As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Arokoyo Sandra Oluwakemi (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book is that every man is responsible for whatever befalls him because every of his action is prompted by his thoughts, be it negative or positive. the author was actually trying to motivate the reader that he is actually the maker of himself however, where we are today is as a result of our thoughts and we are basically the architects of our future.
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.
A man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry. This shows that our thoughts are like seeds sown which then spring forth at the right time to bring forth fruits of their kinds, therefore I am the architect of my future, whatever I think will surely come to pass unless I change or work on those thoughts, as in think positively. In other words, a man can either make or mar himself for good thought and actions can never produce bad results and vice versa.
A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favor or chance, but it is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effects of long cherished association with Godlike thoughts. This fact only makes me understand the more that I could actually have a better Christian life and stop blaming the devil for my unseriousness. Having a noble and Godly character starts with having the fear of God in you, only when you see God as your all in all will you start to do what He wants you to do.
A soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its unchastened desires,–and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own. Every thought-seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage of opportunity and circumstance. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit. whatever you long for or desire is what comes to you. Knowing this I can actually prevent all those selfish thoughts from becoming a reality in a situation.
Man is the creative power that can command the hidden soil and seeds of his being out of which circumstances grow, he then becomes the rightful master of himself. This actually shows that I can control my environment by what my thoughts, thereby making it a better place. In other words, man is the shaper and maker of his environment.
The body is the servant of the mind, out of a clean mind comes a clean life and a clean body, vice versa.It obeys the operationsof the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. At the bidding of unlawful thoughts the body sinks rapidly into disease and decay; at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts it becomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty. Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of people just as surely though less rapidly. The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it. Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the, entrance of disease; while impure thoughts, even if not physically indulged, will soon shatter the nervous system. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which responds readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it. Wrinkles that mar are drawn by folly, passion and pride. Thoughts of malice, envy, despondency rob the body of its health and grace.
Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment. Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of people just as surely though less rapidly. The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it. Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the, entrance of disease; while impure thoughts, even if not physically indulged, will soon shatter the nervous system.
Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which responds readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it. A man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking. This actually makes me understand that with right thinking I can achieve my purpose of living. If I have negative thoughts towards achieving my dreams, then I can never get to achieve the dreams.
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 lessons will help me work on myself to create a better me and only when I am a better person will I be able to see the need of this world and how to create a change positively. Since an individual has the power to form his own character and to create his own happiness. Thought and character are one, and as character can only manifest and discover itself through environment and circumstance, the outer conditions of a persons life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state, so one as to be careful with his thoughts.
4. Quotes: are there any statements which the author made that particularly got you attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. This actually shows that his character influences the condition and circumstances of his life. every action carried out by a man springs forth first from his thought- even action considered to be spontaneous and unpremediated
Cherish your vision. Cherish your ideals. cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that form in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them you will grow all delightful condition, all heavenly environment, of these, if you but remain true to them your world will at last be built. Only if you cherish a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart will only one day realize it. Columbus cherished a vision of another world and discovered
The soul attracts that which secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fear. It reaches the height of its cherished aspiration. It falls to the level of its unchastened desires – and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.
Every action and feeling is preceded by a thought. Before you carry out anything,
Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves. Those who say positive things to themselves see it working for them while those that say negative things to themselves see it working for them. Therefore when you are a right thinking person, then good things come your way cause you would only think positive about yourself and the world at large.
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things
However, all these quotes are important to me because they all burst down to me working on myself to get a better Sandra and world. They open my eyes to see the truth, i.e. today we are where our thoughts have taken us, and we are the architects – for better or worse – of our futures.
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, there is no idea that i disagree with.
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, there were exercises and I have completed most of them, though not yet perfect in some. The exercises were quite helpful to me
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.
There is none that i noticed for now.
QUESTION RATING
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Arokoyo Sandra Oluwakemi (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea that the author is trying to convey In this book is that an individual has the ability to strive and reach for perfection in whatever he does on this planet earth, he makes us see the meaning of life and how to overcome every obstacle that might stand on the way.
2. What where 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.
Work in love: working in love is important to me because it takes love to change the world and only when you have love for something that you would have desire to make a positive impact or to change it. To change the world you have to see the good in it and help people see these good in themselves and the world. This is what is actually called love and this love prompts the desire in you to create a better place.
Never see failure as a stopping point: in getting to the top, you would be faced with many ups and down and these would only discourage you. Failure is bound to happen when trying a new thing. Great leaders like Abraham Lincoln didn’t get to the top in one day, he made mistakes along the way but never gave up, he ended up as an American president. I almost gave up when I didn’t finally study medicine because I saw myself as a failure and some people around made things worse by making me see botany as a useless course. In the long run, I accepted my fate and I’m doing well as a Botanist.
Be yourself: in this life, there is only one you. You imitating others would only make you sad and unfulfilled in life because people who have different purpose would never understand your quest for excellence and tend to pull you down. Jonathan seagull tried it and never fit into the lifestyles of the breakfast flock. I have also tried copying others while in school and I realized that I made a big mess of myself because the lifestyles of my roommates weren’t just my type and this affected me academically. But the day I changed, I started having better grades in school.
You have to pay a price for excellence: Jonathan seagull made me see that to become a creature of excellence and skills and intelligence, there are sacrifices to be made which includes leaving the flock, being alone, practicing regularly with fierce concentration, only when I do these that I would attain perfection. I also realized that I don’t have to sorry for the price I pay.
Discover your purpose in life: for me to create a change I have got to know why I have been created and see how to achieve it. Therefore, knowing my purpose in life helps me to know where to start from in making a positive impact.
Always seek for knowledge: Jonathan always wanted to know more and this desire is the most vital ingredient for achievement. Elder chiang, another example, was not enfeebled by age but empowered by it because he also learnt new things as the days go by. This attitude as made me to understand that our next world is determined by what we learn in this one, and if we learn nothing, the next world is exactly like this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.
Have the zeal to reach out to others: to change the world, you have to be approachable, patient and understanding, for people to be able to come close to you and for you to impact knowledge in them, thereby, creating a new and better world.
3. How will this 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?
Working in love will help to forgive and not see the wrongs of people but rather have the desire or passion to change them for good. It also would help me forgive myself and move forward in life.
The boldness to move ahead when I encounter failure would help me to achieve my goals without waste of time. It will also help me to learn a lot of things because failures are mistakes you learn from and you are not expected to quit when you encounter them. Winners never quit, quitters never win.
Learning to be myself would help me not to listen to side talks that would discourage me or cause me to lose track. It also brings about being focus in life which helps me not to deviate from my dreams.
To get to the top, there are some things that you have to lose or give up, things that give pleasure for a while or gratify the senses. Though, it may seem painful for the time being. Therefore, with this lesson, I now know that I have to give up those things that that seem sweet but can deter my destiny.
Discovering my purpose in life helps me to know my stand and how to start with the achievement of my goals. Only when I know my purpose of existence that I can make an impact in the lives of people and the world at large. Discovering of one’s goal is the starting point to excellence.
Quest for knowledge makes you improve in life and to change the world. The types of things one digest also make or mar a person. Having a heart of Jonathan that has a zeal to learn more would help, to create a better person and world.
To change the world u need people and for these people to work with you, you have to take them as one and make them understand your goal. So many people may have the same zeal but not strong enough to achieve them. Being approachable and patient in teaching them would help change the 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.
“For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating, for this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight”:- the most important things in life are not the things that gratify senses but those that enlarge the personality.
Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of life- how to get from shore and back again: – most people don’t want to strive for excellence, they want things to come so easily which can never help in being great in life.
We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skills: – if only we can give ourselves to knowing more, then we would only be developing ourselves to be better people.
Jonathan seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with these gone from his thoughts, he lived a long fine life indeed.
The gull sees farthest who flies highest:-the more you know, the higher u get
Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding:-
If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we’ve destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don’t you think that we see each other once or twice? :- distance isn’t a barrier
The gulls who scorn perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly. Those who put aside travel for the sake of perfection go anywhere, instantly.
You will begin to touch heaven, jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn’t flying thousand miles per hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn’t have limits. Perfect son, my son, is being there.
“Such promises are only for the gull that accepts the ordinary. One who has touched excellence in his learning has no need of that kind of promise.”
To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere, you must begin by knowing you have arrived.
The nature of our next world is determined by what we learn and doing this one. If we learn nothing, the next world is like this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.
A responsible person, is he who finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for 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?
There is none.
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, it does. Almost through with the exercises and yes I found them 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.
There is none that I noticed.
Question rating:
a. How interesting was the book? 9
b. How helpful were the contents? 8
c. How easy was it to understand? 7
d. Would you recommend it to others? 9
e. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Success Through Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Arokoyo Sandra Oluwakemi
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea that the authors in the persons of Napoleon hill and W. Clement Stone are trying to convey is that as a person you are the most important living person who has the right to determine his or her life by either making use of the PMA to rid one’s mind of cobwebs through persistent thinking and positive actions or the NMA which causes your downfall.
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 following are the seven important ideas:
* The most important living person: I have learnt from this book that I am the most important person on earth carrying a talisman with PMA and NMA emblazoned on each side of the talisman which determines my destiny. The moment I start to see myself as being the most important person, the very day I stop being misled by people and environment. This makes me want to achieve great things and change my environment. This attitude happens to be the most important being that you are who u think you are, from books like’ Jonathan Livingstone seagull’ and ‘as a man thinketh’, I have been made to understand that only when you work on yourself would you achieve great things and this start with seeing yourself as the most important person.
* Getting rid of that guilty feeling: feeling of guilt plus PMA is good and produces beneficial results while feeling of guilt plus NMA is bad producing negative results. I have learnt that a feeling of guilt is good and it is actually suppose to motivate a person of the highest moral standards to worthwhile thoughts and actions. It actually brings with it feeling of indebtness which must be reduced and eliminated by thinking twice and making amends. To go about this you have to that which your conscience tells you, listen as you hear advice, lectures & inspirational sermons; count your blessings and thank God for them. With this I have been to work on myself based on the wrongs I made in the past which have been posing as threats to my moving forward.
* Awaken the sleeping giant within me: as the most important person, you are the product of your heredity, environment, and physical body, conscious and subconscious mind; you are actually a mind with a body having the power to affect, use, control or harmonize with all of them of which you can also direct your thoughts, control your emotions and ordain your destiny with PMA. I have been able to learn that for me to awaken the sleeping giants within me i.e. the conscious mind and subconscious mind, I have got to think with a PMA.
Learning to see: this is one of the skills of interpreting what you see and applying that interpretation to your life and the lives of others and whatever you learn to see, you must act on. I have learnt that I have to learn to train the mind to interpret what I see which would help to develop both my near and far sights. This skill also enables me to think deeply because it opens my mental eye and helps me in turn to make discoveries. However as a person that sees both near and far, I should be able to make plan, form objectives and lay foundation for the future.
Clearing the cobwebs from my thinking: Cobwebs are like entanglements that limit you. This can be caused by a feeling of guilt or just come naturally based on what you desire to do. Cobwebs such as negative feelings, emotions, passions, habits, negligence, beliefs and prejudices prevent people from thinking positively. Normally, emotions and reason should be in balance in one’s life. An emotion when over-weighed lowers your thinking ability.
Getting things done immediately: the secret of getting things done is to act on it and the self motivator is ‘do it now’, this is because success must be continually practiced else it will take wings and fly away. Knowing this secret helps to change a person’s attitude from negative to positive since good things we read and profess become a part of our life. I have also been able to see that the things that prevent us from seeing the ‘Now’, is a certain timidity in the face of our own inspirations and this timidity can only be erased by boldness thereby producing the most spectacular results.
Motivating yourself and others: motivation is that which induces action or determine choice. It is like a hope that starts an action in an attempt to produce specific results. For a world that needs a change, people have got to motivate not just themselves but also others to create an impact. In motivating yourself, you can use self suggestion to change negativity in your life and others and follow by acting on it. You have to learn to see people for who they are and never see yourself as being better than them thereby making them have low self esteem. This also goes for us as individuals, we shouldn’t let others make us feel like nobody, you can actually be the best by motivating yourself, all that matters most is developing yourself.
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 in all will get to shape and mould me because they all aim at changing my attitudes which eventually will shape my future/destiny. With a new developed mind, I can then change my environment for better. Most people’s destinies are actually attached to a person and if you fail as a person then you will definitely fail others. However with a better perception, I can actually motivate people to be better people, this is actually another way of making the world a better place because you can’t change the world alone.
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.
“It is impossible for you to conceive how far up is, except for the limitations of your own mind. You are the only one that can limit yourself, once you realize this; the sky is just your stepping stone. You can never know how far a place is until you take a step.”
Anything that is worth having is worth working for. Whatever you desire in this life, you have to work for it because it can never come to you by just hoping for. There is no food for a lazy man.
“We are poor – not because of God. God is good, he can never wish you bad because you are a product of what you think and do. You are only poor because you have no desire to have a change of what and where you are.”
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying. Success is achieved and maintained by those who keep trying with PMA. To be successful in life you have to keep trying, likes of Edison he failed so many times but on the 1000th time he succeeded so there is really nothing bad in trying. The only thing that’s stops us is fear, so I think that’s what we really have to work on the ‘FEAR’ of trying things.
“Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. No matter your condition, you can actually be somebody.”
It is one thing to know the goal and quite another thing to work toward it.
Character is something that is caught, not taught. What you do can imprint on the lives of others, so be careful with what you do and the kind of environment you find yourself.
The only job you can start at the top is the job of digging a hole.
You can decide whether you will affect, use, control or harmonize with the changes in yourself and your environment.
You can ordain your destiny. Your destiny is actually in your hands.
If you know what you want, you are more apt to recognize it when you see it. It is good to have plans. Your desire/goals can only be achieved when you plan for it. And you will always recognize it when you get to the top or have opportunities of achieving your dreams.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying. Success is achieved and maintained by those who keep trying with PMA.
Our attitudes shape our future.
We translate into the physical realities the thoughts and attitudes which we hold in our minds, no matter what they are.
You are what you think.
If God be for us, who can be against us. As his children we are under is care, he would never let anything evil befall us
Faith without works is dead.
As he thinketh in his heart so is he. Your thoughts develop to actions
4. 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, there is none.
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, there were and they have really made a great impact on me though I still flutter in some part such as having a sense of guilt that still limits me. Anyways, practice, they say makes perfect.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
Not really, I see everything as covered already.
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? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by Arokoyo Sandra Oluwakemi (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea conveyed here is based on personal development through self image enhancement. that is to say that a person must have an accurate and positive view of his or her self before setting goals; otherwise he or she will get stuck in a continuing pattern of limiting beliefs.
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 main idea of chapter one is that we all experience feelings and exhibit behaviors in a way that is in line with our personal self-image which could be either positive or negative thereby producing a result that is mirrowed by our expectations. our brain which works like a servomechanism corrects our courses to attain whatever goal it is fixed on. This goal is always in accordance with our self-image. Whatever our external goals or thoughts may be, the servomechanism is designed to guide us toward the outcome our unconscious minds have come to expect. In a sense we are always on “auto-pilot” and the destination is determined to an extent by what we want and to a larger extent, by our beliefs regarding our ability to achieve that which we want.
Techniques such as programming, imagination, relaxation, goal setting, a proper response toward negative feedback, and disinhibition can be used to shape the self-image into one that is more adaptive
Finally, to achieve the kind of self-image that creates good feelings and good behaviors it is important to disinhibit the personality which is an outward manifestation of the self-image.
The main idea of chapter two is that our servomechanisms, guide us towards that which we think about of which the outcome depends on our self image. To eliminate poor self image, you have to work on yourself by using the CRAFT techniques; first cancelling every negativity and start the habit of challenging unwanted expectations by replacing old negative thoughts with something more desirable. How It is important to affirm the new self-image, that is, it is essential to continually remind the self to think in a more positive way. The old habit of being negative is well established and must be “chipped away at” continually.
A change on a new self image is not complete, till you stay focus which involves quiet relaxation and visualization of the changes you want in life and finally training oneself on the new self image.
The main idea of chapter four is that by freeing ourselves of false beliefs which may be hard to detect but are sure to leave some signs, we expand the range of those accomplishments that are then possible. By challenging such beliefs and adding new memories through reflective relearning a person can actually “acquire” new abilities and they become open to the abilities that were always already there.
A person can usually find some false beliefs if they set out to earnestly examine themselves. Once they’ve done this they may use the CRAFT technique to loosen the hold that a false belief has on their abilities. With time and repetition it is generally possible to effect some dehypnotizing and expand one’s abilities.
Chapter seven tells the reader that choosing and pursuing goals, on an ongoing basis, is an essential part of having a meaningful life. The success or failure mechanism will strive for whatever goals a person has set. The servomechanism will correct a person’s course to keep them “on track.” Because of this, the goals a person establishes will determine their set point for success. Everything each of us has done in our lives has been the result of the realization of our goals. When we act out unconscious expectations of failure we are achieving goals we are unknowingly setting for ourselves. If we act on the goal that nothing is worth striving for, again we are fulfilling our own course even though we usually do not realize it. Because of this it is clear that life is apt to be much more meaningful and rewarding if instead we are striving for goals that we have intentionally and thoughtfully set for ourselves
It is important to be mindful of the fact that our servomechanism is striving for goals even when we do not realize we are setting any. Because of this it is important to watch our “self-talk. It is also necessary to watch our thoughts carefully because of the power old messages and habitual thinking have over us. When an undesirable idea enters the mind, it is a good strategy to use the CRAFT system. This involves canceling the undesirable thought aloud, replacing it with positive data, affirming that the ability to attain the new goal is there, focusing mentally on the attainment of the desirable outcome, and training to fulfill the new role.
Sommer stressed that it is also important to commit one’s goals to paper. Writing them down tells the conscious mind what it ought to be striving for and the use of SMART approach helps to describe what an effective goal should look like. The letters stand for: Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-conscious. Each of these qualities are important if a goal is going to be one that can be pursued in a clear and obvious manner.
The main idea of chapter eight is that overcoming procrastination is a matter of understanding it and dealing with it in an effective manner. It is important for an individual to understand why they procrastinate if they are going to address it. This could be due to the fear of failure or the fear of success of which in both cases, procrastination exists because a person does not want to complete something.
Once a person has determined, through the use of thoughtful reflection, why they procrastinate it is possible to address it. Basically it is a matter of deciding if one is afraid of what failure would feel like or if they have some difficulty with the results of doing well. Once a person looks in this direction it is usually not too hard to discern which the issue is. The CRAFT technique can also be used to combat procrastination by
1. Cancelling your rationalizations for procrastination.
2. Replacing your rationalizations and excuses with positive, goal-oriented statements.
3. Affirming your self-image as a task oriented person who moves forcefully toward your goal.
4. Focusing on images of yourself in fulfillment of your goal.
5. Training yourself by taking positive action.
Chapter ten is about developing what Maltz referred to as a success-type personality. There are seven qualities that Sommer wrote comprises Maltz’s “picture of success.” These qualities form yet another acronym, SUCCESS. The letters stand for the following: Sense of direction, Understanding, Courage, Charity, Esteem, Self-confidence, and Self-acceptance.
A sense of direction is important because there are so many routes to success today that choosing a path can be confusing. Basically, successful navigation requires flexibility. Understanding was the second element in Maltz’s picture of success. This refers to human interactions because misunderstanding can lead to needless conflicts. Courage is essential to change because venturing into new territory is generally a scary undertaking. Many people, even those in abusive settings, prefer to stay with what they know than to venture into new areas. Sometimes change involves an individual telling others that they have acted wrongly in the past. Most of us are not very comfortable admitting we have been wrong and often people fear they will be judged. Setting such fears aside and doing what is emotionally healthy requires a great deal of courage.
Charity is another word for respect. Charitable people recognize the dignity and value of fellow human beings. This is important because feelings about the self are tied to feelings toward others. A person who doesn’t seem to like people probably does not like themselves either. Because of this, giving to other individuals or to society at large is almost certain to enhance the self-image (Maxwell Maltz, 248).
Esteem is the key ingredient to success. Many people see this issue backwards. Many people in our country are raised with the idea that a high self-opinion is egotistical and a low self-evaluation is somehow noble or charitable. However this is backwards; self-loathing is not admirable and a high opinion of oneself does not have to be extreme or narcissistic. In fact, those with high self-esteem are usually much better company and much better able to give of themselves than those who do not like themselves. Self-confidence is essential to our successes in life. Because of this it is advisable to develop a “why not me” attitude toward our goals, rather than a “why me” stance. We should view ourselves as being just as deserving and capable as other people. Often we are too quick to focus on our failures in life and forget to remember all of the successes. Personal goals should be kept in the forefront of a person’s consciousness and any steps toward those goals should be acknowledged and appreciated.
It is well-advised to use the theatre of the imagination and doing so invariable involves pictures that enhance confidence. Imagined success can be used to create real success. Failure should be viewed as a stepping stone to success as well. With a properly utilized servomechanism each failure brings success closer because each one is followed by a course correction. A final hint regarding self-confidence, as Sommer puts it, is “stay away from crabs.” People who always see things from a negative perspective can undermine anyone’s confidence if they are given enough time (Maxwell Maltz, 252).
The final element of SUCCESS is self-acceptance. This underscores the importance of acknowledging one’s own worth. Self-acceptance does not mean that a person is done changing or growing. Self-acceptance just means that a person is able to honestly acknowledge and appreciate “where they are” in their journey, at a given time. It involves the understanding that we are all inherently worthwhile and that the things that we want to change are just that—things we want to change, not who we actually are (Maxwell Maltz, 235).
Chapter eleven is about avoiding what Maltz called the failure-type personality. Doing this involves spotting the elements of FAILURE and handling them appropriately. Appropriate handling occurs when negative feedback is used to help the servomechanism readjust a person’s course toward success (Maxwell Maltz, 262). This can be aided by recognizing the elements that comprise FAILURE. They are as follows: Frustration, Aggressiveness, Insecurity, Loneliness, Uncertainty, Resentment, and Emptiness (Maxwell Maltz, 263).
Frustration is a tension that occurs when a goal or desire is not being met. Some frustration is good because without it we would not feel motivated or driven toward anything. It should be responded to early —as a warning signal that something needs to be done. If it is allowed to build up it becomes a hindrance that then inhibits goal attainment (Maxwell Maltz, 263).
Aggressiveness tends to follow frustration. It comes on as though it is meant as an answer to frustration; however, just as frustration can inhibit the reaching of goals, aggressiveness does little to diminish frustration (Maxwell Maltz, 267).
Insecurity comes from feelings of inadequacy. It often breeds failure because it puts a person’s energy and attention on that which they would like to avoid and takes it away from that which they would like to attain. This gives the servomechanism the wrong target to aim for (Maxwell Maltz, 270). CRAFT can be an effective tool for taking the emphasis away from insecure thinking.
Loneliness is what Maltz described as a lack of “oneness.” It is a feeling of being isolated from others and of being unable to enjoy human contact. Much like charitability toward others tends to be accompanied by a good self-regard, this isolation toward others tends to be accompanied by a detachment from the self. Fortunately, loneliness is yet another habit that can be broken. With diligence, cultivating self-awareness and approaching lonely thoughts with CRAFT can remove this undesirable state (Maxwell Maltz, 272).
Uncertainty can be debilitating if it is allowed to make one’s decisions. When uncertainty becomes the dominant feeling a type of paralysis can occur. This is true because our minds know they cannot make a wrong choice if they make no choice. Maltz wrote that we cannot correct our courses if we are standing still; in fact we cannot do anything. As Sommer wrote, we can change uncertainty into action. An effective approach is as follows: don’t be afraid to make a mistake, challenge procrastination with action, and pay attention to feedback. The servomechanism can use feedback—even if it is about having made mistakes, to bring about success (Maxwell Maltz, 275).
Resentment is a particularly debilitating form of anger. Sommer says it is the biggest “robber” of personal happiness and describes it as the repeated re-feeling of anger. Once it becomes a habit the possessor of it will look for reasons to be angry whenever possible—it is not a good state of affairs (Maxwell Maltz, 276).
Fortunately, the antidote for resentment is easy to come by with a little practice. It is forgiveness—or put another way, acceptance. It is much better to view it as simply a character issue that the “wronged” person should be glad they do not have the displeasure of possessing. When resentment-based thoughts start becoming prevalent SEEDS can be a good technique for sapping their potency (Maxwell Maltz, 278).
Emptiness is another word for depression. It is a loss of self and is often accompanied by an actual feeling of physical emptiness. Maltz attributed emptiness to non-fulfillment and said the remedy is to revisit one’s goals. Once a sense of purpose is re-established, emptiness subsides.
The important thing is to approach these elements of FAILURE with awareness. With enough course correction sensitivity develops toward the elements of failure and they are more easily recognized and properly handled. By avoiding failure an individual will naturally move toward success.
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 lessons have opened my eyes to see myself as being able to do things with no point for delay and procrastination. Therefore no more place for fear which hinders the achievements of my goals. With a positive change in one’s self- image, a lot can be done to your world because change starts with an individual.
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.
Everyone of us always acts, feels, and behaves in a way that is consistent with our self image- regardless of the reality of that image.
It is our self-image that prescribes our limits, and achieving a positive self- image-the life instinct rather than the destructive instinct –is within the capability of every man, woman and child.
You are responsible for the thoughts you have in your head at any given time. You have the capacity to think whatever you choose, and virtually all your self-defeating attitudes and behaviors originate in the way you choose to think.
These statements have opened my eyes to see that whatever I am now is based on what I think and see myself as. With a good thought about yourself, failure can never find you.
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?
May be when I re- read 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, the book contained some exercises to be used in building my self- image. No, I haven’t completed all of them and those I completed were 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, please.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9