As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Toyosi Olamakinde (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Mankind’s thought pattern can significantly influence her character,
circumstances, health and body achievements, and life in general.
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. Man’s action is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits.
The actions of individuals are derived from their thoughts and
beliefs, and the consequences of those actions result in either joy or
suffering. It implies that our thoughts shape our behavior, and the
outcomes we experience in life are directly influenced by our actions.
If a person’s thoughts are positive, compassionate, and considerate,
their actions are likely to reflect these qualities, leading to positive outcomes and joy for themselves and others. Conversely, if someone’s thoughts are negative, selfish, or harmful, their actions are likely to cause suffering or negative consequences for themselves and those around them.
This statement highlights the interconnectedness of our thoughts,
actions, and the outcomes we experience. It suggests that we have the
power to shape our lives and the lives of others through our thoughts
and the actions that stem from them.
This brings to my consciousness that it is important to cultivate
positive and compassionate thoughts because they are the foundation
for actions that usually lead to joy and happiness, while negative
thoughts can lead to actions that result in suffering and negative
outcomes.
ii. As the lord of his own thoughts, humans hold the key to every situation.
This statement suggests that human beings have the ability to think,
reason, and make choices. Humans possess the power of cognition,
allowing them to analyze information, consider possibilities, and make
decisions based on their thoughts and beliefs.
iii. Man’s mind whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and
will, bring forth.
It will still generate thoughts, ideas, and actions. It implies that
the mind is like a garden with an active force, constantly generating
outputs, whether consciously or unconsciously. It will always yield
outcomes, whether they are positive or negative, based on how it is
treated and developed. I believe that cultivating the mind through
education, continuous learning, and intellectual stimulation can lead
to more positive and fruitful results, while neglecting it may lead to
missed opportunities or less favorable outcomes.
iv. Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.
“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself,”
suggests that a person’s true character and qualities are not
determined by external factors or situations, but rather those
circumstances provide an opportunity for the person to discover and
reveal their inherent nature.
In essence, this quote emphasizes the idea that one’s response to
challenging or difficult circumstances can provide insights into their
true character, values, and strengths. It suggests that when faced
with adversity or certain situations, individuals have the opportunity
to demonstrate their true selves, revealing their inner qualities and
capabilities. Instead of attributing personal qualities solely to external factors
such as wealth, status, or other external circumstances, this quote
highlights the importance of looking inward and understanding one’s
own reactions and behaviors in different situations. It suggests that
the way a person handles challenges and responds to circumstances can
provide valuable insights into their character and true nature. This
quote encourages self-reflection and recognizes the significance of
personal responsibility in understanding and revealing one’s true self
in various circumstances.
v. The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.
The physical body is subservient to the control and direction of the
mind. It implies that the mind has a superior role in decision-making
and determining the actions of the body. Whether consciously or
unconsciously, the mind governs the body’s movements and functions.
The author says that “Disease and health, like circumstances, are
rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a
sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as
speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of
people just as surely though less rapidly.
The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it.
Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the,
entrance of disease; while impure thoughts, even if not physically
indulged, will soon shatter the nervous system.
Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and
grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which responds
readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of
thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it.”
vi. Intelligent accomplishment is only possible when the
thought of man aligns with his purpose.
Intelligent accomplishment refers to the ability of an individual to
achieve their goals and fulfill their potential through the
application of their intellect and abilities. it implies that when a
person’s thoughts, beliefs, and actions are in harmony with their
purpose or core values, they are more likely to achieve intelligent
accomplishments.
When someone’s thoughts align with their purpose, it means that their
thinking is aligned with their core values, and their actions are
directed towards fulfilling their goals and aspirations.
However, I would like to point out that, intelligent accomplishment is
not solely dependent on the alignment of thoughts with purpose. Other
factors, such as knowledge, skills, opportunities, and external
circumstances, also play significant roles. Nevertheless, aligning
one’s thoughts with purpose can provide a strong foundation for
intelligent accomplishment by providing direction, motivation, and a
sense of fulfillment.
vii. All that a person achieves and all that person fails to achieve is the direct result of thinking.
A person’s achievements and failures can be attributed directly to
their thoughts or thinking processes. While it is true that thoughts
and mindset can significantly influence our actions and outcomes, it
is important to consider various other factors that contribute to
success or failure.
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?
In line with John Locke, In his brilliant 1689 work An Essay
Concerning Human Understanding, Locke argues that, at birth, the mind
is a tabula rasa (a blank slate) that we fill with ideas’ as we
experience the world through the five senses. Having this in mind, “as
a man thinketh” is helping make conscious effort in my daily personal
life to be conscious of my thoughts and hat I feed my mind with. I
must be careful of how I allow my experiences via my five senses
affects my thinking.
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.
“The human is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and
cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of
thought as in the world of visible and material things.”
“Humankind is always the master, even in their weaker and most
abandoned state; but in their weakness and degradation they are the
foolish masters who misgovern their household. When they begin to
reflect upon their condition, and to search diligently for the Law
upon which their being is established, they then becomes the wise
master, directing their energies with intelligence, and fashioning
their thoughts to fruitful issues.”
“Man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently
cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or
neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put
into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein,
and will continue to produce their kind.”
“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its un-chastened desires and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.”
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
No, there is nothing in the book that I do not understand or is unclear about.
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?
No, the book does not contain exercises for the reader to complete.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
No.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingstone Seagull
Assessment by Toyosi Olamakinde (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book is that life is what you make of it. You are ultimately the major determinant of how you respond to life in the face of hatred, discouragement and preconceived limitations.
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 more to living than just surviving, working to earn a living and staying alive for as long as possible.
Life is complex, it is a journey that extends far beyond the pursuit
of material wealth and survival. Meeting our basic needs is important
but contributing to a fulfilling and meaningful existence is
paramount.
Jonathan Seagull, in an attempt to giving live a meaning, engaged in
personal growth and learning. There were discouraging voices
accompanied with doubts (As he sank low in the water, a strange hollow
voice sounded within him. There’s no way around it. I am a seagull. I
am limited by my nature. If I were meant to learn so much about
flying, I’d have charts for brains. If I were meant to fly at speed,
I’d have a falcon’s short wings, and live on mice instead of fish. My
father was right. I must forget this foolishness. I must fly home to
the Flock and be content as I am, as a poor limited seagull.) at the
beginning but he refused to accept to remain in its comfort zone. A
comfort zone where there would be no fear or failure. Desire to learn
should be unending if one must pull through in a world filled with
limitations. Embracing opportunities for personal growth, continuous
learning, and self-improvement can bring immense fulfillment. Engaging
in hobbies just as Jonathan seagull loved flying, acquiring new
skills, exploring different perspectives, and pursuing knowledge in
areas of interest can expand our horizons and enhance our sense of
purpose.
ii. Strong will and determination to be exceptional and refusing to accept the ordinary:
Having a strong will defiles the thought of fear, failure or death. It
is a powerful mindset that can drive you towards achieving great
things. This point is personal to me because refusing to accept the
ordinary means setting high standards, strive for excellence in
everything I do, whether in personal relationships, professional
endeavors, or personal growth and challenging myself to constantly
improve.
Embrace challenges: Being exceptional often requires pushing yourself
out of your comfort zone and taking on challenges. Instead of shying
away from difficulties, embrace them as opportunities for growth and
learning. Recognize that challenges are stepping stones to greatness,
and each obstacle you overcome will only make you stronger.
iii. Desire for more knowledge towards finding approaches to
achieving ones goals is important.
Knowledge is not just limited to formal education or academic
qualifications. It can be gained through various means such as reading
books, attending seminars or workshops, participating in online
courses, seeking mentorship, and engaging in practical experiences.
The more you thirst for knowledge and apply it to your goals, the
better positioned you will be to succeed because it will lead to
clarity. Jonathan seagull, via knowledge seeking, gained a deeper
understanding of the paths that could lead you to success.
I learned from the book that seeking knowledge will allow me explore
different perspectives, ideas, and strategies, leading to innovative
approaches in pursuing my goals. The more knowledge one possess, the
better equipped one is to handle obstacles and find effective
solutions.
iv. There are sacrifices to be made when you dare to be different including the consequences of breaking the age long traditional rules.
The price Jonathan paid was that he was cast out of the brotherhood of
seagulls but was was not deterred by it.
“What he had once hoped for the Flock, he now gained for himself
alone; he learned to fly, and was not sorry for the price that he had
paid. Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are
the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with these gone from
his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.”
v. Perfection is possible with continuous practice. Skills are
developed to the level of perfection and proficiency when what is
learned is consistently put into practice.
Practice allows individuals to refine their abilities, gain
experience, and ultimately reach a level of mastery. When we learn something, initial progress may be slow and imperfect. However, through dedicated practice and repetition, Jonathan gradually improved and refined its skills. This is important because as we
repeat the actions and tasks associated with the skill, we develop
muscle memory, enhance our understanding, and become more efficient.
It is worth of note that practicing regularly helps us identify areas
of weakness and focus on improving them. Just as the seagull in this
book, it allows us to learn from mistakes, adjust our approach, and
make a step by step progress. Each practice session builds on the
previous ones, leading to an accumulated improvement over time.
vi. Understanding one’s life’s purpose can play a significant
role in making a meaningful life.
Having a clear sense of purpose provides direction, motivation, and a
sense of fulfillment. When we have a purpose, we are more likely to
live with intention, make choices aligned with our values, and pursue
goals that are meaningful to us. Understanding one’s life’s purpose is important for a meaningful life because it guides ones direction and Focus: When we know our life’s
purpose, we have a clear sense of direction. We can prioritize our
time and energy on activities that align with our purpose, rather than
getting caught up in aimless pursuits.
When we have a strong sense of purpose, It keeps us motivated and
resilient in the face of challenges. Our purpose gives us a reason to
persevere and overcome obstacles because we understand the
significance of our actions and the impact they can have on ourselves
and others. This motivation and resilience can sustain us during
difficult times and help us stay committed to our goals; We connect
with something greater than ourselves and find deeper satisfaction in
our actions. When we are engaged in activities that align with our
purpose, we experience a sense of fulfillment and contentment that
goes beyond momentary happiness.
vii. One way to demonstrate love to the human race is by living a
life of influence by shining the light for others to see, making them
know the truth and believing in their self.
Life’s purpose involves contributing and making a positive impact on
others or the world around us. When we understand our purpose, we can
identify ways to contribute and make a difference. This sense of
service and giving back can bring a deep sense of fulfillment and
create a meaningful legacy. Just as the case study Jonathan Seagull
did, living a life of influence and spreading light can be a powerful
way to demonstrate love for the human race. By embodying positive
values and principles, you can inspire others to embrace their own
truth and believe in themselves.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These lesson will help me to be true to my and live with
integrity. I want to inspire others by sharing my own journey and
experiences to help them find the courage to be themselves.
I must make conscious effort to show empathy and compassion
towards others. Understand their perspectives, listen attentively, and
offer support when needed. Small acts of kindness can have a
significant impact on someone’s life and contribute to a more loving
and compassionate society.
Cultivating a positive mindset and attitude is another
insight I got from this book. Optimism and positivity are contagious.
When you approach challenges with resilience and maintain a hopeful
outlook, you inspire others to do the same. Your positive energy can
uplift those around you and encourage them to embrace a more
optimistic perspective.
Sharing my wisdom and knowledge with others. Whether it’s
through teaching, mentoring, or simply engaging in meaningful
conversations, imparting knowledge can empower others to grow and
reach their potential. By being a source of information and guidance,
I can help others navigate their own journeys.
Leading by example, I believe actions speak louder than
words, and when you consistently demonstrate love, kindness, and
integrity, you create a positive ripple effect that can inspire others
to do the same. Therefore, living my life in alignment with my values
and beliefs and to be a role model by having the qualities I wish to
see in others.
By daily and continuously striving to be the best version of myself and positively impacting those around me, contributes to creating a more loving and harmonious world.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.”
“Jonathan Seagull spent the rest of his days alone, but he flew way out beyond the Far Cliffs.”
“His one sorrow was not solitude, it was that other gulls refused to believe the glory of flight that awaited them; they refused to open their eyes and see.”
“The trick, according to Chiang, was for Jonathan to stop seeing himself as trapped inside a limited body that had a forty-two inch wingspan and performance that could be plotted on a chart. The trick was to know that his true nature lived, as perfect as an unwritten number, everywhere at once across space and time.”
“Your whole body, from wingtip to wingtip,” Jonathan would say, other times, “is nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
No.
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?
No, the book does not contain exercises for reader to complete.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
No.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9.5
PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by Toyosi Olamakinde (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea here is that a positive self-image is sacrosanct to a better life. A success mechanism, if discovered and utilized according to the prescriptions in this book, would yield a successful, impactful and a well accomplished 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.
i. “Understanding the psychology of “self” can mean the difference between success and failure, love and hate, bitterness and happiness.”
The discovery of the real self can rescue a crumbling marriage, recreate a faltering career, and transform victims of “personality failure.” On another plane, discovering your real self means the difference between freedom and the compulsions of conformity. (Compulsion of conformity is a term used to describe the psychological need for anyone to fit in and conform to societal norms, expectations and standards which according to this book can lead to the suppression of one’s own beliefs, values and true self.)
ii. Relax and Let Your Success Mechanism Work for You.
There is a Creative Mechanism within every one of us which is impersonal. It works automatically and impersonally to achieve goals of success and happiness, or unhappiness and failure, depending upon the goals which you yourself set for it. Present it with “success goals” and it functions as a “Success Mechanism.” Present it with
negative goals, and it operates just as impersonally, and just as faithfully as a “Failure Mechanism.”
Conscious effort restrains the automatic creative mechanism in you. The reason some people are self-conscious and awkward in social situations is simply that they are too consciously concerned, too anxious, to do the right thing. They are painfully conscious of every move they make. Every action is “thought-out.” Every word spoken is
calculated for its effect. We speak of such persons as “inhibited,”
and rightly so. But I learnt that If I could “let go,” stop trying,
not care, and give no thought to the matter of my behavior, I could
act creatively, spontaneously, and “be myself.”
iii. Form the habit of consciously responding to the present moment.
Consciously practice the habit of “taking no anxious thought for tomorrow,” by giving all your attention to the present moment. Your creative mechanism cannot function or work tomorrow, it can only function in the present today. Make long range plans for tomorrow. But don’t try to live in tomorrow, or in the past. Creative living means responding and reacting to the environment spontaneously. Your creative mechanism can respond appropriately and successfully to the present environment only if you have your full
attention upon the present environment and give it information concerning what is happening now. Planning and preparing for the future is great but worrying about how you will react tomorrow, or even in few minutes from now is of no
benefit. Your creative mechanism will react appropriately in the “now”
if you pay attention to what is happening now. It will do the same tomorrow. It cannot react successfully to what may happen but to what is happening.
iv. One of the secrets to happiness and a successful life is to “Live in Daytight Compartments.”
Dr. William Osler’s concept of “day tight compartments” refers to living in the present, focusing on today’s tasks, which is the reality and the only day that matters; without worrying about yesterday or tomorrow because yesterday is a dream and tomorrow is a vision. Dr. William Osler said that this simple habit, which could be formed
like any other habit, was the sole secret of his happiness and success
in life. Live life in “day tight compartments,” he advised his students. Look neither forward nor backward beyond a 24-hour cycle. Live today as best as you can. By living today well you do the most within your power to make tomorrow better.
v. The Pursuit of Happiness Is Not Selfish.
Many people refrain from seeking happiness because they feel that it would be “selfish” or “wrong” to do so. Unselfishness does not equate happiness, although it gets our minds directed away from ourselves and our introspection, our faults, sins, troubles (unpleasant thoughts), or pride in our “goodness,” it also enables us to express ourselves
creatively, and fulfill ourselves in helping others. One of the most pleasant thoughts to any human being is the thought that he is needed, that he is important enough to help and add to the happiness of some other human being. However, if we make a moral issue out of happiness and conceive of it as something to be earned as a sort of reward for being unselfish, then, we are very apt to feel guilty about wanting happiness.
Happiness comes from being and acting unselfishly as a natural accompaniment not as a “pay off” or prize. If we are rewarded for being unselfish, the next logical step is to
assume that the more self-abnegating and miserable we make ourselves, the happier we will be. It will then mean that the way to be happy is to be unhappy, which is absurd. If there is any moral issue involved it is on the side of happiness rather than unhappiness.
vi. “The attitude of unhappiness is not only painful, it is mean and ugly,” says William James.
True happiness does not lie in the future but cultivated in the present. In the first place happiness isn’t something that happens to you. It is something you determine upon by yourself. If you wait for happiness to catch up with you, or “just happen,” or be brought to you by others, you are likely to have a long wait. No one can decide what your thoughts shall be but yourself. If you wait until circumstances “justify” your thinking pleasant thoughts, you are also likely to wait forever. An example sighted in this book is like that of a squirrel hoarding chestnuts, we should store up our moments of happiness and triumph so that in a crisis we can draw upon these memories for help and inspiration.
vii. Frustration as a Way of Solving Problems Does Not Work.
Feelings of frustration, discontent, and dissatisfaction are ways of solving problems that we all “learned” as infants. If an infant is hungry he expresses discontent by crying. A warm, tender hand then appears magically out of nowhere and brings milk. If he is
uncomfortable, he again expresses his dissatisfaction with the status quo, and the same warm hands appear magically again and solve his problem by making him comfortable. Many children continue to get their way, and have their problems solved by over-indulgent parents, by merely expressing their feelings of frustration. All they have to do
is feel frustrated and dissatisfied and the problem is solved. This way of life “works” for the infant and for some children.
It does not work in adult life. Yet many of us continue to try it, by feeling discontented and expressing our grievances against life, apparently in the hope that life itself will take pity rush in and solve our problem for us if only we feel badly enough. Thoughts and feelings go together. Feelings are the soil that thoughts and ideas grow in. This is the reason that we have been advised throughout this book to imagine how we would feel if we succeeded and then feel that way now.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
The ideas and lessons in Psycho cybernetics are helpful, both in my
daily personal life and in helping me to create a better world because
I discovered that If I wait until I am absolutely certain and sure
before I act, I will never do anything. I keep in mind that any time I act, I could be wrong; any decision I make can turn out to be the wrong one. But I must not let this deter
me from going after the goal I want. I must daily have the courage to risk making mistakes, risk failure, risk being humiliated. I have begun to acknowledge that a step in the wrong direction is better than staying “on the spot” all my life. So far as I am moving forward I can correct my course as I go.
According to one of the prescriptions in PsychoCybernetics, every day, I try to develop a genuine appreciation for people by realizing the truth about them; they are children of God, unique personalities and creative beings. I also take the trouble to stop and think of the other person’s feelings, his viewpoints, his desires and needs. Think more of what the other fellow wants, and how he must feel. Finally, it was prescribed that we act as if other people are important and treat them accordingly. In our treatment of people, have regard for their feelings. We tend to feel about objects in accordance
with the way we treat them.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed in the past. What matters is the successful attempt, which should be remembered, reinforced, and dwelt upon.”
This is important to me because it reassures me that past failures are not a waste of time and resources but a firsthand experience of how to do things differently.
Elbert Hubbard said, “The greatest mistake a man can make is to be afraid of making one. Uncertainty is a “way” of avoiding mistakes, and responsibility.
As explained in this book, “You Make Mistakes; Mistakes Do Not Make “You” For example, to say “I failed” (verb form) is but to recognize an error, and can help lead to future success. But to say, “I am a failure” (noun form) does not describe what you did, but what you think the mistake did to you. This does not contribute to learning,
but tends to “fixate” the mistake and make it permanent.
This has been proven over and over in clinical psychological experiments. We seem to recognize that all children, in learning to walk, will occasionally fall. We say “he fell” or he “stumbled.” We do not say “he is a faller” or he is a “stumbler.”
“A good personality is one which enables you to deal effectively and appropriately with environment and reality, and to gain satisfaction from reaching goals which are important to you.”
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
No.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes, they were helpful
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
No.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10
Success through a Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Toyosi Olamakinde (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Answer: The author tries to explain that every man carries with him an
invisible talisman, Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) on one side, and
Negative Mental Attitude (NMA) on the other. The PMA has the power to
attract wealth, success, happiness and health; and the NMA has the
power to repel these things — to rob you of all that makes life worth
living.
PMA enables some men to climb to the top and stay there while NMA
keeps other men at the bottom all their lives, It also pulls other men
down from the top when they have reached it.
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. The starting point of all achievement is definiteness of purpose with PMA.
I learned that people drift aimlessly through life, dissatisfied, struggling against many things, but without a clear-cut goal. It is therefore necessary for me to state what it is that I want out of
life, fixing my goals because as soon as I do so, I can expect to
enjoy many advantages.
These advantages include:
The subconscious mind begins to work under a universal law:
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind of man can achieve with PMA.” Because you visualize your intended destination, your subconscious mind is affected by this self-suggestion. It goes to
work to help you get there.
Because you know what you want, there is a tendency for you
to try to get on the right track and head in the right direction. You
get into action.
Work now becomes fun. You are motivated to pay the price. You
budget your time and money. You study, think, and plan. The more you
think about your goals, the more enthusiastic you become. And with
enthusiasm your desire turns into a burning desire.
You become alerted to opportunities that will help you
achieve your objectives as they present themselves in your everyday
experiences. Because you know what you want, you are more likely to
recognize these opportunities.
ii. Our conscious will is in conflict with our imagination and the will of our subconscious mind. The more we struggle, the more we become entrapped.
One of the cobwebs of our thinking is to assume that we act from reason alone when in reality every conscious act is the result of doing what we want to do. We make decisions. There is a
tendency, when reasoning, to draw conclusions favorable to the strong inner urges of our subconscious mind. And this tendency exists in everyone even the great thinkers and philosophers.
iii. Conscious autosuggestion is the agency of control through which an individual may voluntarily feed his subconscious mind on thoughts of a creative nature, or, by neglect, permit thoughts of a
destructive nature to find their way into the rich garden of his mind.
For example Self-affirmations like: Day by day in every respect I am getting better and better; when repeated with frequency, rapidity, and emotion affect the subconscious mind and cause it to react. “When you read aloud twice daily the written statement of your desire for money, health or what have you, with emotion and concentrated attention, and you see and feel yourself already in possession of the money or health you communicate the object of your desire directly to your subconscious mind. Through repetition of this procedure, you voluntarily create thought habits, which are favorable to your efforts to transmute desire into its monetary equivalent. “Your ability to use the principles of autosuggestion will depend very
largely upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning desire.”
iv. The problems that confront man will, broadly speaking, be of three kinds: personal problems such as emotional, financial, mental, moral, physical, family problems; and business or professional problems.
v. A self-starter that can be of great help is “Do It Now!”
Do It Now can affect every phase of one’s life. It can help one do the things that should be done, but don’t feel like doing. It can help keep procrastination away especially when one is faced with an
unpleasant duty. It helps you seize those precious moments which, if
lost, may never be retrieved.
vi. Every thought you think, every act in which you voluntarily engage, can be traced back to some definite motive or combination of motives. There are ten basic motives which inspire all thoughts and all
voluntary actions. They are:
The desire for self-preservation
The emotion of love
The emotion of fear
The emotion of sex
The desire for life after death
The desire for freedom of body and mind
The emotion of anger
The emotion of hate
The desire for recognition and self-expression
The desire for material gain
vii. The secrets to speaking enthusiastically and overcoming timidity and
fear is to:
Talk loudly; talk rapidly; emphasize important words; hesitate where there is a period, comma or other punctuation in the written word; keep a smile in your voice; and use modulation.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These ideas and lessons has helped me both in daily personal life and to create a better world because I now understand that the characteristics, abilities, and capacities that make you happy and
successful in one environment may create an opposite reaction in another.
The statement a “square peg in a round hole” is a reflection of when one works or engages in activities that do not come naturally, and that are inwardly repellent. In such an unhappy situation one can
change one’s position and place one’s self in an environment that is pleasing to you.
If it is not feasible, you can then square the hole on one hand and round the peg on the other hand. To square the hole is to make adjustments in your environment to coincide with your characteristics,
abilities, and capacities so that you will be happy. This solution will help change your attitude from negative to positive.
To “round the peg” is to develop and maintain a burning desire to do
so, you can even neutralize and change your tendencies and habits by
establishing new ones. But before you achieve success in changing your
tendencies and habits, be prepared to face mental and moral conflicts.
You can win if you are willing to pay the price. You may find it
difficult at first but later-on, the newly established traits will be
predominate. The old tendencies and habits will become dormant. You
will be happy because you will be doing what now comes naturally and
creating a better world.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“Defeat may be a stepping stone or a stumbling block depending on whether your attitude is positive or negative mentally alert,” Kenneth Harmon told us.
You get the feel of his thinking in his statement:
“Success must be continually practiced, or it will take wings and fly
away.”
What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve with PMA. It is a form of self-suggestion. It is a self-motivator to success. When it becomes a part of you, you dare to
aim higher.
Alex Osborn stated an obvious truth when he said: “Everyone has some creative ability, but most people haven’t learned to use it.”
The more you give of that which is good and desirable the more you get! To do so.
“You are more apt to find satisfaction in your job if you do what comes naturally that for which you have a natural aptitude or liking. When you take a job that doesn’t come naturally you may
experience mental and emotional conflicts and frustration. You can, however, neutralize and eventually overcome such conflicts and frustrations if you use PMA, and if you are motivated to gain
experience to become proficient in the job.”
“Who are you? You are the product of your: heredity, environment, physical body, conscious and subconscious mind, experience and particular position and direction in time and space, and something
more, including powers known and unknown.”
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
No.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes, I find them helpful.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
No.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is your overall rating you would give it? 9.5