Chukwunonso Gerald Belonwu – Assessments

As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Chukwunonso Gerald Belonwu (Nigeria)

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

The author is concerned with the centrality and power of thought in shaping human circumstances. The author contends that within the mind of every individual lies the power to create and recreate his/her immediate environment and as such that which a man becomes is directly linked to nature and type of thought developed and given expression in his mind.

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

i. Human actions and thoughts are inseparable

First, human actions and thoughts indeed are inseparable such that, the sum total of a person’s action reflects a fair measure of his thoughts. This is important because thoughts are like hidden seeds sown in the mind while actions are the expression of such thoughts. Hence, even in my life, the actions I take are invariably manifestations and consequences of a thought process.

ii. Man is the architect of his destiny

Second, Man is indeed the architect of his destiny which more often than not situates him as being the master and lord of his thought, character, habit and eventually circumstance. Therefore, central to a person’s destiny lies the power within him to transform and re-engineer his condition and situation to that which he wills. I have experienced this mainly when I let go of reclusive attitudes and orientation to life, which consequently gave room for people-orientation, shared learning and better achievement of my academic goals especially.

iii. The mind is only as good as the nourishment it receives

Third, the human mind indeed reflects the product of what has been cultivated such that a developed personality arises from a well developed or nourished mind and vice-versa. Hence, even in my life, when I nourish my mind with optimistic and positive thoughts, I more often confronted with circumstances and opportunities that mirror my thoughts and also when I permit negative thoughts brood within for too long, same tends to reflect my situation at that time.

iv. The only limitations on a man are those set by himself

Fourth, truly man is manacled only by himself. His whims, fancies, aspirations and ambitions are thwarted by the limits set in his mind. This is true because in my pursuits, I have only be restricted in achieving a set target to the extent that I have conceived a factor or issue as a challenge or stumbling block. But when I review such factor as surmountable, such promise usually meets reality in a matter of time.

v. That which a man sows, he reaps

Fifth, as biblical aphorism goes ‘that which a man sows, he reaps’. This aphorism is not only limited to thoughts but also actions such that a man’s action bears a cause-effect relationship with his circumstance. Hence, when I sow hard work and sacrifice, I often reap fruitful results but when I cut corners when performing a task, it most often results in regrets and disappointments over time.

vi. Thought has a significant effect on health

Sixth, a man’s thought indeed rubs off on his health. This is true to me because I have experienced that there is no medicine as effective as cheerful thoughts in dissipating the ills of the body. A clear, peaceful, cheerful attitude and goodwill devoid of envy and ill will often translates into sound health of body and mind in the individual.

vii. Accomplishment is a product of thought and purpose

Seventh, accomplishment and success in any human endeavor is only possible given a fine blend of focused thought and purposeful actions. Where either of them is missing, success becomes a mirage and far cry. Likewise, such accomplishments are threaded amidst serenity, calmness and clarity of thought and action.

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 would definitely aid my daily task achievement level. This is so because with a proper mindset, I can properly situate my circumstances and conditions to evolve as I will it to be. By so doing, I am in a better position to relay my experience and life changing perspective to my neighbors, colleagues and network at large. Thus, initiating the necessary synergy to drive the transformation and redefinition of the human mind, this is indispensable to societal change, development and continuity.

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.

“Cherish your visions, cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thought. For out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built”

The quote is instructive to me mainly because it is a reminder that the pendulum upon which the desires and aspirations of a man is built oscillates between the framework of thought and consistency in pursuits. Thus, in the end what matters is me, myself and I. The responsibility rests on the individual to strive to create the world he desires as well as enjoy the benefit for such success or reap the consequences for failure.

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?

Indeed, the author’s conception of “thought” and “purpose” as playing a central role towards accomplishment of an individual’s aspiration and vision though well intended and logically persuasive, is not in its entirety fool proof. The author placed too much emphasis on both concepts to the consequential neglect of other extraneous factors such as ‘time’ which invariably influences attainment of an Individual’s vision and aspirations. This is so because an individual may aspire, develop fruitful thoughts, apply purposeful efforts towards such aspirations but may not attain them within the significant set time. For example, a young, passionate footballer (maybe from a developing country) of about sixteen (16) years may aspire to play professional international football, he could even be enrolled in a local club side but may not have an opportunity to fulfill his aspiration of playing at the world professional level if not chosen during the scouting expedition of international clubs or does not have the resources to enroll in the football academy of international professional clubs. By implication, upon the attainment of 28-30 years, the probability of this youngster achieving playing time at professional international level is very slim and subsequently such aspirations and vision diminishes regardless of the combination of thought and purpose invested therein.

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

The exercise proffered by the book was indeed challenging since it involved deliberate overhauling of my world view, perception and attitude to my environment. However, I must say it is indeed helpful as I am reaping benefits of serenity and clarity of thought and action. To say the least, I increasingly appreciate the understanding that the mind is like a field which when cultivated, yields desirable results/fruits and also if left barren, undesirable thoughts (weeds) occupy the mind with debilitating consequences and life conditions.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

The pathway to success in an individual’s aspiration and vision is always characterized by a chequered history of sacrifice, hard choices and denial of certain measure of comfort and temporal pleasure. The strength of these efforts determines the result visible in the same individual. Quite interestingly, the prosecution of these efforts towards attaining one’s desire are never really observed or appreciated by the world (neighbors, bystanders etc) but on the corollary, once success is achieved, these same set of persons attribute it to a streak of luck, favor, good fortune, chance etc. Therefore, it simply implies that whatever be the lot of a man, the world would make comments (either supporting or negating his efforts towards it) but regardless of the nature of these comments, at every station in life of an individual, there exists within him, an innate power to transform and recreate his thoughts, condition and environment to suit that which he wills.

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? 7
B. How helpful was the content? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8

 

 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Assessment by Chukwunonso Gerald Belonwu (Nigeria)

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

The main idea conveyed in the book is the supremacy of will and consistency of purpose towards achieving set targets. The author describes this combination as capable of unleashing untrammeled heights towards attainment of goals and visions conceived in the mind of an individual. In this light, a person is only hindered from attaining success in a task or pursuit by limitation created and sustained within his mind. Once a person breaks free from such limitations, success is inevitable.

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.

i. Achievement begins with a compelling idea in the achiever

First, it is important to note that the foundation of every desired achievement is anchored upon a compelling idea forged and sustained in the mind and thought of the intending achiever. This operates to the extent that an achievement is only as good or realized as the quantum of compulsion, belief, faith and obsession with the idea held tenaciously by the individual. I have personally realized that no achievement comes by chance or streak of luck rather achievements are born out of consistent purpose-driven thought with attendant actions. This was most evident during my academic study at the university, wherein the thought of graduating tops so overwhelmed me that my actions were consciously and sub-consciously directed towards the attainment of this goal, which was indeed realized.

ii. Practice makes room for perfection

Second, it is also a truism that beyond the seemingly beautiful, elating and invigorating thought, comes the instrumentality of practical efforts directed towards the attainment of a set goal. Therefore, continuous commitment to practice enables one to bend the forces of nature and accords to him the mastery of any craft his mind’s eye and practice is focused on. This point is most manifest in my life, when I began learning a sport (table tennis) and I realized that with increased efforts and practice came better performance over time.

iii. Both success and failure derives energy and sustenance within the mind’s eye

Third, an individual’s mind wields the potential energy and power to define success as well as failure depending on where such energy is directed. This is so because the mind’s perception operates to define his situation, circumstances and condition. Therefore, that which he sees or concedes as failure assumes failure and limitations on his ability to alter positively the course of things and life circumstances. But, where he concedes of an event through the lens of optimism, he is situated to alter life circumstances and conditions to suit his will.

iv. Humility in learning is the mother of achievements

Fourth, humility has a great role to play in the determination of the height of achievement a person sets out for. This is so because with humility, an individual lays bare his weaknesses, emptiness and limitation which in turn creates room for effective inculcation of enduring knowledge pregnant with achievements. On the reverse, a proud heart creates no room for improvement and without learning, altering of a person life circumstances becomes a near impossibility. As the popular saying goes ‘a person stoops to conquer’.

v. Discovery/invention always seems impossible until it’s done

Fifth, the path to success and achievement is always laden with a host of contrary, opposing, discouraging and daunting comments and opinions held by neighbours, friends and even family alike. This dissenting opinions operate to mirror an individual’s aspiration as seemingly impossible to attain. However, the attainment of such lofty aspirations often comes as a shocker to one’s neighbours and detractors because ‘it always seems impossible until it’s done’.

vi. An achiever never settles for less

Sixth, the achievement syndrome is usually characterized by a resilient, unflinching and uncompromising resolution to attain a set target. Such drive proscribes any attempt to settle at an average or lower the standard bargaining capacity of the achiever. Hence, insistence on set standards and achievement level creates the propensity needed to strike through challenges and attain success. This also I have experienced especially at work, wherein tasks executed in teams have more often than not been performed satisfactorily due to the resoluteness and insistence on performance benchmarks.

vii. Mistakes/challenges do not signify an end in itself, rather a stepping stone to success

Seventh, behind every successful endeavor lies a trail of failed attempts, trials, and challenges which ostensibly threatens to or inhibits the achievement of such endeavor. However, success is struck when an achiever leverages on the perception that such failed attempts and trials lends itself to room for improvement and such breaking through apparent challenges unveils the theatre of achievement and underlying success in such endeavor. Thus, failure in this regard merely represents a concession in the mind of an individual to a challenge or mistake he/she dims irredeemable during the operational cycle of a task.

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

The combination of these ideas creates in me a mindset prone to success. This is indeed helpful in the accomplishment of daily task such that I am armed with the knowledge, resilience and fortitude to address challenges encountered during the execution of any set undertaking. Given this fortification, I am better fit to influence the mindset and perspectives of friends, colleagues and my network at large towards de-emphasizing a pessimistic attitude to pursuits and likewise, emphasizing a winning attitude as expressed in the aforementioned ideas.

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.

“Break the chains of your thought and you break the chains of your body.”

This quote is crucial to me as it reiterates the quintessential truth that the binding limitations to a man’s achievements are primarily those forged in his thoughts. Therefore, severance of the manacle clogging the mind, unleashes the liberty and freedom which drives the wheel of achievement and success. This indeed underscores the importance of shaping one’s thought and mindset to be devoid of all forms of limitation.

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 seem not to understand the idea conveyed by the author that success perpetually binds the mind of those averse to it away from the achiever. Even though with achievement comes a pool of early converts as well as laggards, the author highlighted the finality or damnation of those averse to changes as though they were in perpetual limbo and not capable of changing their mindset towards pervasive changes in the environment as well as the bandwagon effect of diffusion of innovation on such persons.

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

The book did not suggest any specific exercise but by implication, the culmination of ideas and principles conveyed in the book assumes an exercise of some sort on the personality development of the reader. To that end, the ideas contained therein, I find to be helpful in my daily life. It has helped to shape my thought process, attitude and perception to aspirations, pursuits as well as the nature of interaction with actors within my environment generally.

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 exist in the mind of every person the potential for good as well as evil, for hard work as well as laziness, for virtue as well as vice. What matters to an achiever most times in communicating development and innovation to others is the wisdom to look beyond the negative attributes such as vice, laziness, hatred, jealousy, evil etc and strive through practice and consistency to first see the good in them, harness it as well as assist them to see the good in themselves and the possibility of transformation of their minds. It is the attainment of such excellence that illuminates the leadership qualities in an individual and the propensity of such a leader to harness the strengths and positive qualities of a group that drives individual transformation and societal development.

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? 8
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