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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 following are the ideals that I learnt:

* Man is the master of thoughts and thoughts produce the action of the man which makes his character: I understand from this point that man is endowed with the will to choose. Man at birth is given a level ground to play the game of life. I understand this to mean that I am responsible for the thoughts that I permit or nourish in my heart and that the thought will either produce a God-like character in me or a devil-like character.

* Our thoughts lead us to our different circumstances in life. I understand this to men that my thoughts will generally attract circumstances that are align to it. This means that if I entertain positive and right thoughts this will generally attract circumstances or state of being that is positive and right. I understand I get what I deserve in life, but being dissatisfied I can alter my thoughts positively and promote right thoughts that could lead me to my desired state and this being done will surely lead me to my desired circumstances.

* Thoughts are connected to my state of health. The quality of my thought will also determine the quality of health that will be mirrored back to me by life: This I construe to mean that health promoting thoughts such as selflessness, goodwill, serenity and self control and discipline will produce health promoting characters such as faith, serenity and calmness of soul which will produce a strong, bright and happy body.

* Thoughts when directed to a particular purpose or dream become a propelling creative force within the soul gently but surely pushing the harborer towards the dreamt destination: I understand this to mean that I only need to define my goals or purposes in life and propel my thoughts towards achieving them and conquering doubt and fear I can go all the way with patience

* Above all I need serenity in order for me both to create calmness and joy for others and for myself.

* Thought is power, like a nuclear reactor generating tremendous energy, it can be channelled towards a positive use for mankind and its environment or channelled towards a negative use for the destruction of man and its environment.By thoughts men are made what they are; priests, missionaries, leaders,different professionals, freedom fighters, activists, professors, terrorists, suicide bombers, e.t.c.

* Just like a statement I heard someone say at one time, " Children will become what the parent expose their mind to. Expose them to violence and they will become criminals, expose them to love and they will learn to care, expose them to truth and they will learn to believe.

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?Â Please use personal examples in your explanation

Concerning us being master of thoughts: I once thought I was born disadvantaged. I thought man is only to live and act out a destiny that is already written. My thought then was only for the present so I try to get the best of now for whatever will be will be. Then I found I was not satisfied. I desired a glorious future better than what I see in my immediate family and environment. During this time of self-realization I also experience a deeper relationship with God (which in Christendom we call salvation).

I realized from the Bible that God wanted me to live righteously and through his Son the Lord Jesus Christ, I could receive forgiveness for my past wrongs (invariably included is my past thoughts) and receive grace to live the present and future gloriously. From thenceforth, my life and thoughts took a positive form and I have been living happily and joyfully ever since while pursuing my God-given goals and aspirations.

Concerning thought and circumstance: I found out that when my life had a turn-around, my circumstances also took a positive turn. Because I believe I can make it, I dissociate from friends and vices that are negative and I found out my academics took a new turn. I graduated with the best departmental result in my University. I also got to know very industrious and moral friends who are converted and spiritual. Together we focus on helping other youths around towards becoming righteous and morally sound through the grace of God. During my study period I engage in teaching jobs both to raise money for my schooling needs and also to help other youths as well. On graduation, I was faced with another challenge of getting a good employment. Unemployment is one of the greatest problem we face in my country and for my course, the field of practice is almost none existence. I put my trust in God and decide to explore the financial sector. I thank God I am already on the path towards achieving my goals. I also have resourceful people around counseling and helping towards achieving a better life for all around.

Concerning thought and health: I maintain a positive confession and abstain from vices common with youths around such as alcoholism, smoking, gluttony and violence. I have always had a good and robust health; with God assisting me. I watch my consumptions and I believe my thought is tailored towards what I am promised in the Bible that I will always have a good health once I keep to the word of God and the law of hygiene.

Concerning thought and ideals: I want to live to please God, to live happily and prosperously while also helping others discover the path towards having abundance and righteous. I strive to live peacefully with everyone despite differences of beliefs and values, and to render whatever help I can render towards helping another have fulfillment in this life.

Concerning thought and life: I once heard a preacher saying, "A man is only as big as his thought". I have over the years given myself to a self examination of this point and I have discovered that the statement is very true. Upon this discovery, I gave myself to thought developing exercise such as only exposing myself to positive things that can promote good thoughts. My early years was beset with youthful excitement and adventures and in all these, I was constantly exposed to temptations, decisions and choices that will reflect what I am made of (i.e my thoughts). After my discovery on thoughts I detached myself from anything polluting such as pornography, laziness, idleness, wild parties, night clubs and drunkenness and I gave myself to motivational books and character-challenging preachings and teachings.

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

Most important new ideas or concepts. While I have been exposed to some of ideas, I will still want to appreciate the striking way thought is linked to both character and circumstances. The statement that my thought will actually attract circumstances that will favor my thoughts especially challenged me. My life was also blessed with the part that explains that the pure in thought only suffers as a result of some of the negative thought that is tolerated whether consciously or unconsciously. I also discover from the book that self-control is strength, right thought is master and calmness is power.

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

Yes. I have been challenged greatly by the book. First, the book is like a call to purity of thought. I am reminded of the impact of my thought on my peculiar circumstance. I am taught that though I might not have had a perfect thought in the past but I can re-direct my thought towards having a better circumstance and achieving fulfillment in life

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

I agree with the theme and the lesson of the book but there is this part, which says, “ suffering ceases for him who is pure”. I believe even when one is pure, one can still suffer for doing good or right and I support this from the example of the Lord Jesus who suffers for mankind despite being pure (sorry for religious inclination).
Suffering purifies but in some aspect it might be the sacrifice needed for change or needed to help others. I believe in heaven where everything is completely pure, suffering indeed ceases.

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

Every part or point raised has been very helpful especially the part that connects thoughts with circumstance

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

The book is out to make people get a grip on their thought and thereby create their desired purpose and circumstance in life. It also challenges towards purity of heart, self-control and calmness of soul

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? 9
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? 9

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Obarinu Sunday Abidemi (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 first idea was that, to be extraordinary one needs be different from the crowd. It takes desire and an adventurous thought and pursuit for one to be different.

A path towards attaining one’s desire is always a happy learning experience though beset with privation and sacrifice. The initial period of learning is always with some kind of strain and pain, and as such patience and self-control is highly needed at this time.

Achievers most times have a secluded place where they retire to re fire. This secluded place most times serves as succor for them in times of confusion and disappointment.

Upon achievement of a major victory, one is still faced with acceptance by the larger society and most times they are opposed to change and to the changer. New horizon of better opportunities is only achieved by the few extraordinary who care to dare

With better opportunities, still one needs to strive and practice to attain perfection. We are to discover that we are perfect, unlimited being and upon this discovery, we are taken again to another level of blissful living.
The perfection of life is to know kindness and love. When achievement had been made, the next level is to help and instruct another who wishes to learn. We are limited in body, if we have limited thought. Once we gain freedom of thought, we will always be free and limitless despite opposing laws and environment. Success beckons on men to have a taste of freedom but yet men see it as an aberration; the ancient, used to the normal and usual, disapproves of change and keeps the rest in limitation.

On the first idea, I was once brought to the reality of a higher life and a better life. I desire a better living. My immediate neighbors live in abject poverty and kept themselves in this condition with their ways of life and thought. I remember while being young I started thinking of ways of achieving life that is more noble and serene. I decided to separate from laziness and indolence and to give myself to my studies and self-discipline. With high rate of failure in the local exam and a demand for good certification at various levels of education; I burnt the midnight oil and through patience and doggedness, I had very excellent results in my primary, secondary and tertiary schooling. This later helped me in securing a job among the teeming population of jobless graduates in Nigeria.

With a level of education, came another horizon of limitless possibilities far greater than my initial thought and immediately I begin to seek ways of exploring this vast possibility in both careers, spiritual and living.
Having achieved some of my dreams I pressed forward to also help others achieve their goals especially in academics and moral living and closeness to God. With the help of God and doggedness, I am now leading some groups of young youths to discover their dreams and potentials while I am also developing myself for a brighter future and an eternal bliss.

Upon my self realization and discovery for a better life, I separated from friends that I know were influencing me negatively. This friends both included males and females. I wanted to abstain from immorality and idleness and to give myself to books and writings that will help me in achieving my dream of a more quality life but I was met with strong opposition as I declined invitations to night parties and meetings involving excesses. I thought my friends will follow suit along with my new found ways but I was wrong because my friends felt I am becoming old fashioned and that my religious inclination are becoming excessive. I want to thank God today because of the decision to be different that I took. One of my friends who wanted to influence me then, was later killed by some gangster some twenty years later. Many then that were given to fornication, drunkenness and different other vices have now, broken homes, early marriages with its attendance problems, shattered dreams but the few of us who stood our ground and were focused have different careers being pursued and some already achieved.

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

I saw the personified bird going through self-training and with sheer determination was able to stand his ground to fulfill a desire to learn. This I see as very challenging as I am daily faced with some opposition from friends and family members who I confront on the vices they engage in.

I was also reminded that I am limitless and though I have believed this before but the vivid picture of Jonathan Seagull actually challenged me greatly with all his daily practices.

I also learnt that the climax of success is to be able to help others become success themselves. I feel I should work on this more by reaching out to those I have the opportunity to help.

I also learnt that one should not relent upon achievement of some goals but that one should move on to new levels of aspirations. I found this challenging as one might need to always check ones thought and aspiration so as to achieve a loftier life and fulfillment.I found that I must not think myself to have achieved anything but that I should continue to develop myself while seeking help and assistance from other people who have achieved some incredible and wonderful achievement in life. The personified bird was always ready to learn from others who are is superior in terms of performance and as such he always had people to help him. This I feel I must inculcate and practice as well. I should also learn a hand to the one who wishes to learn while at the same time seek to enlighten the ignorant of the limitless potential in them.

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

Yes. I am more determined to make positive moves, even when this is seen by many as being ambitious or out of norms.I am persuaded that to get something extra-ordinary I must be willing to pay the price of achieving it.Many remain where they are because the either were ignorant or are unwilling to pay the price.

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

Well, I feel the context with which heaven is pictured in the book has a different meaning. I feel there is a heaven where we go after life on Earth, and that this heaven exist I found disapproves in one paragraph of the book (I may not fully understand the contextual use of the word).

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

I find the idea of limitless possibility, a great one but I feel the literary embellishment in the book might be a bit difficult for the ordinary unschooled person to fully grasp the ideas easily. All the same, I was able to digest and comprehend the ideas being taught.

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

The book conveys the idea that one needs to be dogged about achieving a particular desire. It also shows that with practice and patience one will surely gets to ones desired haven while also making sure that others are helped along the way for a better and a more glorious and fulfilling living.

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

A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7

The New Dynamics Of Winning
Assessment by Obarinu Sunday Abidemi

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

The main idea the author is trying to convey is every man has what it takes to take the world and with the principles stated in the book (drive, commitment, self esteem, integrity, consistency, coachability and passion for success) one will achieve whatever goal one aspires to get.

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

The seven ideas which were personally most important to me are

A man aspiring to succeed must necessarily have the drive and passion that will propel him into actualizing the pictured goal

This I found true in my life and in the life of others around me. Seeing is believing they say and the distance a man goes in life will depend on how far he sees in life. In my personal life I saw things that were not desirable around me and I set about with the help of others and trust in God to be a success and God has helped me greatly in achieving some of my dreams and goals and the actualization I will attribute first to the drive and passion to succeed.

Winners choose activities that will give them long term positive results i.e. delayed gratification while losers engage in pleasurable activities that are just for now with no particular result in mind i.e. instant gratification.

I am so much in agreement with this statement and I am greatly challenged by it. Men who take time to think and sit down to realize what they want in life will be prepared to pay the price of what they want. While I was growing up I already pictured the kind of life I want to live, the kind of family I want to raise and the kind of impact I want to have on my society. Setting up these goals and aspirations made me to deny myself of some instant gratification, i.e. I have to be disciplined with time and I have to get educated while receiving very little support from my parents. The little money I had then was kept aside to pay tuition fees and other needs while some others in the same shoes went about crying about their helpless situation while gratifying the flesh for that moment. I was also disciplined in the kind of friends I chose but I could look back now and boldly say when it start to hurt, you start to win. Presently I am also saving for the future while delaying gratification for the present.

We are presented with equal opportunities of achieving victory and success in life, Champions and losers are only made by their decisions, perceptions and responses in life. Achievers start first with a clearly define dream and do go after the dream with right perception and responses to challenges and obstacles.

Like some one put it “tough times don't last but tough people do”. We are presented with opportunities on a daily basis but these opportunities are not without their challenges and there are prices to pay in getting the best out of every opportunity. Our responses, perceptions and decisions in terms of prizes will determine the worth of what we get in life. Life is kind enough to hand us the just reward of the price we pay. This reminded me of my experience at my place of work. The new place of work afforded me the opportunity to either be dedicated to work or join some in showing disdain and nonchalant to work. I resolve to give my best whatever is and I have been mightily favored in terms of promotion and increment in salary. I am still committed to the fact that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.

A leader must necessarily have personal integrity which must not be contradicted by his behavior in any area of life.

I will explain this with the latest development at work in my place of work. My boss wanting to make people work and also to be in control of the production team recently enacted some laws to guide the workers. These laws range from those on punctuality to those on absenteeism and so on. It happens that the boss that made the laws also contradicted the laws in coming late in some of the days and the other colleagues were quick to detect this contradiction in integrity of the leader.

Visualize your dream or goal and project the picture of the dream into both the conscious part and the unconscious part of you. Champions know that what you see is what you become

Dreams are like the steam engine of a locomotors, they provide the drive and the propellant that move the body to the destination. Somebody put it this way See it, say it and seize it. Dreams drive the world. By it mighty inventions were discovered, records broken and lives find fulfillment. I am full of dreams both spiritual and social. Dreams have sharpened the course of my life and had given me direction and hope for the future.

Achieving success is not without it pains and prize but mental toughness will get one through.

Success does not just come to every Dick and Harry. There are prices that must be paid. If wishes were horses beggars will ride. My dreams of becoming a graduate cost me some pains. I had to take up menial jobs, deny myself of instant gratification and save towards my schooling. I had to burn the midnight candle in order for me to have the best result in department. Now I can look back with a comfortable salary and a promising future that all those pains pave way for today's gain

In life true winners, still give room for coachability. Individuals, who have a pattern of low respect for authority, low capacity for organization and an exaggerated need for freedom and self direction, present the greatest coaching challenge.

I totally agree with this statement. I believe life itself is a lesson which must be learnt and as long as we are alive we continue in this school of learning. I still make sure I learn something everyday. In fact the main reason while I become a student with IIGL is to learn. Like it was said in the Bible, 'in the multitude of counselors, there is safety'.

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 see the following ideas portrayed in the book: drive, commitment, self esteem, integrity, consistency, coachability and passion for success.

Drive: This I believe will increase my passion to get what I want out of life. I am becoming more passionate about realizing my dreams and encouraged by the testimonies of others who dared to dream and conquer.

Commitment: I believe my spirit is lifted to be more committed to life. I am highly encouraged to be more committed to work and helping others.

Self esteem: I am developing a better self esteem than I have before. I believe this will increase my productivity and also help people around me to believe in themselves as well.

Integrity: I am more determined to maintain integrity as I see this as the key to self respect and honor. I am also going to encourage others to maintain integrity

Consistency: I want to be more consistent and not to give up on my dreams. I know there are obstacles and challenges but I am more determined to stick to my plans and dreams until they are actualize.

Coachability: I am getting more role models and teachers to help me in getting prepared and actualizing my dreams. I also want to make myself more available for younger ones who are willing to be coached.

4. Quotes: Are there brief quotes from the book which really got your attention? If so, please list and comment on them.

I found the following quotes both inspiring and challenging:

“Mistakes are painful when they happen…but years later a collection of mistakes is called experience”.

I was at a time afraid to make mistake until I found this truth some time ago.

“The less you try to impress, the more impressive you are”.
I have been trying this much more now.

“When it starts to hurt, you starts to win”
I believe before gain there is some measure of pain.

“Courage isn't the absence of fear; it is action in the presence of fear”
I learn not to give in to weakness occasioned by fear but to realize courage through action that dispel the fear.

“Winners work at doing things the rest of the population won't even consider trying”

This is true knowing that most people prefer the comfort zone of lassitude, indifference, mediocrity and the normal but winners take time to think and stretch themselves to get to a peak where lies better life

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?

While I agree with most of the thoughts express in the book, I feel the point where a leader is enjoined not to critic or correct is a bit to the extreme. I believe there are times when a leader needs to be a bit firm in correction and discipline as the case requires, though this is not to be generalized.

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 completed many of the exercise and I found them extremely 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 love the testimony of Denis Waitley concerning when he was saved from an air mishap. Such testimonies generally make me to want to do all I can now, because today may be the only day I have to do well. I love books that talk much on personal testimony of people.

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? 9
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? 9

Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Obarinu Sunday Abidemi (Nigeria)

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

The book is an exposition on the possibilities inherent in man. It showcases the limitless potential and success one can acquire through a positive mental 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 one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

The seven ideas which were personally most important to me are

A. Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.
I feel this is a great truth which many have not known. I once felt very bad for a situation that happened to me. I was to attend one interview at a time, after scaling through the first and second test. I was sure I was going to scale through the last and the final test but as it would happen I was told to reapply. I felt so down casted and disappointed, nevertheless I summoned up courage to continue looking for a better place as the place I was working then was totally discouraging. It was just some time afterwards that I was called up in a place I have not even thought of before, a place that is even better than the other place I wanted to get into.

Also I have found out on many occasions that when a perplexing or discouraging situation happens with a positive mental attitude one can turn a seemingly discouraging situation to a better one.

I will also explain this with the story of a girl I will call Mary. Mary was a girl in my church. She was raised by a family of godly parent who are totally sold out to God. After her birth, she was infected with a particular disease that affected her eyes making her blind. She was the only one in the family of 8 and this was very devastating to her and the family. But thank God, she had a positive mental attitude and she turned her handicapped to something useful. She went to a school. Affected the people there positively and she came out the best in that school. She is such a big challenge to me and to many others. She is presently at the university where she engages in her studies as well as helping others find fulfillment in life and in Christ.

B. I can develop a positive mental attitude by applying the 17 success principles. These principles which are; a positive mental attitude, definiteness of purpose, going the extra mile, accurate thinking, self-discipline, developed mind, faith, pleasing personality, personal initiative, enthusiasm, attentiveness, teamwork, creative vision, proper budgeting, est.

I believe these principles are the core of a successful disposition. I have seen some of these principles applied in my life and it has achieved the result predicted by the authors. I have seen myself thinking out a thought, plan or goal, I have applied self discipline, faith in God, a good disposition, PMA, enthusiasm and attentiveness and I have seen some result which include: a good grade at school, a lovable personality, a position of high esteem in my company, a committed youth worker in my local church, a prospect of good marriage, a stabilize financial status, a robust health and hope of eternity in heaven.

I believe I need to engage in more work towards passing these principles to the younger generation in my community. Many of them are kept in the dark as to these success principles. Many wanted short cut to success, so they engage in cheating to pass an exam, many lie to get by and many engage in immoral activities to achieve a goal but I believe an exposure to and understanding of these principles will be of tremendous help.

C. I am a body with a mind, a mind composed of two parts; the conscious and the subconscious. Self affirmations repeated with frequency, rapidity and emotion affect the subconscious mind and cause it to react. I am to learn the proper suggestions to the mind in influencing my thought and the mind of others.

I believe positive confession as portrayed in the book and also in the Bible is a great contribution to what happens to a man. I am persuaded of the promise of God concerning me in the Bible and every day, I make a proclamation of these promises. Such promises as: I shall not die but live, The Lord will supply all my needs, I am in health as my soul prospers, no enchantment against me, it is well with me, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me, est.
I believe I am to intensify these confessions. I expect the best and I know my subconscious mind will respond as I continue to make these confessions about myself and others.

I have seen colleagues at school that are faced with the uphill task of passing seemingly difficult courses but with constant confession like I will pass this course in flying colors, I have seen them scale through what others might think is a dead zone.

I have seen people within my church with some kinds of ailment beginning to confess positively to these life threatening diseases, with the result of a quick recovering from such sickness against which some will have thought no hope.

D. I have also found out from the book that the whole is equal to the sum of all the parts and is greater than any of its parts. That is if there is a failure in any endeavor, this Failure could be because of lack of a particular part that has not been added, SOMETHING MORE. The little difference between success and failure is often something more.

This point sets me thinking on what more I needed to add to myself to be able to achieve the success desired both spiritually and physically. I believe success itself is complete but what brings failure is a missing link in a success train. I believe whenever I am faced with a seeming failure, I am to look at the situation and find the missing link to turn failure to success.

E. When I have a problem, I am to ask for divine guidance, think, state the problem, analyze the problem, and adopt the PMA attitude and with PMA change the adversity into seeds of greater benefit.

I found out that this process of problem solving has been used both by myself and others around me with proven result. I have had to seek the face of God When I am faced with overwhelming situations. After the prayer I have found peace and time to think through the problem. I will never forget the time at school just some few days to the defense of my project work. I had already typed the project and was just collating and doing the type setting when suddenly some one came to use the same system that I was using and in the process introduced a virus that wiped everything on the system away, including my typed project. I was devastated because it was just some few days to the defense of the project. I just didn't know how I will be able to assemble the scripts again and type them in just very few days. In my devastation, I prayed to God to take control and show me the way to go about it. Then afterwards I asked some friends for help. I was surprised as my friend rally round me and in between us just in 3 to 4 days we assembled the project and typed it just in time for the defense and to crown it all, I did very well in the defense.

F. I am more apt to succeed if I do what comes naturally.

I have found people getting frustrated on what they do just because it was not natural to them and they are unwilling to make it natural through effort and determination.

I was once asked by a friend to answer three questions which are:
If I am to work throughout life without being paid at all what will I want to do?

If I have all the money in the world, what will I want to spend it on?
If everything is to be taken from me what will I wish above every thing to still be with?

He said if my answers point to the same thing for the three question, then I should know that thing is the natural thing to me wish I should spend my time on.

G. I am to develop an obsession - a magnificent obsession, by sharing myself with others without expecting a reward, payment or commendation. When I share with others a part of what I have that which remains will multiply and grow. The more I share, the more I will have.

I believe this statement is true and is supported by the Bible which says whatever a man sows that will he reap. It also says there is that scatters and increases and there is that withholds than what is necessary and this tends to penury.

What goes around comes around. A magnificent obsession to help others is not only going to benefit the community but it will also rub on the giver too.

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?

Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit

I see myself lifted in faith to face any adversity knowing that in such adversity lies an equivalent or greater benefit. I am more apt and prepared to face the challenges with PMA.

The 17 success principles.

I am determined to use these principles in my life and to pass it to others as I know a knowledge and application of these principles will create real wealth and success for all. I want to use all the avenue that I have to pass it to others. The use of PMA should be a daily exercise for me and I am prepared to do just that.

The conscious and the subconscious mind.

I want to continue to exercise myself in positive self affirmations, I want to do this daily and encourage others to do the same knowing that the subconscious mind will attract whatever I daily exrcise my mind on whether positive or negative. I want to have good thought about myself and others.

When I have a problem.

I will use the guidelines spelt out in the book for I see them very helpful and true. I have use some before but now I am determined to use all the steps stated.

I will go all out to also recommend these steps to problem solving to colleagues, neighbours, friends and my youth team.

Doing what comes naturally.

I want to see more of what I like to do naturally. I want to tailor my thought and life towards what I enjoy doing naturally. I want to advise others to find what they enjoy doing naturally and do that so they can have maximum satisfaction both at work and in life

A magnificent obsession

What goes round comes around. I want to be obsessed with helping others and not to think of myself only. I am to check and see in what ways I can be of benefit especially to the youth am leading as many of them are in need of one thing or the other.

4. Quotes: Are there brief quotes from the book which really got your attention? If so, please list and comment on them.

I found the following quotes both inspiring and challenging:

A. “What the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind of man can achieve with PMA”.
All inventions, transformation that we see today are as a result of someone taken the philosophy above into practice.

B. “Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit for those who have positive mental attitude”.
I was once afraid of adversity or test or trial until I found out that these are things you conquer to get to the next level or higher level. I have been trying this much more now.

C. “Thinking is not creative unless it is followed through with action”.
I believe I need to add action to my thought to bring out my dreams.

D. “Vice is a monster of such awful mien that to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet, seen too oft, familiar with his face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace”.
I have seen from experience that there is much truth in this saying. Familiarity with evil if not watched could lead to losing sensitivity to it and with time one might not see it as very bad after all.

E. “Too often what we read and profess becomes a part of our libraries and our vocabularies, instead of becoming a part of our lives”.
I want to make sure that this statement does not become true in my life.

F. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
A sincere prayer that I need to meditate on and pray as well.

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?

I agree with most of the thoughts express in the book, I am more importantly trilled about the Bible quotations and their application in the principles of success.

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 completed many of the exercise and I found them extremely 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 love the story of Ben Cooper concerning when he courageously beat back his bullies. I see this story as the summary of life itself. Life presents you with challenges which you must courageously fight back since life will give you enough ability to be able to overcome your peculiar challenges, but failure to do this will result into life boxing us into a corner, where we will be at the mercy of whatever it hands us, until we are jolted back to life by such instances when our through potential is revealed to us.

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

Psycho-Cybernetics 2000
Assessment by Sunday Abidemi Obarinu

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

The book discusses and reveals the centrality of self esteem in getting success. It reveals how to change habits of failure to habits of success. It also shows the ways to tap into creative imagination as a tool into achieving success.

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

The seven ideas which were personally most important to me are

An adequate self image is a necessary strategy in the empowerment of individuals and a promising step towards the correction of social ills.

I believe each one of us should appreciate our worth and importance and have the character to be accountable for ourselves and to act responsibly toward others.

A low self worth which we can posses as a result of our upbringing, our environment or the influence of others on us make us to view ourselves as cheap and non appreciative of both ourselves and others.

I have lived with friends who feel life was favorable to others and feel a sense of punishing the so called favored people so every person could have a feel of what it means to suffer. I have found the bottom-line problem with them is a low self esteem which in turn make them resent themselves and the society. I once had a friend at the University. I found out at the first time I met him he was failing most of his courses, in fact at that time he was close to the range of withdrawal. I found out later that he was failing not because he hadn’t the sharpness of brain but because he felt others are always better than him and that he is a dummy when it comes to academics. After I discovered this I decided to help him see that he is as good in academics as the supposedly sharp-brained and that all he needs is to believe in himself and he will make it. I decided to take him as my reading partner and the result was amazing. He not only had a good result but had one of the best results on graduation. The experience really changed his entire outlook of life that even in other areas of life he was totally transformed.

We all posses a built-guidance system that moves us toward the things we think about, A success instinct help our built-guidance to focus on success and guides us toward fulfillment of the laudable goals that make us human and contribute to a rich and satisfying life.

All living creatures posses a built-in goal-striving mechanism that constantly pushes us towards a point of passion and desire. Our desire, passion and goals are greatly determined by the level of self esteem and worth that we have for ourselves. A poor self-image caused the individual’s servomechanism to operate as a failure mechanism but when we take control of our creative mechanism and reprogram it as a success mechanism, we can set and achieve worthwhile goals.

Let me illustrate this with the story of a friend I will call Mr. John. Mr. John was born into a polygamous home. He grew up in the atmosphere of strive, conflict and neglect. This affected the way he sees himself and others. He believes life is about striving and taking advantage of others. He believes life is unfair and as such he also should not give nor expect fairness.

Mr. John went into school with no intention of achieving something worthwhile and this contributed a lot to the failures he suffered. He was punished on several occasions for various offences such as bullying, violence, fighting, abusing, stubbornness, est.

This situation continued until Mr. John was invited to a Christian program in the school. He came just for the fun of it but it just happen that the discuss was about the limitless possibilities and resources God has put in man and this so much touched John that he began to see himself in a better light. He began to think (power of imagination) and he felt he needs to redirect his energy into something positive and creative. I believe he cancelled his old beliefs and habits and with the help of God and determination, he began to cultivate good beliefs and a positive mental attitude.

Now John is an accomplished accountant with a company of his own which deals in shares. He is involved in many charitable organizations and now lives very responsibly.

The subconscious mind can’t tell the difference between a real experience and one that is vividly imagined. Through creative imagination we can create images of success that by incorporation into our self image can be turned into actual success.

There is power in imagination. Creative imagination of success and a positive outlook will position our energy into a success path. We are to focus on desired changes instead of dwelling on past mistakes. As we focused on the desired changes then our built in mechanism is locked into this focus thus everything that will contribute towards achieving this is consciously or subconsciously attracted to us. See yourself the way you dream yourself to be and little by little you will be transformed to that image of success.

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. We can change our self-image through changing our internal guidance system by;

* Cancel old negative data (poor self image),
* Replace with new positive data ( a good self-image and positive PMA),
* Affirm your new image to yourself ( positive confession and affirmation),
* Focus on an image of a successful you(reflective relearning),
* Train yourself for lasting change.

Self realization propels self discovery which gender self provocation which bring glorious attainment and celebration.

This sets me thinking about what I need to cancel and what I need to replace and reaffirm in my life.

I know that I have been using CRAFT before and it has worked for me. I remember using CRAFT consciously or subconsciously to handle things I needed to change in my life while growing up. I will tell myself that I am going to be successful even when situation seems the contrary. I remember an experience I had while being in the primary school. I was in primary 6 in class dominated by very brainy pupils. I was new in the class and I had wish I was not taken to that class hoping to be put in another class with less population of very brilliant pupils. Normally in Nigeria primary school, a pupil (most cases the most brilliant) is chosen to head the class as captain or janitor. It happens that the girl that was chosen to be the captain in the new class was very mean because authority was given to her to beat and punish her classmate at will if she perceives any untoward behavior. She most time will walk into the class and ask everybody to stood down for making a noise or just for anything if she wants to just portray her authority. There is this particular day I was resting on my desk when she walked into the class and saw me resting my head on the desk (and assumed that I was sleeping in the class). She ordered me to come out in front of the class while drawing a circle around me. She then proceeded to flog me 4 times while telling me that stepping out of the circle will mean starting the count all over again. I felt very humiliated and went back to a solitary place. There I started thinking that why was this girl this wicked and brutal. Was it because most of us perceived her as the best in the class and as such she is better than everybody and thus can punish anybody at will. I decided there and then that I can study and top the class just to prove to her that she is no special ( though within me I feel that is going to be a great shocker because I still feel I wouldn’t be named among the first 10 best in the new class at that time.

Then I started, I would wake up to tell myself that I can solve that problem in Mathematics. I can read and answer that comprehension passage just like or better than Rose (for that was her name). Then we continued and everybody started seeing a different me. I will stay behind in school and read and practice. Then came the final exam for the school, I was surprised at the outcome of the result. I not only beat Rose but I came top in the whole school ( a deed that shocked my whole teachers and classmate and which left Rose wondering where she got it all wrong.

I was given a special gift by the school and since then I found out that there is inherent in me a possibility that may be latent but if which tapped into could result into something so powerful and fulfilling.

I can learn to avoid stress by developing the habit of consciously examining events from a different perspective using the SEEDS method;

1. See the situation as fundamentally neutral.
2. Evaluate the situation; who owns the problem?
3. Emotion should be shifted to fit evaluation.
4. Do something about the situation.

I have found people getting stressed up on what they do just because it was something new and perplexing to them and they are unwilling to see , evaluate and properly analyze the situation, thus they make mountain out of a mule just to justify their bruised ego or expectation.

I believe the SEED method is a good method that one can use to break the stronghold of stress over our emotion and spirit. When we analyze problem and break them into solvable units, we are more able to calculatively deal with the problem and thus limit its devastating effect on our spirit and emotions.

The creative guidance system within you is a goal-striving mechanism, and the first requisite for using it is to have a clear-cut goal or target to shoot for.

Setting goals that are fulfilling and achievable requires a SMART approach which is listed below;
1. Make each goal Specific
2. The goals must be Measurable.
3. A plan of Action must be developed for the goals.
4. Decide what goals are Realistic for you, balance safety and risk.
5. Set Time conscious goals.

I have used the SMART approach at setting goals and I am still in the process of using it. It really works if we are diligent enough to follow it through.

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?

Adequate self image.
I am reading and getting counsels on improving my self image. I believe with faith in God and what he has promised me my self image is improving every day.

I am striving towards making others see the need for their improving their self image so the world could be a better place for all.

The built-guidance system.
I am determined to focus my passion, dreams and goals at both achieving success that are not too common and also helping others especially the younger ones to direct their built guidance towards achieving success. I am using the forum available for me to do this such in the church, working place, meetings est.

The Creative imagination.
I want to continue to exercise myself in creative imagination. I know a mind that stops imagining starts decaying, imagination is power. I want to positively employ my mind in creative thinking about my work, my environment, my community, my nation and as a whole my world. I also want to stir up the creative imagination of others so the world could be a better place by the contribution of everyone of us.

Re-evaluation.
I don’t want to see myself as achieving everything yet, I want to constantly re-evaluate myself on the real purpose why I am alive. I want to continually improve on myself and challenge present state for better virtues, better health, better family life, better finance, better relationship with God and better relationship with others.

Stress-free living.
I want to use the principle of SMART to ward off stress from my life. My job and the situation of my city induce so many stressful situation but I am not going to allow stress to be overriding in my life. I am consciously going to reduce stressful conditions in my life. As much as possible I am also going to affect others towards reducing stressful conditions through SMART.

Goal setting.
I am going to keep at my goals with renewed determination. I am greatly impressed with the section of setting goals and I am going to put all that I have learnt into practice.

4. Quotes: Are there brief quotes from the book which really got your attention? If so, please list and comment on them.

I found the following quotes both inspiring and challenging:

A. “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got”.

Mere profession, wishes or dreams doesn’t bring a change but action must be put into the words to make a difference.

B. “Self esteem is the likeliest candidate for a social vaccine, something that empowers us to live responsibly and that inoculates us against the lure of crime, violence, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, child abuse, chronic welfare dependency, and educational failure. The lack of self esteem is central to most personal and social ills plaguing our state and nation as we approach the end of the twentieth century”.

I believe enhancement of self image will greatly benefit the world..

C. “Through your imagination you can create positive images of yourself that with time and repeated practice will become your actual self-image”.

I believe conception breeds realization. Conception sometimes might shake the present due to the tendency of the present to want to remain the same but as persistence continues with the practice of the conceived, then realization and actualization materializes.

D. “It is impossible to feel anxious or stressed out when you are relaxed”.

I want to practice this more often now.

E. “It’s been my experience that those who don’t write down their goals don’t achieve them. If you can’t commit to writing down the goals, you won’t commit to following through”.

I have found that I am getting more committed to my goals when I started writing them down than when I only committed them to memory. So writing them down is better

F. “We are not on earth to live up to someone else’s expectations. To make our unique contribution to the world, we each need to prize our individual worth and pursue our dreams”.

A sincere thought that I need to meditate on and pray on as well.

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?

I agree with most of the thoughts express in the book.

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 completed some of the exercise and I found them extremely helpful. Some of the exercises are still ongoing.

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 believe to make a permanent change we all need the grace of God as the place of God as the creator who can help the mortal get enough strength to effect a positive change cannot be under-estimated.

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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9