Jibril Abdul Razak – Assessments – International Institute for Global Leadership

As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

1. What is the main ideal that the Author is trying to covey in the book?

To me, the main idea that the author is trying to convey to his readers is to let them know the magnitude of thought on mankind. Because it is our thought that determines our actions being voluntary or involuntary, confirming that, thought crystallize to man’s experience either bad one or good one. He also portrays the concept of law of attraction, which is believed that positive and negative thoughts bring about positive and negative experience. This belief is based on the idea that people and their thoughts are made from “pure energy” and that a process of like energy attracting like energy exists through which a person can improve their health, wealth and personal relationship. The author also conveyed that, a man’s thought build up to his character, because his thinking crystalize to his behavior. The author made us to know that whatever we will do on this earth, we will surely get its reward accordingly.

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 your personal examples from your own life.

i. “A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effects of long cherished association with Godlike thoughts and vice versa.”

This a idea is important to me because, it emphasis on the fact that nothing in life happen by chance but it happen by our own perpetration and thought. I took a lesson from this, by saying to myself that “So hadn’t my hidden positive thought I had pertaining to my dream of becoming an entrepreneur, like my toil for several years would have go waste. This idea clearly confirm that “Heaven help those who help themselves”.

ii. “As a man thinketh.”

This is ideal to me because some person’s true nature isn’t always visible as the author said, sometimes they appear generous on the outside but they are really selfish or greedy on the inside. This statement can be hampered by thought because your thought would eventually expose your character to the outside world. This is important to me because human thought and character is just like human and pregnancy, you can’t hide them, no matter how you try hiding them they will eventually protrude.

iii. “Here is a rich man who is a victim of a painful and persistent disease as the result of gluttony. He is willing to give large sums of money to get rid of it, but he will not sacrifice his gluttonous desires.”

This idea shows that one have to desist from his/her previous act in other to see change in his/her life. Likening this to myself, when I started farming as business, I was practicing subsistence farming using simple farm tools and zero tillage which is known to be enemy to economic progress, so one day I said to myself “My dream is to become commercial farmer but not to feed myself one.” I quickly developed the habit of change by putting measures of transforming into commercial farming by using mechanize and improve method of cultural practices.

iv. “This is but saying that nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing can come from nettles but nettles.”

This idea is crucial to me because, it shows that our dream must go with our thought for the betterment of our achievement. The true is that there is no way that you will plant legume and finally harvest cereal, so I stand on this book to say that “You will reap what you sow”. From this book, I have now learnt that if I plan for good I will harvest good and when I plan badly I will definitely harvest bad.

v. “He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.”

This idea is indeed crucial in every man’s life. Because fearful and doubtful thought leads to extremely failure in one’s life, this shows that when we have some positive thought we shouldn’t again have any negative thought attach, because being optimistic is a half way achievement to success and being pessimistic is a have way closer to failure. This author has made me to now understand the benefit of optimistic and confidence, and I will put it into practice to conquer nervousness in my personal life, because nervousness one of is my weakness.

vi. “A strong cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself.”

I like this idea because it tells us that, until one identify his/her weakness and strength and alter upon them, he still stands no chance of achieving his/her positive dream in life, even if one is willing to him/her. I have now learnt a lesson from this book that, if I want others to help me procure my dream, then I have to start up something to inspire stakeholders and philanthropist before they could help me. From this, moment I will put it into practice to help me get assistance from others.

vii. “A man achievement and failure is sometimes predetermined by his primary thought.”

This is because if your primary thought is good then your secondary thought will be good and if your secondary thought is good then your tertiary thought will definitely be good as well and vice versa. The author is trying to convey to us that if we did not achieve our dreams on earth here then we shouldn’t blame nature rather we should blame ourselves. From this concept I think I will never hold someone in my heart that he is the cause of my failure or tragedy but rather I will blame myself if any happenstance.

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 ideas listed and explained above will be essential in my everyday activities and I will use it to educate other people around me as well as to the globe. Since I now know that, achievement and failure does not come by chance but by my own thought and effort I will put it into practice and also I will also try to spread it to others through publicity means.

Secondly, I have also learnt that, it is my own thought that will crystallize to my action and to my result. I will now put eye to whatever I do and also consider its consequence as well. The book also made me to know that one cannot rise a weaker until that weaker comply to rise by his own effort, with this experience I will now advocate the weaker around me to start things on their own before they may solicit for help. For example if they want to start a sole business, they should get their own initial capital and start with it small by small, with this if any NGO, stakeholders or philanthropist sees their efforts he/she may help them. I will now consider the effect of one being doubtful, nervous and pessimistic and one being confidence and optimistic and advocate it to other people as well. The author lastly made me know the simplicity in life that good thought can help one improve upon his/her happiness, wealth and personal relationship.

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

“Only by much searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained.

This quotation drew my attention because to me, it deliberate on the fact that nothing on earth is gotten by chance except by striving and effort. So think we have to sometimes forget of chance or luck and do what is necessary first, before if perhaps we may think of luck, because sometimes luck is a secondary matter in our daily activities.

“Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.”

This quotation is apparently true but the world has fail to abide by it, this is clear because action of every man has a connection to his own thought and that whatever your thought yield for you, deserves you, you worked for it. It is just liken to intoxicated person (drunkard) I belief that intoxicants do not mislead one do something that he did not think of it, before an intoxicated person do something, he had already thought of it before taking that intoxicant to help him do it, it can’t therefore make one do something foolishly or decent unless he had the thought.

“Good thought bear good fruit, bad thought bear bad fruit.”

This quotation to me has no doubt on our daily activity, it is open every across the globe to help us understand life, yet some people are against it and finally indulge in immoral acts, forgetting that no one bears the iniquity of other. I therefore, second this author by saying “if you do good, you do for yourself and if you do bad, you do for yourself”.

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

I have no comment.

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

No exercises.

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.

Nothing else.

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

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

1. What is the main ideal that the author is trying to covey in the book?

To me, the main idea that the author is trying to convey to his readers is to let them know that the world is full struggles and perpetual discoveries. And that we should give less attention to our limitations and culture, by willing to learn new innovations irrespective of our races, culture and limitations. Jonathan Livingston Seagull portrayed the same in this book by figuring himself out from the flock without regarding his limitations as Seagull to learn new things in his life by flying. The author also convey to his readers that they should be steadfast in patience, courage and focus towards their vision or dream with different attempts, because the process of attaining one’s vision or dreams goes with discouragement and condemnation. This is similar to Jonathan Livings Seagull’s mother’s comment in the book and I quote “Why Jon? Why is it hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can’t you leave low flying to the Pelicans, the Albatross?”
The author also conveyed to his readers that they should be optimistic in learning or doing things. This is similar to Ching’s comment in this book and I quote “To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is, you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived.” He also want his readers to appreciate the fact that for one to achieve his dream, failure have to be part of his content because each failure in life is one step closer to success. Jonathan Livingston Seagull faced a lot of failures and challenges during his training but he never gave up, the more he fail the more he try again until he finally achieved his dream as flyer.

i. Jonathan Livingston Seagull passionate for flying.

This shows that one has to ensure passion for his/her dream, but not engaging into something that he has dispassion, your passion for a particular thing makes it valuable to you to strive and endure its challenges. This is important to me because, I am a person who has passion for agriculture, due to this I had all my training in the agriculture sector starting from my primary to tertiary and regular farm practices, and now am enjoying it as a farmer. Jonathan portrayed similar in this book by not given his consideration to the external forces that were drawing his attention with discouraging perception.

ii. Jonathan dream was achieved.

The author wants his readers to be committed to their dreams by being courageous, patience, and submissive. After trial and error Livingston desired to give up after thinking of what he had done while enjoying his lonesomeness, he felt to give it a go and start practicing and enjoying what gave him peace of mind and what he truly loved and made his life value living. Even the prosperous and good-looking people get interfere to deleterious thoughts in their decisions for a while but in the long run they recover from the shock of the defeat they had just experienced. When one has passion for a certain thing in his lifetime target, giving up will be difficult for such a person even when he is gripped by negative thought. One has to portray moral life because if one is morally accepted in a community, he/she gain respect from others due to his decency. I portrayed this concept in my production and I saw progression and new opportunities in my life. I entreat readers to also portray such habit as Jonathan portrayed to help maximize their achievement opportunities and dreams.

iii. Practicing and perfection.

The author wants his readers to know that regular practicing make one to attain his perfection. From this book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull did regular practice on flying and he finally attained his perfection by breaking his own record of flying at over 214 miles per hour. This clearly shows that practice make man perfect. I have now learnt the experience of becoming perfection I will hence forth put it into practice in my daily business.

iv. Jonathan was a discoverer.

The author wants his readers to develop the habit of discovering innovations and trying to always do what they can’t easily do. Similar effort was done by Jonathan Livingston Seagull by responding to his mother that and I quote “I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.” I have now learnt a confidence of trial from Jonathan Livingston Seagull to always put into practice to determine the level of what I can produce and what I can’t produce in my business.

v. Jonathan was not selfish; he trained his colleagues to learn how to fly like him.

The author wants his readers not to be selfish of their knowledge they should be open to everyone who want to get access to it. In life there are people when see your progress they try to bring you down even when being good to them. We have to forget of their behavior and be kind to them even when they need our support. This was the same for Livingston when he started his dream practice he met so many criticisms from the flock but yet he finally accepted some of them as his student. All that can help us develop into improved and become bigger people is to learn not react to situations when then happen to us or around us. I will use this experience hence forth.

vi. Jonathan set himself above limitations; he distinguished himself as a flyer by not regarding his limitation as seagull.

This portray to readers not to be undermined by their features, culture and race. We should forget our fearful thought and develop the zeal that I will do it by crook or hook, I will do it.
vii. “To stall in the air is for them disgrace and it is dishonor.”

The author want us to know that there is no harm in trying, some people have the mindset that if I try to do something and finally did not accomplish it, people will tease me due to this they finally been gripped by discouragement. If one has that concept then he/she cannot start something on his/her own. All the inventors in the world were ones struggled with several failures, trials and teased one way or the other, but yet they endured it and finally made.

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 ideas listed and explained above will be essential in my everyday activities and I will use it to educate other people around me as well as to the globe. I have now learnt that being passionate in learning or doing thing is a major element of progress or success rather than being dispassion by doing things with pleasure. From this concept I will continue to develop more passion and selfless, in farm business. Secondly, I will now be submissive to my business totally without administering to any external forces that may act upon me. I have also learnt that practice make man perfect, I will now put all that I learn into practice.

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

“I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.”

I like quotation because Jonathan Livingston Seagull used it to conquer discourage from his mother, and he continued to focus on his dream.

“To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is, you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived.”

I like quotation because it speaks about optimistic which is also an element of progress and success. One has to always have confidence and optimistic in all situation.

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

“Let’s try it again “Sullivan said over and over” Let’s try it again” then, finally, “Good.”
Please I am not clear with the above quotation about.

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

No exercises

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.

None.

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? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8

Keys to Success
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

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

The main idea that the author Napoleon Hill is trying to convey in the book “keys to success” to its readers is that, having self-confidence in our capability to perform tasks will enhance the growth of faith. And that, if one want to succeed in his/her life, he/she should get ideas or follow the foot step of the successful people who have already made it in a positive way in achieving their dreams. He also wants his readers to know that, no one can be successful by being lucky or coincident; it may be but very rare. He wants us to know that, there are certain attributes that all successful people have in common. Being successful cannot be attributed to being born into perfect circumstances, family or country. Everyone is born with his/her potentials and the task for him/her is to build upon that potential to achieve his/her aims. And to have the tendency to achieve your dreams, then you have to apply the attributes of success which includes: Habits, Budgeting Time and Money, Creative Vision, Health, Adversity and Defeat and Teamwork.

The book personifies what makes people to succeed as well as what leads to other people not succeed. The principles that contribute to people success work in sequence with other principles to achieve one’s aim. These linking principles manifest the fact that teamwork should be one of the major factors to one’s way to success. Teamwork is in reality a key to organizational success, and as a leader, I realize that I have to motivate togetherness, maintain and stimulate enthusiasm in the team I work with for the higher purpose. I also realized that success lies in the power of thought, and that thinking great thoughts will inspire success beyond means.

i. Definiteness of Purpose

For everything you do in life, you need a purpose. No matter if it is personal or business related, this is the first step in your quest for achievement and success. What do you wish to accomplish? What is your ambiguous goal? Which steps do you need to take to achieve it (plan)? Am concerned about this factor because when I first had the plan of becoming a farmer, I asked myself “what is my purpose of becoming a farmer is it for pleasure or as business purpose? I thought of this principle before I began my farming business.

ii. Applied Faith

The principle applied faith is the desire and plans that need to be succeeded into something tangible. Therefore you need a set of realistic goals to meet those tangible results. This is an essential principle, driven by a state of mind, attitude and confidence, I emphasis on this principle because doing something without faith is futile and would not be encouraged.

iii. Going the extra mile

This principle is obvious. The more effort a partner puts in achieving a goal, the faster and better it will be accomplished. Also the law of compensation (rewards come in return for the deeds, thoughts and words) is great to incorporate in your achieving mindset. This is also important to me because, I want my business to grow high than usual that is why I enrolled myself to IIGL so that I will also go extra mile in my business.

iv. Positive Mental Attitude

No challenge can start without the right mindset. Positive (metal) attitude keeps your chin up and keep you powered in all circumstances. No challenges to large, objectives are clear and realistic and the right attitude to keep focus, inspire and motivate others, are key elements that are connected with this principle. The more positive everyone thinks, that are involved in the desired goals, and the more likely it is to achieve success (the law of influence). This principle is very crucial to me because positive Mental Attitude is the end product of success and Negative Mental Attitude is the end product of failure.

v. Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is a key to achieve success in business. Enthusiasm can work infectious; the more people are enthusiastic are about the desired goals, the more people will become that as well. It comes from within a person and is also connected to principle 3: applied faith. Success, applied faith and determination will attract more success. Enthusiasm perpetuated me to this progress in my business.

vi. Self-Discipline

You need to control your thoughts in order to control your needs and desired goals. This principle is all about the mastery of your own thoughts. You take possession of your own attitude, thoughts, emotions, acts, communication and so on. This is a vital principle to make the best business decisions and set the right priorities in order to achieve the desired goals. This is also crucial to me because without self-discipline one cannot work with team.

vii. Inspire Teamwork

T.E.A.M. is an acronym that stands for Together Everyone Accomplishes More! It is a fact, based on scientific and empirical studies, that people that work together with the focus on the same objectives, can accomplish more than one person alone. Teamwork therefore is a key asset, together with the other principles, for cooperative success and common desired goals. This principle to me is the major among all in terms of success because team help to achieve an easy goal.
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 ideas listed and explained above will be essential in my everyday activities and I will use it to educate other people around me as well as to the globe. Firstly, I have now learnt that the principles of success are like a chain link and must use in connection to each other to achieve ones goals and I will always emphasis on the above ideas in my business hence forth.

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.

”Successful people make decisions quickly as soon as all the facts are available and firmly. Unsuccessful people make decisions slowly, and they change then often. It can truly be worrying if one is unable to make decision quickly or often change decisions.”

This quotation reminds me of the statement and I quote “When money speaks humanity listen and when money sings humanity dances.” This shows that respect from others is the reason of one’s success and contempt from others is the reason of one’s failure.

“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement, and its lack is the stumbling block for ninety-eight out of every hundred people simply because they never really define their goals and start toward them.”

This quotation shows that Definiteness of purpose should be the major principle of one’s success and we should always take it as the first step of our venture.

“Every great leader of the past, whose record I have examined, was beset by difficulties and met with temporary defeat before arriving.”

This quotation shows that every successful man has a bitter story to tell and every successful man without failures and difficulties history is doubtful in one way or the other.

“Great success is the result of one’s understanding and using a Positive Mental Attitude, the power of one’s destiny lies in the thoughts that they attach on to themselves.”

This quotation reminds me of the statement and I quote “You will reap what you sow.” meaning negative thought will yield negative experience and positive thought will yield positive experience.

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?

The book is well written to be understood by everyone.

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?

To me the only exercise in this book for a reader is to understand the content, ideas and the principles of success and how one will use them wisely in his/her daily business.

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

No comment please.

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

Keys to Success
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

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

i. Definiteness of Purpose

ii. Applied Faith

iii. Going the extra mile

iv. Positive Mental Attitude

v. Enthusiasm

vi. Self-Discipline

vii. Inspire Teamwork

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.

This quotation shows that Definiteness of purpose should be the major principle of one’s success and we should always take it as the first step of our venture.

“Every great leader of the past, whose record I have examined, was beset by difficulties and met with temporary defeat before arriving.”

This quotation shows that every successful man has a bitter story to tell and every successful man without failures and difficulties history is doubtful in one way or the other.

“Great success is the result of one’s understanding and using a Positive Mental Attitude, the power of one’s destiny lies in the thoughts that they attach on to themselves.”

This quotation reminds me of the statement and I quote “You will reap what you sow.” meaning negative thought will yield negative experience and positive thought will yield positive experience.

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?

The book is well written to be understood by everyone.

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?

To me the only exercise in this book for a reader is to understand the content, ideas and the principles of success and how one will use them wisely in his/her daily business.

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

No comment please.

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

PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

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

The book starts with the impression that everyone has a unique “psychological thought” that describes who he/she is and what he/she have faith in. That psychological thought equates to our past experiences, successes, failures, feelings and behaviors. As it equate, it appears to represent a base on which we build our personality.

The fact is that, most people are been controlled by past experiences, which then describe them in a negative way. Therefore, they end up behaving in a way that is not in line with who they really are, but only with who they “think” they are. However, this emotional mindset can be overcome, and that is what the book is trying to convey; “adopting a new method for better defining ourselves and living life according to the person we were really meant to be.” What we fail to understand is that every one of us was born to become successfully in life, however, it is our own imagination that expose us to failure. In a nutshell, no one is born as rich, even when you are born to rich parents; you have to still work to make the riches very fruitful, because there is a saying that “Mine and ours are never the say.”

i. “The truth about myself was that: I am not “Inferior”, I am not “superior,” I am simply “me.”

I embrace this idea because it tells me whom I am and how life is simple on earth. This tells us that we should always have contentment in whatever we have; being small or huge and who we are; being poor or rich. When one appreciates this fact he or she will not develop the habit enviousness or have evil thought about someone who is progressing more than him/her but rather learn from such a person. I will hence forth develop this concept and as well disperse it to other people.

ii. “Get interested in some project that will help my fellow man, not out of some sense of duty, but because I want to.”

This idea sounds very moral in my life, because it is in line with one of the doctrines of Prophet Moses’s Ten Commandments in the Bible which says “Love your neighbor as yourself”. If everyone desire and endure to do something that will equate to others happiness then the world would have been temporal heaven for everyone. This quotation has pushed me to again express my profound thanks to the founder of IIGL and the entire Administration of IIGL for their selfless effort and long hand share of knowledge to the world; I will therefore, from today make my life fruitful to everyone.
iii. “True forgiveness comes only when we are able to see, and emotionally accept, that there is and was nothing to forgive. We should not have condemned or hated the other person in the first place.”

This idea tells us that we should always first examine situations before we conclude and when we are found guilty we should be calm and accept our faults. This continues to tell us that we should always have patience in judging others, because if one should have been in the shoes of defaulter, he/she would have committed worse than it is.

iv. “Turning a crisis into an opportunity.”

This tells us that we should not be too obsessed about whatever befalls us to affect our future activities. This is because; God our creator will never allow any plague or misfortune which is beyond our control to befall upon us, unless it is from our own hand perpetration. This idea confirms with the current CV-19 pandemic crisis which has overwhelm the whole world and has affected so many businesses to tell us that after every agony there is happiness and in every disgrace there is grace. We have to condole to the lost lives and continue with our normal living and also bear in mind that one’s there is life, there is more to achieve.

v. “Developing the winning feeling.”

This idea tells us that we should always be positive in life and that positive thought equate to success and negative thought equate to failure, due to this fact, I therefore stand firm to advice friends that we should always be optimistic in life.

vi. Glance at negatives, but focus on positives.

This shows that, we should not allow any resentment encounter to over weigh our positivity; we should always presume good work done successful without any hesitation.

vii. “Happiness does not lie in the future but the present.”

Do not wait for someone to make you happy, your happiness lies in your own hand. To satisfy with this idea just be contented with your present life, being content is one step towards success while being discontent is also one step towards failure; this is because, if you are discontent with your present situation, you will not be content with the next situation which will finally prone you to desperation in life.

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

The ideas listed and expressed above will be essential in my everyday activities and I will portray them as exemplary life for others to copy because there is a saying that “Action speaks more than words.”
First, I have now learnt to live very simple life without enviousness since I have notice the benefits of being contentment in life. Second, I will hence forth try to be a bridge for people to work on me for their success as IIGL, since Maxwell Maltz said “Get interested in some project that will help my fellow man, not out of some sense of duty, but because I want to.” Third, I will from today learn to forgive anyone who will happen to wrong me one way or the other in this life, perhaps Godly, it said to forgive and you shall be forgiven as well. Also I will hence make not today crisis affect my future activities, since success without toiling and bad encounter is doubtful to conclude. Last, in my justification for this book, I can strongly conclude that being optimistic, giving less attention to negativity but focus much on positivity and being contentment will eventually equate to one’s happiness and success in this 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.

“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”

I appreciate this quote because it seem to has affected most individuals in the world; in a sense that, they have the habit of inferiority complex when trying to do something due to the fear of criticism and being ridicule by others in case they fail, as a result they then stop their initiatives and then turn prone to poverty.

“Imagination rules the world.”

This quote touches my heart because everything we see around us is the result of what was originally thought by somebody. Our entire man made world is the result of thought turning into reality. I stand on this to say that no dream or thought is beyond possibility but will depend on how you will stand firm on it.

“Be careful what you say to your children. They may agree with you. Before calling a child “stupid” or “clumsy” or “bad” or a “disappointment,” it is important for a parent to consider the question; “Is this how I wish my child to experience him or herself ?”

This quote tells us that, parents should always say or propose positive to their children because they are the subject to their children’s success and failure, and anything they say to them negatively will undermined their children spirit of success and anything they will say to them positively will empower their spirit of success, children should also honor their parents to confirm the scripture’s mandate.

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 comment, I think perfection is 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?
Useful exercises were there for me, they were very helpful and inspirational to me.

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

No comment 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? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9

How to Win Friends and Influence People
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

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

The main idea that the author Dale Carnegie is trying to convey in the book is that man should always be good to people, because every person you meet in your everyday life is meant for a purpose and that purpose can either be good or bad to you. For this reason you have to regard every man as an equal no matter your status; being an ego in life will make you view people and judge them in wrong direction and will prevent you from getting them closer to you and know their situations.

i. Do not criticize, condemn or complain

“Any fool can criticize, condemn or complain and most fools do.”

He continues on to say that it takes character and self-control to be forgiving, this discipline will pay major dividends in your relationships with people. This idea is important to me because it tells us that we should not undermine any other person’s concept and do over talking in case of some incidence. Criticizing, condemning and too much complaining against others can bring discredit to your name.

ii. Remember their name

“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Remembering people’s names when you meet them is not easy. You usually meet a lot of people so it’s challenging, but if you can train yourself to remember people’s names, it makes them feel special and important. This is important to me because when you meet someone again and you are able to recall that person’s name, he/she feels happy having it in mind that he is so special to you but if you are not able to keep his name and you meet again he will feel like he mean nothing to you. Liken to myself, if you have my phone number and you don’t save it and one day I should call and you ask me “Please who am I speak with,” I will just feel like I don’t mean anything to you.

iii. Be genuinely interested in other people.

“You make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” If you break it down, you should listen 75% and only speak 25% of the time. Remembering a person’s name, asking them questions about themselves so you discover their interests and passions are what make people believe you like them, so they in turn like you. This idea is important to me because, it tells us to be positively curious about people and how they live. Liken to myself I am generally an interrogative person wanting to know much about people and what I don’t understand.

iv. Be quick to acknowledge your own mistakes.

Nothing will make people less defensive and more agreeable than you being humble and reasonable enough to admit your own mistakes. Having strong and stable personal and professional relationships relies on you taking responsibility for your actions, especially your mistakes. Nothing will help end pressure or a disagreement more than an instant acknowledgment and apology on your part. This tells us that we have to always feel remorse whenever we are found guilty and avoid long talk. This also reminds me of the old saying “Pull make I pull break calabash.”

v. Don’t attempt to “win” an argument

“The best way to win any argument is to avoid it. Even if you completely dismantle someone’s argument with objective facts, you won’t be any closer to reaching an agreement than if you made personal arguments.” Carnegie cited an old saying: “A man convinced against his will/Is of the same opinion still.” This tells us that argument over an issue is much more a waste of time than carry basket to fetch water from the river.

vi. Be a good listener.

Encourage others to give heed to other people’s mind and the easiest way to become a good communicator is to become a good listener. To be a good listener, we must actually care about what people have to say. This tells us that we have to listen to people and examine what they, even when they are not in our religious, political, social and racial categories. Very example to myself, I listen to Christians preaches, songs etc even though I am a Muslem. I do that because if I that do that, I will not understand their religion and eventually I will judge them wrongly.

vii. Make People Feel Important and happy.

Smiling, knowing people’s names, praising people, making an effort to know their interests and chat about them make people feel important. That is the underlying point of all of the above principles. If you make people feel important, how you walk through the world will be an exponentially more pleasant and incredible experience.

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 ideas listed and expressed above will be essential in my everyday activities and I will portray them as exemplary life for others to copy because there is a saying that “Action speaks more than words.” Firstly, I have now learnt to live very simple life without wasting time on argument since Dale Carnegie said “the best way to win any argument is to avoid it.” This shows that argument has no value in man’s life. Secondly, I will hence forth try to Smiling, knowing people’s names, praising people, making an effort to know their interests and chat about them, since Dale Carnegie said; they are the fundamental principles that make people feel important and happy. Thirdly, I will from today start to feel remorse whenever I am guilty and be quick in acknowledging my mistake, since Dale Carnegie said “Be quick to acknowledge your own mistakes.” Lastly, I will also be a good listener and stop criticizing, condemning and complaining against others.

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.

“Everybody in the world is seeking happiness and there is one sure way to find it. That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions.”

I like this quotation, because it tells us to build our own happiness within us by being positive in thought and contentment to one’s situation.

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

I chose this quote, because it advices us to avoid following irrelevant issues; because it is time wasting and time is said to be money.

“By fighting you never get enough, but by yielding you get more than you expected.”

This quotation tells us to always use peace in solving issues or getting things from others. This reminds me of the old saying “It is only when mosquito lands on your testicles that you will realize there is always a way to solve problems without using violence”.

“Everybody in the world, personally I am very fond of strawberries and cream, but I have found that for some strange reason, fish prefer worms. So when I went fishing, I didn’t think about what I wanted. I thought about what they wanted. I didn’t bait the hook with strawberries and cream. Rather, I dangled a worm or grasshopper in front of the fish and said: “wouldn’t you like to have that?”

I chose this quote because it shows us that every man has his own like and dislike on this earth. This reminds me of the old saying “Another man’s food is another man’s poison”

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 comment, I think perfection is 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?

Useful exercises were there for me, they were very helpful and inspirational 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.

No.

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

Awaken the Giant Within
Assessment by Jibril Abdul Razak (Ghana)

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

The main idea that Anthony Robbins was trying to convey was to point out the main purpose of our sustenance and to help people to take control of their lives and to get success. Robbins states the reason people struggle with change is they are not aware of the behaviors and reasons behind bad habits; this manifest itself by confirming the fact that bad habits equate to failure in life and if you sow bad seed you will eventually harvest bad seeds.

i. Your decisions determine your destiny.

Your decisions are your means to mold your destiny. Tony Robbins advises us that every new decision which you make creates a new route or course of action in your life. Your decisions essentially provide direction in your existence. By using your decisions you can change your life. A decision should be followed by an action. If there is no action, then you have not fully decided to pass a transformation in your life. Ensure that you follow complete on your decisions. This can be accomplished by using the following qualities of taking good decision. These are your belief, rules, reference points, values and emotional condition. By utilizing these conditions, you can make high quality decisions that will build you up.

ii. It is not the job which will lead to a nicer life but the belief behind this thought.

A belief is the circumstance of being confident about something. It is the confidence that a certain activity will cause a desired effect in our lives. For example, getting a good job will lead to a nicer life. Tony Robbins, said “it is not the job which will lead to a nicer life but the belief behind this thought.” The beliefs we hold on to can change our lives for the better or worse. Beliefs are general opinions that we generated in our past and held on to. They are created out of our clarification of pain or pleasure. It is entirely possible to change a belief. How can you do this? Simply link pain to the old belief and pleasure to the one you want to start believing. This is a sure way to transform your life by changing your perspective.

iii. Create instant change in life.

Many people think that change takes a long time to perform. One major reason why they think so is because they have tried so many times to effect change without any positive results. Due to this, they conclude that changing is difficult and takes a long time to do, But Tony Robbins said, “the opposite is true”. You can change in an instant. Majority of people think that change takes a long time because they do not know how to perform lasting change. They use the strength of mind on its own in taking their ventures. This is not a proper strategy of achieving lasting change in our lives. The author shows us that we should use willpower and reinforcement to create lasting change in our lives.
Once you make a decision to change, start the change immediately. Also give death ear to inferiority complex; for example the thought of saying if this venture goes wrong for me, people will laugh at me but always be pessimistic in life.

iv. Creating a person rule.

A rule is basically a belief which indicates the things which needs to happen for you to feel pleasure. For example, some people have a rule that they will only relax in the afternoon instead of work. How can we apply this nature of rules to ensure a happy, productive life for ourselves? Tony Robbins said that we can do this by creating rules which make us feel amazing and that do not rely on events that are beyond our control. Let your rules for happiness be affordable to you. In this way, you can avoid disappointment since your rules depend on internal events.

v. Get exactly what you want in your life.

One may ask that, is it possible for one to get what he/she want? Tony Robbins shows us how to get everything that we want in life. He indicates that the key to this is simply to change how we feel. According to him, we are more likely to get what we want if we feel confident enough to get it. Our level of self-confidence affects how we act. If our level of confidence is high we act in an excellent way. Otherwise, we perform poorly. Thus, we can encourage self-confidence by doing things that make us feel confident. This state of mind and body is sufficient to help us get exactly what we want. Tony says that we can tune our emotions to feel confident. Doing this transforms our bodies and makes us hold ourselves in a confident way. This combination results in an appearance of strength, flexibility and power. With this sort of appearance, you can get anything you want.

vi. Leaders are readers.

As a leader you have to read and learn extra in life from some successful leaders in the past. Robbins said this to motivate us to read and learn the mistakes or good things that some of our past leaders did and it affected them negative way or positive way for us to correct ourselves in our current leadership.

vii. We should be mindful about our words to others.

Do we know that one word can kill and one word can heal? If we know that, then we have to be watchful to what comes out of our tongues to others. This can liken to the bible verse which says, “Life and death are in power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

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?

This book is a guideline on how one can transform himself into his/her ideal image. By following the lessons above, I can change myself into the man that I always dreamed I could be. Learning these lessons can work wonders in my life and change it for the better, permanently.

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.

“Live with an attitude of gratitude.”

This quote is important to me because, showing gratitude to what you have been given is a sign of contentment to oneself and appreciation to the giver.

“Leaders are readers.”

Once you are chosen as a leader then there is high task ahead of you, for example a school prefect way of leaving on campus sudden changes as compare to when he was ordinary student, because a school prefect is the eye of the students, thus he have to learn extra hard to score more than the other students, thus to live life example to other students. As a good leader you don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.

“You are the source of all your emotions.”

This quote is important to me because it tells us that we should always be self-control of our daily affairs, for example, we should make ourselves happy rather than waiting for anther to make us happy. One way to be self- control is for one to be resilient to situations and for someone to be resilient he must make it in his mind that the world is full of challenges and he has to overcome those challenges.

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 were no ideas that I was not clear with, the book was readable and comprehensive with a lot of sense.

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 lots of useful exercises to complete.

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

I have no comment please. I think the book is perfect and I will encourage other people to also read it.

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