it is an act of spirituality.
2. Can you relate the ideas or concepts in this book to your personal
circumstances in life such as your relationships, your beliefs, your goals,
your values?
Not what he wished and prays for does a man get, but what he justly
earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they
harmonize with his thoughts and actions.
When I read this idea or concept I was surprised and at the same time I
knew it was true. There are so many times I pray to God for wisdom,
knowledge and understanding but I do not get results. I was astonished to
see that prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with
thoughts and actions.
Thoughts of fear, doubt and indecision crystallize into weak, unmanly and
irresolute habits, which solidify into circumstances of failure, indigence
and slavish dependence. I never thought I could sit down on a chair, pick a
book and write about my thoughts and reflections. In fact, the ideas are
beginning to sink into my brain because I am interpreting them and aligning
them with my personal experiences.
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct
result of his own thoughts, relating this to my life, I can say that where I
am today is a direct implication of what I thought about yesterday {past}
academically, mentally, physically, spiritually. From the above idea I have
began to take certain things in my life with a serious approach and
consciously thinking and focusing on positive thoughts believing that
whatever I aim at must be attained and accomplished.
He who would accomplish little sacrifices little, he who would accomplish
achieve much must sacrifice much. He who would attain highly must sacrifice
greatly. The little I have achieved in my life presently is a result of the
little sacrifices I have made in the past. If I must see a change in my
family, my environment, then I must make a sacrifice to be that change
agent. I don’t think I have achieved much in life compared to what I read
and hear about other business inclined individuals - Aliko Dangote, Mike
Adenuga, Femi Otedola -business tycoons in my country.
Since I have began to read this books, I have always liked being alone,
so as to be able to connect and get the message at a rapid pace, I have
began to think critically and think of ideas I have been exposed to. I think
I am still under construction.
The calm man having known how to govern himself, knows how to adapt to
others, this I believe is positive and true. I could be outspoken but I have
started training myself to be calm. I have noticed in a very short time that
when you are calm nobody takes you for granted and you are highly respected
by your peers. When u talk others will listen.
3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from
this book? Please explain.
The important ideas I have learnt from this book are numerous, in fact, I
have read it repeatedly and whenever I do, I pick out something important
that was not important when I read it before.
I have within me the transforming and regenerative agency by which I make
myself what I want to be. I know I can be what I want to be only if I work
hard at it, this idea has made me to know that I can develop myself and grow
strong again. I can completely change my form or character in such a manner
that it improves my mind and my well-being. This idea I believe so much in
it and I remind myself about it repeatedly. In my life as a man, there is no
element of chance because of the law of my being. I interpret this idea to
mean that nothing happens to me by chance, whatever happens in my life is as
a result of what I planned for, if I don’t plan at all then a result also
occurs. The law of my being which is the law that states that for every
cause there is a corresponding effect and vice versa.
Whatever your present environment may be, you either fall, remain or rise
with your thoughts, your vision, your ideal. Only my thoughts can change my
condition, thinking critically which will enable you know what to do, when
to do, how to do. This reminds me of the other idea that says that
circumstances don’t make the man, it only reveals himself to the man.
4. Has this challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so,
explain how
I am very sure that before James Allen wrote this book he must have gone
through the process of brainstorming, also observing, and critically
analyzing the human mind. Even though thoughts are invisible, they are
powerful and they make the human being. I am the maker of myself by virtue
of the thoughts that I choose and encourage. So therefore, the right choice
and true application of thought, a man ascends to the divine perfection. God
created human beings but human beings are self-molded. I now know that I am
responsible for my destiny. I am the maker of my destiny. I possess a
creative power; with this power, I can accomplish anything as far as my
thoughts are at work.
5. Are there ideas in the book that you totally disagree with? If so why?
In chapter 2 James Allen defined suffering as the effect of wrong thought
in some direction and he went further to say that suffering is to purify, to
burn out all that is useless and impure. In my country {Nigeria}, people are
suffering, this suffering is beyond their control, and they did not think of
it, it just happened to them. There was an explosion in the city of Lagos
during the last Christmas due to the exposure of petrol. Many families were
pronounced dead. A man lost his children just because of that incident, that
man definitely is experiencing suffering and I do not think this is an
effect of wrong thought in some direction. No doubt, this man’s heart must
be bitter, depressed and confused. Those that fall victims to natural
disasters and survive are experiencing suffering because they are in pain.
This is the only thing I disagreed with during the course of reading this
book.
6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?
Every sentence I read in this book has made sense apart from the above
mentioned. This book has spurred me to develop myself and have the
experience of self-control and personal transformation. One of the ideas or
concept that I have found most helpful is that men are anxious to improve
circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore
remain bound.
I have always wanted to improve my circumstances but I was always
resisting change, I have begun to improve myself. The more I improve myself
I will continuously encourage thoughts actions, desires that will harmonize
with the end I want to see. I do not think I have found that idea that has
been least helpful apart from the suffering aspect written above.
7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is
trying to convey?
Everything is a product of thought, thoughts form a man’s character. A
man’s character forms his habit; everything that happens to man is deeply is
deeply routed in thought. The idea this book is trying to convey in other
words is self expanatory from the title of the book “As a man thinketh”. We
human beings are a product of our thoughts, so what we think about will
yield results, we should engage in good thoughts, loving and unselfish
thoughts, and pure thoughts because we virtually become what we think. For
as a man thinketh so is he, as he continues to think, so he will become.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B How helpful were the contents? 9
C How easy was it to understand? 9
D Would you recommend it to others? 9
E What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Longe Opeyemi Dotun (Nigeria)
1. What ideas were personally most important to you in this book? Do not
simply list the ideas, but explain or discuss why they were important to
you, using personal examples.
The ideas that were most important to me in this book written by Richard
Bach are
Not quantifiable but I will discuss it and explain the impact they have had
in my life.
I want to mention the fact that I read this book with my whole mind thereby
concentrating and picturing myself as if I was Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
The idea that struck me most was the fact that Jonathan learnt how to fly,
despite the fact that seagulls fly to eat only but he wanted flying to be a
profession, during the period of learning how to fly. One thing that struck
me was that Jonathan was a bird who wanted to learn. His attitude and
character showed what he was made up of in the inside. He tried so many
times but he failed and he still did not give up, I can remember when I was
learning how to ride a bicycle, I started riding the bicycle with four tyres
for kids which I found very easy to learn because you don’t control the
balance, and it makes it convenient to ride. When I was bought the new
regular bicycle that has two tyres, I found it very tasking and difficult to
learn, I tried so many times but I could not maintain my balance on it, I
suffered injuries during the process. After several failures I got to know
how to control the balance, I got to know how to apply the breaks. The point
I am trying to extract from here is that there was a drive and curiosity to
learn how to fly, even when he failed the drive was not quenched instead the
drive kept on increasing making him to believe he could achieve his stated
goal.
The words we speak to ourselves are very powerful; they can either make us
or break us. This is one of the most important things I have learnt. There
was a time Jonathan was practicing and he failed, he said to his mind, “I am
limited by my nature. My father was right. I must fly home to the flock and
be content as I am, as a poor limited seagull”. According to me, these are
words of negativity that should be eradicated from ones thinking, and ones
mind. From my own perspective, this words extended the time in which
Jonathan learnt how to fly. “You’re wasting your time with me, Jonathan! I
am too dumb! I am too stupid~ I try and try, but I will never get”. These
were the words if Fletcher, also an outcast who found himself in the
heavenly places. He spoke these words because he felt he could not fly the
way Jonathan wanted to make him fly. When he tried he fell backward,
tumbled, slammed savagely, because of his failure he spoke those words. Most
times when I experience failure in academics, I do not feel good, my mood
changes and I am full of regrets and anger with myself because I am the one
who is responsible for it. During this period of regrets, many negative
words come into my mind for example I am dead, Am I this dull? I do not send
anybody at least I tried my best etc. What I have noticed is that these
words do not help the situation and in fact, they make ones thought very
crooked and blurred. Once I accepted those words, I experienced peace of
mind and it affected virtually everything I came across at that moment.
Another idea or concept in this book that is personally important is the
fact that Jonathan was never afraid of failure, he did not want to fail and
he did not fear it. When he climbed two thousand feet above the black sea
and without a moment of failure and death, he fell into a vertical dive.
This is a good approach to imbibe from Jonathan, he never gave up he was
extra determined by having a dogged spirit keeping in mind that he will
achieve his ultimate goal. Jonathan believed he could fly and he continued
practicing that he went five thousand feet above sea level. The act of
continuous practicing showed that he wanted absolute perfection in the art
of flying. This makes me understand that it takes just one decision to
change your mind, it takes one decision to change your life, just like it
took a decision to join I.I.G.L, and one decision to pick up this powerful
books and read. Jonathan made a decision to know what he could do in the
air, because of this decision he made coupled with his in built
determination, he flew eight thousand feet, which made him discover several
styles of flying which he had not known before.
2. Can you relate the ideas or concepts in this book to your personal
circumstances in life such as your relationships, your beliefs, your goals,
your values, etc? Please use personal examples in your explanation.
My Father said to me when I tendered my senior school certificate
examination result, “This is the worst result I have ever gotten in this
house”. He was actually saying the truth because I had just six credits and
an “F”, although the result qualified me into university but he compared to
what my elder ones had tendered earlier on, because of this words my dad
spoke, it made me very nonchalant about academic work. This is definitely a
wrong move made by me because I accepted those words, I should have made
them elevate me and strive harder in the attainment of academic success. In
the case of the study, Jonathan accepted it at first, but his drive
(self-motivation) was too much that he went back to practice at night. I did
not have a drive, at that particular time I had an “I do not care attitude”,
and I was unwilling to speak to myself. Even when I spoke to myself, it was
not a positive conversation with the inner mind.
The ideas gained in this book have altered my thoughts in the sense that it
has made me know that anything can be achieved if you are passionate about
that thing. what I got to understand is that Jonathan was very passionate,
from this I believe that being passionate concerning your goals makes one
determined and focused in the pursuit of goals and objectives.
3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this
book? Please explain.
Fear is the opposite of Faith, it is the reverse of faith, while I was
growing up, I had quite a number of experiences through fear, I noticed that
fear sets in when I am inadequately prepared for a task or when I do things
that are not right, then the conscience keeps picking on me.
Just the way Jonathan discovered that boredom, fear and anger are the
reasons that a gulls life is so short, and with these gone from his life, he
lived a long fine life indeed. I have not completely recovered from this
three, but my mind is set to work on its eradication. I believe that once
{fear, anger, boredom} are gone, I will have a productive life and I will
have peace of mind.
Another idea I have gotten from this is that you cannot always please people
and displease yourself. Jonathan created an environment for himself that was
conducive for him, even though he was rebuked from his clan; it gave him an
opportunity to venture into a world of his own. This world of his own that
he chose to be, made him different from his peers and it even distinguished
him in the heavens. The most important thing I have learnt is to never give
up in the pursuit of my goals. Just the way Chiang advised Jonathan, I have
began to stop seeing myself as if I am trapped inside a limited body. I have
begun to see myself as a perfect human being. When Jonathan succeeded,
Chiang told him that it always works when you are under control. I want to
be very responsible for the affairs in my life.
4. Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so
explain how?
When Jonathan was teaching the other birds how to fly, he spoke these words
“Your whole body from wingtip to wingtip is nothing more than your thought
itself in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thought, and you
break the chains of your body too”. These words are motivational words, I
have observed everywhere in my environment, my school etc I concluded by
saying that we are essentially what we think, from the movement of our body,
to the food we eat, to the establishments and achievements we make in life.
This goes a long way to show that the mind is a powerhouse a think tank.
One major thing came across my mind, I need to be very careful with the
thoughts I have about myself, and the words we speak reflects what we think
about in the inside of us.
5. Are there ideas in the book that you totally disagree with. If so why?
I have read this book more than 5 times, I have not seen anything that I
personally disagree with, and in terms of the content, It sounds like a
story.
6. What did you find most helpful in this book?
Practice makes perfect, Human beings are essentially a gift from God to rule
our world but not all of us key into this concept. Jonathan told the other
birds that flying has always been here to be learned by anybody who wanted
to discover it, it had nothing to do with him. He made them understand that
what they are doing is an act of self-discovery, which made them ahead of
most gulls. This words brought to my understanding that when we have a
positive thought towards something we all embrace it but not everyone brings
that thought to a reality{because they have not learnt the art of self
–discovery.
We can be whatever we want to be only if we put our mind to it and do our
homework constantly. Jonathan told Fletcher when it was his turn to teach
the flock, you need to keep finding yourself. a little more each day, that
real unlimited ……..}
Do not believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation.
Look with your understanding.
This is the most helpful combinations of words or ideas that have helped me
during the course of reading this book.
7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is
trying to convey.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a very powerful book about a seagull who had
a passion for flying even though he grew up from a home where living to feed
was their nature, the book goes a long way in explaining and describing the
eagerness, determination, passion of Jonathan. The idea this book is
conveying is how Jonathan used his thoughts in achieving what he wanted
which is to know how to fly.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10.
A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Success Through Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Longe Opeyemi Dotun (Nigeria)
1. What ideas were personally most important to you in this book? Do not
simply list the ideas, but explain or discuss why they were important to
you, using personal examples.
Success through positive mental Attitude is a revolutionary book that has
touched so many lives including mine. I’m very positive that I have not
grasped everything in it.
So many ideas have been learnt during the first reading, I can imagine what
is still left to be grasped. It is so interesting to find out that some
things learnt from “As a man thinketh” are found in this great book.
Napoleon Hill’s principle is the number one most important thing to me which
states that “whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can
achieve”. This is one statement that keeps the fire burning. Motivation is
like a fire, unless you continue to add fuel it will go out.
I have learnt basically that having a firm belief is a major priority in
achieving anything, just like learning how to ride a bicycle or learning how
to drive. Whoever, is at the driver’s seat cultivates the belief that he can
do it, this also applies to anything that is to be accomplished.
“keeping in mind the things I want attracts my desired result”.
This is a very powerful idea, since I am the maker and captain of my
thoughts, keeping in mind or thinking and meditating on that which I want
not only keeps me on track on what I want to achieve but also leads to the
pathway of my desired result.
This is a very important statement to note because constantly having a
positive mental attitude involves continuously uprooting the negative i.e.
that which you do not want.
I have realized that keeping in mind the things you want not only guides you
to your desired result but also makes you orderly. I personally wish I had
joined IIGL earlier, everyone around me, especially family members have
noticed changes, this changes occurred as a result of applying Benjamin
Franklin’s virtues. I began with ‘order’ in the first week; I could feel the
inner urge within me to ensure that everything that concerns me was in
orderliness before proceeding to cleanliness.
“Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or a greater benefit”. Wile I
was growing up it was usual to hear that “Every disappointment is a
blessing”. I believe every adversity anyone experiences depends on the way
the individual sees it. No matter what I go through now, I do not allow any
external part including family members magnify it for me, instead I look for
an equivalent or greater benefit in that situation I find myself. Why?
Because, I am the only one that is seeing ahead.
“If you are unhappy with yourself with your world and you want to change it,
the place to start it is with yourself”. I have learnt not to blame others
for the cause of my circumstances over time, instead I hold myself
responsible for everything except that which I cannot control.
It is very important to point out the success the success principle that I
have learnt.
1. Positive mental attitude.
2. Definiteness of purpose.
3. Going the extra mile.
4. Accurate thinking.
5. Self discipline.
6. The master mind.
7. Applied faith.
8. A pleasing personality.
9. Personal initiative.
10. Enthusiasm.
11. Controlled Attention.
12. Team work.
13. Learning from defeat.
14. Creative vision.
15. Budgeting time.
16. Maintaining sound, physical and mental health.
17. Using cosmic habit force.
Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievements the more I
think about my goals, the more the enthusiastic I become. Irrespective of
the problems I encounter in life, once my mind is made up achieving its goal
it will.
Milo C. Jones’ story elevated my spirit man, he had a body that was
paralyzed due to sickness, he did not allow the paralysis get hold of his
mind, he encouraged a positive mental attitude and he got an idea that got
him beyond his dreams. He must have died a very happy man. He converted
creative thinking into a reality.
When you read aloud twice daily the written statement of your desire for
money with emotion and concentrated attention and you see and feel yourself
already in possession of the money, you communicate the object of your
desire directly to your subconscious mind”. I am a mind with a body. The
mind is made up of two parts namely the conscious and the subconscious. The
mind is a think tank, it gives to you what you feed it that is why it is
good to feed the with good Auto-suggestions such as Day by day in everyway I
am getting better and better, richer and richer, wiser and wiser…..
I personally wrote a letter to myself, informing my subconscious mind about
what I want to become, before I wrote the letter I eradicated every form of
doubt or disbelief and I applied a positive mental attitude. This made me
open the eyes of my mind and visualize into the future. If I keep at this
pace, I believe I will be a great man on this earth that knows how to apply
principles.
2. Can you relate the ideas or concepts in this book to your personal
circumstances in life such as your relationships your beliefs; your goals
and your values e.t.c. please use personal examples in your explanation.
From the introduction, specifically on the last page of the introduction, W.
Clement Stone said that the purpose of this book is t motivate you to a
desirable action. No doubt, success through positive mental attitude is not
only motivational but transformational, I had finished reading the book in
two weeks but I felt there was something more to be absorbed, however, I
felt I needed to take a little more time for digestion and adequate
absorption.
“When a man with positive mental attitude is faced with serious personal
problems, self motivators flash from the subconscious to the conscious to
aid him”. From my own point of view, this is very correct, positive mental
attitude can also be called possibility mental attitude or possibility
thinking. There’s always a solution to every problem. With positive mental
attitude, problems are seen as stepping stones that create a pathway to a
desired solution. I was on the verge of getting a job, but the employer kept
telling me to come back, I was bothered, positive mental attitude made me
realize that if I face my IIGL studies a flash of inspiration can change my
life.
Also, my assessments for this book should have been submitted in the first
week of December , but I had a positive mental attitude that sent
autosuggestions to my subconscious that I will get well soon, before I knew
I regained my health back without the use of drugs.
“If you invest only one percent of your time in a study, thinking and
planning session it will make an amazing difference in the speed with which
you reach your goals”. Success through PMA says if you invest only 1%, this
indicates that that the more the percentage you invest in your thinking, the
faster the rate at which your goals will be achieved.
Reading inspirational books alongside with the Bible brings forth ideas.
Sincerely speaking I did not used to read the bible regularly , I have now
made it a point of duty to do that at a time of my convenience in the early
hours of the morning, there’s no doubt I am becoming a better person in
every phase of my life especially in my private life. I weigh my priorities
and go for what is worth it. I have become a better listener. I have learnt
how to encourage noble and lofty thoughts which speaks to my subconscious
mind thereby directing my thoughts.
Inspirational books are good to read and digest, success through PMA has
tutored me on how to read a book and pick useful information that relate to
problems I am facing. Success through PMA is no doubt a life changing
coaching manual. I will always go back to it because it has its place in the
sands of time.
3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned form this
book? Please explain.
There are so many important new ideas or concepts learned from this book,
but I will mention quite a few.
“The quickest way to make money is to sell something”.
Looking around my environment most of the Nigerian youths are in form of one
type of fraud or the other, especially internet fraud but it is a short cut
and it does not guarantee lasting wealth. What I have noticed is that when
you are involved in selling it gives you an identity, which is a good
identity especially when what is being sold is a necessity to mankind. In
the case of S.B Fuller he chose to sell soap and he made a lot from it and
his breakthrough came after in the 12th year.
“Everyone has some creative ability but most people have not learnt to use
it”.
I never knew I could read a book consistently for a month and finish it,
this time last year I never thought I will be a student of IIGL getting
accustomed to principles that rule the world. The ideas that run through my
mind are numerous these are as a result of the books that I have begun to
read.
Another important concept I have learnt in this book is the process of
getting problems solved, this process includes.
1) Ask for divine guidance and help in finding the right solution.
2) Engaging in thinking time for the purpose of solving problems, putting
into consideration that every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or
greater benefit for those who have PMA.
3) State the problem. Analyze and define it.
4) State to yourself enthusiastically: That’s good.
5) Ask yourself some specific questions such as, what’s good about it? How
can I turn this adversity into a seed of equivalent or greater benefit? Or
how can I turn this liability into an asset?
-Keep searching for answers to these questions until you find at least one
answer that can work.
A confirmation of what I have learnt from As a man thinketh is also written
in another form in this book which says,” Your own mental attitude is the
one thing you possess over which you alone have complete control. I have the
power within me to control my mental attitude i.e. how I choose to think,
act and behave. I have the power within me to project into the future which
I desire whole heartedly.
4. Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in anyway? If so
explain why?
It has enhanced my thinking enabling me engage more time in studying,
thinking and planning more on what I can offer to life. Success through PMA
has given me a better alternative on knowing how to read a book and also in
knowing the particular phrase or sentence that suits me.
Success through positive mental attitude has enabled me to train my mind in
what I see, because what I see determines the action I will take, success
through PMA is making me know what else my mind can do.
5. Are there ideas in this book you totally disagree with? If so why?
I agree with all the ideas in this book, I do not disagree with anyone; they
are all helpful to my personal development.
6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?
Everything in this book has been helpful, I cannot say one idea has been
helpful than the others, all I can say is that the book is life changing, I
will always go back to it just the way Dennis waitley said he reads it once
a year, some ideas might not make a lot of meaning now, but when I red it
over and over again, it will be more helpful than now.
7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is
trying to convey?
Having a positive mental attitude eradicates all pessimistic thoughts and
attitudes; success through PMA goes a long way in shedding light on personal
examples of great men and how they forged ahead even with obstacles right
under their nose. The book is centered on a statement.” Every adversity has
the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.
RATINGS
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B How helpful were the contents? 9
C How easy was it to understand? 9
D Would you recommend it to others? 9
E What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Psycho-Cybernetics 2000
Assessment by Longe Opeyemi Dotun
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Psycho-cybernetics has a series of ideas found in the pages of the book. Its
is rich, simply put and easy to understand. The author’s main idea which he
has succeeded to pass across is that the self-image can enhance our self
esteem. The author goes the extra mile in explaining how the mind can
explore its power through self –image enhancement.
The author explains the practice of putting the mind at its best
irrespective of the circumstances I find myself. “Psycho-cybernetics is not
about assigning blame for the past, its about building a plan for the
future”. These are the words of Bobbe Sommer in the introduction.
The author directly explores the power of the mind on a step by step basis
and shows how success can be achieved through mental pictures. Although the
book is well over 30 years but it sheds a lot of light on different aspect
of the power of the human mind.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and
why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to
why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
The idea of Relaxation and its processes.
Relaxation is most effective when practiced on a regular basis…….pg 177. The
process of relaxation is a very simple idea but yet I found it very new, I
don’t think I have consciously undergone the process of relaxation before
now, I found it personally important when I put into work. Relaxation is the
key to freeing the mind for creative, holistic right brain problem solving.
pg 105. When you are relaxed, your mind is capable of accelerated facts of
learning and memory. While I was reading the relaxation process my attention
was attracted to the Zen breathing. pg 107. At first it sounded like
something known for a particular religion, I got to realize after I
practiced it that it was effective on making me focus on what I wanted to
achieve at the moment, it also made me feel like there was someone in my
inside I was communicating with. This relaxation process has made me channel
my thoughts and at the same time made me have peace of mind.
The CRAFT of Reprogramming: 5 steps to a new self-image.
Change comes about through awareness of a negative self-image by challenging
the bad habits that support this image and creating a new positive
self-image that allows you to set and achieve worthwhile goals. pg 25
C- Cancel,
R- replace,
A- affirm,
F- focus,
T- train.
Cancel- This step is involved in the elimination of old data, the ability to
delete negative information from the mind, this step allows the subconscious
take control by repeating cancel as soon as the thought comes into
existence. Hearing my voice speak makes my focus clearer.
Replace- This involves the replacing the cancelled thought with the one I
desire. In my own case, I wanted to engage in exercises which I was not too
used to, I was ready because I felt I needed to keep fit and shed some
weight. Sometimes I get attached to a film at night. A thought can come
saying you might not go jogging or working out tomorrow because you will be
to tired or even wake up late. When I replace the thought it becomes the
first agenda on my mind to accomplish.
Affirm- This involves the process of affirming myself either with words put
in writing where I can see it or in a mental picture where my subconscious
can easily recollect.
Focus- I had to focus on what I wanted to be. I had to focus on being fit, I
had to see myself going on physical fitness programme. I did this very often
because it kept me on track.
Train- I had to train my mind and my body to adjust to the new circumstance.
It was not so easy but it required training. I had to train myself to
respond to the task. Eventually, the craft process was very helpful and it
lasted till I wanted it to.
Our self-image is bound up intimately with our imagination.
It is based 100% on what we imagine to be true. “You act and feel not
according to what things are really like but according to the image your
mind holds of what they are like”..pg 42
The above interprets the fact that my self image is what I imagine to be
true about myself. It is based on my own imagination. I imagine being at my
best at all times.
The subconscious mind can’t tell the difference between a real experience
and one that is vividly imagined. To the subconscious .believing is
seeing..(pg 44)
From this context, believing has to do with the mind of the mind, seeing
only takes you to what you believe. I realized that I need to imagine like I
am having a real experience of what I want, because imagination sets the
“goal” pictures our automatic mechanism works on. Pg 51.
“But in each case the self image had nothing to with reality. It was
something that had been learned. Anything that has been learned can be
reevaluated and challenged; anything that has been challenged can be
“relearned”, with new data to replace the old. The above paragraph is
important to me because I have found out that I never stop learning. There’s
a saying that when you stop learning you start dying. It is a re-affirmation
every time I set my eyes on it, it gives the belief that I can learn
anything I want to as far as I develop an interest and a mental picture
(seeing myself doing it).
Monitoring system.
Another important idea I have leant from this book is the ability to monitor
myself and keep myself organized. Keeping a diary is something I have always
been lazy about but now I enjoy it especially when I write down experiences
that make me happy. Self-monitoring keeps me anticipating for the future, it
makes me compulsorily responsible for every thought action I make during the
course of the day. It makes me know how long it takes to fully replace a
negative thought when using the CRAFT technique.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your
daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
The ideas explained will definitely help me in virtually everything I want
to do. In my personal and daily life, since I have come across the
relaxation process I practice it everyday, I know it keeps me safe, it
enhances my listening and sometimes it keeps me to myself. One other thing I
have noticed about this process is that I use in another form to discard
anger and embrace self-control. There are sometimes arguments lead to
aggressive arguments, now I don’t even wait till is an argument.
The craft of reprogramming has enhanced my personal life; it has alowed me
have more confidence and belief in my abilities. It has given me the power
to overcome a negative self image and embrace that image in which I imagine
myself in.
Self –monitoring system is very valid because I am the one accessing my
progress, self-monitoring is a do it yourself project, in this case you are
on your own. It gives me more opportunity to encourage myself and say to
myself. “I can make it”.
4. Quotes: Are there brief quotes from the book which really got your
attention? If so, please list and comment on them.
When a person has adequate self esteem, little slights offer no threat at
all, they are simply “passed over” and ignored. Even deeper emotional wounds
are likely to heal faster and cleaner, with no festering sores to poison
life and spoil happiness. Maxwell Maltz 1960
This sounds to be true; the self esteem has to do with the way I feel about
myself in the inside. So no matter the obstacle, a strong self esteem will
be at its best.
No one is immune to negative feelings and attitudes. The important thing is
to recognize them for what they are, and take positive action to correct
course. (Maxwell Maltz)
This quote indicates that the mind of the human brain is not perfect, but I
can continue to improve by taking positive and using the stair step method
identified by Denis Waitley in “The New Dynamics of Winning “. The conscious
mind sets the vision. The subconscious mind’s role is pro-vision. It
provides the support system to enact the conscious mind’s decision.
Functionally, a man is somewhat like a bicycle….. A bicycle maintains its
poise and equilibrium only so long as it is going forward towards something.
( Maxwell Maltz).
Having a goal is the most important thing in this quote , that is, moving
towards something and adjusting to the task just the way kids learn how to
ride a bicycle.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear
about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
One of the techniques for keeping your personality glitch free, the author
mentioned appreciating yourself as a spiritual being (pg 305) In what
context of spirituality does he mean.. Does spirituality have an affiliation
or a connection with a religion? Can religion enhance spirituality?
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you
complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The book contained quite a number of exercises but I worked on those that I
felt were helpful to my own personal development. I worked on the
frustration index (pg 264), it helped in the corrective action to take when
I find myself in the situation.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on
that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
Not at all, I prefer this format compared to the previous one.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and
one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
The New Dynamics of Winning
Assessment by Longe Opeyemi Dotun (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea the author is trying to convey?
The main idea the Denis Waitley is trying to convey to the reader is to
enable him or her know practical and practiceable techniques of winning, for
you to be a winner, you have to think and act like one. The author describes
the ability of being able to transform ability into tangible
accomplishments. He goes further in showing the observable traits of a
champion,
* The five most prevalent self-destructive beliefs.
* How to focus your mind on peak performance,anywhere and anytime.
* The important relationship between intergrity and success
* The secrets of mental toughness and how to overcome setbacks.
* The components of effective leadership and the importance of coachability.
* How ‘paying the price’ prepares you for success
* How to use stress advantage.
These are the main ideas the the Denis Waitley is trying to convey in this
outstanding masterpeice.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and
Why? List this 7 ideas followed by an expanation after each one as to why it
was important to you. Use personal examples in your own life.
The characterstics of a Winner.
* Common sense - The ability to simplify complex subjects by getting right
the core of what really matters. Like it is said, Common sense is not
common, it takes conscious effort and effective planning in simplifying
complex objects into attainable results. It also entails knowing what to do,
when to do and how to do.{ this is very important to my own understanding}.
* Knowing your field - This can be known both through hands on experience
and advice of other people. As a graduate of Business Administration, my
field is definitely in Management. From my own perspective there’s
management in every aspect of human life. As at the moment, i am rendering
services to my country for a year. This compulsory for all graduates in
Nigeria. It is known as the NYSC (National Youth Service Corps} scheme.
During this year, a lot will be learnt in the corporate environment and it
will aslo create a pathway in knowing my professional calling.
* Self Reliance - This means more than just feeling good about one’s self.
It means taking definitive action to get things moving in your life. Self
realiance is the ability to rely on one’s self, for this to be evident,
there must be belief. I belief in my own abilities and i belief i can
improve on them in order to bring out the best in me.
The stair step method.
This entails taking a big goal and breaking it down into smaller components.
This smaller components are the things that are required in achieving the
major goal. The stair step method is used with a four part terminology 1.
Define, 2. Outline, 3. Time frame, 4. Claim
* Define- Defining the major goal in writing, it becomes a clear mission
statement and it has the authority of a legal contract.
* Outline - It becomes focused less intimidating and more easily scheduled
into daily and weekly routines.
* Time frame - I call this the time(t) at which you want the goal to be
achieved depending on what the goal is.
* Claim - When everything has been outlined and feasible to achieve then it
can be claimed.
This method no doubt makes sense to me and i will put it to work to a major
goal and a long term plan.
The 7 Rules for Winners.
Rule 1- Be proactive and preventive about your physical health Health is
wealth. Taking care of what houses my soul and spirit is of great importance
to me. Feeding moderately and yet consistently both the body and soul.
Rule 2- View life as a continuous learning experience. This, i understand to
be a life long commitment to be educated with the affairs that govern life
and putting into consideration my proffessional calling.
Rule 3 - You get what you pay for. Putting in all my time, energy,resources
and my efforts in mastering a skill is not a day’s job. It will take years.
I have to pay the price to win a prize or pay the cost to be the boss.
Paying the price might entail going through struggles, trials and
tribulations but this makes me a better person after all.
Rule 4 - View mistakes as corrective feedback to get you back on track. This
is very good to know, i hope to and will imbibe this culture because when i
make mistakes I find it very painful and there is a feeling of regret
depending on the kind of mistake.
Rule 5- Set your own internal standards for success. like the explanations
Denis Waitley used here. They are real motivations for me. ‘Don’t compare
yourself to others. Competition should be viewed as a way to maintain
excellence to keep yourself performing up to your own potential’. He went
further ‘Instead of achieving or performing to impress the world or your
peers, seek to do something that you love, something that is excellent and
beneficial. You need no one else to measure you or your skill’. These words,
i must say makes me feel good about the uniqueness of my being. Against all
odds, setting an internal standard for success for myself is a priority.
Rule 6 - The choice is yours, so choose to win. Ofcourse, i choose to win. I
know the decision is up to me, I am up to the task and i am not afraid in
anyway to stretch my limits.
Rule 7 - Keep training and gaining without complaining. There’s no doubt
that i want to be trained and i am willing and able to gain. Gaining might
not be immediate, but i know what i am reading for my self development is
definitely going to yeild postive results.
Your own sense of value determines the quality of your performance
Performance is only a reflection of internal worth, not the measure of it. I
interprete this to be, what i personally value determines how i will
perform. Put in another form, what i see hs being right, reflects and
determines what i think. So therefore whatever makes me perform or whatever
enhances my performance is a mirror of how I FEEL IN THE INSIDE.
What you show to the world on the outside is a reflection of how you feel in
In the inside.
Whatever i reflect on outside is a reflection of how i feel inside. So
therfore it is important to note that equipping the inside with universal
Principles is very important.
You need to feel Love inside yourself before you can offer it to anyone.
Loving is giving, Love makes the world go round, it is not a respecter of
colour, religion or personality. It should come straight from the heart.....
I must feel Love inside of me before it can be passed on.... The reward is
not quantifiable.
Self Affirming Beliefs
Beliefs like, I can control my thoughts,emotions and i direct them to
improve the quality of my health, my relationships, my work, my life. I am a
good valuable and worthy person..... Beliefs that make you a better person
after its being said.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your
Daily and personal life and in helping you to create a better world. If so
how?
The 7 ideas and lessons will definitely help me in my pursuit for self
development and improvement in all ramifications. They are lessons to fall
back on when the chips are down. They are lessons to be learnt and applied
just the way food is taken into the body.I do not only see them as lessons,
they are instructions which can gaurd my life when they are obeyed
accordingly.
4. Are there brief quotes from the book which really got your attention?
There are but i will mention a few.
‘ It’s mind over muscle, mind over competition, mind over everything’......
This shows that The power of the mind is beyond what one would one would
ordinarily think. Hence, the human mind has God like Powers.
‘ Winners choose activities that will give them long term positive results.
Thats delayed gratification’.
‘ Its not who you are that hold you back, its what you think you are not’
‘ Losers let it happen, winners make it happen’.
5. Is there anything in this book that you do not understand or are there
ideas which you disagree with and if so why?
So far, I do not disagree with any idea or lesson. I accept all of them
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so did you
complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The book contained a twenty one day plan to prepare me for achieving a
personal goal and a profesional goal. My personal goal was achieved, I am a
better person now, I plan time in a more efficient manner, I have become
meticulous to activities in my life, putting on paper virtually everything i
do. As for the professional goal it is yet to be achieved.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on
that was not covered in the previous questions?
All ideas and lessons learnt have been notified and commented in the
previous questions..... I would just add one more thing, The Dynamics of
Winning included a lot of stories just like that of Success through PMA ,
Psycho-cybernetics was more of an instrucuctional manual that can enhance
human life.....
8. Please rate the foolowing questions on a scale from 1 to 10.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B.How helpful were the contents? 9
C.How easy was it to understand? 9
D.Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you will give it? 9
Keys To Success
Assessment by Longe Opeyemi Dotun (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Napoleon Hill, no doubt is a great thinker and he has the ability to
captivate the mind of the reader, in his powerful book, he explains every
detail about the 17 principles of personal achievement which are the keys to
success.
He has his own views and opinions on these principles and they have been
wholly accepted by my subconscious. He attempts to spur the readers effort
and also to make the reader know that the essence of the action and
attitudes of everyone who has ever had accomplishment is as a result of the
17 principles of personal achievement.
He supports his facts by giving life examples to make the reader assimilate
quicker and better. The 17 principles are
* Develop a definiteness of Purpose
* Establish a mastermind alliance
* Assemble an attractive personality
* Use applied faith
* Go the extra mile
* Create personal initiative
* Build a positive mental attitude
* Control your enthusiasm
* Enforce self discipline
* Think accurately
* Learn from Adversity and defeat
* Cultivate creative vision.
* Maintain sound health
* Budget your time and money
* Use cosmic force.
2. What were the 7 ideas which are personally most important to you and why?
List these 7 ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it
was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
The 7 ideas which were personally most important to me are being extracted
from the 17 principles of personal achievement. Below are the chapters or
principles I drew inspiration from.
DEVELOP A DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE
This acts as a magnet to attract to you the specialized knowledge necessary
for success.
Specialization is a great deal on your ability to know much about a specific
area and to perform exceptionally within it. I support this because it is
very good for individuals to search for their strengths (that which you are
good at) rather than relying on the weaknesses.
BUDGET TIME AND MONEY
This is a very important lesson to me, sometimes it always looks like
there’s no time and enough financial resources, I have learnt to live within
my means and not outside it. I have cultivated the habit of saving a part of
my income and I am committed to it, spending money and acquiring things can
be very interesting, I have learnt how to save more and spend less. I work
in an insurance company, so it has inculcated the habit of saving in me,
because when you save with an insurance company you can’t withdraw money
during the duration of your savings.
Time like you know is very essential and it is money. I like the way the
aspect of time is explained in this book.
8 hours of sleep
8 hours of work
8 hours of spare time
The first is the most important and if it is shortened on a regular basis,
it can affect one’s health. The second is being spent at what generates
income for you. The last is the time I spend doing things such as
relaxation, hanging out with friends, watching films, surfing the internet,
reading books e.t.c.
Another point in this chapter that attracted my attention is this, if you
can see opportunities as you see the faults of others, you’ll soon succeed.
When I came across the above sentence, It was like the author was talking
directly to me, I used to find it very easy in identifying faults in others,
now I love to see the opportunities and explore them even when I see the
faults of others, I do not concentrate on them.
Another point which was personally important to me is “If millions of people
are struggling to get by on the salaries they earn, it is because their
highest aim is only to hold the jobs that they currently have. They are what
they are and they are making what they make solely because of the
limitations they have set up in their minds”.
From my own understanding and point of view, Napoleon Hill is trying to let
employees know that they should not only depend on their salary or aim for
job security; he is challenging me to think outside the box, the limitations
is as a result of how they have chosen to think.
You will not succeed if you cannot convince other people to cooperate with
you and if you do not live in accordance with strict standards. Living in
accordance with strict standards means living according to discipline, the
ability to caution one’s self and place a limit to things.
ESTABLISH A MASTERMIND ALLIANCE.
The beauty of a master mind alliance is that it puts you in touch with the
creative power of others, connecting mind to mind, opening the subconscious
of each member to the power of infinite intelligence. I see IIGL has a
master mind alliance that is affecting the lives of the individuals as far
as they can key into the materials which they have access to. IIGL is
therefore my own master mind alliance keeping me in touch with the creative
power (via the books) connecting mind to mind (with other students). This,
to my own understanding is a typical example of IIGL.
USE APPLIED FAITH
When you do more than you are immediately paid to do in a willing and
cheerful manner, you develop a pleasing attitude with the cornerstone of an
attractive personality. This applies to me, because sometimes I think I do
more and I am being paid less, during meditation, I realized that at this
stage of my life money should not be a motivator instead interest should be
the motivator, and once there’s interest there’s peace of mind and money
will definitely follow accordingly. I came up with this conclusion and I
started doing my work happily and I always letting my subconscious know that
I am giving myself experience.
LEARN FROM ADBERSITY AND DEFEAT
I must be humble so that I can acquire wisdom and understanding. I need not
accept failure but only as a temporary event that may prove to be a blessing
in disguise. When it comes to the acquisition of learning something, pride
should be discarded, when I read IIGL books I ensure I am in the right state
of mind and pick up things that are lacking in my life. I get to learn
different things everyday and there’s no way I can learn anything without
being humble and eager to learn.
The above are the important lessons I learnt from chapter 13, I have
experienced a couple of adversities in academics and I know what it means to
pass through the experience, there’s no doubt that failure is a blessing in
disguise because I know I am a better person and a more serious minded
individual in the way I control the affairs of my life.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way both in your
daily and personal life and in helping you create a better world?
Everyday and in everyway, I am getting better and better, smarter and
smarter and more enterprising in my thinking. The ideas that have been most
important to me are the ones that relate to my circumstance at this stage of
my life, as at the time these assessments were written. These ideas have
challenged my thinking enabling me to know that I will not be an employee
throughout my life and seek for job security, instead I have keyed into
Peter Drucker’s school of thought which says “All employees have to see
themselves as executives”. Also I have adopted the 3 levels of achieving
goals. “Be” “Do” Have”. I know what I want to be, I have set out what to do
or be in the short term and long term especially about my personal life. I
already possess peace of mind and I am satisfied with what I have even as I
still strive to acquire more.
4. Are there brief quotes which got your attention? If so, List and comment.
The subconscious mind receives any image that is transferred to it by the
conscious strong emotion.
You will not succeed if you cannot convince other people to cooperate with
you and if you do not live in accordance to strict standards
Your mind attracts anything it dwells upon
You are what you are and where you are because of the dominating thoughts in
your mind.
Your past failures are what make failure sweet.
Anything that affects the soundness of the mind will affect the body, and
anything that affects your body will touch the mind.
Satisfactions are important for a healthy mind.
Practicing controlled meditation will do wonders for your mental powers.
Be sincere first with yourself, and you will steadily grow in self reliance.
The value of the wealth that comes with success is that it carries with it
the lessons you have learnt in acquiring it.
You can never achieve anything great without thinking accurately.
When you are paid to do more than you are immediately paid to do, in a
willing and cheerful manner, you develop a positive attitude, the
cornerstone of an attractive personality.
Nothing will happen in your life that you do not inspire by your own
initiative. Creative vision is the power which inspires the development of
that personal initiative.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or unclear about
or are there ideas which you disagree with and why?
I understand virtually everything I have read, and I agree with the authors
school of thought. The ideas contained in the book have been very impactful;
I can approve and recommend it for anyone seeking personal development.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so did you
complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The book contained exercises especially in the last chapter, I found it
helpful, I jotted down some certain things I wanted in my life. I got into
action; I read my goals to myself everyday, in the morning and at night.
This process allows my subconscious to be at work, unconsciously reminding
me of what I desire to achieve.
7. Was there anything in the book that you would like to comment on that was
not covered in the previous questions?
All I can add is that I like Napoleon Hill’s pattern of writing, his books
are usually very interesting, easy to understand, he carries the reader
along and his principles can be inculcated by all irrespective of your
background, religion and condition.
Ratings
a. How interesting was it to read? 9
b. How helpful were the contents? 9
c. How easy was it to understand? 9
d. Would you recommend it to others? 9
e. What is the overall rating you will give it? 9 |
