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As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Adewumi Adewale (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.

This can be explained in detail in the following paragraphs:
The most powerful truth that reoccur all through the passages is that I am literally what I think and there could not have been an action without a hidden seed of thought. Therefore, we are made by our own thought nature.

Inferentially, God-like character is not a special privilege of certain class, but a deliberate choice of continued effort of right thinking, and bestiality follows like rule. Therefore between ascension to divine perfection and falling below tainted bestiality are all grade of character.

Yet the truth remains - man is the master of his thought having the transforming and regenerative agency by which he may make himself what he wills (by choice). He could choose to be a foolish master who misgoverns his ‘household’ or by diligence, application, self-analysis and experience becomes a wise master.

And by linking cause and effect he can patiently practice and investigate why he is whom he is, and by altering his thought the world around him changes along.
A man’s mind is the garden on which the seed of thought grows. Notably, if good fruit is expected it has to be tended and cultivated. By this he can achieve the fruit of his desire. Else, useless weed-seeds will fall therein to produce their kind.

Also, it is importantly noted that a person’s life will always be harmoniously related to his inner state (thought). And, our thoughts determine whether we are in harmony with our surroundings or not. Man is a creative force who should master the circumstances around him for growth, but he will be buffeted by the same circumstances if he loses control. For alteration in our circumstances is in exact ratio of our altered mental condition.

Man reaches the height of its cherished aspirations or falls to the level of its unchastened desire - all through circumstances of life. Thus, good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit reflecting through the circumstances.
Both pleasant and unpleasant external conditions are for man’s ultimate good to learn from. Hence, the outer condition is the fruition and fulfillment of ones thought for the course of crime is never accidental or a matter of stress but of thought which wait for the hour of opportunity - circumstances only reveals a man; it doesn’t make a man. Wishes and prayers are only answered when harmonized with thought and action.

Life pays us what we earn: an indolent man who shirks his work will live in wretchedness as a glutton will be a victim of a painful and persistent disease: Also, an employer who pays peanuts in hope of unearned riches will soon be bankrupt. The above illustrates man as the causer of his circumstances.

Good thought and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and action can never produce good results, as a corn will not bring forth okra.

The body obeys the mind either deliberately or automatically - as glad tiding yields youthfulness and beauty; so bad news shrinks the body. Likewise sickly thought produces sickly body.

The men who live in fear (thought) of disease often get it. The body will always respond to the thoughts impressed upon it - for out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body. A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts. Wrinkles that mar are drawn by folly, passion and pride.

To think well of all, cheerful with all, and find the good in all and think peace towards all bring abounding peace back.

Aimlessness is a vice that leads to catastrophe and destruction. Therefore, a resolve on a central purpose help steer a man from pitfalls of various thoughts. Thus the focus of thought on one supreme ideal is the royal road to self-control. Although weaknesses would be overcome again and again along the road, yet the revolving strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success.

Strength can only be developed by effort and practice, and patience; so as physically weak man can train to become strong, so the man of weak thoughts can exercise himself to become strong in right thinking.

The book also help me to understand that the will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do. But fear and doubts thwarts a man’s effort and leading to failure.
Thought allied fearlessly to become something higher and stronger: it is a conscious and intelligent wielder of mental powers.

No man can be helped until the weaker is willing to alter his thought and remold it on strong pure thought. As a man thinks so is he, as he continues to think so he remains.

Importantly to me, if I would lift up my thought, then I can arise, conquer and achieve my life aim.

Also, a man who indulges in bestial thought cannot think clearly nor plan methodically in any serious undertaking.

Success is commensurate in how much I would sacrifice bestial thought for the development of my plan.

The universe does not favour the greedy, the dishonest and the likes when closely noted.

Well-directed thought lifts - by the aid of purity, righteousness, resolution and self-control, otherwise he falls.

As one dreams, so he becomes, a man become as small as his controlling desire, as great as his dominant aspiration.

The thoughtless and ignorant seeing only the apparent and not the real thing talk of luck, fortune and chance. They do not see the struggles failures and sacrifices that would be required to gain a new status and experience. The strength of the effort is the strength of the result. Success is thoughts completed, objectives accomplished.
And I learnt there could never be strength of character without calmness. The calm man learns how to govern himself and know how to adapt himself to others. In turn they reverence his spiritual strength as they learn from him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, and his power for good.

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.

Relating the ideas of the book: As A Man Thinketh to my life, I got a clearer understanding that to improve my circumstances in life I must foremost improve myself starting with my thought.

Also, it becomes vivid that life is absolutely just, and will never give evil for good, or good for evil; as an honest man with an obnoxious vices would reap the good result of his honest thoughts and acts; and also brings upon himself the sufferings which his vices produces. It suffices to say that suffering tells of what is wrong and the good what is right.

It suffices to also relate with the distinction between blessedness and material possession- blessedness is the result of right thought and wretchedness, not lack of material possessions as a measures of wrong thought.

Thought is the foundation of action, life and manifestations: make the fountain pure, and all will be pure.

With those who have lived righteously, age is calm, peaceful and soft. Meaning that if I foster right thinking and action I will have the calm to face life - and to make every tide blow for my good.

The oppressor and slaves are cooperators in ignorance, who seem to afflict each other, are in reality, afflicting themselves. Relating these lives to myself, I found out that if I conquer weakness and selfish thought I will be a free man; knowing not the struggles and pains of neither the oppressor nor the oppressed.

I become what my dreams and ideals are. It is not my birth or background that matters after all. Poverty and lack may visit my childhood but if I will keep awake the angel of my vision. If I would think of intelligence or ideal, a new power would take hold of me, as my altered mind will no more be in harmony with my poor estate.
And with growth of opportunities, I will pass out to become a master of certain forces- of worldwide influence as I change and remold lives and character.
Years later, the man has grown to become one with his thought- as his circumstances changes to suit his thought.

As a man thinketh, so is he.

3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this book? Please Explain

A. Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. Their inmost thoughts and desires are fed with their own food, be it foul or clean. Only the man himself can manacle himself, - his thought imprisons him if base and liberate him if noble.

B. Sufferings primary place in man is to purify, to burn out all that us useless and impure. Suffering ceases for him who is pure.

C. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food.

4. Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so, explain how? Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so, explain how?

The challenges to change is highly imperative finding out that the world is my Kaleidoscope; meaning that perfection of my thought will yield an abounding world of opportunities devoid of hard fate. Therefore, the onus is to work on being, not on having: that is, everything else will change if I change. And that the measure of the good life I am entitled to predisposed on how much good thought, I cultivate in my mind.

It become most important to study, analyze and reprogram my thought for a harvest of the good I plan to have. And quietly I can say:

‘…Be not impatient in delay:
But wait as one who understand,
When spirit rises and commands
To gods are ready to obey.’

And the victory attained by right thought can only be maintained by watchfulness.

5. Are there ideas in the book that you totally disagree with? If so, why?

I do agree with the content of the book - they are profound concept to work with

6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?

A helpful information in the book is that: when a man earnest applies himself to remedy the defects in his character, and makes swift and marked progress, he passes rapidly through a succession of vicissitudes.

Law not confusion, justice not injustice, and righteousness not corruption is the foundation of the universe. Suffering comes when one go out of harmony with oneself – the law of his being. And a man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy and prosperous being.

Thought can not be kept secret it metamorphoses into equal circumstances; even as the visible world is sustained by the invisible: he who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it - my world will one day be built if I remain true to my lofty thought

7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is trying to convey.

A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad will produce its results on the character and circumstances after their kind. Our thoughts surely shape our circumstances for good or bad. ‘We cannot travel within and stand still without.’

Rating
1. How interesting was it to read? 10
2. How helpful were the content? 10
3. How easy was it to understand? 09
4. Would you recommend it to others? 10
5. What is the overall rating you will give it? 09.

PLEASE I HAVE THE BOOK, THUS THE REASON WHY I GIVE AN EARLY ANSWER TO THE BOOK.
PLS I WILL STILL NEED A SOFT COPY OF AS A MAN THINKETH THROUGH THE NET

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Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Adewumi Adewale (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.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull typifies men of great strength, immense ability and extraordinary achievements. It is a literary description of what it takes to get to the top of the ladder of success: As great achievement is not an overnight flight nor is it what one leaves to chances.

The most important idea in this book, which is well illustrated by the life of Jonathan Livingston Seagull are as follows:

Firstly, a life that will ever count with meaning would be a life with concerns above the self-conscious pursuits of daily needs such as food, clothes and shelter. It should be a life dedicated for improvement of ones reach, skill and ability with a larger picture of a better future: a purposeful drive to capture a rich life beyond the survival instinct. Also, the life that must make mark should be from the on set focused, determined and non-yielded to the opinion of the average low minded people: people who are content with the comfort zone or at best are in the rat race for food and toys of life.

Like Jonathan Livingston Seagull you would know that disgrace and dishonor will visit your trail as you walk through the new course: one fails often in an unmarked trail. But we should keep on for it is the leader that sets the pace!

More so, if we must live beyond the subsistence type of life we will soon find out as we become unpopular. And the closest people like Jonathan Seagull's mother will become so concern with our security that they would if possible talk us out of our vision. Like Jonathan, I appreciate the need to keep the pursuit of strong urge arising from my within: I call it a beaconing to stardom!

In addition, to become a hero of a magnificent act, we must set ourselves apart from the flock as awe resume training. In spite of hunger, inhibition or conditioning, we should apply ourselves to creatively work on our noble plan and to keep at it with the understanding that if you can think it, you can do it. Jonathan Seagull thinks he can fly at the speed of falcons and he did it - he doesn't have to be a falcon, yet he learnt from the falcons; and even beat the mark.

In our pursuit to fly we should know that discovery unfolds day after day - and room for improvement is unlimited. All that Jonathan learned were not in a day.
Like Jonathan, the man who has the solution will be banished and ostracized; yet he will increase in discovery. Later, in life, both he who pursued excellence or mediocrity will find that life pays him his exact worth.

More so, great minds, common minds, when they meet they know. Slaves recline with slaves and great souls in their own class. If you have a great mind, you will soon find yourself among great minds.

When there is perfection of purpose: age empowers the elders not enfeebled them. And the consummation of an idea is to know you have already arrived. We can only go as far as our perceived limitation and things will always work when we know what we are doing.

In our growth life, we will all get to a point wherewith we cannot grow anymore except through the bound of love and kindness - meaning that our further growth hinges primarily on this.

In attaining greatness the only law we are allowed to uphold is the one that leads to freedom - understanding you fully, and acting in the full capacity without inhibition.
Also, our growth and experience has a perfect correlation with what we learn. Meaning that if we learn fast, we will also grow fast - in corresponding pace.
The most difficult yet most rewarding enterprise in our expression of us is to understand the meaning of kindness and love. And if we do, we have the most powerful tool at hand, and in it is the consummation of fun.

In concept, like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, we would come to a point we will know with practical ease that we are not just human - blood, flesh and bone, but a perfect idea of freedom limited by nothing at all.

Another area of great importance is the conversion of a resolve and purpose for a positive end: Fletcher Lynd was a Seagull that has been harshly treated. He wanted to fight back but love helped him to forgive as he went ahead to help new generation of Seagulls to attain freedom. For there is no attainment of magnificent skill when you still nurse hurt and unforgiveness.

The height of learning is being humble to train and mentor new protégé the detail, art and principle of your attained skill. At this stage you point to them why things are done the way they are done - and let the new comer take risk to express himself.

In leadership development, we empower as Jonathan Livingston did Fletcher. And Fletcher did the same with the upcoming ones. Jonathan became a leader of leaders, therefore in his excelling capacity, there was perpetuation of their school and thought even when he left: Fletcher carried on from there.

The whole concept in the book is a bold call to fully express my being and in the course learn all I need from experience, training and people ahead. And I should ensure I help others who are on the same path to learn - who will also be faithful to commit the same ideal: helping others to understand what they really are and also beginning to practice it.

Finally, the leaders should accept the fact that the hardest thing in the world is to convince the average mind that he is free, and that he can prove it for himself if he'd just spend a little time practicing.

A leader has the practices and sees the real in spite of evil tendency as a result of ignorance of others - he choose to see the good in everyone of them, and he help them see it in them. And to keep finding oneself, a little more each day - the unlimited you growing to become the true instructor in your continual learning. Do not believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know and you will wee the way to perfection (excellence).

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.

The idea of the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull is that everybody should be free to become what he is. It has really helped to drive into me the passion to be me, and live solely in discovering my ideals, purpose in life, and myself. It is through freedom can I live above the imposing limitations of life.

Therefore, I must hold myself courageously to the course that I must follow to arrive at the safe haven of my dream.

Also, in my pursuit of self-discovery I should always be mindful of the group of antagonists who for no reason will want to destroy my reputation or treat me with ignominy. All along, I should go on loving because if they know what I know they will love in return. Meaning that I should understand their ignorance and if possible find a way of setting their minds free also. Thus, I should be an instructor of a higher value of life.

In addition, I appreciate the need to involve my thought process in getting all I will ever want in life because the thought rules even above the matters. I am persuaded that if I will, I can “I am free to go where I wish and to be what I am.” On this premise, I found out that there is no limit anywhere except those we acknowledge. I have the freedom to be myself, my true self, here and now, anything that stands against that freedom must be set aside - rituals, superstition, or limitation.

3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this book? Please Explain

One important new idea I learnt was Jon's relational of the state of the body as an expression of the state of my thought. '... Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.'

Another idea that caught my fancy is deathless transition of beings and the indestructibility of beings that have attained perfection.

Here also is another remarkable thought worth lifting from the book: “But overcome space, and all we have is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now” Thus space and time are limited measure while here and now is a force for achieving unlimited feat!

4. Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so, explain how? Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so, explain how?

In pursuit of my life vision I found the following statement by the elder gull very challenging and rare nugget for accomplishing the 'impossible': “… the gulls who scorn perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly. Those who put aside travel for the sake of perfection go anywhere, instantly” it immensely challenges me to see importance of my life purpose ahead the required task or responsibility.
The statement is insightful and helpful to get anything done - it is not the 'enormousness' of a task but the will that matters after all.

5. Are there ideas in the book that you totally disagree with? If so, why?

One single idea I am not subscribing to is the type of incarnation described in Jonathan Livingston Seagull - offer of possible thousand lives for one to find the purpose for living - I believe we all have one life to do that.

6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?

The most helpful resources in the book is to be free to become me not minding the cost or the task it will take to discover and harness the full personality of my being.
And in the course of self discovery great insight and transition will always come my way when I am hardest hit by challenges. And help will always be made available when I am an outcast or weak as a result of time of struggle for perfection if I hang on a little longer.

7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is trying to convey.

The purpose for living is to find that perfection for which we are created and show it forth: as we list ourselves out of ignorance for excellence, intelligence and skill. We can be free.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

1. How interesting was it to read? 10
2. How helpful were the content? 09
3. How easy was it to understand? 09
4. Would you recommend it to others? 10
5. What is the overall rating you will give it? 09

The New Dynamics Of Winning
Assessment by Adewumi Adewale (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 New Dynamics of winning vividly illustrates that I have the talent and all that is necessary to achieve success in any endeavour of life - of which I set my heart to. And above all, the book then further enlightened me on the process of converting those resources - in and around me- into tangible accomplishment. On this premise I learnt to gauge my mind-set; through mental training and effective self-management and total self-mastery. All these based on cultivating the right desire and action for peak performance.

Also, to embrace success, and make good performance with boost of energy, I have to devoid myself of fears, which are negative inhibitors. Such fears include; fear of catastrophic danger, of change, of success and fear of failure. And it is important to note that fear in itself is often unreal; thus the importance of getting to the root of every fear and deal with the issue through establishing the right frame of mind - making the most of every circumstance for positive output.

To be a winner: I must know what matters to me (self discovery) and self-reliant. Knowing what I want, I must break my goal into small bits until I accomplished it - no matter the size of a dream, when broken into bits, makes it a possibility. And I must have the common sense to pursue my dream, as no one will do that for me.

I also find it neatly knitted into every page of the book that there is a price to be paid if I must succeed in any given pursuit. Therefore, as I read along, I resolved to keep a mind-set that is committed to paying the price - decidedly following through in my business, in spite of a thousand rejections (failure). For it is not the “hard work” per se but the commitment that finally brings the rewards. A man with commitment like Walter Payton gets stronger while others fade away.

Journey From The Inside
Men alike were all born champions, but over the years wrong perceptions and responses therefore reprogrammed the majority for a life of failure. Therefore, fundamental to my success is my own internal value; I therefore internalized the concept that my outer world is a reflection of my inner world. Hence, my opinion of myself is most vital to my success or failure than anyone else's.
Just like Scot Hamilton, we should trust our abilities in our own unique way - I should find the courage, take the risk and train to be a champion indeed. Everybody is a champion if only he knows.

In the course of reading, I also learnt to find the deciding factors that have helped me to succeed previously - and to keep at it. It is true that the factors that helped me previously if pondered on and the principle applied again will again yield another round of success. And I should be wary of my attitude that is reflected in how I treat others and myself - in integrity, honesty: living and leading by example because people can see beyond the talk. Ones attitude should therefore be one of high expectations for that which is good and in the interest of all. For I should know that my attitude will shape my future and those around me.

The Magnificent Glimpse
Pablo Marcels visualized his success many years before the realization - a gold medal in the Olympic. If men would take enough time to focus the picture of their desire strongly enough, they would achieve anything they want. Therefore the image (picture) we carry of ourselves is what we become - and a successful visualization is such that carries the actions or process of task to be accomplished.
It is important to eliminate self-sabotaging conditions inside me. High performance is by being motivated as I see opportunities and not defeats. To figure catastrophic situation and to compete as not to lose - tends to failure all the same. To always pursue a goal in ones most relaxed state is to be fully resourceful - face everything positively and you will possess unusual strength for success. Therefore, to become whom we want to become, we must look, think, move and feel like the character.
If I must succeed 'easily' I will need to learn foremost from experts and be ready for the unexpected - and at the same time possess the mind-set to get through. Through this I hope to make far less mistakes. It is also important to be engaged in task or job that will be as much fun as it is a work. And always having it in mind that real value comes from whatever you create in beauty and goodness and truth.

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, values etc? Please use personal examples in your explanation.

In page 21, I quote: “At the world-class level in any field, it truly is mind over everything”
In my life experience I have cultivated the habit of using my mind to foster any change I want. When a decision is challenging and somewhat dreadful to make in spite of inherent value I always transact to conclusion my stand (decision) in my mind. When my mind is fully carried along I always have no fear of any threat.

In 2005, I made up my mind to leave my job - it was hard. But immediately my mind moved out of the company, my body was able to contain all the fears that followed - based on personal experience I could also allude to the fact that indeed the mind rules the world! Presently, I am building my own business even in Nigeria.

“Losers let it happen, winners make it happen” (Page 130).
If I must succeed I would foremost take responsibility for my life - not being acted upon by people or circumstance. I am the actor in the world's arena.

“It's not who you are that holds you back, it's what you think you're not” (page 130).
The above quotation illustrates the reason for many of my inaction - giving reasons why an idea is not good enough usually excused me based on some of my assumed inadequacy - and I try to exonerate myself for why I have not succeeded more than I am now: but the truth is that it is in the acting that I become whom I want to become. On this note, I need to always remind myself that what I have is enough to achieve all of my 'basic' pursuits (purposes).

“Life is not a treasure hunt. Life itself is the treasure”
Some years back life was stressful and hard because I was always looking up to “one day”- a moment of triumph, perfection or a state of utopia - that I cannot define. But recently, just as the quotation above points, I now learnt to enjoy every moment as I begin to count my blessings and discount my seeming failings. Just like Denis Waitley, what good are those few moments of triumph if I am unhappy through those thousands of minutes leading up to a victory? This is why I can shout out loud: “Life is beautiful - because life is not a treasure hunt. Life itself is the treasure.
And I believe that we can keep winning all our lives as we begin to count our blessings…

3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this book? Please explain.

In chapter 5, I learnt that even sights and sounds below the level of conscious perception could have a powerful influence on behaviour. Flashes and flickering images also do affect our course in life. Therefore, the mind's eyes need to be fed with positive images while negative outcome should be blocked by all means through the avoidance of playing the mind on the wrong picture.

4. Has this book challenged you or changed your thinking in any way? If so explain how?

Bills Toomey's discovery of mental toughness - which gives the ability to thrive on pain and adversity, further strengthened my inner resolve not to ever give up in the pursuit of my better self: “when it starts to hurt, I start to win”. The best time to keep keeping on is when it hurts - then the creative part of man comes fully on stage.

“The challenge, therefore is to be totally committed every day to pursuing your life's purpose as you have defined it” (Page 172).
The above is a tall challenge because my research has shown that the marked deference between extraordinary performers and the run-of-the-will is to do exceptional feat by listening to the intuitive voice within oneself and acting on ones own resolve. My everyday success therefore depends on my commitment to my life's purpose as I defined it.

5. Are these ideas in the book that you really disagree with? If so why

There is no idea in the book, which I quite disagreed with. Having read many books - the idea and content are superb and in agreement with the modern basics of empowerment techniques and personal development programmes around the world.

6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?

To me is page 169 titled “Life is not a Treasure Hunt”, because it is well adapted and applicable to my life experience of unwarranted self-denial in the pursuit of life goal especially in time past. He who must attain greatness must learn to enjoy every moment, and turn and twist of life. In Robert Louis Stevenson's words: “To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive”. It dawn on me not to take life 'serious' but make every bit of it a fun filled experience.

7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is trying to convey.

Being a champion means thinking like a champion.

Please rate the following question on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

(a) How interesting was it to read? 10
(b) How helpful were the content? 9
(c) How easy was it to understand? 10
(d) Would you recommend it to others? 8
(e) What is the overall rating you will give it? 9

Psychocybernetics 2000
Assessment by Adewumi Adewale (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.

Primarily, I found Maxwell Maltz's concept of self-image an absolute truth as it aligns with scientific findings as much as being sensible in its application. Having read DIANETICS by L. Ron Hubbard, I found the concept of Psycho-Cybernetics 2000 a better way to make lasting changes in an individual.

I believe following through the concept a dramatic drift in civilization and positive change can be achieved on a phenomenal rate: by influencing our societal value system and therefore the self-image of the individuals. The issue of self-image as the cardinal to our personality makes it relatively easy to cause changes in our selves. Maltz wrote, “each of us carries… a mental blueprint or picture of ourselves…. We do not question its validity, but proceed to act upon it just as if it were true.” On this basis, I know I have the power to create change because I can change my mental blueprint and thus my self-image.

Another valuable expose in the book is the six steps to success:

The first in this list has to do with the learning to delete/cancel bad data that do not support my success program and replacing it with success images - this nonetheless requires the setting or aligning myself to the right goals. In other words, this means changing the wrong files and its content with positive and success oriented thoughts and actions. This requires the use of CRAFT of reprogramming: C-ancel, R-eplace, A-ffirm, F-ocus, T-rain; in view of the anticipated changes needed.

The second step is to create the image I want in life and this also goes with freeing myself from false beliefs; as I begin to see things the way I really want them to be. And I should begin to turn new memories into positive behaviours - beginning to give myself the tug to act (do) what I now know to be positive and indeed true. It is in the doing that I gain mastery.

The third step is to relax and turn stress into success. Dr Georgi Lozanov discovered in his years of studying people of supernormal abilities that at the moment of astonishing mental feats that these people have their bodies in a state of rest without stress or strain, and they did not will or coerce the mind to function. It happened effortlessly…. Optimum result is therefore achieved in a relaxed state of mind.

It is important to always take observation of my success indicator or result: whenever I am ineffective, 'impotent' or having 'writer's block' it often indicates my failure to take the necessary time to relax. Maxwell Maltz indicated, “…relaxation is natures' own tranquilizer, which erects a psychic screen… between you and the disturbing stimulus.”

In this wise, I have learnt to sow SEEDS whenever I am under stressful condition - by critically appraising the S-ituation, E-valuate, shift E-motion from negative to positive, D-o something, and get my S-elf-esteem back on track.

The fourth step to success is to set my own goal. Maxwell Maltz said: “ People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile.” And Zig Ziglar said it this way that such people end up on the beaches of despair, defeat, and despondency.

From the above, I could learn that once a worthwhile goal is set for life, one is reinforced with the right frame of mind, and self-image; which is a means to personal growth and development. And in the setting of goals for life, ones primary responsibility is to pay keen attention to ones own intuition: when the intensity is strong to act in a particular direction, when the impression is persistent and when one has intense intellectual urge to ignore a course of action.

Ones goal inherently, should fulfill the SMART rule - S-pecific, M-easurable, A-ction Oriented, R-ealistic and T-ime-concious. And to succeed on a goal one should focus on the action plan daily, have a self-monitoring system; and involve a like-minded people on the course. And also, one should be self-discipline, set reasonable reward for oneself along the way, as one also control burnout by setting priorities and narrowing ones focus.

The fifth step is to use negative feedback to point you toward success. No one is immune to negative feelings and attitudes, what is important is to recognize them and take positive action to correct course, says Maxwell Maltz. But the secret to solving problems is to be in-charge as one refrains from being aggressive when challenged, as one chose a position of assertiveness.

More so, the failure mechanism can be aborted by recognizing this seven signs: frustration, aggressiveness, insecurity, loneliness, uncertainty, resentment, and emptiness; and replaced with positive values that spells win-win for everyone. Situations are not to be viewed as indication of failure but as it is really, a guidepost to corrective action: changing the self-image for a desire course.

The sixth step to success is to disinhibit my personality as I fuel myself for success: adequate self-esteem will pass over, and ignore slights, festering sores from emotional wounds which is capable of poisoning or spoiling ones happiness and therefore inhibit a person in his success drive.

It now suffices to say that a high self-esteem will not make us emotionally attached to people's opinion, remark, approval, or disapproval of us. Because one now knows that he is the determinant of what life offers him on the long run.

The techniques therefore for keeping myself from having my self-esteem being threatened are: to think well of myself and too big to be threatened, have a self-reliant attitude, be relaxed whatever the situation as I apply the SEEDS principle, and I should appreciate my invulnerability of my creative spirit if I will, even as I learn to be above all, a giver of those same thing I deeply cherish to have.

To cap this sixth step to success, I underlined two parts on page 306: “ It is the nature of the spirit to give; it is the nature of the ego to take.” The other important underlined statement is this: “ Volunteering even one day a month can be a great way to guard against emotional pain…. That you will be helping other people as well is a fortunate side effect.”

The above statements imply that a life lived for self is pretty small and cannot stand the turbulent moment of life. Contrary, a life shared is a big pie that keeps going round and round: eternally abounding in riches and the good life. And there is the anchor that one is not in it alone. The man that will add value to a world does not run scarce of good value for himself - owning a rich self-esteem for a noble life and living.

Conclusively, through the book it is important to me - and to you that once I give myself a definite aim/goal to achieve, I can depend upon the automatic mechanism in me to take me through, and to accomplish this I must think of the end result in terms of a present possibility.

Placing myself under observation, I found out that my self-image has a crucial indication of what result I have got in life; knowing that my self-esteem has all this while been announcing to the world what I am worth - success thus is not much of my training, education or learning, but more on my self-esteem. This therefore implies that if I must succeed big, I have to first as a matter of importance work on my self-esteem: replacing the negative self-image with positive ones - in consonance with my desired output in life.

Another valuable idea is to make it a duty to keep a leadership style of bringing out the best in the people around me by furthering their self-esteem.

Quoting from page 99: “You don't break a habit and form a new one through “iron-jawed willpower”; you do it by creating clear mental images of a desired result and by acting as if it has already been achieved.” It is important to relax my mind if I must get an effective result in changing my habit for another - knowing what I want and acting as if I have it: this thought of acting as if I already have a thing is supported by the book Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins.

One of the most remarkable thoughts of the book Psycho-Cybernetics 2000 is a remark attributed to Archbishop Warren Watters - through the word 'infundibulum,' which mean funnel. He said he can 'see' a great universe funneling through the top of his head into his entire being - the spiritual into the material until both blend; and that when it is working, he is able to think with his heart and hear with his head.

I am able to relate to those words of the Archbishop knowing that if I can see rightly, the universe in its entirety will channel to me all the good I will ever need. As in saying that 'what I see is what I get' - my personality is a reflection of my self-image.

3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this book? Please explain.

a. The use of the conscious and subconscious minds to effect lasting changes is one thing clearly understood from the book: and understanding the two principles guiding each - the conscious and the subconscious, namely: The subconscious always say YES and MOVES in the direction in which the conscious points it; i.e. the agreement and the compliance principles. The conscious mind looks at options for the purposeful CHOICES and other options are ELIMINATED for that moment, i.e. the selection and the elimination principles.

b. Another important new idea found in the book is that what we often refer to as personality is the outward manifestation of our self-image.

4. Has this book challenged you or changed your thinking in any way? If so explain how?

The book through its simple approach has changed my mode of always striving to find where I failed - which often yield naught. The easy thing to do now is to approach such situation by first analyzing what constitute my self-image data, and replacing them with new data that goes with the expected new outcome I desire. Thus, the new challenge is to keep working on my self-esteem and every other thing will get right as much as I progress.

5. Are these ideas in the book that you really disagree with? If so why?

One idea I totally disagree with is the concept of faking good attributes until it becomes part of us. To me, I believe man inherently has those good attributes and in acting does he know and become. If a man wants to be enthusiastic, all he needs to do is go ahead and act enthusiastically; we do not have to fake what we already are! In fact, faking is a negative term with its root from a negative background: To a good number of people with noble intent, it is like trying to use the bad to fetch a good result.

6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?

a. One most helpful part of the book to me is the quotations in the first page of every chapter: they are insightful, capturing vividly the essence and fundamentals of Psycho-Cybernetics 2000.

b. Secondly, the consistent admonition to always separate the experience from our true self is reinforcing and helpful; this to help avoid the destructive instinct based on negative picture we make of our selves because of some past unfavourable circumstances.

7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is trying to convey.

Each of us is capable of taking control of our self-image and programming our automatic guidance system for success. And that we always act, feels, and behaves in ways that are consistent with our self-image.

Please rate the following question 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 content? 9
(c) How easy was it to understand? 9
(d) Would you recommend it to others? 8
(e) What is the overall rating you will give it? 9

Success Through Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Adewumi Adewale (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.

Top most idea from the book to me is the truth that we as individual would determine how rich we want to be and that all we would ever need to be wealthy or successful in life has been bequeathed unto us - as opportunities wanting to be tapped into. This is further corroborated by S.B. Fuller's mother that we are poor not because of God but because of lack of desire to be wealthy. It implies that we often get what we desire.

The Power Of Books
The book also reiterates the importance of reading books as a means to inspiration to recognize or create opportunities around. This example of the power of book is seen in the life of Brownie Wise who through the principles found in Think and Grow Rich, rose from a measly life to become a distinguished president of Viviane Woodard Cosmetics Corporation.

Appreciating The Force Of PMA
Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) is the determinant for the attraction of the good and beautiful things in life - success, health, happiness etc. this therefore clearly show a correlation between mind-set and the results of what one gets out of life. By keeping my mind positive, I am rallying all the forces in me and those around me to help me achieve my noble aims - PMA as a principle corroborate this idea that - “If a man is right, his world will be right” In addition, one of the staggering truths from the book is the knowledge that I am born a champion: “Victory is built in to every living person”. Men win when they rightly carry a successful image. In view of the above, definiteness of purpose, combined with PMA, is the starting point of all worthwhile achievement.

Amazing Lesson From Milo C. Jones
Jones was a poor man through out his life until he became paralyzed. Then, he took his time, count his blessing, think and make plan that saw him become a millionaire - as an invalid. The lesson from this is: Mind rules over the body - man is a mind with a body. Man with a sound mind can dare to become anything he desires; as disability is not an excuse, for not enjoying the good things of life - having the most treasurable riches on earth.
What the mind believes, it can achieve.

The principled nature of life and Success
The book helped in shedding more light on the principled nature of success that is in exclusive to one another. There are basic rules to follow if one must succeed in life; and when we fail, it really does means, there is some 'more' truth we need to find out; because principle is never lost once gotten, and it does not go obsolete - except when we fail to apply it. Just as with the Wright Brothers and the plane; and Graham and telephone, they were able to find what more is required and they succeeded where others had failed. There contribution to their invention look small - but the devices wouldn't work until they made the principle right.

The importance of Action
The book also pointed out that the secret of getting things done is action: “it often takes only one idea, followed by action, to turn failure into success” he said. And that whatever anticipated change I want should be - do it now or act now, for even the untested idea will remain barren until we are bold to step out and DO IT NOW!

The mind interprets what we see
Often it is what the mind interprets to an individual that he believes and acts upon. So it is imperative to train my mind through PMA to avoid nearsightedness and farsightedness in my success endeavour. Thus, it is always important to look, and with accurate recognition like A.E Cumley and L.I Thomson who located a mountain containing loads of beryl - which others for years though looking could not recognized.

The magic Ingredient
When the heart is stayed on, and assured of a good end, it will endure any pain until its desire is satisfied. Tell him of the futility of his exertion and he'll immediately shrink from his task. Therefore the magic ingredient of motivation is hope. I am able to assimilate that threat or pain alone doesn't put passion in man - but chiefly, hope of a reward. Ability to see inherent good in our pursuit is enough to keep us motivated. Also, we can get the people around us motivated by seeing or helping them along, to bring out the best in them. And it is also noted that motivation also follow a corresponding action - act enthusiastic and you become enthusiastic.

Favourable factors for attraction of wealth
For me to be wealthy, I have to learn to give that which is good, take time out for thought and set the right goal for me. And the ability to always go the extra mile is indispensable.

The Magnificent Obsession
Success Through PMA pointed out the importance of possession of a magnificent obsession of sharing that which is good and desirable - and the more you share, the more you have. It is all about making every occasion a great occasion for the good - it is all about making a life.
With such obsession one conquers challenges, turn for the better and live much longer.

Tip on Health
Health as every other circumstance around a man issues out of his mind; as a sickly body starts with a sickly mind. To every sickness there is a “cure” and to stay enlightened health wise, is to stay off the path of sickness and death.

When one virtue is in conflict with another
At such instance the nobler and one that suggests construction and not destruction of the common value should be c hosen and acted upon. “And the highest ideal of man is the will of God”

a. Taking my time to analyze the book, I quite agree that man act basically from the subconscious part of his mind and less from the critical, judgmental conscious mind.
It then support that if I consciously take the time to develop my PMA until it become a second-nature, success will be inevitable on the long run.

This is supported by the following lines from the book; SUCCESS THROUGH PMA: “Keep your mind on the things you should and do want and off the thing you shouldn't and don't want”.

Benjamin Franklin used the same means to develop 13 virtues as habits - through self-motivation, self-suggestion, and action.

b. Relating the idea of OPM (Other People's Money) to my life:
Sometime ago, I have no capital at all, yet I bid for a business. When the job came through, I had no money, yet I have the confidence - and the confidence brought out money, though with little interest to pay here and there. In no time, I came out of zero

c. When I have an inclination to run a business with little or no establishment, I could learn to leverage like W. Stone did in his purchase of Pennsylvania Casualty Company through.
* The choice of a timely vehicle (leveraging opportunity)
* Asking for Divine guidance and help
* Seek for people's help
* Believe strongly there is a way out
* Make good plan
* Own dream business

d. When a job is non-satisfying
I have had such non-fulfillment in my job sometime ago as described in this book. And based on this, my result was expectedly low. But when I came up with a decision to give everybody's life in my work place meaning, my performance record unexpectedly rose and came to nothing less than excellence - even though I was not fulfilled on the job. Can we call this magic?

3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this book? Please explain.

Really I had a new insight like never before as I read the piece: you were born a champion (page 21, 22) by Amram Scheinfeld. It is the successful victory of a sperm in fertilization that become me; becoming a champion over the most staggering odds I will ever face. The implication is that the odds against me now is far less; and easier to surmount.

4. Has this book challenged you or changed your thinking in any way? If so explain how?

a. The decision of the Supreme Court in favour of Graham Bell against Reis really posed a challenge to me to always be thorough. Reis stopped and failed while Bell took on from there and succeeded - with less effort in comparison. The challenge is to always get through with project and to learn not to never give up or stop mid-course a job.

b. To be happy, I need to make others happy. If I want support, I must also be supportive to others. The challenge is to give first as much as I want

5. Are these ideas in the book that you really disagree with? If so why?

I could not really point to an area I found disagreeable; the book is very much in harmony to scientifically researched principle of success - and in consonance with other outstanding inspirational books.

6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?

The Book Success Through A PMA has greatly taught me how to practically write a book in a simple unbiased way ever when I am still maintaining my personal view or opinion on certain grey areas such as border on religion and the issue- and in a non-offensive yet practical way.
Being very agreeable to the content, I learnt so much about the Silent Senior Partner of R.G. LeTourneau, the God who never made man poor and who is the God who is constantly good: And He is one who can be relied upon for Divine Guidance.

It is note worthy to share an experience based on page 82. I had some work to run, yet without capital. I was so confused I wanted to quit the job when I read, “Ask for Divine Guidance. Ask for help in finding the right solution. I prayed, and the same day got a loan so easily and the job was completed few days later.

b. Another very helpful piece of advice from the book is that: “Where there is nothing to lose by trying and everything to gain if successful, by all means try. Do it now!

7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is trying to convey.

Man is a mind living in a body, therefore to succeed he must posses a positive mental attitude - and having the persistence, strong desire and prayer to get along.

Please rate the following question on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

(a) How interesting was it to read? 10
(b) How helpful were the content? 10
(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? 10

Napoleon Hill's Keys To Success
Assessment by Adewumi Adewale (Nigeria)

1. IMPORTANT IDEA CONVEYED IN KEYS TO SUCCESS BY NAPOLEON HILL.

The book richly directs my course to be wholly focused around a central life purpose through carefully chosen definiteness of purpose: This is to enhance my performance, skill and in the attainment of excellence. This therefore implies that I cannot make reasonable progress without a strong resolve to follow through.

More so this inherently brings about specialization, money and time management and proper planning, ability to recognize opportunity when it come knocking, decision making, and many more. The idea of definiteness of purpose will not be complete without adding its effect on the subconscious; which when well impressed with a clear picture automatically goes forth to create its equivalent world.

The second thought of significance to me is the ability to generate a master-mind which helps to build a synergy - leverage for a greater performance. Such synergy is the wheel on which productivity thrives on where by the effect of two minds brings output far exceeding what each would achieve separately - put together.

Thirdly, I found agreeable to my discovery that a positive mental attitude (PMA) has all to do with any success one would ever have in relation to the cosmic system around one: The world is beautiful so to one who sees beauty in the world around him, we are what we see and perceive.

Also the book helps to point to the fact that in man is limitless possibility which only takes belief to unleash the reality within into the 3-dimensional formation. Knowing that fear is the root of a limited life; we could overcome it by simply live our lives in hope by demonstrating our faith in a world of possibility that flows from our within: believing in the power of God and our prayer to him.

More so, another important thought gained from the book is the power of enthusiasm without which nothing significance can be achieved in life, being the propelling force for action - power from within. Once emotion is likened to the priming of a pump to get it started. Though it will not keep it on [perpetually, but it helps to get it on. Thus the way to generate enough enthusiasm is to ponder long enough on the merit and desirability of a task until you love to do it in spite of the cost.

2. RELATING THE IDEAS OR CONCEPTS IN THIS BOOK TO MY PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE

Napoleon Hill's Keys to Success is a fundamental book for everybody that want to move from scarcity to abundance; beyond this it gives me an intimate information to having a balance or a 360 turn around success in whatever endeavour of life: as one convert creativity into a financial stream of wealth.

Relating the book to my personal life, I have been able to identify important concept for moving from a negative background as imposed by my history, environment and challenges to foster the wakening of the unlimited life of God who is the master designer of my entire being - the infinite intelligence that makes available all that I would ever need to move ahead when other factors such as: a definite purpose, a mastermind alliance, personal initiative, etc are put in place

Also, I found it immensely beautiful to inject the learning about the process of “focus”. This is learning from photography - learning to focus my mind on a chief aim (purpose) until the picture is strongly visualized into my subconscious. When the picture is clear, it becomes easy for the body to go to work in the direction of ones desire. Determination, resoluteness, and commitment are all offshoot of a strong focus on a purpose.

Another area worth giving consideration for my day to day growth is the maintenance of balance in every area of my life in other to maintain a sound health and at the same time understand the dividing line between health and fitness. Above all, it is good one internalize the fact: that junky thoughts just like junk food leads to an unhealthy person. Indeed, everything we are on the inside sooner or later reflecting on the outside. What your mind focuses on your mind brings into existence be it health or sickness, prosperity or poverty. It is important to say your feeling loud affirming the positive so as to enjoy a good life.

This leads us to a very important fact on a different perspective: we soon or later become what we think over a long period of time. Thus a universal law exists that attract to us our dominating thoughts. Therefore, it is easy to chart a new course of success for ourselves through right mental frame. Thoughts become habits - and our habit rules us, yet we can change any habit by changing our thought to conform to the new habit and image we desire.

Avery useful area worth relating to my day-to-day living is the keeping and maintaining of rhyme in life. I found out that most of the stress I ever went through were as a result of working out of tune to my body and life constitution: the rhyme makes me to appreciate the need to rest after an exhaustive day, to strive for a new height after an achievement to avoid dullness of what was once a source of happiness. This therefore gives me the opportunity to blend the different sides of my life together to arrive at wholeness and success. This ability to go with rhyme of life gives me the opportunity to see the good every situation possess and to harness it to further my life purpose.

3. MOST IMPORTANT NEW IDEAS OR CONCEPT LEARNED

The importance of creative vision in evolving new ideas beyond the material: that the material is consist in the spiritual - idea. Thus idea can be increased by developing the habit of taking study time, meditation and planning. And the creative power can be further explored by: being quiet, and motionless, as one listen for that small, still voice that speaks from within - contemplating on the way to achieve a given objective. Through this means you can break through limiting thoughts by evolving new ones through a creative thinking process. '... Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.'

Another important new idea useful in my life is to control my eating habit, especially the avoidance of excess intake of simple sugar and fat, and in its place intake of more of fruits and complex carbohydrate. And the state of food intake is important information - avoidance of food intake when angry, frightened, stressed or worried because the body is not in a position to digest and assimilate the food

4. CHALLENGING PART THAT HELP TO CHANGE MY THINKING

In pursuit of my life vision I should endeavour to live by one high, desirable, outstanding goal, and keep it ever before me. On this premise, everything I will ever need will come to me much more easily to fulfill the noble course. In another word when I set a definite major goal, I am apt to recognize that which will help me to achieve it. This is challenging because it requires daily appraisal and discipline which if adhered to would make all the difference in my life as it helps to synchronize every bit of my daily goal and activity into one big pie which in overall causes my achievement and progress measurable.

5. AN IDEA I DISAGREED WITH

There is no idea I quite disagree with in the book

6. THE MOST HELPFUL RESOURCES FROM THE BOOK

The most helpful resources in the book is in the formation of a mastermind alliance which is another way of saying that I should leverage my performance both in my business and life pursuit so as to be able to multiply the outcome of my achievement.

The mastermind alliance was found to be the most effective tool of moving fast at a very great pace: this I found true after a cute assessment of world achievers both in war, business and religious circle. The very influential and powerful group against others is those who had learnt to employ the principle of a good alliance (mastermind group) in whatever field or pursuit.

Summarily, I benefited from the power of PMA - Positive Mental Attitude - and the way to develop it for effectiveness. That I should not think small but avoid greed, believe in self and take only advises that will further the cause of my major purpose. I have also learnt to believe more on the value of my idea because personal power does not come from the possession of material things alone. A good instance is Mahatma Gandhi who led his nation to freedom without fortune.

7. THE MAIN IDEA CONVEYED IN THE BOOK

The main idea of the book is having the faith that you will have all you desire through a well directed thought and prayer

8. RATINGS

1. How interesting was it to read? 10
2. How helpful were the content? 09
3. How easy was it to understand? 09
4. Would you recommend it to others? 10
5. What is the overall rating you will give it? 09