Immaculate Vivien Bisanda – Assessments – International Institute for Global Leadership

As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author portrays his main idea as the power and influence of thought in living life. He explains in the seven chapters that thought dictates character, governs circumstances, determines our health and body, helps in achievement, how it can be linked with purpose, visions and ideas and how to become serene. All this is shown in the book and the writer emphasizes the training of thoughts to get the better influence in living life.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

The following are the ideas which were important to me while I was reading the book.

Thought dictates character.
Here the writer showed that what one thinks is what he actually is in terms of character meaning that thought is one with character and that thought dictates ones character. He goes on to explain that one should watch, control and alter ones thoughts and trace their effects on one’s circumstances, life and the people around him.

For me this idea is important because I can now easily judge my own character and reflect upon it. It also has shown me that I should always lift my thoughts so that I can lift up my character to bring out the best of me around other people and to breed better situations in my life.

The effect of thought in circumstances.
The author portrays the fact that the various situations one faces show ones true self. One indirectly determines ones circumstances and that one should always draw lessons from the situation one faces however trivial it may seem.

This idea is important to me because it shows that I am responsible for the situations that I get my self into and that I shouldn’t complain or blame other people for them but I should instead learn from them since they show me what I truly am. It is important to me because it has shown me that I can choose to have good thoughts in order to shape my situations to favorable ones since I cannot directly choose my own circumstances but I can choose to have good thoughts.

The effect of thought on health and body.
The author shows that one should have cheerful thoughts in order to be healthy explaining that unlawful thoughts make a body get disease and decay and that at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts it becomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty. He goes on to say that there is no better “Physician” than happy thoughts. This idea is important to me because it has shown me that good thoughts can keep one healthy, beautiful and youthful.

Thought and purpose.
The author emphasizes that thought should be linked with ones central purpose and that one should set out to accomplish it without doubt and fear which are only a sign of weakness. He also says that one without a central purpose just becomes prey to petty worries, fears, troubles and self pitying.

This idea is important to me because it has shown me that I should keep focus on my dreams and the person that I intend to be without any doubt or fear. Keeping focus meaning that I should have my thoughts trained to be cautious and directed to my deep-seated purpose in order to have a bright achievement by having rightful thinking.

Thought as a factor in achievement.
The author shows that both achievement and failure are a direct result of ones thoughts and goes on to explain that one should lift ones thoughts to overcome and achieve. He also says that to have progress and achievement there is need for sacrifice and fixing of ones mind on the development of our plans growth of resolution and independence.

This idea has brought in light to me that I should lift my thoughts higher in order to be successful and that I need to sacrifice something to achieve what I intend to achieve for instance in terms of time, money and sometimes family and friends.

Thought with vision and ideals.
The author says one should cherish ones visions ideals and passions because they will form in ones mind and bring purity in thoughts, conditions and the world will be built around them if one remains true to them.

This idea has shown me that keeping focus on my desires, visions and ideals will help me groom my thoughts into lawful ones. It has encouraged me to have big dreams and cherish them because dreams are seedlings of reality and that the greatest achievement was at first a dream.

Thought and serenity.
The author explains that “calmness of the mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom, result of long and patient effort in self control”. That as a result of thought, one becomes calm and gets the right point of view and studies situations more clearly and ceases to argue, grumble, be troubled, lament, but remains composed firm and calm.

This idea is important to me because it has shown me that I should be calm and learn how to govern my thoughts and know how to adjust around other people. In this manner I will be able to get respect from people and also become a source of inspiration to others.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and helping you to create a better world? If so why?

These ideas are going to help me change the way I think which is critical in changing the way I am to live my life for instance my character is going to be lifted, I am going to be more focused on what I want to achieve in life (visions, passions and dreams) and how to achieve them, I am going learn how to adjust myself around people by becoming more calm to earn respect which is a vital factor in being successful and learning from every situation: all with the help of “rightful” thinking.

With the above ideas, I am going to prepare myself by practicing to be the kind of person that I need to be in order to create a positive impact on the world. Practice makes perfect.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

Yes there were some quotes that got my attention and they include the following.

“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” This has given me a good way to evaluate my own character and encouraged me to be more alert about my way of thinking.

“That man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and maker and shaper of his condition, environment, and destiny.” This has shown me that I am the one who grooms my own character and destiny.

“For only by patience, practice and ceaseless importunity can a man enter the door of the temple of knowledge.” This has encouraged me to be more persistent and patient in looking for knowledge and that I should always put to the test what I have learnt.

“Every man is where he is by the law of his being; the thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there, and in the arrangement of his life there is no element of chance, but all is the result of law which can not err.” This has shown that I am responsible for the situations that I face and I have been encouraged to lift my thoughts to breed better situations.

“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.” This has shown me that I should learn from every situation because I can watch out for my weaknesses and build more on my character.

“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.” This one has shown me that I need to have good thoughts and actions to attain pleasant consequences.

“Doubt and fear are great enemies of knowledge and he who encourages them, who doesn’t slay them, thwarts himself at every step… he who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.” This has encouraged me to walk in faith towards my dreams and also believe in myself.

“Dream lofty dreams and as you dream so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.” This has encouraged me not to limit myself but have a big vision and dream since this will be the drive of my life.

“The vision that you glorify in your mind is the ideal that you enthrone in your heart-this you will build your life by, this you will become.” This has shown me that we become as big or great as our ambitions and dreams in life.

“Achievement of any kind is the crown of effort and tiara of thought; by the aid of self control, resolution, purity, righteousness and well directed thought a man ascends.” This just shows the qualities that one needs to have in order to have an amazing sustainable achievement with the help of thought.

“The higher one lifts his thoughts the greater his success will be with more blessings and enduring will be his achievement.”

“Calmness of the mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom, result of long and patient effort in self control.”

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?

No, everything in the book was very clear. However, I would like to comment on the fact that I do not agree with the fact that someone can have lawful thoughts all the time and as such we put ourselves in bad situations and make sometimes mistakes of which we also have to learn from. Rightful thinking is very possible but once in a while an un lawful thought goes through ones mind and the fact that rightful thinking would mean a perfect mind and very favorable situations.

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 had an exercise of adopting rightful thinking and noting the difference it has on ourselves, others and on my circumstances. Also learning to adjust myself around other people and becoming serene. I found the above exercises have been very helpful in a practical way.

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.

No there isn’t anything that I would like to comment about.

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? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author tries to convey his main idea as determination in overcoming limitations. Through the eyes and life of the main character, Jonathan Livingstone seagull, he shows how the seagull rises above the limitations by breaking the traditions of his fellow birds when he learns the great power and the different ways of flight which were thought to be impossible and utterly unimportant to seagulls. Jonathan who is very eager to learn the different styles of flying no matter the circumstances eventually masters and although he is an outcast, he goes back to his home to share his knowledge with the others about what he has discovered out of love for them.

Realizing ones full potential and overcoming limitations.
Jonathan Seagull pushes himself to the limit to discover his real potential of flying even though other seagulls believed that it was more important to feed than to learn the various ways of flying.

This idea is important to me because it shows that one should always go beyond ones’ comfort zone and learn how far ones capabilities can take him or her because they just might breed a huge impact and or achievement. For instance I can take up a challenge that I haven’t done before while in school just might teach me a skill or help me to develop competence that I did not have before.

Enthusiasm and persistence to learn.
Jonathan was always willing to learn how far he would go with his ability to fly and know how to prevail over his limitations. Even though he failed so many times when grasping some of the techniques (he risked his life in some) and that his parents were disappointed with the way he turned out to be, he never did give up.

This idea important to me because it shows how one should be eager as well as be persistent in the quest for knowledge; it shows that one always has to take risks and try as many times there can be and also encounter some barriers to achieve and discover the full potential one possesses. For instance I can read more books and do a program just like this one to help me gain personal development.

Love
Jonathan later finds seagulls that are just like him in heaven where he learns more but he decides to back to earth to share with what he has discovered although he is still considered a disgrace and in fact an outcast to which he was never to return.

This idea is important to me because it shows that one should love, be selfless and forgiving. One should also always share what the knowledge one has discovered with others no matter how others feel about him or her or what ever it is that has been discovered. For instance incase some people wrong me in my quest to develop and achieve, I hope to forgive them and still not be biased in sharing what I know and have learnt.

Patience and perseverance.
Jonathan was always patient in learning the different styles of flying and even when he had been labeled an outsider and once even called the “devil” for flying the way he did, he did not give up on what he had started on (finding out his full capacity in flying) and what he believed in.

This idea is important to me because it just shows how endurance in trying times should be taken as in a certain way a stepping stone which offers a chance to only learn more about oneself or learn something important. For instance if I should run into some difficulties, I should treat them as a way of learning more about myself and with such attitude I will be able to endure.

Working at ones best capacity.
Jonathan worked at “the very peak of his ability” to learn the various techniques of flying and that is why he managed to grasp them. He always worked at the top of his capability day and night and wanted to learn everything there was to know about flying.

This idea is important to me because it shows that one has to give and put in the very best of effort in fighting to achieve what one most desires and that this just might take on to places. For instance working at my best ability might enlighten more about my weakness, how to overcome them and also my strengths and how to use them to learn more.

Having faith and believing in ones’ ability.
Jonathan believed and taught his students that if they remove their limitations from their minds then they will be able to conquer those limits with their bodies.

This shows that having a positive mindset about ones capabilities and also having faith in oneself can help one to prevail over ones limits. For instance I have to have understanding to overcome, face my fears and remove all doubts to be able to go beyond my limits and in turn grow.

Learning has no boundary.
Jonathan seagull learnt some techniques on his own but even then he had not learnt everything and that is why he had an instructor (Sullivan) and also Chiang to teach him what he did not know when he went to heaven in his quest to know more about flying.

This is important to me because it shows that knowledge is vast and therefore sometimes one needs help from others to learn more. For instance I need to get more exposure to my sources of inspiration (my role models) to gain knowledge of what and how I can be like them or even better than them.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas are going to help me because I am going to challenge myself by going over board my limits to learn whatever there is learn and also work at my best ability in everything that I do to discover my full potential. I am going to keep a positive mind in facing my fears and doubts because it builds hope to conquer and accomplish a lot in life.

In creating a better world, if one builds a comfort zone to which one does not leave, little can be achieved; likewise with having little faith in oneself. Pushing over ones limits helps in gathering knowledge and making new discoveries which may be very helpful hence should be shared with the rest of the world thereby making an optimistic difference.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“We choose our next world through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.” This one encourages me to learn all there is to learn from the position I have because the knowledge that I gather here will be important to where I am heading in life.

“Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.” This has shown me that to overcome ones limitations, one has to change ones mindset and believe that one can defeat those limitations.

“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.” This has encouraged me to have more understanding of what I see as limitations and then I can overcome them.

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?

No, all was very clear in the book and I have nothing to disagree with in the book.

6. Did the book contain exercise for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercise and did you find them helpful?

The book had an exercise of changing ones mindset in overcoming limitations which I completed because now I have taken up a challenge to discover how far I can go with it. The exercise has been helpful.

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.

No there isn’t anything that I would like to comment on.

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? 4
B. How helpful were the content? 7
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 4
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 6

Success Through Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Immaculate Vivien Bisanda

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author is trying to convey the concept of motivation through keeping a positive mental attitude. He explains that in every mind there is always negative and positive mental attitude but by adapting to the positive mental attitude, one can attain success and maintain it even when the environment or circumstances are not favorable.

The ‘Do it now’ idea
The author explains that in order for one to avoid procrastination, the way to do things is to do them that moment when they arise. He goes on to explain that when ideas about the different issues come up or when duties crop up that we should not post pond them but instead deal with them at the earliest opportunity provided to us to do them. This can be done by the use of the self starter and motivator, “Do it now”.

This idea caught my attention because it is helping me develop the very habit of getting things done immediately thereby making me meet my deadlines on time, come up with new ideas and acting upon them as soon as it is possible.

The idea of attracting happiness through making other people happy.
The author explains that when in search of happiness and one’s energy is devoted towards making other people happy, then happiness is bound to come back to that person. He defines happiness as a period when one is predominantly experiencing a positive state of mind in which one is happy combined with a neutral state of mind in which one is not unhappy. He goes on to say that one should understand that we are all different and one should treat others the way he or she wants to be treated safely assuming that what one likes or doesn’t like is the same as other people. He says with a positive mental attitude, happiness can be attracted along with health and wealth.

This idea is important to me because it has helped me understand why I need to treat people with a lot more understanding and why and how I also have to make other people happy. I have also understood the way of attracting happiness through having the traits such as faith, hope, charity, tolerance, generosity, kindness, honesty, good finding, and truthfulness among others which work hand in hand with having a positive mental attitude.

Getting rid of the “cobwebs” from one’s thinking
The author explains that the mental cobwebs in the mind include having negative thoughts, emotions, feelings, passions, beliefs and prejudices. The above are a manifestation of a person with a negative mental attitude and they can be dealt with by adopting a positive mental attitude. He says that necessity together with a positive mental attitude can motivate one to an honorable achievement through honesty and integrity but coupled with a negative mental attitude it can breed crime through deception and fraud; he goes on to explain that emotion and reason should be balanced while making decisions.

This idea has shown me the importance of keeping an open mind and to be able to keep in check the directions of my thoughts and feelings in order for me to make admirable achievement. It also illustrated to me instances of having a negative mental attitude and as such I am in position to avoid such negativity while carrying out my responsibilities or when I am faced with a situation which may present them.

Developing the “magnificent obsession” of helping other people.
The author explains that one should develop the burning desire to share oneself with others. Sharing oneself means that one will offer the good and desirable of him or herself to others and keep away the negative side from people. He goes on to say that one should do this without expecting payment of any kind and also keeping ones good deeds to oneself or as a secret. He also explains that sharing oneself doesn’t necessarily mean supporting people financially but also doing simple things like smiling to people, giving pleasant responses, appreciation from the heart among others and that doing this may mean having the courage to stand alone against the ridicule of other people including friends.

This idea is important to me because it has shown me the way to build a strong character by helping others by sharing myself with them. It also an addition to the idea of making other people happy in order to find happiness. And I believe this will help me achieve a lot in life because the strong character can help anyone to achieve both honorably and sustain ably.

Motivating yourself
The author states that having a positive mental attitude by keeping hope is the way to motivate oneself. He also says that negative feelings and thoughts are not bad depending on the time and situation and to explain this he gave an example of righteous indignation against evil is a form anger and hate. He says that human actions are determined by basically ten motives and one can substitute a negative feeling with a positive one by using self-suggestion.

This idea is very interesting to me because it encourages having faith and hope which I personally believe is a vital factor in achieving success. It also shows that it is fine to have negative feelings and thoughts only when they are geared towards creating a positive impact in a given situation and when it is beneficial to have them.

Getting rid of the guilty feelings.
The author says that guilty feelings are good because they teach us to have concern for other people and motivates one to have a sense of moral responsibility but such feelings should be done away with by making amends wherever they are called for by getting into action. He advises the reader to follow ones conscience by doing what is right and that one should leave behind anything which may prevent him or her from having a noble achievement. He also provides from an example the ways in how to get rid of guilty feelings.

This idea is important because to me because it emphasizes the importance of following ones conscience while faced with certain situations by doing what is morally right and also the ability to “catch” character which will be help one in achieving admirably.

Attracting wealth
The author writes that having a positive mental attitude attracts wealth while having a negative mental attitude repels it. He says one should devote some time in engaging oneself in constructive thinking and studying. He also says that one should learn how to set ones goals by writing them down, making deadlines for achieving them, setting the standards high and aiming very high. This is the first step in attracting wealth and the author encourages the readers to save some of their earnings, go an extra mile in trying to gain wealth and also apply faith during this journey.

This idea is important to me because it has helped me set clear goals for myself and also have a glimpse of what and where I intend to be in the future. It has also clearly stated what I need to do to attract wealth that is engage myself in constructive studying and thinking, applying faith, going an extra mile and also keeping a positive mental attitude while getting into action.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas are going to help keep me motivated thereby helping me meet success in my daily responsibilities and in meeting my goals in life. I am getting to understand the fact that there is always a bigger picture in keeping a positive mental attitude because it affects everything we do for example gaining happiness means developing the obsession of sharing the better side of oneself with other people plus making other people happy will be a sure way of attracting happiness. Keeping away negativity in terms of feelings, thoughts, beliefs and passions also keeps away most if not all negative situations.

By putting the above lessons into practice, I will be in position to build a strong character which will help me realize a lot more good things in life and also create success which shouldn’t be affecting only me but also should be helping other people to realize happiness and their success too.

4. Quotes: are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve with a positive mental attitude.

Your success or failure in meeting the problems presented by the challenges of change will be determined by your mental attitude.

The secret of getting things done is to act. The self starter and is the self motivator do it now!

Hope is the magic ingredient in motivating yourself and others.

The more civilized, cultured and refined you are, the more easily you can control your emotions and feelings if you choose to do so.

Keep your mind on the things you should and do want and off the things you shouldn’t and don’t want.

Active faith steps out on its beliefs and risks failure because it assumes it will succeed.

You are the product of your heredity, environment, physical body, conscious and sub conscious mind, experience and particular position and direction in time and space, and something more including powers known and unknown.

Thought is the foundation upon which all else is built by man.

The test of faith is whether you apply it when you are not in difficulty, as well as at the time of your greatest need.

Honesty is one thing for which a satisfactory substitute has never been found. It is something which reaches deeper into a human being than most traits of personality. Honesty or the lack of it writes itself indelibly into every word one speaks, into every thought and deed, and often reflects itself in ones face so that the most casual observer can sense the quality of sincerity immediately.

When you want to make a deal with someone, develop a plan that will give him what he wants and in doing so get what you want. A good deal is mutually advantageous.

Share that which is good and desirable and with hold that which is bad and undesirable.

Character is the corner stone in building and maintaining success.

Thinking good positive and cheerful thoughts will improve the way you feel. What affects your mind also affects your body.

You are a happy person during a period when you predominantly experience that positive state of mind in which you are happy combined with that neutral state of mind in which you are not unhappy.

One of the surest ways to find happiness for yourself is to devote your energies toward making someone else happy.

Choose your goals! Work toward them! Direct your thoughts, control your emotions, get into action and ordain your destiny.

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?

No.

6. Did the book contain exercise for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes there were exercises and they were very helpful.

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.

No there isn’t.

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

A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful was the content? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

17 Principles of Personal Achievement
Assessment by Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author in his book is trying to convey the idea of achieving success by adapting to the various standards he describes as a necessity for enabling personal success. The principles he names are; definiteness in a major purpose, having a mastermind alliance, an attractive personality, using applied faith, going an extra mile, having personal initiative, building a positive mental attitude, having enthusiasm, self discipline, thinking accurately, inspiring team work, learning from defeat, having a creative vision, maintaining sound health, budgeting time and money plus using cosmic habit force.

He goes on to explain the importance of each principle, the benefits, reasons and results for the application the principle in ones life.

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.

Having a definiteness major purpose in one’s life

The author explains that this is the starting point of the journey to success; knowing what you want from life and knowing what you are willing to sacrifice in order for you to get it. He shows the significance of having a central purpose in ones life for instance, specialization, self discipline, success consciousness, alertness to opportunity among others. He goes on to make clear that having a major purpose means writing it down, giving a specific detailed plan as to how and when it will be achieved, keeping track of your daily progress towards it and also making changes in the plan in case the need arises.

This idea has helped me map out my major goal in life and also develop the burning desire to achieve it. I have been able to realize the fact that one needs to have a drive in the quest for success and the first step is to have a desired destination and then a plan of how one is to get there. In addition to this, I have recognized that it is not enough to want something but you have to work hard to get it.

Having a positive mental attitude

The author explains that the mind is the only thing that each and every one of us has complete control over. This means that we can chose to have positive or negative thoughts. Either way the thoughts we hold always determine our level of success and failure. It is from here that the author encourages his readers to have a positive mental attitude towards everything because it has got many benefits such as enduring friendships, peace of mind, and immunity from self limitation among others. He also provides a guide to help his readers in developing one.

This idea is important to me because it helps me to understand that keeping such a mental attitude will help me keep faith in myself, my major purpose and also have a positive effect on the life I live and the relationships I make along the journey to success.

Executing self discipline

Here the author shows that applying the other principles of success highly depends on one’s self discipline. He further explains that self discipline means controlling ones emotions and also being in position to balance those emotions with reason. Self discipline also helps in keeping watch of one appetite, proper use of time, maintaining a positive mental attitude and on the right road to ones definiteness in purpose.

This idea has taught me that not only should I learn to direct and control my emotions, but I should also learn to balance my emotions with reason as a way to execute self discipline.

Learning from defeat

The author explains that failure in life is sometimes bound to happen along the road to success but it should not be taken as complete defeat. He says it should be taken as an inspiration to try again with renewed confidence and determination and learning from the mistakes that had led one there. He lists some of the major causes of defeat such as lack of self discipline, lack of vision and imagination, egotism and vanity, lack of ambitions among others. He also highlights the benefits of defeat.

This idea shows that I should always find the opportunity to learn from my failures and keep trying to reach my major purpose instead of lamenting on the past failures that I have encountered.

Building an attractive personality

The author explains that there are twenty five aspects to incorporate and practice in trying to build an attractive personality and these include; versatility, sincerity in purpose, emotional control, having a keen sense of justice, promptness of decision, appropriate use of words, habit of smiling among others. The author encourages his readers to analyze their personalities and remove all unpleasing traits by practicing the 25 aspects.

The above idea is important to me because it shows how one can effectively develop an attractive personality. It also shows that having an attractive personality can help one to inspire team work and develop a powerful mastermind.

Going an extra mile.

The author shows in his book the benefits of going an extra mile while working towards ones definite major purpose in life. They include, overcoming procrastination pleasing attitude, gaining favorable attention, personal initiative among others.

This idea has encouraged me to put more effort by providing more services than I am required to give in what I do in my every day life.

Creating a mastermind alliance.

The author recognizes the fact that everyone who has attained success in life has achieved it with the help of other people after having built a mastermind alliance with them. He provides a guide to forming one and he strongly emphasizes that the key to making a powerful alliance is to keep harmony among the members who should share a similar if not the same vision with you.

This idea is important to me because it shows that team work is needed in achieving success and that one needs to have people to rely on sometimes while trying to attain his major goal in life.

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 why?

I have so far clearly defined my major goals in life with the help of the above ideas. Having read the benefits of practicing each, these ideas are also going to be a guideline for me to create a better me in areas like improving my personality, building a burning desire and faith to achieve my major goals, understanding different aspects of life for example my past failures and doing what is necessary to be done by helping other people to create a better world.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Your success in life will depend a great deal on your ability to know much about a specific area and to perform exceptionally within it.”

“If you can see an opportunity as quickly as you can see the fault of others, you will soon succeed.”

“There is no scarcity of opportunity. There is only a shortage of imagination.”

“If you lose yourself in an obsessional desire to make yourself useful to others, you will find yourself through the recognition of the good you are doing.”

“Our real wealth is the intangible power of thought.”

“Whatever your mind can achieve and believe, it can achieve. Therefore, do not allow self imposed limitations and restrictions to block the flow of infinite intelligence.”

”The quantity and quality of the extra service you render will come back to you greatly multiplied.”

“The law of compensation ensures that everything you do will bring you some sort of result of the same kind.”

“It is better to act on a plan that is still weak than to delay acting at all.”

“The more enthusiasm you direct into the world, the better you are preparing yourself to attain exactly what you want.”

“Self discipline calls for balancing your emotions with your reasoning. This means you must learn to consult both your feelings and reason before you reach any decision.”

“Self discipline cannot permit lurking memories, and you cannot waste time worrying over the unsolvable. Doing so destroys your creative force, undermines your initiative, disturbs your faculty of reason, and just plain confuses all the departments of your mind.”

“The difference between controlled and uncontrolled attention is great. You can feed your mind on thoughts which will produce what you desire, or you can neglect your mind, allowing it to feed on thoughts that will produce results you don’t desire.”

“If you accept defeat as an inspiration to try again with renewed confidence and determination, attaining success will be only a matter of time. The secret to this is your positive mental attitude.”

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?

No.

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?

Yes I found them very helpful.

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.

I would like to comment on the fact that the various principles that the author discusses in his book depend a lot on each other which I find very interesting for example, one cannot create a mastermind alliance unless there is a major purpose decided upon its assembly; personal initiative may also mean that one must be willing to go an extra mile with self discipline and enthusiasm; learning from one’s defeat will require one to have applied faith in oneself, infinite intelligence and in ones major goal in life; among others.

It almost feels like a cycle-but that’s just my thought on the 17 principles.

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 contents? 10
3. How easy was it to understand? 10
4. Would you recommend it to others? 10
5. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

Psycho-Cybernetics Assessment
Assessment by Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s main idea is building self esteem through improving one’s self image. Bobbe Sommer gives details about the various ways in which one’s self image can be developed into a positive one; she also goes on to explain the benefits of having a positive self image a well as the impact of holding a negative self image.

i. The ‘fake it till you make it’ attitude

The author states that since the sub conscious mind merely agrees with whatever the conscious mind says, we can use this to our advantage by using our imagination in getting rid of any negative beliefs by keeping in mind the practice of traits and attitudes that we want to adopt (this is otherwise called reflective learning). The process requires a daily effort according to the author and she encourages her readers to act as if they have achieved success in the areas they wish to change and that with time such feelings and behavior will become consistent.

This idea is important to me because it has helped me gain confidence in my social relationships especially with my peers and my family through the reflective learning process.

ii. Developing a success type of personality.

The author using the acronym of success fully breaks down the necessary traits that one requires in order to attract success; s-having a sense of direction (having goals to look forward to), u- understanding others (showing respect for diversity), c-courage (being able to take risks), charity (helping other people), e-esteem (having a positive self image in yourself), s-self confidence and s-self acceptance.

This idea is important to me because it clearly draws up the traits that i should try to imitate and also include in my “fake it till i make it” quest.

iii. Managing stress

The author explains that one can be able to manage and also get rid of stress without using tranquilizers. She goes further to mention the symptoms and signs of stress. The author uses the SEEDS acronym to help in responding to stress; that is, view the situation in a neutral perspective, evaluate the problem, have proper emotions to suit the situation, do whatever is necessary to confront the situation and then feel your self esteem increase with your action. She also adds that one can do exercises, use conscious states like meditation, day dreaming, internal scanning and dreaming, use laughter and stress prevention lists in dealing with stressful situations.

This idea is important to me because it has helped me to realize that instead of reacting to stressful events, i can decide to act by using the SEEDS procedure and also using the above activities. In this manner i can be able to manage the situations that i may bring me constant worry.

iv. Getting rid of false beliefs

The author states that false beliefs do give birth to other negative feelings for example feelings of unworthiness, inadequacy, irrational fears among others. She also explains how these false beliefs can be identified by providing her readers a questionnaire to help them know their false beliefs. She says that getting rid of the false beliefs can be done through rationalizing these beliefs and also using reflective relearning through the use of the CRAFT (c-cancel negative beliefs, r-replace them with new positive beliefs, a-affirm the new concepts, f-focus on those images and t-train yourself to accept the new beliefs.

This idea is important to me because it has helped me realize that false beliefs only let me view limitations that actually do not exist and there fore i have adopted the above mechanism to help me tear these false beliefs down.

v. Making “Smart” goals

The author explains that everyone needs to have something that they are working towards in this life (a desire that is goal) and this must not be confused with wishful thinking. She goes on to explain that a smart goal means that the goal is specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic and time set. Having such goals will definitely put someone on the road to success as one will be able to identity the opportunities and means of achieving those set goals.

This idea is important to me because it has helped me enhance and a few elements that were missing to my particular goals in life. It has therefore helped me to broaden my goals and given me more confidence in pursuing them.

vi. Avoiding failure

The author describes failure as frustration, aggression, insecurity, loneliness, uncertainty, resentment and emptiness. She gives in full detail a description of each of the above emotions and also provides solutions to how each can be turned into a positive emotion. For instance frustration can be done way with by taking a corrective action, aggression can be turned into assertiveness, insecurity can be avoided “knitting” secure responses, loneliness can be cured by interacting with others by participating in activities with them, uncertainty can be turned into action and resentment can be eradicated by applying forgiveness.

All the above have encouraged me to take notice of such behavior and keep it in check as it serves as warning towards failure and disappointment.

vii. Relaxation and its benefits

The author describes relaxation as a process that needs to be carried out daily for it has benefits for example it ensures being healthy, managing of stress, it is a way of reflective learning among others. She also provides some relaxation techniques which can be easily adopted.

This idea has encouraged me to take up relaxation techniques something i thought was totally unimportant.

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

I can already see the benefits of the above lessons because i have developed a new self image with a lot of confidence in whatever i do and in the relationships that i have developed.

The world needs people with positivity and great self esteem to not only lead but to also help others grow in order to achieve peace. With a little more practice i will be able to do this.

4. Quotes: are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

i. “The self image is the key element that determines whether our internal guidance system functions for success or for failure. It defines the size and scope of the targets our goal-seeking has to shoot for-the area of the possible.”- This one shows me that ones perception about him or herself can determine his or her limitations towards success.

ii. “It is our self image that prescribes our limits. And achieving a positive self image-life instinct-is within the capability of every man, woman and child”.-this one shows me that changing my self image is within my means. In other words, everyone can do it if they choose to.

iii. “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.”-this one has helped me to understand that i can get rid of my false beliefs and also create a new positive picture of myself, focus on it, train and eventually get used to it.

iv. “You act and feel not according to what things are really like but according to the image your mind holds of what they are.”- This just goes on to encourage me to apply the SEEDS concept in all situations so as i can act instead of reacting.

v. “In order to learn faster and release our inner potential, we must first overcome limitations in our thinking.”

vi. “Stress results from the way you respond to outside events not from the events themselves.”

vii. “There is a direct relationship between setting goals and achieving success, no matter what success might mean to you. The goals you establish determine your set point for success.”

viii. “Everything you have done so far in your life has been the realization of goals, whether or not you’ve recognized them as such.”

ix. “Pay attention to your interests in assessing the realism of your goal. Even fantasy goal may give you ideas about pursuing related goals.”

x. “We fear that our limitations will cause us to fail and procrastination lets us avoid the humiliation of failure.”

xi. “If you can’t stand the heat, don’t get out of the kitchen, just turn down the heat.”

xii. “A good personality is one which enables you to deal effectively and appropriately with environment and reality and to gain satisfaction from reaching goals.”

xiii. “We can grow, solve problems and discover the potential within ourselves only by developing the courage to explore new thoughts, behavior and possibilities, to take appropriate risks and to venture out across safe boundaries.”

xiv. “Self confidence comes out of a balance for striving for new achievements with ongoing recognition of your existing strengths.”

xv. “It is in the nature of things that we progress by acting, making mistakes and correcting course, you cannot correct your course if you are sanding still. You cannot correct nothing.”

xvi. “The person with emotional scars not only has a self image of an unwanted, unliked and incapable person; he also has an image of the world…as a hostile place. His primary relationship with the world is one of hostility and his dealings other people are not upon giving and accepting, cooperating, working with, enjoying with but upon concepts of overcoming, combating and protecting.”

xvii. “You make mistakes-mistakes do not make you.”

xviii. “Every human being wants and needs love and affection. But the creative self reliant person also feels a need to give love. His emphasis is as much or more on giving as on the getting……Nor does he have a compulsive need that everybody must love him and approve of him.”

xix. “Happiness is a mental habit which can be cultivated and developed.”

The above encouragements and statements are just self explanatory.

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?

No.

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?

Yes, the book had very helpful exercises which i completed.

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.

No.

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? 10
b. How helpful were the contents? 10
c. How easy was it to understand? 10
d. Would you recommend it to others? 10
e. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

How To Win Friends And Influence People
Assessment by Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s main idea is influencing people through the various principles and behaviors that he provides in his book. He breaks his book in to four parts by giving the fundamental principles, ways to make people to like you, ways of wining people to your way of thinking and the ways of changing people without arousing offence or resentment. He emphasizes that the principles he provides in his book will only work if only there is sincerity while applying them.

i. Giving sincere appreciation to other people
The idea is important to me because it clearly shows that sincere appreciation nourishes other people’s self esteem. It encourages me to always find and concentrate on the good qualities that other people have, appreciate even the slightest effort and improvement one makes, make people feel important (without giving flattery), and it has also helped me understand that it is always easier to listen to unpleasant things after receiving such appreciation.

ii. Being sympathetic about other people
The idea is important to me because it emphasizes trying to view situations from the other person’s angle because this eases away the tension which may otherwise be present. It has also helped me to value that fact that I should try to be more understanding about the reasons why people do certain things in particular situations. This has helped me become more open minded about some circumstances that I face sometimes.

iii. Creating and becoming a good conversationalist
This idea puts across the fact that people prefer good listeners to great talkers and therefore it is important to me because it has helped me develop some social relationships by active listening. The author also explains that listening is not just enough; one should be in position to ask questions which the other person would be glad to answer and that one has to be genuinely interested in what the other person is talking about. The idea also has encouraged me to let others do a great deal of talking about themselves as a way of making them fell important since people are only interested in themselves.

iv. Dealing with criticism towards other people
The author encourages his readers to avoid criticizing and condemning others as one of the fundamental principles because it hurts other people’s pride, sense of importance and it arouses resentment. This idea is important to me because it has shown me that I should avoid criticism for those very same reasons if I should become a person of influence anywhere and that I should always look for the finer points in people. The author passed on the way on how to deal with correcting people’s fault without causing resentment and that is by correcting people in a delicate manner without them even knowing it. I am still adapting this idea.

v. Avoiding arguments
This idea is important to me because it has brought it to light that engaging in arguments does not change a person’s way of thinking and it is for this matter that I am now avoiding arguments as much as I can. The idea puts across that arguments only lead to empty victory because they only make the other person feel inferior with their pride hurt. The author encourages the use of diplomacy by finding points where both parties agree on and allowing yourself to admitting that you may be wrong and examining the facts.

vi. Making people feel important
This idea is important to me because it has made me recognize the fact that people want to feel important in the face of other people. Since humans are “creatures of emotions” and crave the feeling of importance, the idea has further helped me understand why I should give honest appreciation, listen to others, and also keep in mind that people are superior to me in some way therefore I should give them due respect and be sympathetic towards their views.

vii. Appealing to the nobler virtues of person
This idea made me aware of the fact that appealing to the better qualities and traits that one possesses always brings about a favorable situation.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and helping you create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas have made me realize an important fact that influencing people is something that highly depends on the basis of recognizing that humans crave the feeling of importance and if that feeling is provided then it becomes easier to have influence over others. The feeling of importance is derived from for example genuinely being interested in other people, being sympathy to people’s opinions and needs, being a great listener, talking in terms of the other person’s interests, giving honest appreciation among others.

This therefore will help me to especially be empathetic towards people and in turn be a better person, who can be selfless in society.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

i. Criticism is dangerous because it wounds a person’s precious pride hurts his sense of importance and arouses resentment.

ii. Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do. But it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving.

iii. In our interpersonal relations we should never forget that all our associates are human beings and hunger for appreciation. It is the legal tender that all our souls enjoy.

iv. If we want to make friends, let’s put ourselves out to do things for other people –things that require time, energy, unselfishness and thoughtfulness.

v. Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions. It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It’s what you think about it.

vi. …the expression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back.

vii. If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is the recipe: never listen to anyone for long. Talk incessantly about yourself. If you have an idea while the other person is talking, don’t wait for him or her to finish: bust right in and interrupt in the middle of a sentence.

viii. The life of many a person could probably be changed if someone would make him feel important.

ix. There is a certain degree of satisfaction in having the courage to admit one’s errors. It not only clears the air of guilt and defensiveness but often helps solve the problem created by the error.

x. It is always easier to listen to unpleasant things after we have heard some praise of our good points.

xi. Calling attention to one’s mistakes indirectly works wonders with sensitive people who may resent bitterly any direct criticism.

xii. Asking questions not only makes an order more palatable; it often stimulates the creativity of the persons whom you ask. People are more likely to accept an order if they have a part in the decision that caused the order to be issued.

xiii. Everybody likes to be praised but when praise is specific is comes across as sincere- not something the other person maybe saying just to make one feel good.

All these quotes got my attention because they all emphasize on the kind of behaviors and attitudes that I personally have to adapt to in order for me to be successful in becoming a person of influence in my daily life and in my society. They are going to act as my reminders in trying to learn and following the principles that the book provides in influencing human behavior of others.

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?

No.

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 did not contain any exercises but nevertheless it is a very helpful book.

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? 10
b) How helpful were the contents? 10
c) How easy was it to understand? 10
d) Would you recommend it to others? 10
e) What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

The Winning Attitude
Assessment by Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)

1.What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s main idea is developing a positive attitude. He defines attitude, shows its importance and also explains the problems that one may encounter or problems that affect attitude. He provides a guide for building up an appropriate attitude.

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 on as o why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i) The importance of having a positive attitude;

The author clearly explains in detail the importance of having a positive attitude by saying that attitude determines our approach to life, it determines our relationships with people, that it is the only difference between success and failure, it affects the outcome of any task we carry out, it turns our problems into blessings as we begin to look at them as opportunities, it gives us a positive perspective about the events that are happening in our lives.

All the above importance are factors that greatly affect one’s life or view of life and as such this idea reminds me that attitude is such a powerful tool that should be trained and that it can used to live a pleasant life.

ii) Attitude never stops growing

The author explains that attitude is formed by experiences and how we react to them. He goes on to explain that the more attitudes grow on the same foundation, the more solid it becomes and that there is no such thing as a perfect attitude. Therefore, this idea is important to me because it shows that from time to time, one may be required to adjust his or her attitude or even reinforce the right attitude for example in the presence of problems. It means that attitude always has to be put in check and its progress monitored.

iii) Factors influencing the growth/ construction of attitude

Some of the factors that influence the construction of attitude which the author mentions include the environment around us, affirmation, and self image, association with peers and exposure to new experiences among others. The above mentioned factors remind me that for instance to always keep a positive self image of myself, mind the types of peers that I constantly keep in my company because close association with them greatly becomes a factor in how I may be able to perceive things or situations and to always welcome new experiences since they are opportunities for growth of my attitude. Other factors that the author mentions are our physical appearance, our security and status, what we hear and our personality.

iv) The causes of attitude failure from within

The author provides a detailed explanation of inner things that lead to the crashing of an attitude and how to deal with such things in order to get inner peace. For instance, he says that fear of failure is one them and he advises his readers to look at failure in a positive sense by accepting it since it is a necessary step for success. He also mentions the fear of discouragement and the struggle of sin. He advises his readers to overcome the fear of discouragement by taking positive action, thinking positively and carrying out positive persistence; and while dealing with the struggle of sin he says that we should ask for God’s guidance.

The above idea is important to me because it has shown me that the crashing of an attitude is sometimes brought about from distractions from within and as such I am glad that the author has provided me ways of dealing with them.

v) Overcoming Fear

In building the right attitude, the author advises his readers to that faith is stronger than fear and he therefore provides a formula for handling fear. The formula has four steps which are; to understand that God sees our problems, to ask for confidence and love, to believe that God is working a miracle in our lives and to also be filled with the Holy Spirit.

This idea is important to me because it has shown me a way to get rid of fear especially when I am taking risks or when I am doing things that I am not used to doing with some peace of mind and while having faith.

vi) The opportunities around us

Some of the opportunities that the author mentions that help us change our attitudes include association with the right people, finding role models, learning from our mistakes, exposing selves to successful experiences and enlisting the help of a friend.

This idea is important to me because it has shown me that the above opportunities can be a way of practicing having the right attitude (I used to take some of them for granted) especially association with the right people.

vii) Security in God

This idea is important to me because it has helped me to understand that I can take on any challenge or risk something while believing that God will stand by me no matter the outcome of the event or situation.

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?

These ideas have revealed to me that an attitude can never be flawless; from time to time I may faced with challenges or obstacles which may make my attitude to turn negative and as such I may need re-adjustment to fit my situation and constant positive reinforcement.

They have also shown me that is I should use the various opportunities around me to help me build a proper positive attitude. All in all, the above ideas are a reminder that I should always keep or maintain and always strengthen a positive mental attitude in everything that I may do.

4. Quotes; are there are any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

i) Christ gives us a perfect example to follow His standard and was not given to frustrate us but to reveal areas in our lives that need improvement.

ii) The attitude is an inward feeling expressed by behavior.

iii) It is impossible to tailor make all situations to fit our lives perfectly but it is possible to tailor make our attitudes to fit.

iv) There is very little difference in people, but the little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether its positive or negative.

v) Life can be likened to a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down or polishes you depends upon what you are made of.

vi) People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

vii) It is impossible to perform consistently in a manner inconsistent with the way we see ourselves….nothing is more difficult to accomplish than changing outward actions without changing inward feelings.

viii) Others can stop you temporarily, but you are the only one who can do it permanently.

ix) When we’re merely concerned with about survival and maintaining the status quo, we strive for reputation that stifles progress and becomes self limiting.

x) The closer our relationships, the more influential the attitudes and philosophies of our friends become to us.

xi) The test of your character is seeing what it takes to stop you.

xii) We do not conquer through brilliance, we conquer by continuing.

xiii) Even the answer to a question depends a great deal on how you ask it.

xiv) Who we are today is the result of the choices made yesterday. Tomorrow we will become what we choose today.

xv) Belief is inward conviction, faith is outward action.

xvi) It is a sad day for any person when he becomes so satisfied with his life, his thoughts and his deeds that he ceases to be challenged to do greater things in life.

xvii) Life is a changing process. With all of its transitions come new opportunities for growth. What is a limiting factor yesterday may not be one today.

xviii) We can never do anything for others that will not have some eventual benefit for ourselves.

xix) You cannot control all circumstances. You can not always make the right decision s which bring right results. But you can always learn from your mistakes

xx) Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end street.

xxi) Its not what you have los, but what you have left that counts.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with in the book?

No.

6. Did the book contain exercises for reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

The book did have exercises which I found very helpful.

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.

The book has great biblical scriptures for reference. It’s very interesting the way the author illustrates examples from the bible and also provides quotations from it.

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

A) How interesting was the book to read? 9
B) How helpful were the content? 10
C) How easy was it to understand? 10
D) Would you recommend it to others? 9
E) What is the overall rating you would give it? 9