As Man Thinketh
Assessment by Joseph .N. Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in this book?
The mind has the power to create one’s world depending on the thought, good thoughts create a prosperous world and vile thoughts create a despondent world. The mindset is all the book teaches.
2. What where the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation of each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
* Act is a blossom of thought- out of the abundance of the heart of a man so is he revealed. James highlights that any act that comes out of a person is not by mere accident but is a product of a well conceived thought in one’s mind. Man’s conduct to the outside environment is as result of what is deeply rooted in his inside that is his mindset and thoughts.
* Garbage in garbage out- if a man’s thinking is corrupted or full of distorted conceptions about life, this is likely to manifest in his day to day conduct, either with himself or with the outside world. His conduct will be as a result of thoughts that have been allowed to survive and grow in one’s life and ultimately the thoughts will become as poison flowing in his veins.
* Law of attraction- the soul attracts that which it secretly harbors, James lays out that clearly, good cannot attract evil and evil cannot attract good. Whatever one meditates upon, most likely that thing will be received by his hands, one cannot earn what he doesn’t think of, he who thinks of lack attract poverty he who thinks of abundance attracts wealth and prosperity, man should never ever think of receiving that which is outside his mindset, nature cannot contradict that principle.
* There can be no progress or achievement without sacrifice- sacrifice is the language of love, to show that one loves something; one has to lay down his life to get such a thing. To achieve in one’s life we have to forfeit certain conducts, behaviors, mindsets and traditions. Successful people prepare themselves to accept and receive good thoughts, those thoughts that are in line with their endeavors, they refuse to divert their attention by discarding indiscreet thoughts that may want to come and distract their attention.
* Have dreams – dreams as said by James are the seedlings of reality. All men that had great dreams achieved them, Henry Ford’s dreams of better transportation came to fulfillment, and Nelson Mandela’s dream of seeing a better South Africa came to pass. We should cherish our vision, we must not give up on our dreams no matter how the environment might be unfriendly to us. A realized dream is an inspiration to many thus one must not stop dreaming and better off dreaming big!
* Peace- there should be a kind of peace in one’s life, that kind of peace that surpasses all understanding of those all around that individual. Contrary to tradition peace is a result of neither abundance nor lack, but is a result of joy and right thinking. Clean thoughts produce a settled mind; they eliminate fear, greed, and selfishness and ultimately lead to peace. Where there is peace good thoughts reign.
* Battle of the mind- the greatest battle man can ever fight as long as he is still breathing is the battle of his own mind. Man cannot conquer disease, poverty, war, greed, corruption and any other evils unless he has been able to fight with his own mind. The mind need to be reprogrammed because for decades it has been taught and programmed in a certain way that can be harmful to society or counter productive. Thoughts are a result of a certain mindset prevailing in one’s life, and in order to change one’s thoughts, there is need to change and refocus the mindset of an individual, without this any efforts to change the behavior of man cannot succeed unless his thoughts have been changed.
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?
* Act is a blossom of thought- I have learnt I should guard my heart jealously because from it flows the issues of life. My acts are directly a result of my thoughts, any “dirty” move I might think of doing is as result of a “dirty” thought behind the scenes. I should always meditate on good thoughts because they spring forth healthy acts which might at the end of the day benefit the world. Healthy thoughts create a healthy world so it is now my responsibility to only think of noble thoughts, those thoughts if they where to be screened to the whole world, the whole world will be proud of me!
* Garbage in garbage out- an eagle will never fly if it sticks around with chickens! In as much I should be in a position to select whatever gets into my life, being selective will ensure iam not polluted or diluted by vile thoughts or mischievous people. Whatever I sow is what I reap, bad influence, bad thoughts, a bad attitude is a result of what I would have allowed myself to accept in my life. The world now needs a kind of leadership that is able to draw a line of what life is and what death is. Life should be imparted in people and in my personal capacity I should be able to grow up people whom I can show the true path of life, a path that is of joy, peace and right-thinking.
* Law of attraction- generally a man attracts what he always thinks of. I have learnt that I should always think of whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is praiseworthy or excellent I should think of such things, this will ultimately lead me to attract such kind of things. For the world I should think of peace, joy, abundance, prosperity to everyone, if I meditate on these I will be able to create a world I want.
* There can be no progress or achievement without sacrifice- “The sacrifice which causes sorrow to the doer of the sacrifice is no sacrifice. Real sacrifice lightens the mind of the doer and gives him a sense of peace and joy. The Buddha gave up the pleasures of life because they had become painful to him. “- Mahatma Gandhi. I have learnt that life is all about sacrifice, sacrifice is the language of love, whatever one needs he has to sacrifice. From James’ book, I have learnt that I should get out of my comfort zone, drop off the vile, unhealthy and gruesome thoughts to create myself a healthy spirit which in turn will enable to create a world I want, a world of peace, love and joy. If the world can sacrifice, meaning its leaders, we can create a better world for everyone, with sacrifice greed, pride and arrogance is eliminated and a better environment is made a possibility.
* Have dreams- “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe” – Gail Devers
I should keep my dreams alive, I must not give up on them, being a renowned Financial Leader is what I aspire to be, seeing global poverty coming to an end is all I want to see come to pass. Dreams should never die, they should be backed by action and for myself being part of IIGL is one of those steps in achieving my dreams. Dreams are the seedlings of reality as said out by James. My dreams for a healthy world, my dreams for a peaceful world, a world full of fairness will come to pass if I just hold on to those dreams, dreams can always come to pass as they did in the days of the biblical Joseph!!
* Peace- peace is what we all want in life, it is the essence of life, it is neither the presence of abundance nor lack as I highlighted above, but it is a state of mind that has resulted from one being in harmony with nature. I believe in my life I should be able to express peace that surpasses all the understanding of those around me, a kind of peace that results from a healthy state of the mind. Peace I believe is contagious, if i make peace with my family, this will turn to be peace in society, societal peace will further translate into national peace, then global peace is made a possibility. I should always strive to be in peace with my brothers, be in peace with nature, then I would have achieved the apex of what every man desires in his own life.
* Battle of the mind- I have learnt that my number one enemy is not war, poverty, greed or any other ill, the greatest enemy I have to conquer is my own mind! Two decades of existence under the sun has shown me that the mind can go into a state that needs reprogramming, certain beliefs that are counter to progress, certain beliefs that derail achievement have all been imbedded in our lives, these beliefs now manifest themselves in the way we think which is then later shown in the way we act. Thoughts are directly linked with the mindset, a good mindset produces forth good thoughts and a sickly mind on the other hand produces sickly thoughts. The battle the world needs now is a battle of the mind if we are to solve any ills we might think of.
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 there were important to you.
* “Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil”- I have learnt that I should dream! The same effort I take in dreaming is the same effort i might take as well if I do not dream, so iam better off if I dream, even best if I dream big! There should be no limits to my dreams and if I hold on to the vision it will come to pass.
* “A man is literally what he thinks”- iam a product of my very own thoughts, so I should be in a position to filter what comes into my mind then resultantly my manly can be expressed be it good or bad. Iam what iam because of what I think!
5. Is there anything in the book that you did not understand or unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, and if so why.
James’ book is one of those self help books. In as much I appreciate his authorship; he does not value that man by his own thoughts cannot achieve anything. There are always powers and forces in the spiritual world that can always alter the course in the natural world independent of how you think or how your mindset is framed. The book is too short as well! However I cannot deny that it is a great book, whose teaching are worthwhile noting.
6. Did books contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The book does not contain any work to do in actual fact, but it lays out principles that can make this world a better place if these are followed.
7. Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. Overall rating you would? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Joseph Ngonidzashe Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in this book?
There is a better life beyond all human/mind limitations; there is always a world of possibilities full of meaning and purpose.
2. What where the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation of each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
* Fierce concentration- whatever Jon did was out of a strong sense of achievement and this was aided by his high levels of concentration. Though in the beginning he was a bit shaky but with the passage of time he did let nothing come into his way, he kept the focus straight and had a desire to free other seagulls. Focus will never betray those who embrace it, it’s like a compass to a sailor, without focus one cannot go any far because in the midst of trouble hope is lost, but a concentrated mind is able to overcome any of these barriers.
* Passion- Jon was full of energy, he wanted his feelings, ideas and values come and manifest themselves in the physical world. He had an energy level that was observable and the same energy he was able to transfer it to his peers. His passion made him take the risk of being labeled an “outcast” by the Council and even his parents. Passion can drive one to achieve beyond his/her widest dreams.
* Uniqueness- no longer was Jonathan an ordinary seagull, he wanted to break the barriers of constantly living a too normal life. He always wanted to be something true for exactly one thing that is “its not eating that matters but flying”, this was the complete opposite of what tradition had taught the ordinary seagulls for centuries. Uniqueness eliminates duplication and being a phony, that’s why Jon and Chiang were very different though both could fly at instances and bypass time, in as much they remained two distinct individuals.
* Being able to listen to your heart- Jonathan knew he could do it, he was able to listen to his heart. He paid special attention to his second “brain”, the heart which was his emotional centre. Jonathan was able to listen to his intuition, he always knew seagulls can fly better but didn’t know how, so in the end he attracted the flying because his heart had told him to fly and he listened.
* Faith- believing without proof was a corner stone to Jonathan’s achievements. With faith he attracted himself to Chiang who taught him astral travelling. He had a strong belief in flying to the extent that he found himself travelling in this kind of dimension. He was able to use the principle which says “ that which is seen is temporary, but that which is unseen is eternal” By faith Jonathan got the desires of his heart
* Tradition is a barrier- the flock for centuries had been taught that flying was only for falcons! For them life was looking for food and going as far as the low lands. These forces of nature that had shaped their thinking consequently became their belief. However in a quest for more, Jon wanted to break the barriers for he believed that there was always a better life in the midst of strong traditional beliefs that wanted to bind his wings!
* Mentorship- Jon’s endeavors of becoming a better seagull didn’t go far until he met his coach Chiang. He was taught all the principles that where required in flying, and with the experience Chiang had, he groomed him into another wise, loyal ,trusted advisor and counselor whose teachings ultimately influenced thousands of other seagulls.
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?
* Fierce concentration- concentration is a vital component in my life if I am to succeed on all my endeavors. With high levels of concentration, my focus is kept up straight and I will not be disturbed or distracted from what I aspire to be or achieve. On the other hand the whole world needs a kind of leadership that embraces focus, focusing on the current problems as global warming, global poverty, global recession and global war amongst other things. Without a clear focus and concentration, the world will not be able to solve all these predicaments.
* Passion- I have learnt without passion you cannot go any far than you can imagine, thus imagination can be a jump start to achieving one’s goals. Like Jon, he had a passion to fly and he flew, same to me my passion to become a renowned leader will come to pass if I keep the zeal and the fire burning. The world needs a people with a passion, individual passion, will grow to be a national passion and ultimately a global passion, and then a world we want is made a possibility.
* Uniqueness- in my own way, I am very different from anyone in as much as I am human, Jon was a seagull but was different from other birds! Now its time I show my creativity to the rest of the world. Being different means I have to produce and give the world something different, its time the world manifests its creativity for the betterment of the planet.
* Being able to listen to your heart- deep down in my heart I there is a voice that always whispers, that’s the inner person who is able to give me advice and knowledge, the only way to success is to listen to this person which I can dub my second “mind”. This was a secret which Jon revealed to me! This world needs to have a people that a able to tap from their hearts, a people that are able to listen to the whispers that come into their hearts, as an individual I have learnt that I need to listen to my heart and most cases what I hear will benefit the world.
* Faith- basically faith is believing in the unseen. The world can only materialize the seen if it first believe in the unseen. All natural manifestations should materialize from the spiritual world; the world has to come to the realization that without faith nothing can manifest for the betterment of the world.
* Tradition is a barrier-I need to get out of my comfort zone, leave all my traditions that are counter productive and pursue a freer life. I am suppose to progress the world by leaving old beliefs behind. The traditions of men are oppressive because to a greater extend they conceal the truth from being exposed. Most of the time tradition keeps people oppressed, it abuses the very people who follow it, and very much is a hindrance to progress.
* Mentorship- recently I have engaged with wiser people, those whom I believe will have a positive effect on my development as a Global Financial Leader. The world can only develop and propel if only men and women of wisdom are willing to pass on their expertise to the younger generation.
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 there were important to you.
* “The only true truth is that one which sets us free- Jonathan”- mysteries are mysteries, but they cease to be when the truth comes into play! The truth is the highest possible level that ensures that one is free and in peace, “it removes hide and seek”
* “I have gone everywhere and every when I can think of…Chiang”- our wildest dreams can take us wherever we want. I have seen I can build a future if I allow myself to think beyond human limitation.
* “I want to fly where no seagull has flown before. I want to know what there is to know about life! – Jonathan”- I have learnt I should shake off all the old skin and start afresh with life. I have learnt I should keep on enquiring more about life, in general a good leader is a wider reader, I should seek knowledge and wisdom in life.
* “Listen, everybody! There is no limit to how high we can fly! We can dive for fish and never have to live on garbage again!-Jonathan”- there is always a life of abundance available to those who believe that life has many dimensions beyond the daily monotonous routines and limiting beliefs. We can choose to do away with poverty if only we know that abundance can be called and attracted to our lives
5. Is there anything in the book that you did not understand or unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, and if so why.
The book stresses individualism; man by himself cannot attain divinity unless a higher spirit allows such man to be one. In Christianity a Christian cannot attain the divinity of Trinity unless the Trinity so allows. The book neglects the importance of God or a higher spirit that can help man to achieve his dreams. Man by himself cannot help himself. The book also denies the existence of heaven by calling it a state of perfection not a place, however heaven is the inhabitance of God and his angels and it can be reached and attained, it’s a tangible physical place not just some thought in one’s mind.
6. Did books contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
No exercises only that it requires one to take what it offers into cognizance and to apply its principles in our day to day life.
7. 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
Keys to Success
Assessment by Joseph Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
In this book Napoleon Hill is conveying a message of principles, effective principles which can be a guide if one is to achieve desirable results in life. He stresses one’s actions, attitude, as instrumental in achieving a successful life if they are used properly in one’s life. The book goes on to clarify these principles, by laying out 17 Principles of Success which when embraced by an individual can guarantee total success.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. Developing a definite purpose
It is clearly laid out by the author that without purpose people perish, they have no compass to guide them in their short journey of life. Individual purpose is vital if one is to survive in the long term, purpose gives an individual sense of direction. However purpose does not exist in isolation, it has to be backed by a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) otherwise the purpose can achieve destructive results. At a personal level I have been able to set out a clear purpose that can be instrumental to a successful life; I have stopped living in the false realm of “as each day comes by” to being an effective planner for my daily life.
ii. Establishing a master mind alliance
Having the right people at the right time is an ingredient for success. Any person who is in agreement with your vision, purpose and dreams in life qualifies to be part of an individual’s mastermind alliance. Mastermind alliances can be useful in achieving different areas results of life, as relationships, business and spiritual matters. I have been able to alliance myself with people who can aid me as I thrive towards my future and destiny, I have stopped all unfruitful associations.
iii. Attractive personality
The greatest investment a person can do is investing in one’s personality; a good personality is an asset whilst a bad personality tends to cause more trouble than good. Every individual according to the author should try to embrace a good personality which is reflected in different ways as a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), tolerance and to the list of a good personality I would add the Galatians 5:22-23 of the New Testament from the Holy Bible which has this to say “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” One of the gifts bestowed on me is a good personality, I hear it from the people I associate with, whenever I come across a person, they are always expectant to see me again, the Encore Effect!
iv. Using applied faith
The author defines faith as a state of mind in which aims, desires, plans and purposes may be translated into their physical or financial equivalent. Applied faith equals faith plus action. This kind of faith is active and is anchored in God according to Napoleon Hill the author. The author also connects prayer and faith as to inseparable attributes, with a person’s affirmations also vital in developing one’s faith levels. I have come to realise that with my own strength I cannot attain anything and I have a connection with the Great Iam who is God, whom I have unquestionable faith in, the one who sustains my very being.
v. Going an extra mile and personal initiative
One should aim at doing more than expected, a simple rule for success! An extra mile coupled with the right attitude, a good personality gives desirable results. The author goes on to talk about personal initiative as the inner power and self motivation of individual. Personal initiative drives one to act. The author further says that instead of living in the realm of self motivation, one should act and start motivating others for their good. Going an extra mile is a thing of choice, I have come to realise that it pays having a personal drive and being an initiator in life, I have drawn a lot of lessons from a friend of mine who at the age 23 is soon to be appointed an Audit Manager of a well known auditing firm in the USA. This is because of his willingness to go an extra mile and being an initiator.
vi. Self discipline and a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
Self discipline comes when one is able to control and have mastery over his or her thoughts, mainly because thoughts will be reflected in our daily lives. Self discipline is important in aiding an individual in the in the development and maintenance of habits of thoughts which enable that person to have directed purpose and thinking.
If thoughts are controlled, then emotions are controlled and destiny attainable. The author highlights another important subject of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) which is set of circumstances that do not violate the laws of God or the right of one’s fellow. Some people are full of positive thinking yet they have negative attitudes, this conflicts the very moral fibre of existence as the two do not co-exist. One should always aim to create and maintain a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) all the time. Being at University between the period of 2006-2010 taught me to be a disciplined fellow in the light of the freedom and exposure, discipline sustained me throughout the course!
vii. Cultivating creative vision
A person should use his or her greatest gift which is the mind. The mind is able to create or destroy and as said by the biblical Solomon, it should be guarded diligently because out of it flows the issues of life. A person should be able to engage his imagination to achieve lasting changes to this dying world. Creative vision can be achieved through careful study time, thinking time and planning time. I have not stopped creating images, some of them now are unseen yet have become so real in my life and it is only time when my creative vision bring these images to manifestation.
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?
Developing a definite purpose
I have learnt that purpose is the essence for living; if I direct my purposes rightly I can make a difference in my family, community and finally the world around me.
Establishing a master mind alliance
After careful study, it was revealed that all the greatest business men ever had a group of supporting associates who could encourage them to pursue their dreams so likewise I have decided to engage friends who can encourage me in my quest of making Africa a continent of choice!
Attractive personality
I have learnt that the greatest investment I can ever do is to invest in my personality if Iam to improve and change my word, it has to start from within me and then later affect the without me environment.
Using applied faith
I have realised that without faith I cannot please God, the very One who sent me to this world to make a change. The greatest connection I can ever have is my God and this is only made possible by active faith.
Going an extra mile and personal initiative
In order for me to test every good thing in life I should be willing and able to go an extra mile in everything I do and be an initiator of change if I am ever to change the world around me
Self discipline and a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
Self discipline is a key requirement for a successful life. A disciplined leader is able to create disciplined followers resulting in a disciplined world, simple arithmetic which should be grasped. On the other hand I have made a promise to myself, that everyday I should aim to live in an attitude that is positive, an attitude that can change the person next to me.
Cultivating creative vision
I have set time to meditate and ponder on the Word of Life, it keeps me energised and it has become my source of strength, it helps me go beyond the natural into the supernatural and it guarantees a successful life, the biblical Joshua spent most of his time meditating on the Word of Life and became one of the best leaders recorded in Ancient History.
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.
“Whatever your mind can conceive and believe you can achieve-when you have a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and apply it”- what a profound quote. This quote energises me not to stop on creative thinking as I will always achieve what I desire in life.
“ Keep your mind on the things you want and off the things I don’t want”- I have learnt that there is a law in the Universe called the Law of Attraction, whatever a person meditates be it good or evil, he is likely to reap his thoughts or affirmations. I have learnt that I should be able to control and filter my thoughts as well as the words that come out of my mouth.
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?
This book was well written by a thoughtful author and most of his beliefs I do share and agree with them, to me personally it’s an excellent book, which when reviewed cannot be altered to any significant extent.
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 contained many exercises which should constantly be looked at if they are to make a difference in one’s life; yes the exercises were very helpful as they helped me change my thought process and attitudes.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
The book seems to be near perfect, and has immensely helped my thinking and how I view real success compared to the world’s thinking of success which is based on tangibles whereas real success starts from within!
Rating
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9.5
Psycho-Cybernetics
Assessment by Joseph N Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Dr Maxwell Maltz in this book discusses the issue of personal fulfilment through self image enhancement. The book is centred on the subject of a person’s self image, how it can be instrumental to a person’s success or failure. According to the author, self image is the cornerstone of setting how far a person can go, “the area of the possibilities” as Maltz called it. Each individual is his or her own therapist, when it comes to self image; one must not wait to be attended by a physician, psychologist or therapist but rather should do it by him/herself as long as there is willingness to do so.
2. What are 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. The power of a positive self image – Self image is key to one’s personality. Our actions, thoughts and feelings are usually a result of our self-image. A poor self image is associated with a poor/ bad personality. Self image is also key to a better life. With a positive self image, confidence can be derived, challenges of life are easily tackled and solved and the prospects of a better future made a reality. As an individual, I have made a choice that whatever circumstance I might be facing, it must not go the extent of getting myself into a negative minded individual, which can result in a poor self image and at the end affect my positive personality.
b. Freeing myself from false beliefs – This was a profound lesson to me. I learnt that if I believe that I am a limited individual, confined to a certain way of living, I am likely to fail in whatever I do. I have learnt to free myself from imposed traditions and beliefs which do not go in line with what I want to achieve in this life. As an individual I should refuse settling for less, but always aiming the best in life not with the intention of being selfish rather with the society in mind. False beliefs have to be identified and corrected before they become destructive not only to me but even to my future generations.
c. Living by my own script- Many times in life there are a lot of people who make decisions on our behalf, both constructive and destructive decisions. From childhood, our parents or guardians have made decisions for us, many of them have led us to be where we are now, good decisions that have made our lives successful, in as much some of their decisions have been selfish and of benefit to them. Mostindividuals live unfulfilled lives because they let other people or individuals right their own scripts. On a personal level I am grateful to every individual who has assisted me to be what I am today, but I cannot let anyone write their own scripts in my life. I believe as an individual I can write my own script, being the main actor in my own movie and close the chapter of my own script, however the movie won’t be entertaining unless there are supporting roles, meaning I can accept advice but the final decision is mine!
d. Correcting my programming: tapping my success instinct – It was revealed to me that I have grains of success within me. The only deterrent could be the data I feed myself with or the self image I have. The lesson here was to reprogram my creative mechanism, knowing it for sure that I am destined for success and whatever situation that comes my way is just a stepping stone towards my greatness.
e. Moving myself from goal setting to goal getting- Even though i have set myself SMART goals, I should not end there, goals are just the beginning! I was taught that goals are a process and not a place to be, I will encounter slowdowns, obstacles and diversions during the way, but the most important thing is for me not to lose focus but to pursue and catch what’s ahead of me. I should be able to align my conscious mind with my subconscious mind. The conscious mind does the selecting of my goals and targets, the subconscious mind should be in line and be creative to do the how part of the equation.
f. Having a sense of direction- as an individual, direction is paramount if the future ahead is to be attained. I also realised that with so many roads (directions) and so many choices, I should be able to choose a certain path that is in agreement with my desires otherwise I can end without anything to show for my efforts. I should be able to direct my purpose and anticipate changes in the present environment.
g. The power of forgiveness- I should be able to embrace an attitude of forgiveness, this will free me from bitterness, emotional scars and the destructive effects of revenge. Forgiveness is a healing process after someone has wounded us; it should be a fruit of anyone who has a Positive Mental Attitude. Forgiveness according to Maltz is an antidote to the poison of resentment. As an individual I should be willing to cancel out, eradicate the cuts as if they never happened without any mental reservation, this will ensure total cancellation of the debt, therefore complete forgiveness.
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?
a. The power of a positive self image- As an individual, and not just an ordinary individual I have learnt that, to effectively change those around me I should first deal with the issues of myself image, I should reflect and come to the conclusion that I am the express image of my Creator and whatever follows is bound to be a success because I know my identity and the real person I am.
b. Freeing myself from false beliefs – I have purposed myself to do away with beliefs that are counter to laws of my Creator, be them family beliefs and traditions, religious beliefs and convictions, as long as they deter me from achieving my goal of building dreams and changing nations in Africa such kind of traditions should not be embraced.
c. Living by my own script – it is good to get and accept advice but it is also another thing when certain individuals want to get on the steering wheel of my life. I should be submissive to parental authority, governmental authority and most importantly to my spiritual authority, but one thing for sure is I cannot let these authorities engrave and impose their thoughts, their ambitions and their desires on me. I have the will power to decide and make choices, choices that are not only good to me but choices that can empower those around me. Refuse anyone who wants to make you live your life in the backstage!
d. Correcting my programming: tapping my success instinct – I am encouraged by words of Saint Paul as written in the Word of Life “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. This man understood the power of reprogramming our mindset for success. As long as we think and operate like everybody we will be like everybody, but if we renew our thinking, attitudes and perceptions we are able to make this world a better place.
e. Moving myself from goal setting to goal getting – faith plus actions is equal to achievement. As an individual, when we entered into 2010, I made a decision to start writing my own articles (motivating and encouraging literature) for circulation, months went by and I came to the conclusion that as long I see a list of “new year resolutions” without acting on the them I am on the road to failure, right away I chose to act and published my first article in April courtesy of IIGL, I published another one again and received emails from across the globe of many individuals who had been inspired and were acting on the principles laid out. So my call to you today is; act now and change the world!
f. Having a sense of direction- I remember one day talking to Lovemore Nyatsine, one of the greatest management consultants in Africa, he said these words to me “…. the reason why we don’t achieve is simply because we don’t know where we are going”. He emphasised the importance of having a sense of direction through planning, as long as we live haphazard lives it is 100% guaranteed that our future will be haphazard, what a threat to the survival of the world. Change your thinking, plan and set a course for your life! There is a course you must follow.
g. The power of forgiveness- Nelson Mandela is a great example of a forgiving heart. When one forgives, you let go a lot of limiting thinking and prepare oneself to receive more. It is a hard process which should be practiced, it cannot be an overnight thing but it is vital for one’s survival. As an individual I have been hurt so many times, but I am thankful I was enabled to embrace the right spirit within me, a forgiving spirit, this spirit has set me free and has enabled me to cast all my rage, cares and burdens to the One who created me. You don’t need to walk around with a heavy heart there is someone out there who can take care of your bitterness, rage, anger and an unforgiving spirit, just let Him do it for you, you will be amazed that life can take a new twist and you will actually walk in the newness of life.
4. 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.
“Get more living out of life”- trees and animal have life, but to them living has no meaning at all. So as human beings it is necessary for us to maximise our life for our good and the good of others. Live your life!
“A man or a woman without a goal is like a ship without a rudder. Each will drift and not drive each will end up on the beaches of despair, defeat, and despondency”. This statement simply tells us that in order to arrive at the required destination; we should have planned lives only achievable through properly set goals.
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?
When I read this book, it seemed like I was reading my own mind! A powerful book, with life changing principles. Iam in agreement with this 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 useful?
The book had quite a number of exercises, some of them were mental as meditation, I am still trying to grasp some of them but they were very helpful.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
The book is just a total package.
Ratings:
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Success through a Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Joseph N Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The book centers on the most powerful machine ever conceived, a machine created by the Master Author, a machine that can build or destroy, the machine is the mind. The book then talks about two extremes of the human mind a positive and a negative which results in a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and Negative Mental Attitude (NMA) respectively. The book then highlights the power of the subconscious mind in tapping the mysteries of the mind. Only with a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) can a person achieve positive success, success that can turn the world upside for good.
2. What are 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. We are poor- not because of God—Napoleon Hill quotes SB Fuller who realised that only people’s minds are responsible for any kind of failure. Our beliefs, attitudes, desires and traditions are the ones that can limit us from achieving our full potential. Those who blame God for their poverty don’t really know Him because in His Word he actually says “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” and on another occasion He says “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day”. God actually swore that we should never be in poverty, it is for us to respond to His promises by changing our mindset and embracing a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) in everything we do.
II. I am a product of my own thinking- Mostly individuals have resorted to the blame game, we blame our parents for “everything”, we blame the government, we murmur and complain every day, but one thing we don’t do is acting and making an effort to change what seems to be against us. Mostly this is as a result of a person with a Negative Mental Attitude (NMA); they never see good or opportunities in anything. I will give an example of a rainy day, there is a lady who wants to go shopping instead of getting an umbrella or a rain coat, she sits in her lounge complaining why God is not stopping the rain, at the same time there is a farmer just ten miles away thanking God for the rain because his crops were drying out! From the analysis, the rain is no problem, but rather the response by these two individuals which is a result of their thinking and attitudes. Stop complaining and start thinking right.
III. Self affirmations can change my lifestyle- someone once said to himself several hundreds of times “Day by day in every respect I am getting better and better”. Affirmations are vital to one’s success. Mostly as individuals we spend much time dwelling on what we do not like, and making negative confessions and according to the Law of Attraction we attract what we think and confess, it is very sad when individuals spend their energies on the wrong stuff. Every day I confess to myself that I am a success, prosperous, full of abundance, a world changer, a builder of dreams and I know these things are within me, its only time when the world sees these attributes manifesting visibly.
IV. Do not underrate or underestimate other people – each and every individual is packaged with greatness, a gift from above. However most individuals don’t live to see their dreams come to pass because of how we view them and above all the words we say to them. Many of us have committed the crime of abortion, we have aborted a lot of other people’s dreams and visions because of the words we say to them, words as “stupid”, “ crazy”, “ nuts” or even “crackpot”, they are dangerous words that are robbing the world of so many world changers! Some called Thomas Alva Edison a “dunce”, thanks to his mother who saw something positive in him, he changed the whole world. We should know that sweet words from the heart are like honey to those who hear them, they feel encouraged and very important. Lets embrace the right
attitude when dealing with individuals, being cautious enough not to hurt what they believe but should conduct in love always.
V. I should learn to motivate my self- I should never wait for someone to come and knock at my door to tell me that I am great, a success or that I can achieve the best in life. Other people are busy with their lives, why not just motivate yourself, you are your own motivator. I know that I am my own prophet, I should prophecy over my life instead of waiting for some prophet far off to come and motivate me. Know that no prophet can ever predict your future better than you, why, simply because the Author of your life lives in you, he will always show you the path of life. I motivate myself as often as I can to keep myself straight up and focused.
VI. Satisfaction is a mental attitude- each individual has control over his/her attitude, unless we have the right attitude, we can never be satisfied with what we have, not to say we must not desire to move from one level of glory to another, the statement implies that there are certain individuals who have a wrong attitude, they never find anything good in their lives, in their kids, in their jobs or even in their physical makeup, they just wish they where a millimetre taller, how crazy, this is a reflection of a poor self image and a negative mental attitude. Be satisfied and learn to be grateful with what you have, you will receive more.
VII. My magnificent obsession- this was my greatest lesson in thebook. Each of us should have a burning desire to give not to get publicity or with the expectation of receiving back, but giving should be out of love. Blessings are poured to those who give much, when it comes to giving people only think of money, there are many things you can give which is not necessarily money, I have learnt that there is no excuse for not giving. The more you share the more you have. The willingness to share and improve other people’s lives should be a drive if we are to achieve and enjoy a prosperous 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?
I. We are poor- not because of God— I have learnt that success is a state of mind, in as much poverty is a state of mind. Poverty is not the absence of material wealth but rather the absence of the real reason and essence for living. I have come to realise that God has a good plan for each and every individual, a plan to prosper everyone and not to harm anyone. With this mentality I believe if I share this gospel with others their lives can take a new turn for the better.
II. I am a product of my own thinking – as a man thinks so is he, this principle stands and will forever remain, it cannot be changed. I have come to realise that I cannot achieve anything which is outside my thinking. My thoughts should always be positive even in hard and trying times knowing that even though sorrow lasts for the night there is always joy coming in the morning.
III. Self affirmations can change my lifestyle – affirmations are now part of my life, daily I make it an effort to affirm positively over myself. Affirmations are like prophecies, they always come to pass. To make a step towards affirming myself I bought myself affirmations cards to use in my daily living, they cover areas as joy, peace, prosperity, abundance, health, these cards are instrumental in changing me. I decided that I should be able to share these cards with
my peers so that we can all enjoy a dynamic, divine and victorious life.
IV. Do not underrate or underestimate other people – I have come to realise the most wicked thing I could ever do is underrating other individuals. There is a story that some failed to entertain angels not because they didn’t want, the angel came in the form of an old and dirty man, the only thing they could do is chase him away, the negative effects of underrating. Start seeing well in others!
V. I should learn to motivate my self- Motivation I believe should not only be done when times are good, but rather when the waves and tides of life seem to be against me. I have learnt to motivate myself whether times are good or bad, with this I am able to keep in balance and it becomes difficult for me to be overwhelmed with the issues of life. You are your own prophet!
VI. Satisfaction is a mental attitude- I have learnt to be grateful for what I have, an attitude of gratitude draws more to an individual. I have stopped being unthankful, the more I thank those around me for what they are doing in my life, the more I see so many things happening in my life. With satisfaction I am never worried about tomorrow, I have no fear for what’s going to happen next because I know I have a greater destiny than what is today, but the lesson is be, grateful for what is today and see your life changing. I have been teaching this principle to so many of my friends and they have seen their lives changing tremendously. Have an attitude of gratitude!
VII. My magnificent obsession – I have made it a point that even when I have no cash to give at other times, I still have a lot of things to give, my love, my time, my attention, this has helped me and has turned me into a giver, with a burning desire of wanting to share whatever I know is helpful to other individuals. I believe the world is short of people with the right obsessions, have a burning desire today of wanting to give to the world, and you will see the gates of heaven open wide with blessings. Be a cheerful giver!
4. Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
I. “…..the mind is the most powerful machine ever conceived…”- I have learnt that I possess the greatest ever made machine, which is my mind. I should use it to inspire and change those around me.
II. “Day by day in every respect I am getting better and better”- I was taught to take time and talk to myself, telling myself who I am and what I can accomplish and do to make this world a better place, this was a profound quote of assurance, telling me that I cannot afford to remain the same, there is always a better life.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
I am in agreement with 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 useful?
It had exercises, I took time to complete them, and I am still doing some of the exercises. The exercises in this book are the lessons that I learnt and not necessarily “fill in” 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?
The author had great faith in God, he knew that God was the substance of his life, the book contains a lot of faith principles based on the Master Author.
Ratings:
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
Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by David Rogers Kintu (Uganda)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The idea behind this book is to spell out the formula for success and also point out that that formula is not a secret, neither is it inaccessible or difficult to understand. The author tells us specifically how to use the most sophisticated machine we have and that’s the brain, what to do and how to do it, so that we can tap into that power of the brain. The author is trying to implore us to use our PMA, most of us have not used the power within us, and through various experiences and case studies he insists that we can also learn to use PMA with the application of the 17 success principals.
2. What were the ideas which were personally most important to you and why?
Having PMA is key to success; therefore it’s important to know the Contents of PMA as Faith, hope, charity, optimism, cheer, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindness, honesty, good-finding, initiative, truthfulness, straightforwardness and good common sense. This helps me to particularly work on those particulars virtues.
Copy from success, everything the successful have, they have borrowed from another person or business, you ought to be respectful and listen to those who have experience, hence associate with older and successful people. This cant be emphasized more, that association is key, and most people think that the successful don’t want to share, but on the contrary they are always willing to share about what worked for them.
Meeting the most important person in the world, that person is me; therefore my success, health, wealth and happiness depend on me. The common adage goes that the ball is in my court, this ideas reaffirms the fact that I have to work out my success regardless of my background, they say “you cant spell SUCCESS without “U””
Memorizing the 17 principals of success is a sure deal to success, am looking forward to working on each and every principal. I also realize that some of the principals are related in that when you achieve one you will improve on the other.
“Sitting for ideas” is quite good for me, in a way that you purpose to take time off and think as you write down the ideas that come into your mind. With this dynamic world we are in, you can not think of something unless you sit down purposefully to think. . “Sitting for ideas” is quite good for me, in a way that you purpose to take time off and think as you write down the ideas that come into your mind. This is important for me in that a lot goes on around us and if you are not careful you end up doing things without serious thought and at times we under estimate our potential just because we have not sat down to get ideas.
Motivating self will be helpful to me as it will push me into action. The ten basic motives are good knowledge to me to start the self motivation. I learn a lot from this because initially I had a wrong perspective of what the most important motives were.
Motivating others, I never considered it important to motivate others, I guess because I was only looking at how I can benefit from it, but the author emphasizes that as much as it’s important to the other person, it’s also beneficial to me.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way both in your daily life and in helping you create a better world?
I now know that PMA has the power to attract wealth, success happiness and health and on the contrary the other side of us NMA has the power to repel all that, the choice is mine. In line with that I understand that PMA is the reason why some people go to the top and stay there and others stay at the bottom and never go up. So with this knowledge I will aggressively work on my PMA, referring to the virtues mentioned above on which PMA depends.
We are masters of our fate, first because we are masters of our attitude and our attitudes make our future, this law works whether the attitudes are constructive or destructive.
I learn that we translate into physical reality the thoughts and attitudes which we hold in our minds, no matter what they are for example we translate into reality thoughts of poverty as we do thoughts of riches. This will help me to practically think about things I want to happen in my life, knowing very well that they will become reality. I have already reaped from this power of the mind as I have got the things I think about, for example I envisioned my two cars before I got them, the exact colour and make.
I will aggressively learn and put into practice the 17 success principals.
I intend to identify what I want-definiteness of purpose, I appreciate the fact that 98% of those who are dissatisfied with their world do not know the world they would like for themselves.
The idea of thinking accurately is spot on because we are what we think.
I have got an idea that if our youth were taught how to effectively use spiritual self-suggestions, they would avoid a lot of trouble, so I intend to advocate for that method.
Whenever I get an idea, I will write it down, it might be my “something more”
And of course the “sitting for ideas” is so powerful, I will sit purposefully to think and get ideas, a quiet moment I would call it.
The issue of the effect of association can never be brought out better than the story of Charles Ward; with this I will encourage people to select the right kind of friends and associates. I learn that I will selectively choose my associates and business partners.
I learn the lesson of self-starter; procrastination may make you miss an opportunity that could have changed the whole course of one’s life. “Procrastination kills time and buries opportunities”. I know many have brilliant ideas but very few act on the ideas because they always say, I will do it one day.
I will motivate others by having faith in them, I understand that a written letter motivates better. I plan to physically encourage my students and Teachers and recognize their effort. I learn to focus on the positive, because everyone has a positive, so I chose to emphasize the positives in the students.
After setting goals, the most important thing is taking action. Setting goals is key to prosperity, the is no way I will succeed if I don’t set goals and also come up with a plan on how those goals will be achieved and before all that a definiteness of purpose should be in place.
Often people have good ideas but are limited by finances; OPM encourages me to use other people’s money. This is key for me because I at times feel guilt of the so many dates I have but am encouraged that we ought to use other people’s money if we are to grow, in the same way am cautioned of defaulting because you could end up loosing all when you fail to pay back other people’s money.
The idea that the more I share is the more I will have will work for me and this is an idea worth passing on to anyone. One of the keys to prosperity is giving, and by giving, you receive more, its biblical
Avoid losing energy through worry, hate, fear, suspicion, anger and rage. And that energy is saved by keeping your mind on things you do want and off things you don’t want.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention?
“The greatest secret of success: there’s is no secret.” Most people think that the successful are extra ordinary people; some think they were born lucky and others think they are cheats, but all I know is that to be successful, you have to do certain things which any one is able to do, so it’s no secret. I know there is a book called the secret but when you go through it there is no secret after all.
“We are poor-not because of God. We are poor because we have never desired to be rich”-S.B Fuller. When you decide to be rich, nothing can stop you, on the contrary, when you decide to be poor, still nothing can stop you. At times we blame God, but if you read the bible, God wants us to be rich and He puts in place everything to support us.
“If a man is right, his World will be right” this goes in line with the fact that you can not cheat nature, if you do things the right way, you will get good results, if you think the good thoughts, it will show through your actions.
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe-the mind of man can achieve” This is as true as it’s stated, most people under achieve because that’s what they have conditioned their mind to believe that. The mind is so powerful in that whatever you continuously keep visualizing will manifest.
“Necessity is the mother of invention and the father of crime”. That’s very true.
“Regardless of what you have been or what you are, you can be what you want to be if you act with PMA” Regardless of your background, nationality or colour you can succeed, the only limitation is your mental attitude.
“What! Giving again?” I ask in dismay.
“And must I keep giving and giving away?”
“Oh no,” said the angel looking me through,
“Just keep giving till the master stops giving to you”
“That which you share with others will multiply and that which you withhold will diminish!” this confirms that one of the attributes of success is giving, that’s why the people who are successful do a lot of donating, and it does not matter how much you give, but as long as you can give from what you have.
“It has been my observation that people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be” surely you just decide to be happy, regardless of the circumstances. Its not that a particular situation or person can make you happy, because there are people who are in that situation yet they are not happy.
“Anything in life worth having is worth working for.” Nothing of worth just comes, and no achievement is accidental, if you think something is worth having, then one has to work for it.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with, and if so why?
Nil
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?
I did the PMA analysis test and scored 240, which makes my PMA average; this means I have a lot to work on.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
No
A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the content? 8.5
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9.5
The New Dynamics of Winning
Assessment by Joseph Ngonidzashe Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
In The New Dynamics of Winning, Dennis Waitley the author talks about how to gain the mindset of a champion for unlimited success in business and life, which is the major theme behind his book. He goes on to reveal the characteristics required for one to succeed, giving main emphasis that the “bulk” of success emanates from the mind besides the skills or talents one may possess. He provides a 21-day plan that sets one for success in business and personal life.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
* Being a champion means thinking like a champion – this is one of his most profound quotes in the introductory section of his book. He believes that for one to transform ability into tangible accomplishments, there is need for a steadfast mindset, a mind that is ready to accept and embrace that everything is possible as long as the talent and the mind are in agreement. Denis Waitley’s lesson resembles that found in the Holy Scriptures which says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”. The mind is what matters.
* It is too early to “write-off” myself – this principle was clearly demonstrated by giving an analogy of how Greg LeMond won Tour De France in 1989 despite the physical challenges he was facing, he was determined and won! The morale of the story is that, even if an individual is in a tight spot, a seemingly impossible place to make any change, an individual must not quit or write him/herself of. Whatever the criticism, one should pursue her goals, vision and dreams without fear because at the right time they will come to pass and the world will celebrate. Though a dream may tarry, just do not quit!
* The traits of a champion/winner – Denis Waitley highlights in his book that champions do not shrink in the face of risk, they know that the greatest risk is doing nothing and that from testing one’s potential real security is derived. He identifies three most important traits of all time winners which are:
– Common sense
– Knowing your area of expertise
– Self reliance
When the above three are combined a champion is made. An individual who is able to persevere even in hard and trying times.
* Self-confidence and self transformation – instead of crying and worrying to the bone because of one’s external environment, an individual should check whether the inner person (Self) is in balance. In spite of a hard, negative environment one’s confidence should fly above these perils of life. One should be able to master the person within before one can conquer the world outside. Master oneself and see yourself mastering the world! One should not be subjected to the systems of this, but by the renewal should be transformed from within. Self-mastery leads to self-confidence and self-transformation.
* Focusing on the desired results – the author gave an illustrative example of Bill Tooney of how he used his focus on desired results to achieve and win. The lesson was that as individuals we must not dwell our focus on what we do not want, this is likely to drain some energy away for pick performance. Mostly individuals focus and concentrate on what they do not want mostly because of fear, but the world revolves on the Law of Attraction, what you want is what you get be it good or bad. Focusing on the desired results eliminates the stress of fear because one is given wholeheartedly to the achievement of one’s desired results.
* Be a good listener – Denis Waitley came out with 10 important dos and don’ts of quality leadership, with most of the suggestions being adapted from Dr. William Mitchell and Dr. Charles Paul Conn’s publications. His number one point is hinted on a leader being a good listener. Being a good listener means that one is very good at his/her communication skills. Good listening skills reveal one’s ability to handle human beings, the ability to show one’s concern for other people’s opinions; it shows respect and unnecessary prejudgment.
* Be passionate about life – as individuals we should learn to celebrate life, celebrating those around us, a life of celebration is certainly a higher kind of life, a realm that knows no strife and envy, but a realm of love, peace and joy! Even in troublesome times, individuals should maintain positive confessions being fully persuaded that will always workout good besides the outlook of the storm of life. Denis Waitley had this to say I quote, “Everyday is Christmas for me, just being alive is a fabulous gift” Oh! what a consciousness, being able to celebrate the grace of our Creator when we wake up alive each single day. Lets celebrate 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?
* Being a champion means thinking like a champion – I have found that I don’t have to wait to be a “champion” someday in the distant but it has been revealed to me that I am born a champion. My Creator created me champion, that is a simple fact I must accept whether I like it or not! With this I have seen it fit that I always associate myself with individuals who know and believe that they are champions, people who know that whatever is against them is just a stepping stone to greatness for they are champions within and without. This has become my internalized consciousness!
* It is too early to “write-off” myself – some few years back I thought I was a limited person because of my color, race, nationality and family background, but over the years I have learnt that nothing can ever write me off, no person on earth or in heaven can ever write me off because my Creator clearly says to me “…. For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a future and a hop”. So I am not intimidated when other people shun my efforts, discourage me and draw strength from me, I always refer back to the words spoken to me by my Creator. I have learnt that everyday is too early to write-off myself, meaning I will never write myself off any day in my existence!
* The traits of a champion/winner – I refuse to shrink and be intimidated by the forces of life. I have no fear for what tomorrow brings because I am a winner and champion. I have chose to apply three most important traits of all time winners in my daily life which are:
– Common sense
– Knowing your area of expertise
– Self reliance
* Self confidence and self transformation – instead of crying and worrying I have decided to build my confidence everyday, building my confidence in my faith which is a source of strength and the ultimate reformer and transformer of my life. I have learnt that if I don’t conquer myself I will never be able to conquer the world outside me. I now know that I have total and absolute (to emphasize) control of my internal world as well as my external world. I should not let myself being subject to the unjust and corrupt system of this world but should change through the renewal and transformation of my Self.
* Focusing on the desired results – what I don’t want I don’t meditate on! This motto has become a firm pillar in my life. Why think of failure when I was born to succeed, why think of poverty when I was born to be prosperous, why think of sadness when I know my life should be hinged on peace, joy and love. I have always asked myself these questions even in the light of difficult circumstances and came to the conclusion that whatever circumstance I may and will face, I will never stop confessing myself positively. This has helped to cut stress off my life whilst at the same time looking for solutions for the problems at hand.
* Be a good listener – through reading so many documents, I found out that most criminal cases, divorce, wars, anger and hatred are all rooted on bad communication, where one feels that s/he is the dominant force at every level of interaction, that is sensual, earthly and impure wisdom. Wisdom from above says there should be the meeting of the minds, shared values, respect and reconciliation at every level of interaction. As a vow I chose to be the best listener ever one can ever find under the sun.
* Be passionate about life – I have joined like minded saints and peers who meet every three days at a center known as the Celebration Center, I regularly watch Celebrate TV and have joined a group of individuals who Celebrate Life in every respect. I have learnt that whatever small an accomplishment an individual has done, I am there to show and share my joy with them, celebrating their success and celebrating their lives. I have seen that I cannot do without celebrating others; I celebrate my life, my family, my friends and anyone I can see around. I’m passionate about life!
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.
“ Life is never just being, it is becoming and creating*”
life should be lived not as a passing phase but as a moment to share with others and change their lives, we should impact and influence others that is ‘becoming and creating’.
“ Don’t waste your time accumulating objects or attributes that will mean nothing to you after a few years, real value comes from you create in beauty, goodness and truth”- success is beyond material accumulation but is the ability to share one’s beauty, blessings with others in love.
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?
This book was well written by a thoughtful author and most of his beliefs I do share and agree with them, to me personally it’s an excellent book, which when reviewed cannot be altered to any significant extent.
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 didn’t have many exercise but gave me a mental exercise to do after i read it.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
The book is a 5 star i recommend it to others highly for it has transformed my life.
Rating
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
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
Assessment of How to Win Friends & Influence People
By Joseph Ngonidzashe Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
This book is centered on the basic principles of human relations. The author tries to highlight how one’s ability to handle fellow man can result in ground breaking success in business and personal life. The author reveals practical ways an individual can use to win people to his/ her way of thinking without, facing resistance. In How to Win Friends & Influence People, Dale Carnegie teaches us how to capture people’s hearts and minds.
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. Don’t be over-judgmental- the author summaries this in five simple yet powerful words, “ don’t criticize, condemn or complain” sometimes as individuals we are very critical and judgmental towards some people because of their background, life style or upbringing, we kind of stereotype these individuals but at the end of the day we hurt them and suppress their confidence. The author teaches us to listen, analyze and pass fair judgment whenever confronted with differing ideologies from certain individuals. We should give others the chance to explain themselves and we should quit “out-right condemnation” when we don’t understand others. The best way to love a person is to understand them, show them empathy, guide them and correct them in love, that way we can win over individuals.
II. It is not always about “I”- the “I” syndrome has permeated into every culture, race and religion; this problem is a master killer that breaks up relationships with fellow human beings. The “I” person is self-centered and thoughtless, Adler Alfred had this to say concerning such an individual, “ It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from such individuals that all human failures spring”. Each individual should strive to go an extra-mile and serve fellow men if this world is to be a better place.
III. Keep on smiling- this was a profound lesson to me. I should smile always; a smile does not cost a penny in its expression! Some people don’t know how to smile, all they know is to murmur, curse and complain and above all they can only show a frowning face twenty-four hours of the day, what a pity! I have learnt one thing, if I smile towards the world; the world will smile back at me, what a treasure we have in these earthen vessels, don’t stop smiling, the world is waiting for it.
IV. Learn to say sorry- “I am sorry”, these word have been labeled amongst those difficult to say out. This is not because they are in any way complicated but rather is as a result of our pride and our selfish nature. We are taught that a real man cannot say I am sorry; this is a wrong teaching and a wrong tradition that has taken root in our society and is actually hurting the world. The absence of these words in applicable situations causes hatred, resentments, war and all sorts of evils. The morale behind this lesson is that whenever you are on the wrong simply say I am sorry.
V. Power of praise and appreciation- many examples are given concerning this lesson, the author talks about President Calvin Coolidge in the White House, the author moves on to another powerful man, W.P. Gaw of the Wark Company, Philadelphia, these two individuals knew how to use praise and appreciation to capture the hearts of those around them. If you appreciate and praise a person’s efforts, that person is likely to cooperate better than an individual who is never appreciated. The author highlights that in order to win and correct a person, it is better to lavishly praise them, acknowledge their efforts and then it becomes very easy to correct them.
VI. Empowering those around you- the best way to engage with someone’s ability, strengths and prowess is to empower them, letting them do what their intelligence can offer and then giving any suggestions where necessary, just don’t be manipulative to those around you, let them fly high in what they are capable of. With this kind of attitude you will be liked the more because these individuals will be feeling so valued when they are around you. Empowerment is better than orders!
VII. Don’t crush other people’s dreams by your words- the world has been robbed of so many talents not because of natural death but because of my and your mouth which gives out killer words. Words of discouragement are just as dangerous as a viper’s poison, they crush and kill the soul, but sweet words, words of encouragement stir up the soul to strive for better effort and aspirations. We should learn to see the good in others, appreciate and encourage them. What would have been of Charles Dickens if he hadn’t received words of encouragement from an editor who told him that he could do it, what would have been of you if someone hadn’t told you that you are a star, so why do you have to crush others by telling them that they are failures, nobodies, they cannot do it, who are you to say that, quit crushing other people’s 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?
I. Don’t be over-judgmental- from this lesson I have learnt that I should give room for people to express their beliefs, if I feel that they are a bit off tack I correct them in love, I don’t condemn or criticize, I use my words to show concern for what they are in. I have seen that I have no right to condemn anyone because no one has the right to condemn me as well. I have made it a personal decision that I should first understand exactly what is happening, understanding a situation before I pass a judgment which should be objective and fair at the end of the day.
II. It is not always about “I”- this life is not about me, it is not I who lives after all; I live to serve those around me. I have made it a personal resolution that whenever I have a chance to touch one’s life I have to do so with a cheerful heart, I should remove all forms of selfishness within me if I am to be at peace with myself and with those around me. This is not a “me, me” world, take your place and stand in the gap for others, take your position of serving others. I will summarise this with this simple yet powerful quote: The best way to lead is to serve others; it is not about you but those around you! by Joseph N Zvoushoma
III. Keep on smiling- I am now known for my smile throughout, I had to take it worldwide and did it via Facebook! I have realized that when I smile I inspire those around me, people always ask why I am twenty four hours smiling (I wonder whether they see me smiling whilst I am asleep, I assume they do!) I simply tell them that I am a different species, I live in the higher realms of life, my life is a transcended life, which should always be reflected in what I do, smiling is one of them. Start smiling today, it is a learned process and you can do it, start by smiling at yourself looking in the mirror!
IV. Learn to say sorry- being apologetic shows a meek and humble spirit within an individual, another characteristic of an individual in the higher dimension of life. Whenever I owe an apology I give it, whenever I am on the wrong I say sorry, I am never scared of saying out these precious words for they are endowed with life. Keep saying it, don’t stop saying it, keep the love burning for the word sorry is a healer.
V. Power of praise and appreciation- I have added words like you are a star, chosen, blessed, super, mighty, awesome, fantastic, great, and fabulous in my daily conversation and the list is just endless. These are amongst many hundreds and hundreds of words which you can use to appreciate those around you. I have seen that individuals who are appreciated and praised perform much better than those who are ignored or condemned. Send some e-mails, an sms today just to thank and praise others, you would have given them a pace to kick start their day, I believe praise is a sign of love and appreciation.
VI. Empowering those around you- the subject of empowerment is spoken throughout the world, people do not want to be manipulated, and they want to own what they do. I have been empowered myself and I have experienced the joy I get when one allows me to expend my intelligence, wisdom and knowledge in what I do. If you are a leader, a manager, a person of authority, empower through delegation don’t let everyone look up to you for solutions, let them find their own solutions, they can be even better!
VII. Don’t crush other people’s dreams by your words- I have seen that my words have the power of life and death, they have the ability to create what I say, I have decided to use seasoned and tested words whenever I communicate with others. I will never crush and abort people’s dreams because of my words but I have realized that I am better than that. Quit being a dream killer!
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
I. “Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desire”- showing concern for others is the best thing you can offer to those who really need love.
II. “Dramatize your ideas”- let what you vividly believe in be vividly believed by those you associate with. Your ideas should captivate those who hear and encourage them to participate and support your ideas.
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 was mind blowing, i have never rated a book 10/10 but this one i believe it deserves because it ocus on how to handle fellow human beings humanly
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 useful?
The book had no direct exercises but one just has to put what he read into action, that is the major exercise.
7.Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
As far as winning people i believe the book exhausted it all.
Rating
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
Real Magic
Assessment by Joseph N Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The book is all about magic, but a different kind of magic in this case Real Magic. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer the author talks about real magic which can transform a person’s life by creating miracles in everyday life. The author shows a higher level of living, from the realm of believing to actually living and experiencing them, the author calls it “knowing miracles.” Dr. Wayne W. Dyer also stresses that we are not only mere physical beings but the greater part of us is spiritual making us spiritual beings, this should be our daily consciousness.
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. There is an invisible but dynamic and supernatural life-force within you and me- this came as a confirmation to my already existing beliefs, that I am not what I appear to be (i.e. physical) but there is a higher life-force resident within me, that force enables one to do the impossible, this life-force is an all knowing force known to me as the Spirit of Truth. This life force energises, enlightens, comforts, teaches and guides me, and according to my life manual it is described as follows, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
II. The miracle mindset- I learnt that anyone with this kind of mindset is able to achieve anything in this life. There is no hindrance for one with such a mindset; he/ she will be walking in a different lane from the rest of other people. With this mind set individuals experience a higher life, a greater life, a clearer purpose for living and everything they do flows. These individuals have positive confessions in whatever circumstance, they see life when everyone is seeing death, they have hope when others are in despair, they are motivated and powered from within because they believe in miracles and they experience them.
III. The power of meditation- meditation allows one to have a connection with the invisible self, the higher intelligence and the Creator of all things. During meditation one is sensitive to his/ her inner spirit and can get guidance and wisdom. With meditation one can advance from the natural to the spiritual, life becomes an easy road with little difficulty. Such kind of rumination was used by the Jews of old and it brought life, success and prosperity into their lives as recorded in the Book, This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Ponder, reflect and consider everything positive in your life, meditate on it day and night and you will see a transformation in your life.
IV. You can create magical relationships with a miracle mindset- with this mindset; one is able to create lasting relationships with business partners, social friends, spouses and children. The basis for every relationship is love and respect for each partner in the relationship. Lasting relationships are very critical in the continued
existence of humanity.
V. Investing in your personality- this was a profound lesson to me, the greatest investment an individual can ever do is investing in his/ her personality. People with positive personalities can change the world positively and the reverse is true for those with a poor personality. It is better to possess a good personality than fine gold!
VI. Creating health and healing miracles- we were created to enjoy life everyday because we were and are still an extension of divine life, this might sound very strange but it is very true and an insightful lesson to think about. We are the likeness of our Creator who is incorruptible and with a miracle consciousness we can create and manifest divine health in our daily lives. The author of Real Magic, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer calls it health and healing miracles. We can access divine health only when we are conscious that we shouldn’t be sick in our bodies, thoughts, soul and spirit, with such a mindset our mortal bodies are quickened and renewed every day.
VII. It is not about you and me but about the world also- whatever one has gained, be it physical or spiritual is not for one to consume by him/herself, but to share such blessings and gifts with the rest of the world to make this place a better place to live in. When we vibrate the world should vibrate, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer calls it “…radiating real magic to the world” not everything we have should be for our selfish gains, we should be able to share with fellow humanity.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
I. There is an invisible but dynamic and supernatural life- with this knowledge that I am endowed with power in the inside of me, I no longer have any fear for tomorrow, doubts become things of the past. I am now and have been confident that my life is a success and will continue to be and I have to vibrate this world for its betterment. I can no longer be confused, because the spirit of truth is resident within me; my life has now been programmed for success.
II. The miracle mindset- I have seen that my existence in this world is a miracle to me as well as a miracle to those around me. I realised that a miracle mindset is one of the many pillars for a joyous and peaceful life and therefore I should embrace such a mindset. Every time I am always expecting a miracle because I have learnt that
whatever I eagerly await I receive. Expect a miracle today, receive a miracle today!
III. The power of meditation- I am still learning and from wide reading I have realised that I can tap more intelligence and wisdom if I give my time to meditation. Meditation is a recipe for success, peace, joy and prosperity in every area of my life; I have engaged in meditation and want to experience its overall positive benefits.
IV. You can create magical relationships with a miracle mindset- this has been a challenging lesson, it was a wakeup call to how I was handling my relationships, especially my social relationships! I drew a lot of practical lessons, and I have decided not to take any relationship for granted but to be serious about it. I have seen that it is better I do away with certain relationships than engaging others in pretentious relationships which do not last. This was an immense lesson to me.
V. Investing in your personality- I can invest in financial and non-financial assets, but the greatest investment I can ever do is investing in my own personality. I should constantly be checking my esteem, my appetites, my desires, are they in line with what is good not only for me but with those around me. A stinking personality is the worst possession man can ever have- Joseph N Zvoushoma.
VI. Creating health and healing miracles- I have realised that I was born to have a better existence under the sun, I have decided that I can no longer be under the grip of sickness in my body, soul and spirit but I can experience divine health in every facet of my life. This is supported by Christ’s closet disciple John who had this to say, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
VII. It is not about you and me but about the world also- I have learnt that if I am to succeed, I have to do away with the seeds of selfishness that comes with our human nature. If i am to achieve and influence the world I have to share whatever I have in my possession with those around me.
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 very important to you.
I. “As our case is new, we must think and act anew”- there is always room for innovation in every area of our lives. The world is so dynamic and each and every decision we make has to reflect the active world we are living in otherwise we expire.
II. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”- I have learnt not to despise my efforts which can change those around me. People might label them “little” but I know if I am the only one doing that little then I am in the right path, headed for success. Don’t despise yourself, I will sum it with my own quote: It is always the few who change the world, the rest are spectators.
5. Is there anything in the book that you don’t understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas you disagree with and if so why?
The book was excellent and wouldn’t deserve any additions or subtractions. It is a total package.
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 was “food for thought” the exercise was whether to decide to have a magical life or not. That was the major exercise in the book.
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 9
B. How helpful were the contents 9
C. How easy was it to understand 10
D. Would you recommend it to others 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it 9
Goal Setting 101
Assessment by Joseph N Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Gary Ryan Blair, the author of Goal Setting 101’s main theme centres on achievements and accomplishments which are as a result of careful and clearly defined goals that are acted upon until completion. The book centres on the techniques of goal setting, the best methods to do so which yields results. The author further goes on to highlight that goals can make one to be or not to be. There are also other factors which contribute to one’s success these include careful planning, thoughtful strategy and faithful execution of one’s goals.
2. What are 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. Creating a mission statement- I learnt from the book that a mission statement is three-fold; first being a declaration of who one is, secondly it answers why one exists and lastly what one intends to accomplish. As an individual I should be in a position to know who I am, this is the first question I should ask myself, if I cannot believe myself, if I cannot believe my own story then who will ever know me or believe me. The second part of the mission statement centres on why I exist, I have to clearly know why I am on earth, the reason for my existence, I am not on earth to hang around but I am here to reform, build others and build their dreams. Lastly the mission statement answers the question of what one’s accomplishments, I believe our accomplishments should be two-fold, firstly they should give a sense of satisfaction to oneself with a clear conscience and also our accomplishments should positively impact those around us, that is our environment.
II. The wheel of life- this was a profound lesson concerning how I manage goals in terms of: personal, health, recreation, family, friends, community, career, financial, household and spiritual. I learnt that if i am to win in life, I should manage each of the above and have clearly defined goals for each part of the wheel. For each “slice” of the wheel of life above assess your current level of happiness or contentment, 1 = almost no contentment and 10 = exceptionally content (no room for improvement). Which are the areas that require the most focus for you to achieve more balance in your life? For each area of your life state what you want to have, achieving these goals/dreams will unleash energy in your life.
III. Writing down goals and visions- I learnt that this principle is vital if one is to realise his/her goals and personally I have been writing down goals were I can see them visibly. The author highlighted that it is good storing our vision and dreams in our heads but it is better having them down in black and white. Writing goals down ensures that we can identify the areas we haven’t been able to tackle and at the same time gives us the chance to celebrate our success. It seems like something of little importance yet the results are tremendous.
IV. Go the extra mile- many people shun the idea of doing more than is required, they believe in following others, but taking an extra step shows commitment in what one is doing and usually the results are tremendous and they can be reflected the following aspects of our personal lives being positively influenced; health, family, friends, community, career, financial and spiritual. I believe that any individual who is willing to go an extra mile is an individual who really wants to see change around his/her environment.
V. Watch your language- successful people have a certain jargon peculiar to them, they just don’t throw words everywhere, but they are careful whenever they speak. They inspire, they are full of confidence and they are very positive with their speech. I have learnt that my language should be seasoned; it should not harm others when I speak but should impart and bring life to those who hear.
VI. Find a mentor- according to the Oxford Dictionary, a mentor can be defined as an experienced and trusted adviser. I should be able to associate myself with the people who have the expertise and wisdom in the line of what I aspire to go or be. Mentors are able to impart their wisdom and usually mentorship is free of charge, they are just free one on one lectures which can transform one’s life. I should be able to find people who are like minded and get advice from them on a consistent basis.
VII. Have fun! – We need to celebrate our accomplishments, always celebrating when we feel like doing it or not. Having fun releases a lot of pressure as we endeavour to accomplish our goals, visions, dreams and aspirations. We should constantly celebrate with our families, friends, peers and those who mean a lot in our lives, having fun is part of a healthy living!
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, bot in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so how?
Creating a mission statement- I have noted that it is vital for me to create my own personal mission statement which is based on the following questions:
• Who am I?
• What is my philosophy?
• Why am I on this earth?
• What are my overall life objectives?
• What do I live for?
• What are my deepest aspirations?
• Why do I do, what I do?
• What are my unique talents?
• Where do I stand now?
• What are my core beliefs?
• What do I think about myself?
• What do I enjoy most?
• What makes me happy?
If I can answer these questions I am in the right path of achieving my goals as well as making this world a better place.
II. The wheel of life- this ten dimensional wheel is necessary for my continued development and survival. I have learnt that for each “slice” of the wheel of life I have to assess my current level of happiness or contentment, so I decided to rank myself as follows: 1 = almost no contentment and 10 = exceptionally content (no room for improvement). I then identified which are the areas that require the most of my focus in order that I achieve a more balance life. For each area of my life I have stated what I want to have and I know achieving these goals/dreams will unleash energy into my life and those around me.
III. Writing down goals and visions- I have learnt that this principle is actually of old by the Great IAM as it is clearly shown in the Book of Life: [quote haabuk]. Not only have I learnt to write them down but I constantly ask the divine to assist me in executing these goals and visions.
IV. Go the extra mile- if I am to be a person of influence I have learnt that I should be a person who is willing to make an extra step, go that extra mile. When people say that for them it is finished I should continue pushing for better results. I believe “going the extra mile” mindset is the mindset of the world’s greatest achievers and innovators. Going an extra mile gives one the chance to go beyond and see beyond and come up with astounding results, I am one of those willing to go an extra mile and sacrifice in order to make this world a better.
V. Watch your language- success is prepared for and the future is prepared, one of the ways I have learnt to prepare myself for what lies ahead is through the way I speak, the words that come out of my life. I have always asked myself these questions; are my words constructive, are they full of love, are they imparting knowledge and wisdom. I no longer speak just for the sake of speaking, but I make sure when I speak, people who ask for more!
VI. Find a mentor- I have learnt that there is high probability of success if I have the right teacher in my life. I have decided to associate myself with individuals who are able to teach me and get me to the next level until I realise my destiny. A mentor is there to ensure that I don’t fail in my life due to lack of wisdom and the counsel of the wise.
VII. Have fun! – celebrating one’s success with family is one of the many ways to a successful living. Life should be full of money, it doesn’t mean we don’t encounter setbacks, but being in a positive mood and celebrating life is a key to a happy and joyous life.
4. 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.
“values lay the groundwork for your goals”- I have learnt that my values which are my principles, priorities, or standards are vital if I am to achieve my goals. Without clear values it becomes difficult for me to attain my goals.
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 am in agreement with 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 useful?
It had lots of exercises, which I too and I did find them very helpful and insightful.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
I believe self-worth and a clear belief system that is anchored on commendable values is a recipe for success. The book is short and precise!
Ratings:
A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Leadership for Dummies
Assessment by Joseph Ngonidzashe Zvoushoma (Zimbabwe)
1.What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The book was co-authored by Marshall Loeb and Stephen Kindel as a step-by-step guide to building leadership skills. The book was authored to individuals who wish to succeed in both business and life as leaders. The book is there to ensure that individuals are taught
the basics and the advanced issues of leadership for their greater success. The authors highlight how leadership can be viewed as a process, as an art and its application in our everyday life.
2. What are 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. Three leadership abilities: cooperation, listening and sacrifice. The author clearly lays out three key leadership abilities that should be inherent in a successful leader. A first-rate leader is one who is willing to cooperate with others. Cooperation is an act of inviting others to accept and embrace into the leader’s vision, the ability to sail in the boat with the team members in the same flow. Listening well means the ability to gather information from around, being attentive to team members’ needs and using that information to make sound decisions. Sacrificing is when a leader places the needs of others above his/her own needs, the reason not being to make team members happy or relaxed but the intention is to achieve and maximize the goals which would have been set.
ii. Putting your brain to work.
The author highlights the importance of putting one’s brains to work. He highlights that there is a big difference between being highly educated and intelligent. A leader requires intelligence, that ability to solve problems and find solutions at appropriate times. Leaders should be sensitive enough and should be able to respond as swiftly as possible when situations that requires them to act show up. This is usually reflected in the army but in general every leader should prove that he/she is capable of being a chief strategist.
iii. Turning a vision into a plan.
It is not enough to dream as a leader, but there is more to be done after whimsical dreams, one has to take action and the first step towards one’s realization of his/her vision and dreams is to put everything in to writing which is literally the plan. Every vision has to be written down for it to come to pass. The plans should be clearly spelt out so that each team member is aware of what must be done to avoid conflicts and unnecessary assumptions.
iv. Self assessment.
Every leader should assess where he is now in relation to where he/she is targeting to go. There are three questions which should come naturally to mind and these are:
• Where do i want to be?
• Where am i now?
• What does it take to get there?
All leaders should be in a position to answer these questions with clarity and a sense of purpose, without a crystal clear response to these critical questions leadership will remain a fancy unattainable for many.
v. Keep trying.
I learnt of a concept known as “STICK-TO-ITIVENESS” which entails not giving up until one achieves. Many of the greatest leaders of our time made it only because of patience, repetition and learning from endless mistakes. A leader should be in a position to encourage him/herself when it “seems” like they are “loosing”. This should be an opportunity to think afresh and propel oneself up the ladder of success.
vi. Accentuate the positive.
There is nothing better than maintaining a positive attitude at all times. Positivity is a corner stone for all successful leaders and should be emphasised and embraced by those wishing to be leaders and already existing leaders. Positivity is reflected in the way a leader communicates with his peers, a leader should at all times avoid negative talk even if it seems impossible to do so. When one has done right, he/she should be congratulated and celebrated, however there is no need to embarrass others whenever they miss the mark rather they should be corrected in a polite and humane way.
vii. Be a teacher.
Successful leaders are those who are willing to teach others, motivate, mentor and impart wisdom to their followers. Followers should not be left in the open, that is without knowledge of what is expected of them; rather they should always stay in the light and understand the dynamics of events around them as they go along with their visionary. Leaders should emphasise a continuous development of their followers as it is a critical step than enable effective leadership to be possible.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so how?
i. Three leadership abilities: cooperation, listening and sacrifice. If i am to succeed as a leader i should be in a position to embrace the above key abilities. I have to cooperate with those in my immediate environment if i am to influence positively in their daily lives. Communication is also vital, i have learnt to be sensitive and attentive to people’s opinions so i can make better decisions for myself and for those whom i lead in whatever sphere i am. The last ability that should be embraced is sacrifice. Sacrifice without compromise is love, that is what i believe. I should be able to sacrifice for others without compromising my future development or hindering theirs.
ii. Putting your brain to work.
I learnt that there is no association between education and intelligence. I got the lesson that it is good to amass a great deal of education but it is better to have intelligence which is the distinguishing factor between the intelligent leader and the educated follower. I should be able to embrace intelligence whenever i make my decisions as a leader, that ability to use the sixth sense makes a difference and gives birth to the world’s most needed solutions.
ii. Turning a vision into a plan.
It is better and more effective for me to write my dreams, visions and aspirations down on black and white. I learnt that there is a higher probability of achieving set goals if they are written down and visible to myself and the team i lead. It is easier to keep track of whether i am running with my vision or not if it is clearly written down paper. A dream stuck in the head creates a lot of confusion and ambiguity, and every inspiration should be quickly noted and jotted down for reference later on.
iv. Self assessment.
I call self assessment and awareness Know Thyself (KT Approach to Leadership). As a leader i cannot easily spell out a direction to my followers if i don’t even know where i am going. I should clearly know who i am and where I am going by answering the questions below with
clarity.
• Where do i want to be? – This is the vision, the dream, the inspiration.
• Where am i now? – This is the preparation ground, is what i am currently doing consistent with what i want achieve? Should i change my game plan in order to attain my vision? I should clearly answer these questions.
• What does it take to get there? – What qualities, resources and other externalities should i embrace in order to go where i want to go? Everything that makes it possible for me to achieve my dream without negatively compromising those around me should be considered.
v. Keep trying.
I can do it mentality is required of every good leader. There is no room for giving up. I have learnt that failure gets to be failure when one gives up on trying. The world teaches us that there is no second chance, but spirituality teaches us that there is always a second chance for everyone and the best always come! So as leader i have learnt not to give up with the teams i lead, knowing that if we patiently persevere we will together succeed and make our environment a better place.
vi. Accentuate the positive.
I have devoted myself to teaching others the concept of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). It really surprises a lot when they see me smiling even if i seem to be under pressure. I have learnt that there is nothing better than being positive you create a better world for
yourself and for those around you. Wisdom teaches us to be wary of our words they can either be honey or a viper’s poison. I no longer look down upon others but celebrate with them when they succeed and encourage them when they miss the mark. Positivity is the way to go!
vii. Be a teacher.
As an individual i have discovered that i learn better if i teach others. I believe there is a positive link between impartation and development. I have seen that those who develop faster are those individuals who impart wisdom into other people’s lives. I believe the greatest teacher of all time is Yeshua the Messiah of Nazareth, whose teachings are still influencing billions of people across religions, races and nations even though His teachings date as back as 2000 years ago. If i am to do well as a leader i should be able to teach those in my sphere of influence and live a legacy.
4. 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
“Experience has shown that every man is the architect of his own fortune” – man is responsible for his destiny; he is responsible for his success or demise. So as an individual i have learnt i should take responsibility for my actions day in day out as they can contribute to where i am going.
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 author was able to simply his book as much as possible, by all standards it is one the best books i have read on leadership. I am in agreement of most of the author’s views
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 useful?
The book had a lot of highlights and not really 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?
Nothing
Ratings:
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9