{"id":3807,"date":"2020-06-02T19:46:02","date_gmt":"2020-06-02T19:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/?page_id=3807"},"modified":"2025-06-02T09:33:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T09:33:20","slug":"udeme-idem-assessments","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/udeme-idem-assessments\/","title":{"rendered":"Udeme Idem – Assessments"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a Man Thinketh<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

He is conveying how our thoughts shapes our lives, that where we are right now and where we will be tomorrow is a product of our thoughts, he encourages us to be the master of our life, be the master of our thoughts, Good thoughts lead to a happy and successful life, Poor thoughts lead to an unhappy and unsuccessful life.<\/span>
\nOur world is shapes by our thoughts and visions, if we think we are sick we definitely will be sick, if we allow good, happy and beautiful thoughts to fill our lives then we will find we can truly be and have that life that we truly desire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cThought and character are one, and as character can only manifest and discover itself through environment and circumstance, the outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We are the master of our thoughts and actions, and these actions shape into patterns, which will eventually make up our character. If we could change and control the pattern of our thoughts, we can change a lot of things in our lives because our attitude and our actions are directly linked to one another and they are direct products of our thoughts. If we don\u2019t start out with confidence and expect very little of ourselves, that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019ll deliver. There was a time in my life when my family made me belief, I was stupid and I did not know anything, that I was a dummy. I believed this, and I did poorly in school, failed all my exams and nothing good came out of me. But when I started reading books and the bible, I discovered I was not stupid at all, I was the most intelligent being you could ever come across, I went from being tagged a dummy to being the best graduating student in my set. Nothing changed but my thoughts. So truly we have the ability to change our thoughts and change our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cAs beings of Power, Intelligence, and Love, and the lord of his own thoughts, humans hold the key to every situation, and contains within themselves that transforming and regenerative agency by which they may make themselves what they will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase makes me understand we are alpha beings that has the ability to control outcomes, we have it in us, to be who and transform our situation into a more desirable result, this is just like think it and become it. See it and do it. It\u2019s in us. Recently I start nurturing thoughts of going into public speaking, giving speeches, so I went ahead to start creating some speeches, today I have minimum of 2 speaking engagement in a week.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cAs a progressive and evolving being, man is where he is that he may learn that he may grow; and as he learns the spiritual lesson which any circumstance contains for him, it passes away and gives place to other circumstances.\u201d<\/span>
\nSince we can change our circumstances and our lives, this just makes the point that blaming and complaining about our circumstances are useless. More than useless actually, they poison our thoughts. And he makes the point we all take and accept more responsibility in life. We are exactly where we need to be to grow and evolve, then each circumstances comes with a lesson and as we learn these lessons we grow, giving way to other circumstances, this also bring to mind the fact that if we refuse to learn what we need to learn about a certain situation we may be there longer than we should have.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cA man does not come to the almshouse or the jail by the tyranny of fate or circumstance, but by the pathway of groveling thoughts and base desires.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The place we are and where we find ourselves are a product of our thoughts which produced actions. If we are thinking negative and taking bad actions, we won\u2019t end up where the good things are. Our desires come out to play by the results we see around ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cNot what he wishes and prays for does a man get, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This part was really surprising to me, I have actually heard that if our prayers align with our confession and thoughts that we would see the manifestation and answers to our prayers. This really confirmed this fact, because I did not hundred percent believe it. So therefore I must always align my thoughts, which comes out as words and action to my prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cAs he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities within himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What this means to me is that as we develop our thoughts and mind, and change our views of our circumstances blaming others no longer exist for us, or blaming the system or the environment we find ourselves. We begin to see it as a path to development, finding the inner ability in us to bring to play and grow. We discover we can be more and grow more rapidly than if we were focus on the blaming others, blaming others keep us from thinking the positive thoughts that will bring the changes we need. I have served my currently company for over 8 years, I have gotten a promotion, or double or triple increment, I got higher qualification and certification which was acknowledged but nothing was done to either increase my pay or placed me at the level my qualification deserves. I was so lost on blaming the system, my boss and all mangers who could do something but didn\u2019t, that hindered my performance, I was so angry and bitter. When I started developing my other skills, shifting from blaming them for current position. Things has started changing. My speaking engagement has grown tremendously, I no longer care about promotion or what I am not getting, my life is now happy, productive and fulfilling.<\/span>
\nvii. \u201cNature helps every man to the gratification of the thoughts, which he most encourages, and opportunities are presented which will most speedily bring to the surface both the good and evil thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever thoughts are dominate in a man\u2019s heart or mind is what nature will reveal.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your <\/span>daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It will help me to constantly watch my thoughts, like the bible will say guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life, now that I know my thoughts have the power to draw negativity into my life, I will guard it with all diligence, ensuring happy, good, beautiful and praise worthy thoughts are what goes through my head. I will also propagate this fact to as many people that I meet and encounter that they should what their thoughts. I believe that if every one of us begin to have happy and good thoughts will could make the world a better place not only for ourselves but others also.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA person is literally what she thinks, her character being the complete sum of all her thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The way I act, the things I do, how I behave are my thoughts in display. Nothing more nothing less.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery man is where he is by the law of his being; the thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Where I am are in life and what I will attain or achieve will be what I have been thinking of or planning to attain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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 unchasten desires and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What goes on in my inner person and inner recess is what I will receive, now if my soul perceives everyone is lying to me then truly that is exactly what I will receive. This is very practical and lawful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no way good can be in me and bad things manifest, Therefore I most constantly work on building good within, good thoughts, good a mind and a good soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The same way we attract the things we love. That is how we attract our fears, I remember when we were in high school my elder sister used to fear getting toilet infection so much that she was afraid of public rest rooms and take maximum hygiene when using one, unfortunately she was the one that suffers from toilet and skin disease most. This just goes to show how strong the power of the mind is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUntil thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reminds me I should get a purpose; purpose pushes my thoughts into actions which can culminate into great achievements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do. Doubt and fear are the great enemies of knowledge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing can stop anyone that has the knowledge that he can do something, this reminds me I should get knowledge my quest for that knowledge is what brought me to this school. I taste to know about leadership, right ways to lead. To have this knowledge I must put away all fears and doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll that a person achieves and all that person fails to achieve is the direct result thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What I will ever achieve in life or fail to achieve is a product of my thoughts. I know how many times I have planned to do something and my mind talks me out of it. Sometime I actually criticize and condemn myself before others do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose who have conquered weakness, and have put away all selfish thoughts, belong neither to oppressor nor oppressed. They are free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If I truly wants to be free, I should weed out all selfishness, thoughts that are limiting, so I can find that freedom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA man can only rise, conquer, and achieve by lifting up his thoughts. He can only remain weak, and abject, and miserable by refusing to lift up his thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me because I have actually lift myself through lifting my thoughts. January 2019 I was diagnosed of Optic neuritis, this came with a lot of depressing thoughts, suicide dominated my mind. But when I started lifting my thoughts that I can fight back, its only one eye that is affected, I still have my other eye. My condition started improving. Today I can see clearly with both eyes. It all started with lifting my thoughts. Changing from self-pity and self-blaming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVictories attained by right thought can only be maintained by watchfulness. Many give way when success is assured, and rapidly fall back into failure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even after achieving my dreams, I should be watchful and careful about the thoughts in my head. This bring to my mind the story of Job in the bible, he was a successful man, when calamity came, he said his fears came to pass. Meaning despite the fact that all was going well he secretly harbored the thoughts of calamity. We should always watch our thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Our result is a direct product of our actions, if I need good results or make an A in school then I have to put in the required time and effort to learn, not neglecting reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We will receive our dreams, what I see is what I will become. This is very certain. Then I should actively work on what I see.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInto your hands will be placed the exact results of your own thoughts; you will receive that which you earn; no more, no less.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In these days of internet of things, if my thoughts could be directly printed out what would it be. In actuality I will become my thoughts, since I now know that what I think is what I will be and what I am. Then I will actively think good thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart; this you will build your life by, this you will become.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote places a finality to everything. Let me speak directly to myself. UDEME what Vision you let fester in your mind, your will work to build your life around and that is who your will become, therefore watch it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, I did disagree with anything, this has been a good read, where I read and stop to soliloquize. Its enlightening. No book has brought to the surface so effectively the power of thoughts, as this book has. Thank you for having me read it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No Exercises included.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No comment please<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jonathan Livingston Seagull<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The writer is conveying the idea that is possible for us to find our passion, discover ourselves, step out of our comfort zone, do something beyond what is normal, reach for higher heights, learn to achieve the impossible, be different, Find your true personality. Find Perfection you can see this in how Jonathan achieves perfection in his flying and is transported to a new world, where he learns to move on to the next level of consciousness. Perfection is depicted as the ability to move between time and space in ways that the average gull cannot. It allows Jonathan to bring Fletcher back to life and to communicate through thought instead of spoken words. He also tried to propel us to find our individuality, we should not be afraid if we don\u2019t fit in, want the normal things that other wants, or live normal lives, this idea played out in how Jonathan wants to be who he truly is. No matter how hard he tries to be a regular seagull, he recognizes that he is not and he should not settle for anything less. Fortunately, he does not succumb to the pressure from the group and from his mother or he would never have been able to transcend. He is so in touch with himself that he recognizes when it is time to let go and allow another seagull to become the teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cWe can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase means a lot to as it makes me understand that staying ignorant is a matter of choice, that I have the inherent ability to grow, to learn and to develop my skill to the place where I can be a person with notable skill, a person of excellence, a knowledgeable being. I have the power to train my mind, train my body and train my soul, to seek knowledge and learn anything, that I chose to, that I can become a master and I can experience true freedom. An example is when I taught myself Calculus and made an A in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cJonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull\u2019s life is so short, and with these gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase makes me understand if I stay angry at and bitter, I will limit myself from living truly free, cutting my life short. Also, that boredom result in the same thing, all these are worth noting. An example is my organization is a toxic place, if I stay angry and live in fear of the system I will never truly live neither will achieve my dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cFor each of them, the most important thing in living was to reach out and touch perfection in that which they most love to do, and that was to fly.\u201d<\/span>
\nIf I truly want live life to the fullest, I should find perfection in what I love to do, finding perfection is learning all I need to be perfect. Public speaking is what I love to do, and teaching people about leadership is my passion, hence I keep searching and reaching out to learn, that is what pushed me into joining this school.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cYou didn\u2019t need faith to fly, you needed to understand flying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t need faith to be the kind of leader that influences my society, I just need to learn about leading, what in requires and how to change lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cTill you can fly the past and the future. And then you will be ready to begin the most difficult, the most powerful. You will be ready to begin to fly up and know the meaning of kindness and of love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If I can grow beyond my past experiences, failures, defeat and setbacks, I can break into growing towards the future and then I can begin the walk to the top of my career and life.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. Freedom is the very nature of his being, that whatever stands against that freedom must be set aside, be it ritual or superstition or limitation in any form.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What this phrase really convey to me is finding freedom. I should not let anyone or anything dictate what you should do next. I am a person, an individual. have your own life and it is up to you how to live it. I should let myself be limited by society, environment, religion and my work place, even if its friends and family anything at all that will deny me finding that freedom should be dropped, I can be and achieve whatever I want to. freedom is in man\u2019s nature, freedom is in me, so I, of all people, should know that and not let anything against my desire to succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cThe trick was to know that his true nature lived, as perfect as an unwritten number, everywhere at once across space and time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have a true nature, my real self, it exists. This comes that a deep self-understanding, a deep realization and an eye-opening knowledge, and above all an acceptance. This bring me the realization that I can be me, unique and different in my own way.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It will help me to constantly remember that I can learn new things, I should always try to be my true self, find my individuality, I have always struggled to fit, to be a normal average human, my lecturers made life difficult because I was brilliant, so I began to hide and not study so I won\u2019t stand out from among other students, I think its time to stop that, I will always remember to I am free, the find my path, to be who and where ever I want, that knowledge is quite liberating, I am free. Daily, even as at this morning when I felt like shrinking the word just pop in my head \u201cI am Free.\u201d I will also train others to be, I have also recommended this book to a women\u2019s group I belong to, it\u2019s our book for this month, we will read and review.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOne day Jonathan Livingston Seagull, you shall learn that irresponsibility does not pay. Life is the unknown and the unknowable, except that we are put into this world to eat, to stay alive as long as we possibly can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

People will always see your attempt to be different as an act of being wayward or stubborn, they will try to compel you to be normal, be like everyone else, do what everyone else is doing, but to me that place is crowded. This sound like the song I here from everyone, you are a woman, women don\u2019t do that, women don\u2019t work there, you can\u2019t go there, stop going to school, get married, have children, that is all a woman is good for. And this is painful if you don\u2019t learn how to silent these negative voices.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt always works when you know what you are doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If we take time to master our work or whatever we are passionate about, we will always know what and how to solve issues when they arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are free to go where we wish and to be what we are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The person I am and will be, where I live and work are all my choice, I have the freedom to choose it and no one else but me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeaven is not a place and it\u2019s not a time, Heaven is Being perfect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When you are perfect in any craft you become a master, to me that is heaven and that is peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe only true law is that which leads to freedom, there is no other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever law or rule that does not encourage our ability to be ourselves is not a law to follow. When we are making laws, we should ensure it does not enslave others from finding themselves and being free.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is one of the simplest and truest statement I have ever come across, this is true for most people they just want to eat, live and die, but for some us like me, I want more, I want to raise leaders, who will raise other leaders, I want to change the way people lead in my country and the world, I want to change things in the world. So, eating and living and dying is never for me.<\/span>
\n\u201cDon’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When I look with my natural eyes at all the circumstances surrounding my life, I will see all the challenges, setbacks, failures and defeats. But if I take my eyes off, I could see the leader I am becoming, the lives I am changing, the little impact I am making and I could see I am really that leader I am trying to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I used to be afraid of what people think or will say or will do to me, so I was afraid to say my mind, to be myself or speak up. This quote resounded in my heart, I am a free person, I can be whatever and who ever I want, I don\u2019t have to fit in, they don\u2019t need to like me, I know I like myself enough to cover for the rest. I will be me and let my light shine.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, I didn\u2019t disagree with anything, this has been the best self-motivation book ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No Exercises included.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No comment please<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PsychoCybernetics<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book encourages that thinking of the human mind as a machine can help improve your self-image, which will dramatically increase your success and happiness. Changing a person self-image can bring dramatic changes to the life of a person.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cAccept yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe yourself. You cannot realize the potentialities and possibilities inherent in that unique and special something which is YOU if you keep turning’ your back upon it, feeling ashamed of it, refusing to recognize it\u201d This part really spoke to me because this is one of the most difficult things for us humans to do, accepting ourselves and being ourselves, Acceptance is the ability to unconditionally value all parts of we are. That means i acknowledge all of myself–the good and the things that need improvement. For most of us, self-acceptance can be hard. We tend to be critical of ourselves, we are the first to say the bad things about ourselves, we point out failures even before others notice them. Sometimes even when I have worked hard to achieve a thing, I still see it as alien to me because I don\u2019t accept the fact that I could achieve those things. I am encouraged here to accept who I am, be happy with who I am, accept all of me, there is nothing to be ashamed of and It all begins with my state of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cTo really live, that is to find life reasonably satisfying, you must have an adequate and realistic self-image that you can live with. You must find yourself acceptable to you.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me that for me to accept myself I need to developed a good self-image, not only self-image goal image and mental image. If I could successfully change the image of myself in my head, I can change my life. He talked about those he did surgery on whom change of face did not change their lives. If the self-image that I have of myself is that of failure that is who I will become. This has really played out in my life as I consistent have a self-image of being fat, that is what I feel and think of all the time, so over the years I consistently see myself adding weight gradually no matter what I did. Now as I read this book I, I realize that seeing myself that way is empowering my servo mechanism to constantly work towards achieving that goal, yesterday 06\/7\/2020, I decided to changed my self\/ mental image, 1 lost 1kg without doing any exercise or changing my meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cWithin you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realize from this that within me lie the ability to achieve anything, like anything in this world all I need is to change what I believe in my mind, the mind is a powerful force. It can enslave us or empower us. It can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the heights of ecstasy. We need to Learn to use the power wisely, the mind is everything. What you think you become. This also corresponded with \u201cAs a man Thinketh.\u201d That what we think we are is whom we become; what we believe we are is whom we become. This means I need to change my believe, I need to change my mental image, I need to change what is in my mind. I have it in mean I know I sure do have it in me, the power to achieve my dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cHaving a goal and understanding the situation are not enough. You must have the courage to act, for only by actions can goals, desires and beliefs be translated into realities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This bring spoke to me that I need to get up and do something, saying I have a goal or have a dream is never enough, I need to draft up a plan, set up step by step guides lines on how I intend to achieve it. Like he said I need to give my servo mechanism a goal to work with. This brings me back to my school days, I made up my mind that I won\u2019t fail any of my courses, that was my goal, then I set out a plan that every day though out my academic days, at the end of every lecture day, I will study all my lectures for that day, take nap, wake up after mid night to study all the courses I will be having the next day. I was consistent in this, I was never unprepared for an impromptu test, at the end I achieved not only my goal of not failing any course but also finishing as the best student. Therefore, every goal needs to have a plan and actions must be taken to see the actualization of the goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cWe must learn to do our work, act upon the best assumptions available, and leave results to take care of themselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Why I love this particular phrase is because it\u2019s what I have constantly been advocating, we doing the best with what we have, also learn how best to be more efficient and effective on our jobs or whatever we are doing. If we constantly give our best with time the results will show. We should never bother about what the results will be, this also correspond with what the bible say that who so ever watches the weather will not plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cEvery human being has been literally engineered for success” by his Creator. Every human being has access to a power greater than himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The ability is in us to create who we are, Whether I like it or not I\u2019ve created my own self-image or a blueprint of who I am. Every success, failure, and experience I\u2019ve had has played a role in the creation of this mental illustration. Life events, whether they were traumatic or wonderful, has led me to create the mental blueprint of myself. This principle is important to know because who we believe ourselves to be determines how you act every day, like the example that he gave about the boy who was told he not good in math, he consistently created the failures to proof he did not know math\u2019s. He mentioned several other cases which his patients created the failures they imagined in their minds. This phrase means to me that who I see today and who will see myself to be tomorrow is the person I created, whether consciously or unconsciously.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cSet aside a period of 30 minutes each day where you can be alone and undisturbed. Relax and make yourself as comfortable as possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This means to me that although having a proactive lifestyle is important, taking out time to relax will yield tremendous benefits in that truly we rarely have time to just relax and free ourselves from wrong thoughts and ideas. All it takes its just 30 minutes, to relax our muscles, free our minds and positively influence ourselves. Actually 30 minutes seems like a lot to me, but I will try as much possible to utilize it,<\/span>
\neven if it\u2019s not every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The principles in this book are timeless, it has help me recast my focus on reinventing myself. It has help me understand why I have not been able to achieve some things, therefore going forward I will constantly remind myself to take a break, relax and hypnotize myself positively. I will apply it in getting Sense of direction in maintaining my personal focus and goals, also by not trying to go where other people think I should and always having a goal I am working for. I will build my self Esteem by having a healthy, good mental picture of myself and treating the people around me with appreciation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the knowledge I have gained on this book I will develop my self confidence by always remembering my \u201cpast successes, and forgetting failures. This will be hard to do, but I will do my best to focus on successful outcomes instead of my failures. Finally, have learnt to practice Self-acceptance, accepting myself for who I am, who I am becoming and the knowledge I am gaining, not forgetting to, \u201calways have better self-image.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen this self-image is intact and secure, you feel good. When it is threatened, you feel anxious and insecure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Anytime I feel insecure and scared I need to check my self-image, because most time it\u2019s the picture in our head that causes us misery not an actual event.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must know yourself; both your strengths and your weaknesses and be honest with yourself concerning both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I must constantly find myself my strength and my weakness, this is self-analysis, like root cause of failure and creating solutions. Also, this is like confessing myself to myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour self-image must be a reasonable approximation of “you,” being neither more than you are, nor less than you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At all time I need to get a healthy self-image of myself, I need to constantly remind myself of this until my servo mechanism takes over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can remember, worry, or tie your shoe, you can succeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nobody ties my boot lace, if I could always do that, then there is absolutely nothing I can\u2019t achieve. Yes, may not be exactly where I want but I am on the path to it, I am becoming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThus, man of all creatures is more than a creature, he is also a creator.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reminds me that God has given me the power to dominate and create the world I want. I will always keep this in my that if I fail somehow, I created the failure, either through my thoughts or my failure to act when should.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen YOU select the goal and trigger it into action, an automatic mechanism takes over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This I will always remember that I need to give me a goal to work on, I should always try to give myself a goal, because having a goal and achieving it comes with greater fulfillment than anything else, we could do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt remembers its successes, forgets its failures, and repeats the successful action without any further conscious thought or as a habit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is important to me because we make a habit of focusing on our failures, reliving the failures and amplifying the fears that comes with it. I will remember this quotes that as our mechanism work with successful outcomes I too should always focus on that more than my failures.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe act, or fail to act, not because of will, as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What I will ever achieve in life or fail to achieve is a product of my imagination. I know how many times I have planned to do something and I consciously created the failures before it happens. Our minds create the fears that hinders us from acting, or it triggers us to act in a way that we should not.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe greatest mistake a man can make is to be afraid of making one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We humans are afraid of a million things. One of my greatest fears recently have been that if I hold a summit people won\u2019t attend, for a long time I refused to organize the summit. Why because I am afraid of making a big mistake of organizing a big summit and no one shows. I will take a step of faith and act. I remember Les Brown Speech what is the worst thing that could happen, most times nothing we will go ahead and succeed. I should not let fear stop me. Fear should even be part of me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf only we fearlessly accept the challenge and confidently expend our strength, every danger or difficulty brings its own strength as thy days so shall thy strength be.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis ringed very true to me, because as I made effort to act on despite my fears on the summit, I had a lot of support and positive feedbacks on those coming for it. The truth is it has built in me the kind of boldness and confidence that if I didn\u2019t conquer my fears, I would not have achieved it. Every storm we weather through builds in us unimaginable strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoing nothing is the Proper Response to an Unreal Problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes our immediate response to perception of threat is flight, this quote will always remind when the \u201cwhat ifs\u201d come, I should let it go and not think\/act on them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe way to make a good impression on other people is: Never consciously “try” to make a good impression on them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What always comes to our minds when we meet people is to make a good impression, I will learn to relax more, reduce my conscious efforts to do impress people and be myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you need in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in their previous questions if so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note the following question on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read?<\/span> 6<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 7<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]How to Win Friends and Influence People Assessment<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book centered on human behavior and relationships, how to connect with people, be more likeable, improve relationships, win others over, and help them change their behavior without being intrusive. In essence he conveyed the fact that we need to be the change we want to see in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cA person\u2019s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand the value of a name that to every human the sound of our names catches our attention, A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Like the book said it is the most important word in the world to a person. It is the only way we can easily get someone’s attention, also for someone to catch our interest. It is a sign of courtesy and a way of recognizing them. When someone remembers our name after meeting us, we feel respected and more important. Assuming we were walking down a street and someone ran after us requesting to have our audience, there\u2019s a hundred percent possibility that we will stop to listen to the person if they had used our names than if they had used any other sound. Conclusively a name a very important sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cYou can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase brought to light the fact when we show other people that we care about them friendship is formed, all of us become close and open to anyone that is interested in us. So, I have learnt that I should be more interested in other people, show care, be understanding, and show empathy. We naturally try to impress people by trying to get them interested in our lives, we try to draw attention to ourselves, this will not gain us friends, it will only make people either intimidated or jealous of our success. The best way we can win friends is if we forget about us and be genuinely interested in people\u2019s lives, getting to know them personally by asking them questions about them and being friendly. Having and cultivating this habit can earn us good friends and more friends.<\/span>
\niii. \u201cWhen dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis phrase let me understand that people are composite of several other things, like prejudice, knowing this will help us know how to relate with them in a way that will foster relationship, taking care not to act in a way that will hurt their pride. I also realized that I myself at one point was this type of creature until I took a decisive step to acquire knowledge and be a different type of person. Therefore, I should be understanding, liberal and friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cAny fool can criticize, complain and condemn and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this phrase meant to me that really it is very easy to criticize other people, to find fault and complain, yes! We are very good in complaining about just anything, condemn people and condemn every other thing under the sun, from too much rain to no rain to too much sun to no sun, we can go on and on. This is all negative energy and a negative mental attitude. Yet we can chose to be understanding and forgiving, I have made this my habit, to try as much as possible not to complain or criticize other people, even though this is not always that easy because there are times you will feel like giving someone a piece of your mind, but this phrase brought out that even in those times, I should be forgiving and understanding, I should try not to condemn or complain or criticize.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cCriticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person\u2019s precious pride, hurt his sense of importance and arouse resentment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The phrase is very true, most people done take criticism well, its wound and hurts their pride, few weeks back I read a story online of a young lady that committed suicide over internet bully. Criticism like he said is dangerous and does not lead people to change behavior. Instead it creates anger and defensiveness on the part of the person criticized. Communication between the parties is shackled, and positive relationships impeded not forgetting it hurts, you will keep reliving the moments and wondering what one would have done differently. I remember a time when my pastor criticized me publicly, totally condemn me and the most annoying of this act was that he was wrong in the things he condemned me for, I was not guilty of anything. This made me very angry and resentful towards him, which till date I avoid having close association or interactions with him because I believe he would have gone about it another way, he would have spoken to me directly about it not in the presence of the church members. This phrase has taught me not to criticize another human. There\u2019s always a better way to talk to someone when they are wrong. Or we could start by criticizing ourselves first.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cDevelop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase means to me that with all pathways of success comes discouragement and failures. These are inevitable byproducts. The human brain is wired to stay in a safe and secure environment. It reinforces and tries to control us from going out of our comfort zone with anxiety and fear. But it is the ability to see past the fear and look to success that makes our desired paths possible. To turn the failures and fear into tools to help drive us to success is essential. Learning to use discouragement and failure is a skill that every success desiring person should learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cIt isn\u2019t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From this phrase I learnt that thoughts can makes us unhappy, that\u2019s if we focus on the negative things. Happiness is synthetic according to Forbes, we either create it or we don\u2019t. dwelling on all the negative things, negative energy, negative thoughts and negative habits all results in sadness. When we keep thinking of the things we don\u2019t have and the things that did not happen as they should have, is a sure way to be unhappy. I have learnt to guard my thought, focus on the bright side of life, be the best I could be, live life to the fullest. Always find a reason to have happy thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I had read this book a few years back, this book helped me become a better person in my interpersonal relationships, I became more friendly, I started to care more about people, and became interested in other people. It helped me to show people that they are important to me, I try to remember names and important things about them, I try to be agreeable with everyone, finding something to honestly like about them, I learnt to talk less about myself and help people to express themselves. Through reading this book I have been able to always have a smile, a laugh and reason to make people feel welcomed and happy around me. I understand that people are hurting even as I most times am, so I have been more open and understanding, learned to listen, with hold the zeal to offer advice and I know with all these changes I made on myself, I\u2019ve been able to help people feel better, become better and together we can make world a better place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the important things in the have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This let me understand that no matter what happens, I should keep on trying, I remember the slogan for first High school, which says winners never and quitters never win, also a message by Rev. T.D.Jakes \u201cuntil you have a taste of finishing you will never respect yourself.\u201d Even when the last hope on the horizon is gone, I will keep on trying, I keep fighting to stay on the positive side, I will keep on working on my dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we hate our enemies, we are giving them power over us: power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, our health and your happiness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me that hating someone hurts us more than the person, it gives them total control over our lives and truly no living being or thing should have that type of power over us. Hatred is a very deadly virus that destroy us from within, it chips away on our mental and physical health more than we know. I have trained myself to hate no one, forgive and move on. To let things go, not because they deserve it but because I deserve peace. It is not worth it hating people, for me I value my sleep, my peace of mind and my general wellbeing therefore I won\u2019t go on to hate on any human.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes this really resounded in my mind, people become your enemies when you show them you are wiser than them, I learned this some years back, if you let them know you know, they will try to sabotage your effort and automatically try to prove you wrong. Its best to keep things to yourself, don\u2019t quickly offer out advices and words, try to learn from them first. When winning friends, it\u2019s best not let them know you are wise. This happen to me during my college days, immediately my course mates knew I was more brilliant than most of them, they started competing with me, instigating lecturers against me and withheld information\u2019s from me. It is good to be wiser than most people but never let them know.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid of enemies who attack you be afraid of friends who flatter you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even the bible says that a mans worst enemy are members of his household, then I learnt from 48 laws of power to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, because friends are most the people that will do the worst things to you. Even though I knew about this recently. I\u2019ve to be extra careful around my friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are not in the process of becoming the person you want to be, you are automatically engaged in becoming the person you don\u2019t want to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This meant to me that I need to positively take actions towards becoming who I want to be, I should not leave anything to chance, because if I am not doing that, I am automatically on way to who I don\u2019t want. Since I have a goal, I am constantly focused on that, taking steps and working towards that goal, if I am not doing that, it means that goal will not be achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHappiness doesn\u2019t depend on external conditions. It is governed by our mental attitude.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometime we often think and feel our lives will be better, much happier and more successful if we could get or achieve so and so things or maybe when we are done with college or when we get a new job, or maybe when we get married or have children. Unfortunately, being happy and having happiness in our lives are not tied to all these things, we will find that these things come with their own set of challenges and we can never be happy if we fix being happy on these things. So, we should work on deriving happiness from within not from external things, happiness that comes from within makes us stronger and no external thing can shift that. We honestly need to learn this truth. I was once this type of person I used to think that when I am admitted to college I will happy, that came with the stress of school, I shifted it to when I am done with school, then shifted it again to when I get a job, the job came with a lot of challenges which made me think that getting a new job will make me happy, now that I know differently, that being happy is not linked to any of these, that it\u2019s something I need to build and develop in me, that! brought a change in my life, yes, life may not always be perfect and we may not always get what we want or deserve, but I will always be happy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is very practically because we always worried about tomorrow, when the tomorrow comes, we worried about the next tomorrow and sequence continues. The question I always ask was it worth being worried about? Nope it wasn\u2019t because today will always take care of itself if we did the right things yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true because if we don\u2019t love what we are doing we won\u2019t have fun and if we are not having fun, every little challenge that shows will make us want to quit, success will not be visible. But if we love what we are doing and have a thousand reasons to quit we will always find the one reason we should keep doing it, and that one reason will supersede the thousand reasons. We will have fun if we are doing what we love and success will be achievable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember a name and call it easily and you have paid a subtle and very effective compliment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote was just a reminder that I should remember names, I am one of those people whom faces stick longer in my head than a name, I remember faces and voice but not names, reading this quote made me consciously take practical steps towards remembering names.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is only one way to get the best of an argumentand that is to avoid it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes this is absolutely true, since I read this quote I avoid arguing with anyone, I have one person that always direct message me on thing I put on my status, that he has a different opinion, that will lead to us having series of argument on the post, since I read this quote anytime he does that, I will tell him \u201cyou are right\u201d, no matter what he says my response will always be , \u201ctrue, you are right, absolutely, and you are correct\u201d. These responses have saved me hours of trying to justify my posts and arguing endlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree-fourths of the people you will meet are hungering for sympathy. Give it to them and they will love you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote taught me a great lesson and changed my attitude towards people, I have been more sympathetic towards people and more understanding, sometimes I just offer to listen to their problems, I don\u2019t offer advice or anything, I just listen, I find they feel better once they are able to share their troubles with someone who would not judge or criticize or offer advice. Yes, truly a lot of people need sympathy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are more likely to accept an order if they had a part in the decision that caused the order to be issued.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded that instead of issue orders I should guide, orders are for military not every day human interactions, even within the organization people should be given room to be a part of the decision making., never force any decision down anyone\u2019s throat involve them in the process, there will be a better chance of them obeying or doing it if they were a part of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAsk yourself what is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed on the worst.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned this from Les Brown, if we know the worst that could happen, we will be prepared and stand a better chance of dealing with it, that is if it happens, but there is a greater chance that the worst we expected will never happen, so, we should not let anything stop us from doing what we wanted to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true because we try to impress others and fail woefully this keep us sad. Like bible said \u201cfor we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.\u201d It is great wisdom not to try to impress others, the best way like I learnt from 17 keys to get people interested in us is not to try to impress them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll men have fears, but brave men put down their fears and go forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true I learnt this when I started studying about public speaking, there\u2019s absolutely no one that has never had fears but they all learnt to conquer them and achieve great things. So, I learned to but my fears down I do what I want to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTalk to someone about themselves and they\u2019ll listen for hours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We all love this, I have developed the habit of not wanting to hear about me so much, I let talk to other people about them letting them feel important and strong. We win more friends if we both talk about them positively and listen while they talk about themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot teach a man anything; you can help him to find it within himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me of a time when my mom tried to teach me healthy living, she did her best but it never worked on me nor did I learn or practice it, until when I found in me the need to change my eating habits that is when the change started, so, we can only guide or help the person to discover what s\/he needs from within , only then will the set out to learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe average person is more interested in her own name than in all the other names on earth put together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly this quote true, we all want our names to be mentioned, I have a mentor who always forward social media posts to me that mentioned his name, this is a perfect example of us being interested in our names.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery successful person loves the game. The chance to prove his worth, to excel, to win.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have never met any successful person who never loved what brought him success, the ability to set a goal and achieve it, the ability to prove their worth and win. Life its self is a game they that succeed in it are they that love it, anyone that does not love a thing will not put in the extra effort required to achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When we try to serve others without any selfish reasons or ill intentions, we have great advantages and greater reward. We should genuinely try to help and serve other people it comes with great benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, it did not have exercises.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Keys to Success<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author brought to light the principles through which personal success can achieved, he laid out steps and processes that if duly followed success will be attained. These principles are timeless and can be used or practiced by anyone who desires to be successful.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cIf you can see an opportunity as quickly as you can see fault of others, you will soon succeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We all as humans are apt in finding fault with others, we see the thing that are wrong with them. If we could train our minds the same way to find and recognize opportunities and chances, we will have a better chance at attending the success we all desire. We should keep our minds open; we should keep our hearts open and be on the outlook for possibilities rather than faults. There was a time when I was preparing for my leadership summit and I needed to meet the regional pastor of my church in respect of using the church events hall, which proved possible in spite of all efforts made, I could not meet the man, but as providence will have it, one day as I was returning from school, I was picked by the youth leader in my former local assembly returning from a conference, in his car was the next in command to the regional pastor and the person in charge of administrations, though that fact was unknown to me because I did not know the man. But I recognized and knew that the youth leader could be of help therefore, I talked to him about the summit, my desire to use the hall and my inability to meet the regional pastor, he then told me this is the man that could help me. That led to me meeting the regional pastor the next day and have a free use of the hall which usually go for a hundred and thirty thousand naira. This is one of the chances I had recognized an opportunity very fast. If I hadn\u2019t, I would have still been walloping in my inability to meet the regional pastor. This has taught me to always look for opportunities instead of faults.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cKnowing what you want will help in decision making, of course you can always judge whether or not it will contribute to your goals.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Each day we are faced with life situations that require us to make choices. Right from waking to sleeping are full of little or major decision that can be easily influenced by others. Knowing exactly what you want and how it will help in the advancement of your goal will help in making the right decisions. Most times we know exactly what we don\u2019t want but when it comes to what we want we are mostly lost. Like the goal to be the most sort after voice on leadership, I consistently make choices and take action based on this, I choose what I learn based on this goal, and I can make a faster decision on anything knowing that will push me a step or two closer to making that goal visible. Therefore, this phrase let me know that knowing what I want will facilitate decision making.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cYou will not be successful overnight; in fact, you will not be successful until you have returned to everyone who has aided you everything, he or she is due.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote merged two powerful thoughts together, the first part is that you will not be successful overnight, this brought to my understanding that success is a journey not an automatic thing or a destination, it is a process for which one must grow through and find the path to walk through, like that particular chapter said most people who went to bed and woke up a millionaire lost the money faster than they got it. I should always remember to keep working. The second part said one won\u2019t be successful until everything owed is paid back, I have seen people who got rich on people\u2019s money become poor again, I have seen people who specialize in borrowing money and never paying back remain poor and unsuccessful. This second part reminded me that anything anybody gave me to pay back I should ensure I do pay back, without which I won\u2019t be truly successful. If I can\u2019t pay back immediately, at the least I should have a drafted payment plan with them to which I could payment back over a certain period. Naturally I hate borrowing and owing people anything, due to this fact I avoid as much as humanly possible not being indebted to anyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cSuccess attracts more success while failure attracts more failure; striving for success makes you better able to attain it, doing nothing and accepting failure only brings more failure your way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When I read this my reaction was like wow this is absolutely true, succeeding at something gives you confidence that you can do it again, thereby attracting more of the same or much better successes, because if you analyze the path you took, you may see different ways of doing something better, improving on it and on yourself by extension. So, when you are successful you will know success is possible, know its achievable and know you can achieve it. The Knowledge of success builds strength and character in an individual which will help in attracting more of the same success. This same principle follows failure, the more you fail the more you will attract failure because of the state of your mind. Therefore, like the author said striving for success makes us better able to attain it, if we eventually fail, we should try to rise up and try again.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cThe value of wealth that comes with success is that it carries with it the lessons you have learned in acquiring it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The phrase is very true, why did I say that? because any success or wealth you acquired comes with lessons, paths and precautions you took to achieve them, I remember a quote \u201c if I lost all my wealth I can make them back because I know how I did it\u201d that is why success is journey which you can retrace your step and get it again. When we are acquiring wealth, we should not look for get rich quick scheme, we should not look for easy way out or pay our way to achieve it. Hard work pays and it gives one a sense of fulfillment that they achieve it. If we acquire wealth through success the lessons learn will stay with us and passed to many generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cNo one mind is complete by itself, all truly great minds have been reinforced through contact with others that allowed them to grow and expand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase means that no man is an island of knowledge, all the great minds we know where reinforced directly or indirectly by another great mind, we should therefore not isolate ourselves or seclude ourselves from learning from others, there is no one that knows it all, therefore we should always keep an open mind to learn from others, seek out knowledge, learn to listen to other great minds. We humans sometimes tern to be intimated by others who are more brilliant than us. I have learnt to be intrigued by great minds, I love meeting people who have great wisdom so I could learn from them, the more we share our knowledge and learn from others the greater and wiser we will be. Learning should be a continuous process for anyone who wants to be a leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cPersonal ambition must be subordinate to the fulfillment and successful achievement of the definite purpose of the alliance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned this principle when I tried to form alliance for the summit, I and all the team members had to put our personal ambitions on hold to see to the success of the event. For the purpose of achieving a definite purpose I will learn to let go of personal gains and ambition. If we all learn this, we stand a better chance of achieving success.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book reinforces the lessons learnt in success through PMA, it has helped me to understand better the 17 principles of success and with steps guide on implementing them. The part that will help me the most in making the world better is forming mastermind alliance, learning to work with other great minds in harmony for the achievement of a common objective. The book has help me to refocus on having a pleasant personality and realizing my personality can be my greatest asset or a liability, also helping me to build a personality that is an asset. Each chapter of the book has a been a great lesson for working towards success, it will serve as my weekly reflection and pocket guide. I have decided to take each principle on my self care day and meditate on it. Using it for self-analysis and changing what needs to be changed to become a better me. By becoming a much better person I will be able to affect my society and immediate environment in a more positive way and in extension the world at large.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what you wish to say, say it with all the feelings you command, and then sit down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes we suppress what we want to say because we feel we may not make sense, but the truth is I should know what I want to say, while remembering that what I say is as important as how I say it and my expression when saying it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you understand yourself, you will be better able to understand others, and they will appreciate you for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me that self-knowledge is very important, because we tend to judge others based on our image of ourselves, or through the filters of how we see ourselves. If I understand myself, in sync with myself and know what I constitute I will increase the possibilities of listening and understanding other people, this will create a better relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour best recommendation is the one you give yourself by rendering superior services in the right mental attitude.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that every time I render a service to someone, I am being given the privileged to tell the kind of person I am. Nobody will ever forget how you treated them or handle a particular thing for them. If I render superior service to others and with the right attitude, they will surely recommend my services to others. I remember one hairdresser I met some time ago; she was a grumpy woman and complained about everything, despite the fact that she was good, I stopped going there and I won\u2019t recommend anyone to go there because of her attitude. So, when we are rendering services, we should not forget to do it with a pleasing attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrust yourself and you will always have someone to rely on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is very important because if we don\u2019t trust ourselves who else can we trust. This meant to me that I should build myself to point where I can depend on me, I learned this quite early in life that I am the only person that can fight for me, help me, change my life and achieve success, I have picked myself up so many times that I have lost count of it. So, I may not have anyone around but I know I will always have me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo the extra mile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned through this like in PMA to always do a little more than expected, give a little more of my time. Work a little harder, care a little more. Most of us stop at doing exactly what we are paid for, but I have learnt to work a little longer, study a little more and pray a little more. These little more can be make a major difference and can bring in the success I need in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember no one can win all of the time, no matter how much he deserves it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this really spoke to me, you can do all that is necessary, work hard and put in more than what is required or do your best for a particular thing or to achieve a better result still, it just won\u2019t give you the result needed. Having this understanding will help us keep on, keep fight and keep on doing the good things we are doing. This took my mind back to the time I was bent on weight loss, I was eating right, exercising and drinking the right amount water, but the weight was just not coming off, I didn\u2019t just up and give up I kept at it. Soon I got the result I needed but it wasn\u2019t an easy thing to do. I know that there will be times where the input does not equal output, I have learnt to keep working and not give up, a win is always around the bend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPositive mental attitude attracts success you need that attraction when coping with defeat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This saved as a remind that if I have a positive mental attitude, I will have a better chance to cope with defeat whenever I face them. Yes, this is true, I have learnt to do this every day and every year when appraisal at work comes, I won\u2019t get any promotion or any additional increment in spite of all the efforts I have put in for the organization. This is always a major defeat and set back. But I have learnt to have a positive attitude about it, I will get a new job which will pay me better for the services I am rendering. PMA has helped me survive and its helping be look forward a better offer while still giving my best to the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing will happen in your life that you do not inspire by your own initiative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since we are creators and have the power to create our world, anything that happens came as a result of that creative power. We inspire the things we see in our lives, if we don\u2019t like things we are seeing in our lives we should change our thoughts and what we fix our minds on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCreative vision is the power which inspires development of personal initiative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Having a creative vision will inspire one to take necessary steps and actions towards achieve them or making it a reality. To develop my personal initiative, I need to work on creating a worthwhile vision. Having a creative vision will develop my imagination and will help me in taking steps daily to create that vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day, in every way, I am getting better and better!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This a good self-motivator or self-start I use to build my excitement level and keep myself focused on my goals, yes I am really getting better in several ways, if I don\u2019t remind myself of this fact I may shift my focus to counting the things that are not moving as expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Cosmic habit force is the law which makes every living creature, every particle of matter subject to the influence of its environment. It can work for or against you”<\/span><\/p>\n

We have this cosmic power round us and how we use it matters a lot, the choice is mine on how I channel it, either for it to work for me or for it to work against me, but I will rather it works for me. And intend to fully channel it in that direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t waste your time or your money. Ten percent of all you earn is yours to keep and invest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me that Both my time and money are important none should be wasted. I have learnt to effectively schedule my time against important tasks, responsibilities and time for myself. I have never been a spending freak, I learnt budgeting and financial planning early in life and I practice it. I am a big saver, but I need to go a step further in investing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, I completed it<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span>
\nPlease rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Success through a Positive Mental Attitude<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book brought out the fact that a positive mental attitude, coupled with the right habits and right approach to our goals will help us achieve anything we set out to achieve and by doing so that we can be truly successful.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cYou have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying. Success is achieved and maintained by those who keep trying with PMA.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By applying the principles of always seeing the best side of everything we have absolutely nothing to lose, this bring to my mind one of Les self-help speech, what is the worst thing that could happen, which is it not working. But in actual truth there is a lot to benefit from in having and developing a positive mental attitude. In the periods I\u2019ve been on this I found myself happier, more excited about life, more positive and more focused. I self-motivated with some of the self-start phrases. How much I accomplish in life and how well I do directly correlated with how well I nurture my PMA and principles learnt in this book. Like a magnet drawing metallic objects to it, developing this skill of positivity will inevitably draw prosperity to me. There is so much I could do and I know I can achieve successes. Yes, one the success I achieved during the period I read this book was hosting my first every virtual summit. I had a lot of thoughts on how\/why it would not work, but I applied the principle of having a positive mindset and wow it was indeed a big success.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cBut when our attitude towards ourselves is big, and our attitude towards others is generous and merciful, we attract big and generous portions of success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This brought to my mind the bible principle that says love your neighbor as yourself, that is loving our neighbors to degree of how I love myself. Therefore, if I don\u2019t love myself there is no way I can love my neighbor. A big part of success is our attitude to ourselves when we fail because no matter how successful we are you will have had some failures to get to where we are. Having a generous attitude towards our self-whilst failing is vitally important because it\u2019s at the point of failure that blame, self-doubt, guilt and negativity can consume us, this can change our attitude towards others. I have read many books on leadership that lays emphasis on the fact that how we treat others is a direct reflection on who we are. True success come from the impact we make on other people\u2019s lives. This knowledge has helped changed my attitude towards people, I am now more friendly, social, nice and kind. His perspective has kept me fulfilled, happy and satisfied which is to me a great success.<\/span>
\niii. \u201cA person with positive mental attitude aims for high goals and constantly strives to achieve them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When we have a positive mental attitude, when can achieve all that we want to achieve, because we have this inner belief that we can and we will. With PMA we can set higher goals, aim higher and see it become a reality. I am was never really a person that set goals or aim high, I\u2019ve never really set a target to achieve, what I do I give my best, work hard, work smart, put in the required efforts and wait for the results. Now I set a target for a goal to which I want to achieve work towards it, celebrate the little wins, when I have achieved the goal, I can really look back a see the steps I took to achieve them with it comes to confidence that I can do anything. I am no longer satisfied setting an average goal, there is a burning desire in me to aim for higher and higher goals, and I know I can achieve them all.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cSow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This bring spoke to me that all my little actions can grow progressively into something major, the things I know I should be doing and don\u2019t do coupled with the things that I am doing that I should not are actively influencing my immediate surroundings, my attitude and my treatment of people. My habits reflects my action, now this also has a trail, if my character is not right, then we should take a look at what my habits are that gave birth to that character, if the habits is found to be faulty then we should go back to analyze my actions, this is like a root cause analysis trying to troubleshoot and fix the faulty parts, if my actions are correct, my habits will be, my character also should and my destiny most assuredly will be a successful one. A whole lot lies on my little actions, the for I should watch them closely, very closely because my destiny is birth from them.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cMy mistake was being with the wrong companions. My major sin was associating with people who were bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When we associate ourselves with the wrong company they may negatively influence us, this reminded me to always look at my friends attitude, their outlook in life, and their focus, if they have negative mental attitude I need to change them, so their NMA does not rub off on me. There is a phrase that says if 5 of your friends are broke the 6th will be you, if 5 of your friends are wealthy the 6th will also be you. Great caution should be observed with all those we let into our lives. A popular preacher once said where a bad friend is, a thousand good friends are not enough. Therefore, our association is of utmost importance.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cWith each victory you grow in wisdom, stature, and experience. You become a better, bigger, more successful person each time you meet a problem and tackle and conquer it with PMA.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With every success that comes our way, comes with the knowledge and confidence that we can do it, and that we can win. We grow in wisdom as we face challenges and overcome them. There is a popular saying that experience is the best teacher. When we overcome problems or find a solution to issues we grow in confidence, we grow in knowledge and we can also guide others through it. My journey in life has not been an easy one, but with all the setbacks and obstacles I have a big attitude and positive outlook that I can only get better, life at this point for me can only get better and better. As I look back through the years, I am much better, I have more influence, I am making more impact. I have gone a very long way from that timid, shy and fearful little girl. I know there is nothing I can\u2019t win. Therefore, anything that comes I will just say \u201cBring it on\u201d I will win. And if by chance I don\u2019t, I will rise up and try again.<\/span>
\nvii. \u201cHe experienced happiness in making them happy without teaching them to be happy by making others happy. Therefore, they made him unhappy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me that most times we know all the right things and right attitude and we behave well, but forget to pass the same to our children, friends and family, I have tried to educate my family especially my younger sister on having a PMA, even my friends, I don\u2019t want to get to a place where I am doing well and they are not, I try as much as possible to share my books with them, this is my way of experiencing happiness with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has helped me in keeping a \u201cPMA – the talisman.\u201d Every time I repeat the words, I am Happy. I am Healthy, I am Terrific. There is natural excitement and thrill that fills my heart. It has helped me remember that I am unique and the most important person, I have also learned the power of attracting happiness, also it has helped me in changing my attitude towards people, I\u2019ve been kinder, nicer and much more friendly.<\/span>
\n\u201cLearning to see\u201d and \u201cGetting things done\u201d are just a few examples of changes that I have easily applied to my everyday life and it will help me become more successful in my job and personal life.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have been able to organize trainings that will help people become better. I\u2019ve been more focused and organized. Going forward I will endeavor to do more than expected, work harder, apply positive mental attitude to every phase of my life. I will set higher goals and work towards achieving them. I will achieve success as I have a positive outlook towards life, even when trouble comes that is good because I will find solutions to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your mind on the things you should and do want and off the things you shouldn’t and don’t want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When I read this phrase, what can to my mind was that we are always very sure of what we don\u2019t want but when we are asked what we want, we all seem to be at a lost. So, I told myself if I could think of the things I don\u2019t want and attract them, its now time to actually think of those things I really want. I really have nothing to lose in having this mind set.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA mind composed of two parts: the conscious and the subconscious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This take my mind back to Psycho-cybernetics that our mind has to parts, that we should develop it to the point where the subconscious mind takes over. This was just a great reminder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFailure is experienced by those who, when they experience defeat, stop trying to find the something more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When we fail it\u2019s not a failure but if we stop trying that is when we have really failed. I have not really experienced major failures in life because I always work towards success. The phrase makes me to understand that if ever I encounter failure, I should find ways to try again. Truly I have never ventured into anything with the mind that I will fail and I always achieve my goals irrespective of the obstacles I meet on my way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make your mental attitude make you a has-been.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is very important because our mental attitude can make us become forgotten, this reminded me of a time I was diagnosed of optic neuritis, I felt so bad and wanted so much to die, hated my life and willed myself to dead. But the moment I changed my attitude that only one eye is affected that my other eye is still functional, I started recovering. So, our mental attitude can make our lives worse than it actually is and it can make our lives so much better than it is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo the extra mile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned through this to always do a little more, give a little more of my time. Work a little harder, care a little more. That little more can be make a major difference and can bring in the success I need in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have a worthwhile objective, find the one reason why you can achieve it rather than hundreds of reasons why you can’t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It is always the human nature to find the thousand reasons why a thing or relationship or project will not work. I have determined now that in everything I will always look for reasons why it will work even if it just one reason I will hold onto that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry as you will to avoid payment for your good deed blessings and rewards will be showered upon you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Most times we human always try to get payment for all the things we do and have done for people, I particularly hate this act as it\u2019s so predominant in Nigeria, to change this I organize free trainings, summits, seminar and webinars with my money and no sponsors. I have been guest speakers in several events for which I spoke for free, I have this mind that if it will change a life, I will do it. Payment has never and will never be a motivation for me to do good to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShare that which is good and desirable and withhold that which is bad and undesirable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always had this mind that I should not be the doom bringer, I should not be the reason someone is sad. This quote spoke to me that I should always strife to do good to others. The bible says give and it will come back to you good measures pressed down and shaken together, therefore if I do good, share good things and good attitude they will all definitely come back to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharacter is the cornerstone in building and maintaining success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This let me know that if I want to succeed and maintain the success, I need to have the right character, because character births a destiny, Myles Monroe said those who failed in leadership were those who failed in dealing with their character. Therefore, our character is very important and essential in being successful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat which you share with others will multiply and that which you withhold will diminish!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reminded me that if I want happiness I should there share it. What I share will multiply, this reminds me of the bible verse that says, he that scattered shall greatly multiply, he that will hold even the little has shall be taken away. As much as I can and have, I should try to share it with others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA failure uses up as much energy in his work at failing as a successful person uses in winning success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When I read this, I was amazed because this is very true, we all have the same amount of time, the difference between that person failing and the person winning is just their mental attitude,<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo learn one must pay the price. And I was willing to pay it for I was not taught.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing good comes easy, I should be willing to make sacrifices necessary to learn what I have not been taught, leadership is something I was never taught, I am willing to pay the price the learn and also teach others about it. But before I can be able to teach effectively, I must pay the necessary price to learn about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, there was, I completed it and it help know my level in having the right mental attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Awaken the Giant Within<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author gave us a guideline on how we could transform ourselves into our ideal image. He showed us how to master our body, emotions, relationships, money and our life, how we can change ourselves into the man or woman that we\u2019ve always dreamed we could be, he provides an overall practical steps which anyone can follow to identify his\/her purpose in life, take control and steer the ship of our destiny.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cBeliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that dis-empowers them or one that can save their lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand that we all have the ability to use our experiences to create something positive or to make it stop us from achieving what is possible, an example is a child that was a victim of sexual abuse, this child can grow up thinking all men\/women wants their body, they can go ahead either to rape other children or sell themselves out to anyone, some can grow to hate the other sex the abused them. But they also have the ability to rise above all these, and use their experience to fight against abuse, heal and still live life to the fullest. Knowing this fact that we can take any experience and build on it in ways that will save our lives, we should focus on making positive things that can save our lives not ones that will dis-empower us.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cWhat we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true ability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me that everything lies in our belief of our self. What we tell ourselves we can do, that is exactly what we will do, what we belief we can\u2019t do, that is exactly what we will not be able to do. I remember when I started jogging, I will give myself a target that I will go four miles and back, but after two miles, it will be as if I can\u2019t make it to the third mile talk less of the fourth mile, I will tell myself just one more step you can and you will, I can and will, and I made the fourth mile and back. If I had listened to the way my body was screaming stop! I would have given up long before the third mile. This goes to show that whom we belief we are is who we will become, and what we belief we can do is what we will do.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cThe secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you\u2019re in control of your life. If you don\u2019t life controls you.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis phrase let me understand that pains control and consume us that is if we let it and making us unable to achieve great things because of pains, not only pains, pleasure too can make us do things we aren\u2019t supposed to do. Like someone who is on drugs, the pleasure that they feel when they use these drugs can control their ability to limit or know that these drugs are harmful to their health. If we don\u2019t know how to use our pains and pleasure to build ourselves for success, it has the power to limit and control us. Truly life can\u2019t be without pains and pleasure, they are essential component of life. life won\u2019t always come with pleasure, at some point we will experience pains, ability to rise above all pains and pleasure and allowing none of these two things to be a determining factor of actions is a sure path towards success, giving us true control over our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cEvery day stand guard at the door of your mind, and you alone decide what thoughts and beliefs you let into your life. For they will shape whether you feel rich or poor, cursed or blessed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reechoed the bible verse that says guard your heart with all diligence, watching what we feed our minds is very important, because it will determine if we are happy or sad. Why it is important that, one negative word or negative energy or negative thoughts can crash our carefully planned out day. We should always learn to watch what thought we allow dominate our minds daily. Nights I don\u2019t sleep happens because of the things I allow my mind to dwell on. Therefore, I guard my mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cCreate a vision and never let the environment, other people\u2019s beliefs, or the limits of what has been done in the past shape your decisions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Crafting our life vision is mapping a path to our personal freedom. The harsh reality is that if we don’t develop our own vision, we’ll allow other people and circumstances to direct the vision that we choose. We should never let anything or anyone stop us from drafting and creating a good vision for ourselves, visions of the life we want, the home we want to live in , the car we want to drive, the career path we want to follow and also the impact we want to have in our generation. If we allow our environment or our past or peoples beliefs to shape our decisions we will never discover what is really possible, I always love to say if I had listened to all the things people told me is not possible or had listened to those who said I am just a woman I would not have finished school neither would I have done anything worthwhile.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIf you don\u2019t set a baseline standard for what you\u2019ll accept in life, you\u2019ll find it\u2019s easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that\u2019s far below what you deserve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have heard this phrase in many different ways, like Lisa Nichols said we have to teach them how to treat us by the way we handle and treat ourselves. If we don\u2019t set the standard for ourselves, we will find that we will be willing to accept whatever comes our way or settle for far less than what we actually deserve. We all should have our own little rules that determine what does and doesn\u2019t make us happy, and what we will or will not accept. However, all too often we make up rules where we give away control. For example, \u201cI\u2019ll be so happy if my boss tells me I did a great job with this presentation.\u201d is not a good rule to have, because I hand over my happiness to my boss, whom I can\u2019t control, if my boss criticizes the presentation he will shatter my confidence and my peace of mind. So first if I want a better life, I should make up better rules. We should create standards on that things we can accept and not accept, because if we don\u2019t clearly define these standards someone will come along and change them for us.<\/span>
\nvii. \u201cYou see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From this phrase I learnt what all the past books I\u2019ve read since joining this program tried to put forward, that knowledge is productive when actions are taken on the gained knowledge. So many people know what they should do, but they are not doing it, it is very easy to stay down, but to rise to the top we must take action. Success is achievable if we decide we want to succeed, deciding is not the only thing needed it just the foundation, then we should start doing something towards succeeding. If we do nothing then nothing happens, if we do something then we expect a lot to happen. My quest to be the most sort after voice on leadership was a decision, I made one day to myself. After deciding that, I took action by learning from different leaders like John. C. Maxwell, Miles Monroe and Simon Sinek, and the quest also landed me here in IIGL. I am not only learning; I have taken a step to share my knowledge with others. These are actions I have consistently taken since I made the decision and like I said a lot has happened in the last Eight months. Knowing is not enough we should act.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily <\/span>personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has helped me focus on making better decisions in my life, not only that, I have been able to change some decisions and follow through with actions.<\/span>
\nI\u2019ve been able to create rules that make me feel amazing and that do not rely on events that are beyond my control. An example of one of my rules is \u201cif I can complete this work today, I will give myself a cup of wine and relax with my favorite book.\u201d This rule is totally dependent on me, and my ability to discipline myself to complete the work. With these rules have been able to avoid disappointment since the rules depend on internal events and on me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Daily I carry out self-analysis by asking myself questions and providing answers, then I will focus on areas that I need to create changes, then make decisions on what I should do to move forward. Also have been able to constantly check my mind and ensure I have the right thoughts. This book wasn\u2019t a book to just read through, at some points during the reading process I\u2019ll stop and meditate on a particular thing that I read. Even though most of the principles have been talked about in others books and though I may not apply or use all that have been made available in this book, I will ensure that I consistently keep taking actions on my visions and work towards creating tomorrow that I desire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn\u2019t trying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me realize that I may think my progress is slow, the things I want are not happening, It may look as if nothing is working, I should just know for trying, acquiring the knowledge, and seeking ways of developing myself I am far ahead of those who are not doing anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA real decision is measured by the fact that you\u2019ve taken a new action. If there\u2019s no action, you haven\u2019t truly decided.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like I mention in the last phrase in question 1 this was just a reminder that if I make I decision I should ensure to follow through with an equivalent action that will validate the decision taken. Because if I did not follow through with an action there was no point making the decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote has been reechoed in so many different forms, but they still mean the same thing that whatever I can conceive in my mind hold it there and hand it over to my subconscious or meditate on I will achieve it and experience it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you\u2019ll achieve the same results.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote means to me that whatever I want to achieve has already been achieved by someone, I should find them, study their path and things they did and apply their principles, surely I will achieve the same result or much better if I am able to recognize their pitfalls and overcome them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you do what you\u2019ve always done, you\u2019ll get what you\u2019ve always gotten.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This meant to me that I can\u2019t keep doing the same old things, the same old way and expect a different result, that won\u2019t just happen. If I want a different result from what I am getting I should change my methods, change my process and change my actions then the result I am seeking can be achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you consistently think about and focus upon you move toward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote spoke to me that whatever I consistent focus my mind and attention on that is what I will become and achieve, this also meant to me that I should be very careful of what I allow my mind to dwell on, because if I let negative things dwell on my mind they are hundred percent bound to happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your unlimited power to create and to love that can make the biggest difference in the quality of your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is very practical and I simple, I want a certain life them I should create it, because I have the infinite power to do that, I can change my life, I can have everything I ever desired, how? Be using the infinite power of my mind to create it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOut of your deepest pain will come your greatest gifts, but this can only happen when you take control of the meaning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote meant that we sometimes find our purpose through our pains, I have been a victim of bad leaders and toxic environment, instead of me playing a victim to my pains, I rose above it by studying about the right kind of leadership and moving forward to train others on it. If was never a victim I would not of found my greats gift or passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever the site of setting a goal without first taking some form of positive action towards its attainment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote was just a reminder that I should remember if I sit down to set a goal. I should take steps towards achieving them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUsing the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote meant that if I could use the power of decision, I can change any part of my life, without giving in to excuses. Actually, excuses are just little reasons we give not to act on our decisions. If I can decide on an area, I need change, I can create that change in an instant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote taught me that the only way I can give back to life for all the privileges, opportunities and responsibilities I have received is by becoming more, better and achieving more than the normal. Normal is easy, just live, just exist, but to give back I need to put in the effort needed to become more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCreate a vision and never let the environment, other people\u2019s beliefs, or the limits of what has been done in the past shape your decisions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded that I should let nothing on earth stop me from creating a vision and working to achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will act consistently with our view of who we truly are, whether that view is accurate or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this that the picture in our minds about ourselves determines how we act, this also corresponded with psycho cybernetics that if we hold a wrong mental image of ourselves, we will constantly work to validate that, the same happens when we hold a correct picture of ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor changes to be of any true value, they\u2019ve got to be lasting and consistent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote taught me that if I make changes only for a week, a month or year is not of worthy value, a change should be a lifetime journey not a destination, any changes I want to effect I should consistently work on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true when I decided to focus on my speaking career, things changed dramatically. We mostly don\u2019t know how to focus, we tend to drift from here to there, but if we can focus on what we want or the changes we envisioned then we can achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I\u2019m committed to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This question quote made me look into my daily life and ask myself, what am I doing today, what am I studying today and what are the changes I need to achieve today so I can create the tomorrow I dream of. By asking and answering these questions I can see areas that needs shifting and changes to create what I want tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life\u2019s deepest joy: true fulfillment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me that whatever contribution I want to make in life I should ensure to do it selflessly and with sincerity, that only then will I receive true fulfillment, this is absolutely true, all the trainings I\u2019ve organized so far have been free because I want to help others achieve success in life, people always ask me what is my gain and I laugh, my greatest gain is being fulfilled that someone found his\/her path because of the little I gave out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute, that gives meaning to our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly this quote true, what gave meaning to my life is going out there to train, encourage and motivate others; It\u2019s not in the certificates I have gathered, it\u2019s not in the money I get, it being able to become a better person and contribute positively to life that brought meaning to my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you<\/span>
\ncomplete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/p>\n

No, it did not have any.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Creating your Path through Leadership<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book is a compilation of directors and students\u2019 transformation journey through their being tutored at IIGL. Their achievements, how the vision of the institute was birth, the graduate\u2019s experiences and thoughts on the life they have lived and their successes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cIf we want to feel we are victims, we have that freedom and people will constantly abuse us. We also have the freedom to reframe each of our experiences and see how they have helped us to stretch and grow in wisdom and maturity. We can choose to see each situation happening to us or for us. It’s our choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand that we have the will and power to determine what we feel, that what we feel as individuals also detect how others will treat us, this is the law of attraction. This fact is totally dependent on us. We also have the ability to reshape our experiences, life is filled with diverse kinds of experiences, how we use it and what we make of it will determine whether we will be successful or not. We also have the ability to choose what happens around us, not only that we have ability to shape our situations and make it a positive one instead of negative. I have learnt to look for lessons in my experiences, see how I can grow and stretch to become better than I was. Life hasn\u2019t always brought good experiences my way, but in spite of all these I have learnt to use my experience to become more focused, more dedicated and more knowledgeable in those things that seek to cripple me. Yes, what we feel and how we shape our lives is our choice, we have to make this choice diligently every day. For every experience we need to ask ourselves; what is this teaching me, what can. I pick from this and how do change myself so this doesn\u2019t happen again.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cDiscovering your leadership potential is a journey, not a onetime discovery. It is something you keep working on and unveiling with time.\u201d<\/span>
\nMost people go through life thinking that leadership is about title or it just happen one day when you get appointed as something, or its about being the head of a thing. Actually, being a leader requires more than just having a position, neither does it have a final destination. It is a daily journey, journey of self-discovery, journey of self-development and journey of self-empowerment. No one has ever slept and woke up a leader, it a process one has to keep working on, keep discovering and keep readjusting oneself self to suit it. I have been studying about leadership since 2012, till date, I have not stopped learning and I am not a master, because I keep on discovering different aspect of leadership that I never knew. Leadership is a school where no one ever graduates because the more you learn, the more you realize you know nothing, that keeps us working on it. Some people will just read a book or attend one seminar and think they have arrived, that they are now a leader. No leadership is much more than one lecture, one book or one seminar, my mentor always say Leadership is a language, they earlier you learn to speak it the more successful and fluent you will be at it.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cYou must be intentional about the kind of impact you want to create in the world. Influence does not happen by chance but, rather, the intention to be part of the solution rather than the problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase let me understand that to impact the world I will to be intension, I always love to say \u201cno one will give you a stage to dance, create your own stage and invite others to dance with you.\u201d Being a leader means we can\u2019t just drift through life with no purpose. Impact or influence. Having influence doesn\u2019t just happen, we have to work hard to distinguish ourselves by making positive impact in the world. Lets always look for ways to meet needs, solve a problem and be a solution finder. if we truly want to have a positive influence, we should be intentional in our development, because we definitely can\u2019t give out what we don\u2019t have, because it will be out of what we have in the inside of us that we can give to others. Making positive impact should be our goals in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cThe people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your vision and manifestation of your potential, as you will be continually challenged to aim higher, thereby expanding your capacities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase brought to my mind a popular quote, Jim Rohn said \u201dthat you are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with,\u201d if you have 4 friends and all of them are broke, the fifth broke person will be you, if you have four friends and all of them are rich, the fifth rich person will be you. This also brought out that if you spend time with wise people you will end up being wise. If you look at your circle and don\u2019t get inspired to grow beyond yourself, then you don\u2019t have a circle, you have a cage. The people we surround ourselves with daily have a considerable influence over our mindset and in turn our visions. Joe Larson said \u201cmy friends didn\u2019t believe I could become a successful speaker, so I did something about it. I went out and found some new friends\u201d. Therefore, it is essential to surround ourselves with people who push us to be better than we were yesterday, who believe in our vision and who help us become a better version of our self.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cA mentor can teach you in a single moment what would have taken a lifetime to learn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is actually very true mentors help us to maximize our potential, develop our skills, improve our performance and become a better person than we would have been on our own. Since most of the people we choose as our mentors are people who have achieve the things we want to achieve, they are better able to guide us through the right path, they can help us to avoid pitfalls that they scaled through. So truly a mentor can teach us in just a moment what we can spend our entire life to learn. I remember an incident with one of my mentors, I was at a cross between two paths I should have taken, I want to do a training which would have taken me 9 months to save up for it, since my mentor is someone very vast in the area I ask him which path I should take, he didn\u2019t come out straight to tell me don\u2019t do the training now, he just told me a very simple parable, letting me understand in not so many words that it was not a good idea to go for the training. Everyone needs and should have at least a mentor.<\/span>
\nvi. \u201cLeaders are readers and influence others only to the level of their own competence. You cannot lead people where you have not been.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is very true, reading as been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Since leadership is about learning and growing, I don\u2019t see how this can be achieved without taking out time to read, I told myself one if John Maxwell at his and all his achievements can still read who am I not pick up a book and read. Truly anyone who wants to lead most learn to read, because if you are not reading you are not growing, and if you are not growing you are actually dying. Leaders who don\u2019t read are diminish their circle of influence, like I said earlier leadership is a daily in which no one ever graduates, how can we expect to excel in a school if we are not reading and studying. Tony Robbins said he has read over seven hundred books, look out where he is now and the things he has achieved, can we say he is a leader? Sure! Because out of the abundance of books read birth the man he is today. Even if you are not a reader naturally, it can be learned, don\u2019t think of reading a whole book a day, start with just a page and build up from there. This book I finish it in just 2 hours. I re-read it again to pick phrases that spoke to me. I essence I read this book twice in 3 hours, it did happen overnight I have been reading since I was 10 years old.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cIf you must live ahead of your peers, you should learn to put to full use your imaginative mind; it is a tool that will give you the ticket to welcome your peers to tomorrow and to the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From this phrase I learned if one wants to be what no one has been before, then one has to do what no one has done. We all have our peer groups, consciously or unconsciously we compete among ourselves, but for us to get ahead and be ahead of the pack we must learn how to be innovative and creative. We need to smart work and creatively seek ways of advancing. Those who moved ahead of their peers are those who discovered their passion are stayed faithful to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

After reading the individual journey stories, it has motivated me to keep on working, I am now more committed to work towards my graduating from the institute, because if they could achieve it, then I too can and will. Looking at reading 35 books is very scaring even to an addicted ready like me, because I will submit summary. I love reading with no time frame on it, now I have to be more consistent. This book has vamp up my determination to push through on the program, and also in bringing in other people to also study, true leaders find the way, go the way and show others how to go the way, the books I have read so far in the institute has help me to improve the quality of my daily life. Therefore, as much as I can I will encourage others to join the Institute, I believe if they do, they will experience the same transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGod hears every prayer, even the upspoken dreams, in the depth of silent nights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is absolutely true that God answers all prayers, this I have seen in my life several times, no matter how silently one whispers it, he surely hears and will answer. I remember a time 10 years I needed a laptop, I prayed for it, but it looked as if it was going to be impossible to get it. Anytime I save up money for it, one crisis will come up and the money will be gone. But I prayed to God that he has the power to give me a laptop I did not buy with my money. Just when I had given up hope on getting it, God surprised me with it and I didn\u2019t pay a dime for it. the most amazing part of this story is that I asked him for a type of laptop none of my colleagues had, and he did it. Truly and most assuredly God Answers Prayers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cConviction is that compelling force or drive that makes a leader stick to his decision at all times and yet still be adaptable to ensuing challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Conviction comprise of our value and beliefs, our convictions empowers us to pull through with our decisions, even when we face very tough situations that make us want to pull back. But we should as leaders be open and ready to accept changes that brings progress. We should not be rigid in our convictions or beliefs; we should learn to give room for improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCreative leaders foresee change and prepare themselves and other team members in advance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From this quote I realize that it is necessary and essential for leaders to stay ahead of the pack, but not too far out so that the pack lose sight of the leader. John Maxwell said a leader knows the way, goes the way and show others how to go the way. Being a leader means you have to develop the ability to see an overall picture of events and then prepare your team for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne very important and invaluable trait in creative leaders is the ability to accept failure, as this quality reflects humility and, consequently, humanity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote really spoke to me leaders are not always right, as long as we are humans, we are bound to make mistakes and we will sometimes fail, therefore we should learn to accept failures, learn from them and move on. As leaders we should not let failure cripple us and stop us from achieving anything we want to achieve.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Volunteering is a way of giving back to the community while developing leadership skills and gaining valuable work experience, all at the same time.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This is very true the first speaking engagement I ever had was as a volunteer, I have come to value and look for opportunities to offer my services as a volunteer. To get to do things well we need to put ourselves out there to do it, sometimes, people won\u2019t give us the chance we need to show case our skills, but through volunteering we can learn and at the same time develop our skills to be effective leaders. Next time I see a volunteer work, I will volunteer and do it like a professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeaders who make great impacts in the world, build the leading businesses, and enjoy deeply fulfilling and successful lives all take responsibility for achieving their dreams.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true, if we don\u2019t take responsibility for making our dreams come to pass, then it will remain what it is: a dream. Every person we see successful today, every business we see and every thing we see anyone achieve today was once a dream to them, but when they owned their dreams and took responsibility for working it into reality, we can see what they have been able to achieve. For example, John Maxwell, Max Lucado, Myles Monroe, Les Brown, Lisa Nichols and a lot of others. Therefore, as leaders we should all take responsibility for achieving our dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo raise leaders for society, citizens should be encouraged to cultivate the habit of volunteering.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true, we should encourage our team members, friends and associates to volunteer, as this could be the only way we can gain the experiences that we need, Lisa Nichols said when she wanted to change her life, she could not afford to attend some seminars and training, she decided to volunteer in all of them. She was able to attend those seminars free and learn what she needed; therefore, we should encourage all those we are grooming to be leaders to learn to volunteer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI may not have control over what happens outside but I do have the control over what happens within.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, like Tony Robbins said in Awaken the Giant within, we have the power to determine what things mean to us. We can\u2019t stop the rain from falling but we have the power and ability to choose how we feel about the rain. The more control we have over what happens on our inside, the more the outside situation lose their control over us. This quote is an acceptance based on knowledge and understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, as we know, being an optimistic visionary isn\u2019t enough; evolution requires us to be manifesters of our visions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote meant to me that we need to make our vision real. That is we need to model our visions for others to see, if we don\u2019t model our vision it will not be real to other people and they may lack understanding of what it means or what it intends to accomplish, we should always try to make the vision simple and clear, ensuring to manifest the vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeaders have to be able to instill confidence in a group and do it in such a way that the group strongly wants to meet the goal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote re-emphasizes what I already know, that the aim of every leader is to inspire confidence in the team, how do one do this, show you trust and believe in them, show you care, show empathy and give them a listening ear. If we can do these few things, we will go a long way towards inspiring confidence in our team. But most important of all, encourage self-development, train them and push them to become better people, they will be highly motivated to work on the goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, it did not have.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 7<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Goal Setting 101<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author addressed the fundamentals of a goal. He centered the book on setting and achieving our goals, even when one has never done that before. He also offered in the book goal setting methods, insights and suggestions for everyone seeking their signature path to success. He brought out the idea to achieve success we must learn to set goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cAchievements and accomplishments do not happen accidentally. They are the result of clearly defined goals acted upon until completion. Goals determine what you will or will not become or accomplish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This truly spoke to me that nothing happens accidentally, I read somewhere that success comes to those who prepared for it. Anyone who had achieve any great thing had planned and prepared for it. Even the bible said who has ever built a house and has not sat down to count the cost. Therefore, if we want to achieve or accomplish anything we should sit down and clearly defined it. Our goals have the power to determine what we will accomplish and what we will not accomplish. Then we should look at setting accomplishable goals, measurable and clear. First, we should determine what we want to achieve then set a goal, and define the steps and procedures to be taken to accomplish it.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cIt is essential to understand that reality isn\u2019t necessarily going to be the way you wish things to be or the way they seem to be; reality is the way things actually are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me understand that often times what we get as our reality may not always be what we wished for, we should learn to accept the reality as the way things are, not necessarily because we have not done our best or that we have not set everything in place but the reality is just what it is \u201creality.\u201d This made me also realize that there are some things in our reality that for sometime will remain the same despite all our efforts to change things. This made me think of my reality now, 2011 I was among the best student in my school, my present company came to school to pick the best, fortunately as I thought then, out of all the students that were picked from my department, I was the only one that made it to the company Academy, even till date after several batches of trainees from that school. After a year training, I was among the 30 out 54 academy graduates employed by the company, the company employed me as a junior technician in 2012, over the last 6 years I\u2019ve proceeded on my education gotten a degree, approved by the company and I\u2019ve done several developmental trainings preparing me for the position of an engineer. But my reality right now is, for the years I\u2019ve worked for the company, there\u2019s never been a promotion, any increment nor have I been regularized to an engineer position, but my job responsibility was upgraded to the level of engineer. Does this mean I\u2019ve not done my best? No. does it mean I am not good at my job? No. I\u2019ve had my boss assign me the job of a manager and I executed it excellently. The reality is a toxic system does not value excellence and dose not reward diligence and hard work, the best is quit, which I look forward to when I\u2019ve fully gotten my NGO rolling. Reality therefore are just the way things are, which can always change positively.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cYou must be able to identify success or you won\u2019t have any way of monitoring your progress or knowing if you have achieved your goals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that I need to clearly define what success is to me, what does it entails, at what point can I clearly say I am successful. What and what are the embodiment of success, at what stage of my journey can I say I\u2019ve achieved success. When I\u2019ve been able to establish this land mark, I can go ahead to set goals, monitor my progress and know if I\u2019ve been able to achieve my goals. Like I read in Maximum Achievement one need to clearly see the end of the goal already accomplished, what it will look like, experiencing the emotions that come with the achieving the goal, then go backward and start the goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cEverything Counts!\u201d is a philosophy for living. Its meaning is simple, yet powerful: Every thought, decision, and action moves you closer to or further from your goals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand that every thought count, So I try to make it an empowering thought, there is a constant stream of thoughts going through our heads at all times and it is having immense impact on the decisions we make and the actions we take. We should also remember that every choice counts. There are no insignificant choices, no neutral actions. Even the smallest decision has a bottom-line consequence, leading us toward or away from our goals. Choices are the meat of our daily diet. Our quality of life is a direct reflection of the quality of the decisions we’ve made up to this moment. Good choices move us to desirable actions. Our life immediately points “true north” when we begin making choices that lead us toward what we want to achieve. Everything is important, every little and major thing. Knowing this, I\u2019ve learned to watch my actions or inactions, put conscious thoughts in my head that pushes me closer to my goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cThe effective goal setter is not content to make the most of what happens to come his way. They devise, invent, and create situations tailored to their strengths.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand myself more, I have never been content accepting things that comes my way, I try to create things tailored towards my goals and see how I can work on my strength. I focus on my positives, I love teaching and motivating people, therefore I create events, I collaborate with others to create an avenue where developmental trainings can go on. I set goals towards bringing my strength to light, enhancing it to complete utilization of my skills. Currently working on creating a leadership training programs for children between the ages of 6 to 13, reaching them while they are still very young and teaching them to have a success mind set, I am not comfortable with the way things are, I wish I had the privileged to learn or that I was taught some things I\u2018ve learned now much earlier in life, it would have guided me towards a different direction. This program is centered around my strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIt is essential to know what your working platform is in order to develop purposeful goals. If you work for someone other than yourself, you must know what you want before you can know if your job can give it to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is very true, and it\u2019s also my greatest career mistake which I am hoping to correct. I join my currently company not knowing exactly what I wanted or where I wanted to be, I was just a young undergraduate with moons in my eyes, but I knew one thing for certain, that any organization I worked for I will get to the top, after I started working with this my organization everything was rosy or so I thought, but because I had no idea of what I wanted, I was comfortable with all that was going on. After I left the system to further my studies, I realized a lot of things about the system were wrong, but I had an agreement with the company to come back to them, it was now when I came back, knowing exactly what I wanted, did I realized I signed up with an organization the can not help me meet my developmental goals. This has made me seek for knowledge outside the system, I am more than where my organization has placed me, I am brilliant, intelligent, team worker and smart worker. Having this knowledge now has empowered me to look critical at offers from other organizations, I need a place where I can grow in my career, working in an organization that keeps people for 10 to 12 years on the same position and salary has taught me a lot about work-culture, and I am not willing to ex-change one toxic system for another. If I had known exactly what I wanted I would have recognized early that this is not where I should be, but I stayed to long before I figured that out, and now I can\u2019t just up and quit.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cNothing of any lasting value was ever created by someone who was reasonable. It is the unreasonable people, those discontented with the status quo, the dreamers and visionaries who nevertheless have their feet planted firmly on solid ground who improve people\u2019s lives and advance society.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me that being reasonable should not be the goal of any dreamer who is working towards accomplishing a great feat. Those who achieved great things, questioned what was accepted as normal, they were viewed as unreasonable and they were discontent with the way things were. Dreamers and visionaries see what is possible out of the mountain of impossibilities before them; they have their feet mounted on the solid ground of improving peoples lives. This phrase brought to my mind great leaders like the Patriarch Nelson Mandela he saw that the South African can live as free people, own their lands and lives, He questioned the status quo, he was discontent with what was generally accepted, he knew from the law that all are equal and he took a stand against it. Sure he was really unreasonable and strong headed but he was a dreamer and a visionary who changed not only his life but freed millions of South Africans.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has made me to write down my goals for the first time in my life, I am not a big fan of writing or putting things down on paper, my goals are usually in my head, but through reading this book I\u2019ve been able to draft out where I want to be, the type of job I want and my financial goal for the next six months. I know these goals may not be perfectly drafted out, but its flexible enough to be improved and modified as time goes by. Setting goals is a new step for me and I am learning to grow on it. I\u2019ve worked on setting daily goals, I set goals on what I want to achieve on my job daily and at the end of the day I check my progress. Over last weekend I set a goal of the work I need to accomplished at home, even though I threw in some unplanned work along the line but at the end of the day, I was able to look back and saw that I had accomplished all my goals for the week end and more. This book has immensely been of great benefit to me and my development on setting goals and achieving them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are serious about achieving your goals, respect your rights and responsibilities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This taught me that I should respect my right, privilege, responsibility, and honor to set and achieve a goal. the right to be successful, happy, and prosperous. The right to pursue my own individual path in life. the responsibility to follow through on all my commitments. the responsibility to teach and share what I have learned in life to others. the responsibility to become all that I am capable of becoming. This is my right and I should learn to respect and honor them. I have the right to be my best, function at my best, live life to the fullest, be and become anything I set my mind to become.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make the mistake of thinking you can keep your goals in your head. For goal setting to have any value, goals must be written down. Only by writing each step can you see where you are going. Similarly, writing down your goals also enables you to look back to determine if you have done what you planned to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As much as I love putting important quotes, I\u2019ve not really adopted the idea of writing down my goals, but with this quote I realized that I can\u2019t keep thinking about my goals, having it on my mind does not make it real, that I should learn to write down my goals. Writing my goals can serve as an evaluation guide, grading how far I\u2019ve come on the goal, what is remaining, the necessary change I need to make to achieve the goal. It can also serve as a landmark for goals achieved<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t possibly plan for every contingency. However, in critical areas of your plan it is in your best interest to build three levels of projections.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned planning in levels, I practiced this level planning in my budget, I have the first one for which every possible needs or items are included, the second level of which some item that are needed but not essential are removed and the last for which those item that are absolutely needed and essential are. This enable to look at each level and decide which I should go for. This same method should be applied to every area of my life and relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does a leader do? A leader leads! You have no choice but to lead yourself in the direction of your goals, no one else will do the job for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, if we can\u2019t lead ourselves to achieve success, we can\u2019t lead others. I\u2019ve been able to lead myself, discipline myself and push myself to achieve a lot of things, I am have now gone beyond leading myself to leading others, I have always known this fact that if I don\u2019t lead myself to achieve what I want no one else will. It\u2019s my job and my responsibility to push myself to become the influential woman I\u2019ve always wanted to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone involved in achieving the goal should have a part in establishing it. Participation in the goal-setting process helps ensure that the goal will be successfully accomplished.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that our goals should be clearly communicated to all involved, everyone who should be a part of establishing a goal should understand and have active participation in all the processes of setting the goal, making them a part of the goal-setting process gives them ownership of the goal and this ensures in the long run that the goal is successfully accomplished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe primary criterion of any leader is the ability to achieve the goal, whatever it may be. Build your life on a permanent record of accomplishment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, our track records of goals achievements will grant us the place of leadership and also success. Where ever we find ourselves we should always work on accomplishing things, even if its something as little making everyone feel welcomed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth is that some leaders are made, but most leaders make themselves. How? They believe in themselves and act like leaders!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me in a deep way, I can\u2019t say I was born a leader, but through personal development, believe in myself and my abilities, I\u2019ve been able to make myself a leader, I\u2019ve been a voice people listened to, and I\u2019ve been able to lead others, even those older than I am.<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe in me and I believe I am a woman of excellence, I act and think excellence, I know this has become my life style.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAct in a way that recognizes that any action has potentially momentous consequences, the full import of which will not be immediately apparent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, every act, words and thoughts have their consequences, therefore I am always watchful of my actions, the way I behave and the way I treat others. if we fail to take cognizant of our actions, we may incur consequences that we may not have wanted. We should always remember our actions and failure to act has a repercussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo more than is required! What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following? The extra mile. Advancement only comes with habitually doing more than you are asked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reminded me of 17 Leys to Success, and Success through PMA, go the extra mile, it taught us to always do more than its required of us, put a little more effort, to complete this book this month I had to work a little harder than I\u2019ve done on other books, stay up a little late and put in more effort. Every successful person does this, if we make this a habit we too can succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are unable or unwilling to establish a deadline for your goal, you probably need to examine your commitment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This talked to me about setting deadlines on my goal. I\u2019ve set certain dates to achieve a certain goal, this keep me focused on it and keep me committed, e.g. like I set a goal to turn in a level two book before the end of this month September. I gave myself a deadline 30th, I started reading, by 28 I was able the copy all my favorite phrases and quotes to word, by 29th had completed the summary, proof read same and turn it in. if don\u2019t set a deadline we may tend to lose focus on our goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true, he who watches the sky will never plant, if we keep waiting the best conditions, we will never achieve anything, we should all learn to make use of available resources to start out, then keep on balancing as we go along<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuccessful people do what unsuccessful people simply won\u2019t or can\u2019t do. And in so doing, they frequently achieve the impossible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve, read this over time, if we want to achieve what no has, we should learn to do what no has, we should learn to take up responsibility, volunteer for jobs no one wants to take, do what others are afraid to do, through these we can find success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something about putting something down on paper that forces you to get down to specifics. It\u2019s harder to deceive yourself or anyone else when your idea is exposed on paper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this quote spoke to me that, writing it down makes it real, harder to deny and forcing us to be specifics on what we want to achieve. I am not a big fan of writing but I am learning every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExamine your speech! You can and will inspire confidence with your words and vocal tone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote to positively affirm myself, I always examine my words as well as my thought, a lot have changed about my speech, I inspire myself with my words daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoals aren\u2019t usually attained \u201covernight,\u201d so managing the journey to success is a critical aspect of achievement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote to work patiently on my goals. No one has ever achieved success or goals overnight. Those who achieved tangible success did it over time, I should keep on working building and developing myself, success is assured. Those who won lottery became poor again a few years after, why? Because their success never had a path they grow through. Therefore, we all should learn how to manage and stay focus on our journey to success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly by stretching do we grow. If you push the limits, you define new limits. And then you should push those. You are capable of producing and achieving much more than you believe possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned to always push myself to do better, there is so much more about me that is yet to be discovered, there is no height to which I cannot attend, I will always ensure to push my limits, like tuning in this book. We all know that in us is the ability to break new grounds and limits.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExpect reverses, expect losses, and expect rejection. They are inevitable. But why give them the last word? Take them as bumps in the road to success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is very true the road to success is never a smooth one, we should expect failures and rejections, I remember when I was planning my first summit, most speakers rejected my request and others accepted but didn\u2019t show up, most of my team members failed to show up, but all the same, it turned out a great success. We should always learn to know that there is equal percentage of failure and success. Probability of success and failure is equal one, if we probably fail, we should accept failure as an event and move on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe person who cannot face a fear will always be running from it. Better to run toward a goal than away from a fear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned to face my fears, I\u2019ve always trained myself work on my goal in spite of my fears, I also have this confidence that my fears will not happen, so I go ahead and act.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, they were. I worked on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maximum Achievement<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author gave us a guideline on how we could transform ourselves into our ideal image. He showed us how to master our body, emotions, relationships, money and our life, how we can change ourselves into the man or woman that we\u2019ve always dreamed we could be, he provides an overall practical steps which anyone can follow to identify his\/her purpose in life, take control and steer the ship of our destiny.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cBeliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that dis-empowers them or one that can save their lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand that we all have the ability to use our experiences to create something positive or to make it stop us from achieving what is possible, an example is a child that was a victim of sexual abuse, this child can grow up thinking all men\/women wants their body, they can go ahead either to rape other children or sell themselves out to anyone, some can grow to hate the other sex the abused them. But they also have the ability to rise above all these, and use their experience to fight against abuse, heal and still live life to the fullest. Knowing this fact that we can take any experience and build on it in ways that will save our lives, we should focus on making positive things that can save our lives not ones that will dis-empower us.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cWhat we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true ability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me that everything lies in our belief of our self. What we tell ourselves we can do, that is exactly what we will do, what we belief we can\u2019t do, that is exactly what we will not be able to do. I remember when I started jogging, I will give myself a target that I will go four miles and back, but after two miles, it will be as if I can\u2019t make it to the third mile talk less of the fourth mile, I will tell myself just one more step you can and you will, I can and will, and I made the fourth mile and back. If I had listened to the way my body was screaming stop! I would have given up long before the third mile. This goes to show that whom we belief we are who we will become, and what we belief we can do is what we will do.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cThe secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you\u2019re in control of your life. If you don\u2019t life controls you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase let me understand that pains control and consume us that is if we let it and making us unable to achieve great things because of pains, not only pains, pleasure too can make us do things we aren\u2019t supposed to do. Like someone who is on drugs, the pleasure that they feel when they use these drugs can control their ability to limit or know that these drugs are harmful to their health. If we don\u2019t know how to use our pains and pleasure to build ourselves for success, it has the power to limit and control us. Truly life can\u2019t be without pains and pleasure, they are essential component of life. Life won\u2019t always come with pleasure, at some point we will experience pains, ability to rise above all pains and pleasure and allowing none of these two things to be a determining factor of actions is a sure path towards success, giving us true control over our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cEvery day stand guard at the door of your mind, and you alone decide what thoughts and beliefs you let into your life. For they will shape whether you feel rich or poor, cursed or blessed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reechoed the bible verse that says guard your heart with all diligence, watching what we feed our minds is very important, because it will determine if we are happy or sad. Why it is important that, one negative word or negative energy or negative thoughts can crash our carefully planned out day. We should always learn to watch what thought we allow dominate our minds daily. Nights I don\u2019t sleep happens because of the things I allow my mind to dwell on. Therefore, I guard my mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cCreate a vision and never let the environment, other people\u2019s beliefs, or the limits of what has been done in the past shape your decisions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Crafting our life vision is mapping a path to our personal freedom. The harsh reality is that if we don’t develop our own vision, we’ll allow other people and circumstances to direct the vision that we choose. We should never let anything or anyone stop us from drafting and creating a good vision for ourselves, visions of the life we want, the home we want to live in , the car we want to drive, the career path we want to follow and also the impact we want to have in our generation. If we allow our environment or our past or peoples beliefs to shape our decisions we will never discover what is really possible, I always love to say if I had listened to all the things people told me is not possible or had listened to those who said I am just a woman I would not have finished school neither would I have done anything worthwhile.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIf you don\u2019t set a baseline standard for what you\u2019ll accept in life, you\u2019ll find it\u2019s easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that\u2019s far below what you deserve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have heard this phrase in many different ways, like Lisa Nichols said we have to teach them how to treat us by the way we handle and treat ourselves. If we don\u2019t set the standard for ourselves, we will find that we will be willing to accept whatever comes our way or settle for far less than what we actually deserve. We all should have our own little rules that determine what does and doesn\u2019t make us happy, and what we will or will not accept. However, all too often we make up rules where we give away control. For example, \u201cI\u2019ll be so happy if my boss tells me I did a great job with this presentation.\u201d is not a good rule to have, because I hand over my happiness to my boss, whom I can\u2019t control, if my boss criticizes the presentation he will shatter my confidence and my peace of mind. So first if I want a better life, I should make up better rules. We should create standards on that things we can accept and not accept, because if we don\u2019t clearly define these standards someone will come along and change them for us.<\/span>
\nvii. \u201cYou see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From this phrase I learnt what all the past books I\u2019ve read since joining this program tried to put forward, that knowledge is productive when actions are taken on the gained knowledge. So many people know what they should do, but they are not doing it, it is very easy to stay down, but to rise to the top we must take action. Success is achievable if we decide we want to succeed, deciding is not the only thing needed it just the foundation, then we should start doing something towards succeeding. If we do nothing then nothing happens, if we do something then we expect a lot to happen. My quest to be the most sort after voice on leadership was a decision, I made one day to myself. After deciding that, I took action by learning from different leaders like John. C. Maxwell, Miles Monroe and Simon Sinek, and the quest also landed me here in IIGL. I am not only learning; I have taken a step to share my knowledge with others. These are actions I have consistently taken since I made the decision and like I said a lot has happened in the last Eight months. Knowing is not enough we should act.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has helped me focus on making better decisions in my life, not only that, I have been able to change some decisions and follow through with actions. I\u2019ve been able to create rules that make me feel amazing and that do not rely on events that are beyond my control. An example of one of my rules is \u201cif I can complete this work today, I will give myself a cup of wine and relax with my favorite book.\u201d This rule is totally dependent on me, and my ability to discipline myself to complete the work. With these rules have been able to avoid disappointment since the rules depend on internal events and on me. Daily I carry out self-analysis by asking myself questions and providing answers, then I will focus on areas that I need to create changes, then make decisions on what I should do to move forward. Also have been able to constantly check my mind and ensure I have the right thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

This book wasn\u2019t a book to just read through, at some points during the reading process I will stop and meditate on a particular thing that I read. Even though most of the principles have been talked about in others books and though I may not apply or use all that have been made available in this book, I will ensure that I consistently keep taking actions on my visions and work towards creating tomorrow that I desire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn\u2019t trying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me realize that I may think my progress is slow, the things I want are not happening, It may look as if nothing is working, I should just know for trying, acquiring the knowledge, and seeking ways of developing myself I am far ahead of those who are not doing anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA real decision is measured by the fact that you\u2019ve taken a new action. If there\u2019s no action, you haven\u2019t truly decided.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like I mention in the last phrase in question 1 this was just a reminder that if I make I decision I should ensure to follow through with an equivalent action that will validate the decision taken. Because if I did not follow through with an action there was no point making the decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote has been re-echoed in so many different forms, but they still mean the same thing that whatever I can conceive in my mind hold it there and hand it over to my subconscious or meditate on I will achieve it and experience it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you\u2019ll achieve the same results.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote means to me that whatever I want to achieve has already been achieved by someone, I should find them, study their path and things they did and apply their principles, surely I will achieve the same result or much better if I am able to recognize their pitfalls and overcome them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you do what you\u2019ve always done, you\u2019ll get what you\u2019ve always gotten.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This meant to me that I can\u2019t keep doing the same old things, the same old way and expect a different result, that won\u2019t just happen. If I want a different result from what I am getting I should change my methods, change my process and change my actions then the result I am seeking can be achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you consistently think about and focus upon you move toward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote spoke to me that whatever I consistent focus my mind and attention on that is what I will become and achieve, this also meant to me that I should be very careful of what I allow my mind to dwell on, because if I let negative things dwell on my mind they are hundred percent bound to happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your unlimited power to create and to love that can make the biggest difference in the quality of your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is very practical and simple, I want a certain life them I should create it, because I have the infinite power to do that, I can change my life, I can have everything I ever desired, how? Be using the infinite power of my mind to create it.<\/span>
\n\u201cOut of your deepest pain will come your greatest gifts, but this can only happen when you take control of the meaning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote meant that we sometimes find our purpose through our pains, I have been a victim of bad leaders and toxic environment, instead of me playing a victim to my pains, I rose above it by studying about the right kind of leadership and moving forward to train others on it. If was never a victim I would not of found my greats gift or passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever the site of setting a goal without first taking some form of positive action towards its attainment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote was just a reminder that I should remember if I sit down to set a goal. I should take steps towards achieving them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUsing the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote meant that if I could use the power of decision, I can change any part of my life, without giving in to excuses. Actually, excuses are just little reasons we give not to act on our decisions. If I can decide on an area, I need change, I can create that change in an instant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This taught me that the only way I can give back to life for all the privileges, opportunities and responsibilities I have received is by becoming more, better and achieving more than the normal. Normal is easy, just live, just exist, but to give back I need to put in the effort needed to become more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCreate a vision and never let the environment, other people\u2019s beliefs, or the limits of what has been done in the past shape your decisions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded that I should let nothing on earth stop me from creating a vision and working to achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will act consistently with our view of who we truly are, whether that view is accurate or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that the picture in our minds about ourselves determines how we act, this also corresponded with psycho cybernetics that if we hold a wrong mental image of ourselves, we will constantly work to validate that, the same happens when we hold a correct picture of ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor changes to be of any true value, they\u2019ve got to be lasting and consistent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This taught me that if I make changes only for a week, a month or year is not of worthy value, a change should be a lifetime journey not a destination, any changes I want to effect I should consistently work on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is true when I decided to focus on my speaking career, things changed dramatically. We mostly don\u2019t know how to focus, we tend to drift from here to there, but if we can focus on what we want or the changes we envisioned then we can achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I\u2019m committed to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me look into my daily life and ask myself, what am I doing today, what am I studying today and what are the changes I need to achieve today so I can create the tomorrow I dream of. By asking and answering these questions I can see areas that needs shifting and changes to create what I want tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life\u2019s deepest joy: true fulfillment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me that whatever contribution I want to make in life I should ensure to do it selflessly and with sincerity, that only then will I receive true fulfillment, this is absolutely true, all the trainings I\u2019ve organized so far have been free because I want to help others achieve success in life, people always ask me what is my gain and I laugh, my greatest gain is being fulfilled that someone found his\/her path because of the little I gave out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute, that gives meaning to our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly this quote true, what gave meaning to my life is going out there to train, encourage and motivate others; It\u2019s not in the certificates I have gathered, it\u2019s not in the money I get, it being able to become a better person and contribute positively to life that brought meaning to my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, it did not have any.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Power of Intention<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author centered on ways to co-create our world our own way, becoming happy and radically changing our lives by connecting ourselves to this pure and unlimited energy called intention. When we connect to this intention we can as individuals do and achieve amazing things.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cThe secret to manifesting anything that you desire is your willingness and ability to realign yourself so that your inner world is in harmony with the power of intention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This truly spoke to me I should constantly strive and aim for balance in thoughts words and deeds with my intentions. When we are in harmony with our intent, we are working in concert with other inner activities to create our desires. Looking inward to analyze our thoughts, to see if they are working for or against what we intend to achieve, if my intention is to be happy, I need to align my inner being, which are my ideas, my self-conversations, thoughts and words to drive me towards being in equilibrium with being happy, then I will find it easy to achieve my intent of being happy.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cUntil you transcend the ego, you can do nothing but add to the insanity of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase brought to my mind a book I glance through once, Ego is the Enemy, this book said something about the fact that the first time we got offended was because of our ego, the first time we acted out of place was because our ego was stepped on, when we insult someone or put someone down was because we felt our ego was<\/span>
\nthreatened, therefore if we don\u2019t learnt how to live above it, we will \\find ourselves victims of our ego. We most times tend to struggle with it because transcending our ego is very easy on theory but can be very difficult to do in real life, ego in actual sense keeps us small, in fear and feeling not good enough, or feel people are judging us<\/span>
\neven when they aren\u2019t, which contributes to negative influence and impact on the world, but if we can muster the knowledge and ability to rise above our ego we can instead of adding to the insanity of this world create a world where the 7 faces of intention abound.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cWhen you shift to an abundance mind-set, you repeat to yourself over and over again that you’re unlimited because you emanated from the inexhaustible supply of intention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase worked for me, as I read it, I started proclaiming over my life that I have abundance of everything, abundance of money, friends and every other thing I needed. Today I am celebrating this knowledge because a lot of changes have occurred, this month my company paid some bonuses that they have not paid for a long time, and<\/span>
\nother financial gifts from sources unexpected. For the first time in a long time my finances are not in a red zone. I know I am connected to a source that has unlimited supply of everything I need, and this mind-set have created abundance and I am looking forward to enjoying an overflow of this abundance.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cIf you want to attract violence, then listen to the lyrics of violence and make violent music a part of your life. If you want to attract peace and love, then listen to the higher musical Vibrations and lyrics that reflect your desires.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me realize music has a great part to play in the human life, we humans have always found solace in music, a popular quote says that when we are happy enjoy the music and when we are sad we understand the lyrics, this truly brought out that, music the type of music we listen to has a way of influencing our response to the world. I remember a few years ago the experience I had with music and people, I was engaged<\/span>
\nand I loved my fianc\u00e9, but anytime I thought of fianc\u00e9 a song by Roxette \u201cit must have been love, but it\u2019s over now\u201d will keep pop up in my head several time or more like all the time, I kept wondering why the song is linked to this guy, a month after this, the relationship ended. Its now I realize that either I willed the relationship to an<\/span>
\nend or that the universe knew it had ended hence the song. Therefore, since music is a part of our life, we should listen to ones that align with the result we want. Because in truth once we listen to a song, we will still be hearing the music long after the song has ended.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cIf your expectations for yourself center on being normal, just you’ll getting along, fitting in, and being an ordinary person, resonate to ordinary frequencies, and you’ll attract more of normal and ordinary into your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reechoed what we\u2019ve been learning all along, that the expectations we have of ourselves becomes our reality and the universe will help us achieve it. If our aim is to normal, just fit in, just exist or just getting along, we will send out this frequency, and resonating this frequency will attract to our lives all the things that are on that<\/span>
\nfrequency. This brought my mine to a radio broadcast stations, they will broadcast into the atmosphere without knowing those who would tune in, each of these stations have their different frequency modulated broadcast wave and spectrum, anyone who tunes into their frequencies can have access to their broadcast. When we relate this<\/span>
\nwith our expectations of ourselves, we resonate the frequency of what we are expecting and we will attract these things that exist in universe into our world and lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cBe an appreciator of life, and refuse to have thoughts of hatred, anxiety; anger and judgment. Trust yourself as a piece of God and your genius will flourish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Appreciation is most powerful when we cease to use it occasionally, we should let it become our basic approach to life, when appreciation becomes the lens through which we view living, we can flourish. Appreciating can sometimes be very difficult when we are faced with a lot of challenges, we should avoid allowing negative energy<\/span>
\nto emerge from us, we should not lash out, blame or entertain anger, hatred or anxiety but we should strive to appreciate everything. Somethings we get comes to us as lessons or to give us experience, we should learn to appreciate the lessons and the journey. To be appreciative we should value and trust ourselves as a master piece<\/span>
\nformed and sculpted by God, giving room for our genius to come to light.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cGenuinely feeling abundant and successful is possible when you detach yourself from the things you desire and allow them to flow to you, and just as important, through you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me that I should learn to detach myself from the things I want, opening up and freeing myself to let it flow to me on their own accord. This fact is very difficult in actual sense because we tend to brood over the things we want, I know nights I will stay awake fretting over what I want, or may be fretting on how I am going to achieve these things, but having this knowledge of genuine abundance will help us not fret over anything. Over the year\u2019s like I said earlier having financial freedom has been something I\u2019ve been attached to, worried about and thought of all possible ways to change my state, I\u2019ve observed since I started thinking abundance and<\/span>
\nforget about money and how to get it, things have naturally started flowing in. it has taught me to detach myself from things and people, they will flow my way.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book helped me make some changes in my life, like I increased the number of positive affirmation stickers around my house, I\u2019ve also created my daily positive self-affirmations which I use before stepping out of bed every morning, this simple act has improved the quality of my day. My days have been happier, rewarding,<\/span>
\nexciting and fulfilling. Most importantly I\u2019ve been living in a financial abundance this month, I can\u2019t remember the last time wasn\u2019t out of cash before the next pay day, changing my mindset to a place of having abundant of everything thing worked<\/span>
\nperfectly, I think this is the best influence this book has made on me. I\u2019ve given out more money and I\u2019ve also received money from some unexpected sources. This is a major shift for me if one knows my life story. As I keep working to retain and practice what I\u2019ve learnt I know I will be able to make the world better for my family, friends, associates and colleagues.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cChange the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote brought to my mind the story of a woman who kept complaining to her husband that every time she looked out the window and see her neighbor\u2019s cloths dried outside, that her neighbor does not know how to wash cloths well, if she could not see that the cloths were not clean? This complaint went on for a while until one day<\/span>
\nher husband cleaned their windows, only then did she realize that it wasn\u2019t her neighbor\u2019s cloths that were dirty but her windows, this shows that we could be viewing things with the through the wrong lens and if we could change that, everything else could change.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUntil one acknowledges the genius within oneself, one will have great difficulty recognizing it in others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote brought to my mind the scriptures that says love your neighbor as yourself, now we can only love our neighbor to the same degree that we love ourselves. Then if we don\u2019t love ourselves there is no way we can love others, this is exactly true of this quote, if we can discover, develop and build our genius, recognizing the genius in others becomes a walk through the park.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake no credit for your talents, intellectual abilities, aptitudes, or proficiencies. Be in a state of awe and bewilderment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote came as a shock to me because we all try to take credits for the<\/span>
\nthings we\u2019ve done, even though most times our insecurities make us feel we could not possibly have achieved that. From this quote now I am learning how not to take credits for my abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou feel good not because the world is right, but your world is right because you feel good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, we all need to feel good, when we feel good our world will feel the same, but if we feel otherwise our world will feel totally wrong and unlivable. We should work constantly on feeling good, about ourselves, our work, our family and the who we are becoming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you adore yourself in the same proportion, you’re matched up with the field of intention and you’ve opted for the path of no resistance.” I learnt from this that adoring myself will enable me to matched up with the field of intention, and the secret to a less resistance path is to value and adore myself. This also meant if I am not adoring myself, I am positioning myself in a place where I am unintentionally resisting the field of intention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, I choose to feel good while I’m in the moment, attracting into my life the manifestations of my desires. I am complete in my incompleteness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote has become my daily confession and as I affirm myself, I\u2019ve observed a lot of changes in my life, in my associations and the general quality of my life. I am loving the results I am getting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were created from a Source that is peaceful and joyful when you’re in that state of exuberant joy, you’re at peace with everything!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When we can find that inner peace, we will be at peace with everything. Having this knowledge that The God who created us is a God of peace, because the scriptures<\/span>
\nsays he gives peace that passes human understanding, and his joy flows like a river and then again, the psalmist said the joy of the lord is our strength, therefore we can\u2019t have this wisdom and not be filled with joy. Knowing God has our back to keep us joyful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe ability to heal yourself seems to be available to those who have an intuitive knowing about the power of the Spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that is I understand the power I possess in my spirit healing<\/span>
\ncan be made available to me, I tapped into this power when I had an eye issue last year, it was tough but when I was able to pull out of self-pity and tap into the power of the spirit I got healed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must avoid becoming attached to or hoarding what shows up in your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This was a wow for me, because I value almost everything in my life, I rarely dispose of things, even when they are no longer useful, I store things up with the believe that one day I will have need of them, but after reading this quote, I am now open to share and detaching myself from everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Source is abundant and you are your Source; therefore, you must communicate this back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me realize somehow, I\u2019ve been short changing myself in the aspect of having abundance in everything, always having the mindset of not having enough has communicated to my source which is God scarcity. Since my source is abundant therefore, I should learn to communicate the same, expect and live in abundance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever it is that you want to do in life, make the primary motivation for your effort something or somebody other than your desire for gratification or reward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is absolutely true, desire for gratification or reward has never been my motive for doing anything because if it actually were, God! I would be highly disappointed all the way. The truth still remains that I should constantly make helping<\/span>
\npeople my primary motivation to doing things in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you’re unkind, you’re blocking the face of kindness. You’re moving away from the power of intention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote when we are not showing kindness to others and to the world, we are blocking our chances of experiencing kindness, and this moves us far away from the force field of the power of intention. I make it my goal to be kind and nice to everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 5<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 7<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 5<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 4<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]GOALS<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book focused on how to set and achieve our goals, he talked about the key element of setting and steps necessary to achieve any goal no matter the magnitude. He also showed the importance of determining one\u2019s strength, values and true goals. He also brought out the importance of self-confidence, self-esteem, overcoming difficulty, and<\/span>
\ncontinuously taking action as ingredients for success.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cEach time that you persist in the face of adversity and disappointment, you build up the habit of persistence. You build pride, power and self-esteem into your character and your personality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true, because when we are faced with difficult challenges and overcome them, it gives us boldness, we are empowered, we understand our capability and we build our self-confidence. I remember when I was a student, I was<\/span>
\namong the best students in my department, the company I am currently working with came to my school to pick students for their training school, initially I was selected as one of the candidates for the training school. Later when invitations were given to us for screening for the academy, I did not receive any, I went to my Head of department to find out why, as most of the people who got the invitation had much lower grade point than mine, my H.O.D told me the company dropped me. As I had no way of confirming from the company, I let it go. A few weeks after a guy I was teaching Calculus<\/span>
\ninformed me that the same company was accepting trainees again, that since my GP is good, I should go online and apply. I did apply, went for the written screening and passed, went for the oral interview and passed, was invited to join the academy but with a letter of recommendation from the school. I met this my HOD and he refused to give me the letter of recommendation, I tried for several days, when I couldn\u2019t get the recommendation I decided to report at the academy, with the mind that if I am rejected, I would be consoled I did my best. Amazingly when I reported at the Dangote<\/span>
\nAcademy, they only checked for my name on their list, they did not ask for the recommendation letter or my certificate. I presented my certificate 14 months after, when I was to resume as a staff after graduating from the academy. This victory<\/span>
\ngave great confidence that no matter what challenge comes my way, I know I can win them all. I later discovered when I joined the academy that the company did not drop me initially, that my HOD did because I was not a native of that place.<\/span>
\nI\u2019ve faced several disappointments and adversities, it has built in strength, character, strong self-esteem and a strong personality. I am called a strong woman and most call me women leader, because of my personality built out of what I\u2019ve<\/span>
\nfaced and overcome.<\/span>
\nii. \u201cYour outer world ultimately becomes a reflection of your inner world, and mirrors back to you what you think about. Whatever you think about continuously emerges in your reality.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This was just a reminder, that our thoughts becomes our reality, since joining IIGL, and I read about this, I\u2019ve actively channeled my thoughts to deal on the things I want to happen, shifting my focus away from things I don\u2019t want and focusing them on things I want to see, and truly the quality of my life has greatly changed. I see my thoughts coming to become a reality. Honestly my life has been blissful these past few months, as I have changed the things I think about and the things I speak about, my thoughts have been good ones and my life have truly changed. Not that my job has changed<\/span>
\nor the environment is less toxic than it was, no it did change, I changed. Instead of focusing on how unfavorable my workplace is, I focus on doing a good job, being a better me, being happy to do my work and think on all the good things that my salary has helped me to achieve. Thinking on having abundance has moved me from always struggling to pay my bills and support people around me, to having more than enough. If I had ever doubted that our thoughts become our reality, I am a strong believer now.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cA goal however is something distinctly different from a wish. It is clear, written and specific. It can be quickly and easily described to another person. You can measure it, and you know when you have achieved it, or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I recently learnt that our goals need to clearly written down, what we want to achieve and what we aspire to be. If these goals are not written down there is a possibility that we may never take it seriously or achieve them. I read recent about Harvard Business school graduates that about ten percent of them wrote down their goals about starting their business went on to own businesses, and the others who didn\u2019t, never started or own any business. The power of writing it down makes it very real, it will keep your mind actively looking for ways to bring it to pass, I\u2019ve recently set a lot of goals for my-self, wrote them down and I\u2019ve been working to achieve them, one goals is to submit 3 summaries in a month, I could not achieve that last month, but this its been drumming in my ears that you need to meet your goals. I have met it.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cYou should develop a laser-like focus so that you are always thinking and talking about the things you want rather than the things that you don\u2019t want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This just reechoed that what we actively or passively think about becomes our reality, I use to wonder how I can control my thoughts, I recently from the book compound effect by Darren Hardy, that how I can track my thoughts should be measured by how I feel, now if I don\u2019t feel good that means my thoughts are on the negative side, if I feel good that means my thoughts are on the positive side. I have been practicing focusing on what I want, what I want to see happen and truly they are becoming my reality. I don\u2019t only think about the things I want; I also speak about them. It\u2019s actually refreshing,<\/span>
\npeaceful and satisfying. I am happy about that.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cThe greatest enemies of success and happiness are negative emotions, of all kinds. It is negative emotions that hold you down, tire you out and take away all your joy in life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

II know, truly if we let negative thoughts creep in, it will birth a lot negativity and sickness in our lives. Like I\u2019ve said earlier we cant stop a bird flying over our head but we can stop it from perching and building a nest in our hair, the same thing is with negative things that happen, we may not have the power to stop them but we have the<\/span>
\npower to choose how we feel and how it affects us. I try as much as I can to avoid all negative thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIf you read 15 minutes each evening, rather than watching television, you will complete about 15 books per year. If you read in the great classics of English literature for 15 minutes each day, in seven years you will have read the<\/span>
\n100 greatest books ever written.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This really is what I have been practicing over the years, I don\u2019t watch television, I don\u2019t have one, even though I can afford it, because it will be a waste of my money as will not watch it. Almost all my adult life, most of my evenings are spent reading. Reading is my favorite pass time, this month alone aside from the IIGL books, I\u2019ve completed 3 other<\/span>
\nbooks, The Compound Effect, Pushing Forward and Secrets of the Richest Man Who Ever Live, including several other novels. I\u2019ve encouraged people to read books, as books have the power to change our lives. Look at my life, the way it has changed its through reading, and I am happy I joined IIGL, as some of the books I\u2019ve read since joining has transformed my life tremendously.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cNo matter how well you organize yourself and your activities, you will experience countless disappointments, setbacks, obstacles and adversity over the course of your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, truly no matter how well our plans have been laid out, there will always be one obstacle or the other on the way, but we should always know that we will win all, keep a positive mind and focus on what we want to happen, disappoint is just<\/span>
\none step away from appointment. We should believe in winning and even when we lose, we should get up and try again. My high school motto was Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Wins.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

God! This book is truly an amazing read, the things talked about in this book have truly shaped and made me more focused on what I want. I have set several goals that I got so dejected as they seemed impossible to achieve This book helped me to streamline my goals to a few simple one\u2019s that I can easily measure. I have even gone ahead to talk to people about writing goals, I\u2019ve made it as simple as setting a daily goal, if we can<\/span>
\nachieve our daily goals, we can be confident to walk towards our weekly, monthly and yearly goals. Yes, things may happen within the day that will make us shift from our goals but we should ensure that we work on shifting our focus back to what our goal was.<\/span>
\nImplementing ideas in this book have tremendously change my perspective on setting goals, working on focusing on the moment and also helped others achieve this too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYour greatest successes almost invariably come one step beyond when everything inside of you says to quit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me that changes lies just a little beyond when our mind screams stop, fitness trainers will always drum this fact in our ears. I remembered sometime last year when I want to go for my exams, I discussed with boss and he agreed to give me leave of absence weeks before the exams. When I met him to sign my leave of absence form, my boss threw it away, angry that I was taking my leave, despite my explanation he<\/span>
\nrefused to sign it. I felt so frustrated and sad knowing my exams was two days away, I thought of all possible ways to get around this, just when I was about to give up, my approval for studies was sent to me my from the HR department, this was a day to my exams, with this approval I had officially seven working days to go for my exams<\/span>
\nwhich I needed six and my boss refused to sign. With that approval also, the power to stop me was taken from my boss and that was how I won. Prior to this I had thought of quitting my job or forgetting about the school, but I told myself to try and get approval from the HR Manager and I got it easily. We should keep trying one more<\/span>
\ntime, it could be that is all it needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuccess seems to be connected with action. Successful men keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don\u2019t quit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I should keep moving, that success is in doing something. I am the type of person that I love doing something productive all the time, I love engaging my brains, I love when I am doing and learning something. I don\u2019t like having idle time on my hands. I know as I keep taking actions towards achieving my goals I will succeed, quitting has never been one of my options, I keep on trying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour ability to set goals is the master skill of success. Goals unlock your positive mind and release ideas and energy for goal attainment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true, when we set goals our brain is activated to finding<\/span>
\nways to achieve them, I\u2019ve set several goals for my self recently, both financial, academic, relationships and social goals, my mind is always thinking of ways I can achievement them, I stay up late to read so I could achieve my academic goals, for my financial goal I set a monthly target savings. Goals truly unlock our positive mind,<\/span>
\nengage it with active ideas and we will have the energy needed to achieve them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need self-discipline to delay gratification, to save your money and to organize your finances so that you can achieve financial independence in the course of your working lifetime.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis is an absolute necessity, in the last one year I have learnt a lot about financial discipline, the power of saving money and investing, I made a lot of financial mistakes in my 10 years of working life, I am never been a big spender, but a big giver, I\u2019ve<\/span>
\nsaved up money and then gave it to people who never paid back, I have given people money at my expense and this has kept in a place where I was barely able to meet my bills. Now I know the kind of heart that I have and that people will always take advantage of that, therefore I ensure I save Forty percent of my income first, after which I<\/span>
\ncan then distribute the other sixty. I have learnt to set priorities, stick to my budget, and save fifty percent of any additional income. No, I have not yet attained my true financial freedom but I know I am not where I used to be and I also know in the next 5 years I will achieve my first financial goal or I may even I achieve it before then.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need self-discipline to use your time well and to always concentrate on the one thing, the most important thing that you need to do at the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me realize I\u2019ve been focusing on too many things at the same time, therefore decided to streamline my projects to just three, while picking one to invest my<\/span>
\ntime on at different instant. Truly disciplining myself to do what is important at the moment has yield great result for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth is however, is that all of this advice and input would do you no good at all unless you took some specific action on what you had learned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned to always take action, this is what I have been doing since I joined IIGL, I\u2019ve taken actions towards my development, impacting lives and helping people. Most importantly I have taken steps to see my dreams become a reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of your knowledge and experience, you feel completely capable of handling whatever happens. You have no fears.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true, with experience comes knowledge, confidence and boldness. This<\/span>
\nhas come true in my life in several aspects, in my job I know about electric motors and their behaviors, if something is wrong, I say it with confidence. In my personal life I know what I expect to happen and if it does not happen immediately, I have no fears as I know they will.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour success in life will be in direct proportion to what you do after you do what you are expected to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This brought to mind the principle of going the extra mile, doing more than what you are paid for, or doing more than what is expected, always learning to give that extra wow-experience to someone. I try to do this in all my speaking engagements asking what I could do for them after I\u2019ve done what they expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as you get settled in at your new job and you are on top of your work, go to your boss and tell him or her that you want more responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before now I have always been on top of my job, even though now I may not ask for extra responsibility, but I will once we are able to get an extra hand to handle some of my current job responsibility as I am handling a lot. I have also learnt to accept any additional job from my boss and deliver them on time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuccessful people are intensely action oriented. They seem to move faster than unsuccessful people. They are busier. They try more things, and they try harder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this is true, I know that I am a successful person because I always engage myself productively, for the last seven years of my life, I have been busy moving from<\/span>
\none learning project to another, once I finish one school program, I am starting another, currently I am running an under graduate degree and also IIGL leadership training. Once I am done with both, I will move on to actively developing my NGO. Productivity is my watch word. This is my learning and developing myself, I intend to<\/span>
\nalways active move forward in my growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could be only one skill away from doubling your productivity, performance and income. You may only need to bring up your skill level in one area for you to be able to use all of your other skills at a higher level.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true; I was so focused on developing my musical talent that I failed to see that the skill I need was actually teaching and speaking. Now since I shifted my focus to developing these two skills, my life has been a wow experience all through. I read from John Maxwell that no matter how hard we work to raise a Level 2 skill we may succeed in bringing it to a level 4 which will still be a poor, but if we invest that same amount of time in working on a skill that is on a Level 7, we can raise to a Level 9 which will be more excellent than working on a 2 skill. This was what I was doing, with the little I have done with my level 7 speaking skills, I am getting closer and closer to a 10. We should learn to discover a skill to develop that will improve all the other skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are the very happiest when what you are doing on the outside is congruent with your values on the inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I must always watch what I am doing, and weight it with what I feel, if they align and I am happy I should know I am doing the right thing, if they don\u2019t then, I am not doing what I should.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, you will always be the best and happiest at something that you love to do. If you could afford it, you would do it without pay. Second, you do it well. You seem to have a natural ability to perform in this area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is absolutely true, I love speaking, teaching and impacting knowledge, I love it so much that so far, I have been doing it for free, I always I look for opportunities to share knowledge, and it comes so naturally that I do it effortlessly. We should all find what we love to do, if we have not found it yet we should keep looking.<\/span><\/p>\n

The more frequently you repeat a clear mental picture of your very best performance or result, the more rapidly it will be accepted by your subconscious mind and the more readily it will appear as part of your reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, I do hold pictures of my successful speaking engagements in my mind, and yes, my mind accepts I am good at it. Even my colleagues at work agree that I am good at it. Its part of my reality now, though I am not yet where I want to be, I know in no distance future it will be my reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, there was some, and yes, I tried them.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nonviolent Communication<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book explains how focusing on people\u2019s underlying needs and making observations instead of judgments can revolutionize the way we interact with anybody, even our worst enemies. The author describes ways of communicating with empathy and focusing on personal needs, and without judgment. Also, that we could have healthy relationships<\/span>
\nthrough open and honest communication whose emphasis is on needs, observations and free from judgments.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

a. \u201cWe are compassionate with ourselves when we are able to embrace all parts of ourselves and recognize the needs and values expressed by each part.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

True self-acceptance is embracing all parts of yourself, not just our positive traits but our negative traits as well. Self-acceptance is unconditional. Being aware of our limits and weaknesses without allowing them to interfere with accepting yourself and embracing ourself. Self-esteem increases, the more we accept and love ourselves. This calls for true self-understanding and acceptance. Now this show that we are being compassionate to ourselves when we have the ability to embrace the different parts that makes up \u201cUS,\u201d this includes our fear, our setbacks, our wins, our strength and all our weaknesses. Having this knowledge that each part is important as the next, and each has an important role to play on being who we are. I\u2019ve always learned to accept and embrace each part of myself, each part has its individual needs that calls to be met, like my fears, yes this has a need to be address and overcome, I don\u2019t belittle or ignore it, but address it and rise above it, so also my strengths which I keep grooming. These are all parts of who I am, the truth is if I don\u2019t learn to accept and embrace me, who will?<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cIt is helpful to differentiate between words that describe what we think others are doing around us, and words that describe actual feelings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes we just to tend to muddle up our thinking and actual feelings. It will really would be helpful if we could clarify between our thoughts and our feelings. According to research thoughts are ways of dealing with feelings in the primary case, in the standard situation, feelings come first., while thoughts are ways of thinking our way out of feelings, also ways of finding solutions that meets the needs that lie behind the feelings. But fundamentally they can be very different when we express them in the context of words in relating what we think others are doing and words that describe actual feelings. I<\/span>
\nexperienced this recently with my mentor, I tried reaching him several times in a row, and he was not responding. I sent him chat messages, which he read and did not respond, I thought he was deliberately avoiding me or maybe he has decided to de-mentor me. These was how I perceived his actions, when I was finally able to get across to him instead of saying how I felt which was Ignored, I went instead to lunch words that conveyed my thoughts. This is one reason we should try to differentiate words that convey what we think others are doing and our feelings, also when it is appropriate<\/span>
\nto use which.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cNVC heightens our awareness that what others say and do may be the stimulus, but never the cause of our feelings. We see that our feelings result from how we choose to receive what others say and do, as well as our particular needs and expectations in that moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With this phrase I realize that when we practice non violent communication, it will help us become open and aware of what others do or say. What we feel results not from having this awareness but from how we perceive what they say or do as well as what our expectations were at the moment. Like the example I gave above about me and my mentor, it was not his not being reachable that triggered what I felt, he was actually very busy with State issues and couldn\u2019t respond, I could have chosen to think he will get back to me when he is less busy, but because my needs at that moment was to talk to<\/span>
\nsomeone, his being unavailable made me switch immediately to feeling ignored. The feeling was a result of what I choose to receive at that moment, couple with my needs and expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cEmotional liberation involves stating clearly what we need in a way that communicates we are equally concerned that the needs of others be fulfilled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that we should give consideration to the other persons need when we are communicating. It doesn\u2019t absolve us from taking full responsibility of having our own needs met, but we have it at the back of our minds that it is mutually beneficial that as our needs are being met others involved are also having theirs met. We accept full responsibility for our own intentions and actions, but not for the feelings of others. Being fully aware that we can never meet our own needs at the expense of others.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cWhat is essential is our ability to be present to what\u2019s really going on within\u2014to the unique feelings and needs a person is experiencing in that very moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from the phrase that we need to be actively present when we are having a conversation with other people, so as to be able to identify their feelings and empathize with them. By being able to empathize with a person we can go a long way<\/span>
\nto help them heal their pains. Most of us are passive listener, we most times don\u2019t really pay much attention to what the other person is saying, even when we do, we are lost in trying to formulate our response to hear the feelings the person is<\/span>
\ncommunicating. We should learn to be a part of the communication, ask questions and try rephrasing what the person is saying back to them so as to know exactly what they are experiencing.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cWhile we may choose at times to sympathize with others by feeling their feelings, it\u2019s helpful to be aware that during the moment we are offering sympathy, we are not empathizing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, with this quote I understood the difference between sympathy and empathy, empathy is when we are thinking about people\u2019s words, listening to how they connect to our theories, we are looking at people and seeing what they are experiencing while sympathy is feeling what they are feeling with them. With sympathy we are with the people while empathy we are not with them, we are wholly present with the other party and what they are experiencing. This quality of presence distinguishes empathy from either mental understanding or sympathy. Having this knowledge, I realize that we<\/span>
\nmostly tend to sympathize rather than empathize with people. I am learning everyday how to connect people to my theories and listening to understand and empathize with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cIf we find ourselves unable or unwilling to empathize despite our efforts, it is usually a sign that we are too starved for empathy to be able to offer it to others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that our inability to offer empathy lies in our being starved of what we intend to offer to the other person. We should be open to receive empathy because we can never give out what we don\u2019t have, we should have a circle of people around us who have the ability to offer empathy so that we won\u2019t be deficient.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Before reading this book I never knew that there is more to communicating with people than what is readily obvious, that it involves a whole lot of simple acts and giving consideration both to ourselves and others involve. This book has helped<\/span>
\nme to avoid a lot of conflict with others due to our words. The most practical way it helped me was in avoiding being misunderstood by my boss, which without the knowledge gained in the book I would have had issues with him based on<\/span>
\nwhat I said. It helped me to be clear on what was said and what I meant other than the meaning he perceived. In addition to avoiding possible conflicts and misunderstandings, I was able to resolve some emotional and rational conflicts. With the knowledge I\u2019ve gained, I know it will help me have communication where all parties\/ persons involve<\/span>
\ncan experience mutual satisfaction and have their needs met.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are dangerous when we are not conscious of our responsibility for how we behave, think, and feel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realize that we become a potential hazard when we don\u2019t take active cognizant of our attitudes, behaviors, feelings and thoughts. It is our responsibility to watch our thoughts because they give birth to how we behave and how we perceive things.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others based on a mutual giving from the heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me realize that this is a true desire of every human, a communication that flows mutually from the heart, we all need compassion, we all need people who can show us compassion and be compassionate towards us, knowing this fact that what we give out is what we receive back, therefore we should try to give out exactly what we want others to give back. Since this is based on mutual giving, we should be open to receive as<\/span>
\nmuch back as we are giving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can replace language that implies lack of choice with language that acknowledges choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke a lot to me, because most times we tend to respond in such a way that seem we don\u2019t have a choice over what goes on, and we use similar languages. I\u2019ve come to know that we do that in other absolve our active participation on what is happening around our lives. We should replace this with a language showing and acknowledging we all have a choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we combine observation with evaluation, others are apt to hear criticism and resist what we are saying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk can sometimes get so complicated, truly when we or other people combine observation with evaluation or judgment, we build resistance to our communication in the other person. They won\u2019t be able to see our point and they will either tune us out or prepare an equally cryptic answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people hear anything that sounds like criticism, they tend to invest their energy in self-defense or counterattack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote really did speak to me, yes there are some words that will just put one on the<\/span>
\ndefensive, for me a word like \u201cyou are just a woman\u201d will trigger all my defense mechanism, and I will be fully ready to defend myself or prepare a counter attack response. Therefore, when communicating we should avoid anything that sounds like criticism.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo make sure the message we sent is the message that\u2019s received, ask the listener to reflect it back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote and from the experience I had with my boss that most time what we say is not what the other person receive, nor what we meant by what we said that was understood, therefore we should ensure to always ask for feedback and make clarifications where our message wasn\u2019t received as we intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe clearer we are about what we want back, the more likely it is that we\u2019ll get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This was just a reminder that when we clearly state what we want and not being ambiguous with our requests we will have a better chance of getting it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe way we\u2019ve been trained to evaluate ourselves often promotes more self-hatred than learning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When I read this, I actually smiled as this is absolutely true, we always tend to project self-hatred when we evaluate ourselves, we rate ourselves down and try to undermine who we are, very few people can evaluate themselves adequately, I am learning to achieve this.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife-alienating communication is also associated with the concept that certain actions merit reward while others merit punishment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that we should not be sentimental on our approach to all<\/span>
\nactions, we should be open in our analysis of these actions, we should try not to be rigid in our evaluation, as this might lead to wrong judgment. All actions should be placed on equal scale.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFear of corporal punishment obscures children\u2019s awareness of the compassion underlying parental demands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this quote is true as I grew up with a mom that was a disciplinarian, this fact made it very difficult to know if my mom loved us or if she just loved to punish us. I grew to hate my mom for all the beatings I got and I never knew then if it was done out of love. Even though now I know and appreciate how she trained us, that she had loved us, then it would have been very difficult to belief. Therefore, even when we are giving children<\/span>
\ncorporal punishment we should ensure to let then know and feel the love we have for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFocus on what we want to do rather than what went wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote to always focus on what I want and want to do, rather than focusing on what could go wrong, because focus on that may prevent me from<\/span>
\ndoing what I want to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReceive appreciation without feelings of superiority or false humility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly appreciation can so boast our self-esteem and can push us to feeling superior, I learnt from this quote to be sincere with what I feel when appreciated.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, there was some, and yes, I tried them.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book is a self-improvement book. It is written based on the author\u2019s belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions. In order to change a given situation, we must change ourselves, and in order to change ourselves, we must be able to change our perceptions. By changing our perceptions which is the mirror through<\/span>
\nwhich we view life, we can have the power to change our world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cNo one can persuade another to change. Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be opened from the inside. We cannot open the gate of another, either by argument or by emotional appeal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This truly spoke to me as I constantly try to change people around, try to make them behave better, aim for better things, think better about themselves and make better choices. But I realize with this that it\u2019s not easy to change a person unless<\/span>
\nthey desire that change themselves. I once had friends whom I thought I could change with my good attitude, with my talking, my complaining and my appeals, I later realized that the more effort I put in to make a difference the farer way away and closed up about changing they became, I even tried doing the things I expected from them to them, still it did not yield the desired result I expected. Truly speaking I know how difficult it is to change from some habits and character, now expecting someone to change just because I say so was highly wrong of me, and the truth also remained that if I stay<\/span>
\naround them their actions or inactions will keep eliciting an emotional reaction from me. Therefore, I avoided them. Knowing that we can\u2019t argue or emotion appeal anyone to change have help me avoid a lot of unfruitful associations.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cIf you want to be trusted, be trustworthy. If you want the secondary greatness of recognized talent, focus first on primary greatness of character.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever I say to people I want a honest person around me, they will tell me I am asking for the impossible, my response is always that if I am not honest I won\u2019t be asking for it, this phrase actually reemphasized this truth, that the demand I put on people, I should be sure that I have met and exceeded that demand myself. If I ask people to trust me, the first question I ask myself is, do I trust myself? If I don\u2019t trust me, how then will expect others to. This clearly shows we should work on becoming what we want others to. what I mean by \u201cbecoming\u201d is, whatever we expect from people, we should become a person worthy of that same thing we are asking from others. we want others to trust us lets be trustworthy, we want others to be honest then let\u2019s make honesty our way of life. There\u2019s a saying in my language that respect is reciprocal, meaning whatever we give out is what we will receive back. If we therefore want our talent to be recognized<\/span>
\nwe should work on building our character and becoming a person worthy of what we are seeking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe more people are into quick fix and focus on the acute problems and pain, the more that very approach contributes to the underlying chronic condition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With this phrase I realize that a lot of us love quick fixes, easy way out, a path of no stress and a short cut to where we want. Truly quick fixes never solve anything it will only worsen the condition or bring on a catastrophe. I\u2019ve seen severally when people focused on a quick fix and it made their situation worse than it was before if it. I remember a few years back, a colleague of mine wanted to be better placed in the company, he heard the company was upgrading people with higher certificates which he did not have. Instead of him to enroll in a school to study for a higher certificate, he<\/span>
\ncontacted some people who falsified a certificate for him. He submitted the certificate directly to the Group Managing Director for upgrading, by passing the Group HR Manager, he thought the GMD will ask that he should be instantly upgraded, Unknown to him that the GMD will request the GHRM to go to the listed institution to verify his credentials, we can guess the result of that verification, at the end he lost his job with the company. He thought taking a short route to get a certificate, that he can receive a reward for what he did not work for and this path failed him. This also clearly shows<\/span>
\nthat quick fixes compound a problem more than solve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cMany people wait for something to happen or someone to take care of them. But people who end up with the good jobs are the proactive ones who are solutions to problems, not problems themselves, who seize the initiative to do<\/span>
\nwhatever is necessary, consistent with correct principles, to get the job done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this is very true, we should be proactive people, not reactive people, people who take initiative, out of the box thinkers, positive people and solution finders. I\u2019ve always told people to stop complaining about the problems lets focus on finding solutions. Presently in Nigeria there\u2019s been a lot of shouts about the youths not having jobs, unemployment rates on the increase and a lot of people out of jobs. But I know in the midst of all these people are still getting jobs, people are moving from one job to another, and if we take a close look at these group of people we can see, they are the<\/span>
\ngroup of people that are very proactive in their development, professional skills development and problem solving. They took initiative to grow themselves with focus on adding value to the organization and they got the jobs. If we keep waiting<\/span>
\nfor things to change to take action we will keep missing out on a lot of things. If we don\u2019t get out there to change the narratives to the way we want no body will, or if someone does it will not be in the way we wanted. Wherever we find ourselves we should try to be a solution finder and a problem solver, be proactive, get the job done, deliver on schedule or before the scheduled date, be effective and remember bible says he who watches the wind will not plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cIt’s incredibly easy to get caught up in an activity trap, in the busy-ness of life, to work harder and harder at climbing the ladder of success only to discover it’s leaning against the wrong wall. It is possible to be busy; very busy without being very effective.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This brought out that we could be extremely busy but doing the wrong thing. Yes, I can remember a time when I sang in the choir, God! I spent hours and day including years trying to develop my singing talent, working on improving my tone<\/span>
\nand my ability to stick to a note. Despite my best efforts and rehearsals, I will as right as the clock works make a mess of the music. This is one mission that I\u2019ve spent a lot of time training for, and years developing on it. Now I look back and I say to myself sorry for all those times I cracked my voice and all those times I will use hot water to clear my throat. I just don\u2019t know how I could not see it, that I am not cut out for music, That I will never be Cece Winas. Jesus, I really did make a mess of it, sometime those that play the piano will not want to play while I am singing because they will struggle as much as I am struggling with my notes, because I will either go on a very low octave that feels as if I am groaning or a pick a very high one that will be difficult to sustain, or when they have successfully pick my tone I will change to a different one, as I am going back and forth with my octave so will they. I was never effective on it; I sang for almost 20<\/span>
\nyears with no improvement. Last year I woke up and I told myself why am wasting time backing a thing that I will never be effective on. I stopped and focus on my teaching skills, so far, I\u2019ve been able to make tremendous impact on people<\/span>
\nteaching than my singing did or ever would have. I can boldly say I am effective on it. It was really a freeing time for me because anytime I am told I will lead praise, I will start sweating, with sleepless night and I will still make a thousand mistakes, now if I am told that I am teaching tomorrow, oh I will sleep soundly and still impact greatly even with little preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cYou’ve spent years learning how to read and write, years learning how to speak. But what about listening? What training or education have you had that enables you to listen so that you really, deeply understand another human being from that individual’s own frame of reference.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A lot of emphasis is placed now on listening because we just don\u2019t listen, yes like the author brought out, we learn to read, to write and to do any other thing, but I\u2019ve never attended any training on listening. These days I am working earnestly to<\/span>
\ndevelop my listening ability, we always want to talk or listen with the intent to reply or tune you out complete. I\u2019ve also been a person who listens to answer and a selective listener. Now I am working on developing my listening abilities, trying to understand the other person from their own reference point. truly this is not easy as I still deviate sometimes from this goal. We all need to educate ourselves to listen effectively because this is a very important skill that all leaders need.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cAs human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me that we should take charge, own it and take up responsibility for our lives, behavior, choices and decisions. We should always remember that it\u2019s important to act, move and take initiative. If we don\u2019t move to make things happen, they may never happen. We should move to change the flow of things, if we don\u2019t like what we are getting we should get up and change our actions or inactions that is bringing us those results. One of my brothers recently complained a lot that corona virus disrupted the economy that is why there is high rate of unemployment. The COVID virus<\/span>
\nwas a condition, what decisions did we make during that time that will change the narratives for us. If we all had decided to sit at home idle mourning about the situation, we will come out much worse than we went in. those who decided to<\/span>
\nlearned a skill online during that period will come out much better and with a better attitude than those who didn\u2019t. Life is all about our choices and decisions include how far we would go to take ownership of the things that happen around us.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This has been one of the best books I\u2019ve been bless to read in recent times. 7 habits of highly effective people have made a lot of impact in my life and it has reaffirmed the things I rightly believe and hold dear. It has also empowered me to keep<\/span>
\npursing the right principles, be Proactive, beginning with the end in mind, to put first things first, which was initially a bit difficult as I do tend to postpone things, learning to prioritize, effective self-management to meet up with time, and I learned<\/span>
\nto take up responsibility for my action towards others. I\u2019ve made a lot of changes in my life through the knowledge gained in this book, which I intend to use often as my guide<\/span>
\nboth at work and at home, I\u2019ve learnt to practice a win-win approach, twice I saw job advert which my colleagues were qualified for and I recommended them for it, this book has really opened up my mind to developing myself and helping others too, seeking to understand others was practically very difficult because I liked to listen so I could respond, I\u2019ve learned to withhold my judgment or my comments and just listen because every one sure do need someone who could just listen. In all, this book is a book that keeps growing on a person and I know if keep growing the right principles, forming the<\/span>
\nright synergies and sharpening my saw as I groom and raise others, together we can make the world better, one person and one book at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat matters most is how we respond to what we experience in life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realize what is important is my reaction, how I let what I am experiencing affect me. Before if things aren\u2019t going my way, I feel sad, depressed and frustrated, now learn to change my responses focus on the positives, find the lesson in the experience, ending with having a better quality of life in all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPrinciples are the territory. Values are maps. When we value correct principles, we have truth or knowledge of things as they are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This spoke to me that if I get my principles and value correct then I will have<\/span>
\nthe ability to see things they are. Now this also made me take a closer look at my principles, define them and clearly state what my values were.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is our willing permission, our consent to what happens to us, that hurts us far more than what happens to us in the first place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realized that we that its actually not what happens that effects or hurt<\/span>
\nus, it\u2019s our reaction to what happened, or our response to what happened that hurts us. If someone dished out an insult at me and I ignore it, that insult won\u2019t affect or hurt me, but if I react by hurling back the same, I am giving the insult power to make me feel hurt. These days I work on not allowing things that happen around me to determine my reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, definitely if I work on controlling the outside parameters to change my situation, I may end up not succeeding, therefore I shifted my focus to changing myself to improve my situation. I focused on changing my life by changing my mindset, my views and my concepts. My situation may not immediately improve but my quality of<\/span>
\nlife, the fulfillment I feel and the joy within has create a major paradigm shift for me. I achieved these changes by reading one book at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves. Satisfaction is a function of expectation as well as realization. And expectation (and satisfaction) lies in our Circle of Influence.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that its futile attempting to manager time, time is a fixed entity that doesn\u2019t change, therefore learning to adapt ourselves to making good use of time becomes necessary. We need to manage ourselves effectively to achieve our set goals<\/span>
\nat a specific time. Then also filling satisfied is a byproduct of what we had expected and both are within our ability to control or control circle. One of my HR managers loves to say when you don\u2019t expect anything then you won\u2019t be disappointed when nothing is given. This was just on the other side of having high expectations, so that<\/span>
\nyou will be satisfied with what you have achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaking and keeping promises to ourselves precedes making and keeping promises to others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I had this same conversation with someone a few days ago. That life is not about what I do to them, its more about what I do to me, if I am able to treat myself well, I will be able to treat them well also. I remember the scriptures that says love your neighbor as yourself, this shows we can only love our neighbor to the same degree that we love ourselves. This is why keeping promises to ourselves is important, and how true are we to any commitment we make to ourselves. If we can\u2019t commit to keeping the promise, we made to ourselves, we will never be a promise keeper to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeeking to understand requires consideration; seeking to be understood takes courage. Win-win requires a high degree of both. So, it becomes important in interdependent situations for us to be understood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I need to seek to understand others, doing this gives them consideration, looking to<\/span>
\nknow and see from their perspective, also that this precede people understanding me. That being understood and understanding others are two necessary requirements for a win-win.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe key to valuing those differences is to realize that all people see the world, not as it is, but as they are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realized that we all see the world not as the world is, but as we are. If am a sad and depressed person, I will a negative and depressing view of the world, think the universe is conspiring against me, but if I am a happy and excited person, I will see the world as excite, everything glowing and the world beautiful. Having this knowledge has help me to me more understanding towards others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe more we can see people in terms of their unseen potential, the more we can use our imagination rather than our memory.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me understand that the more I can see in people who they can become the more I can help them become a better person than they are, but if I focus on my memory of what they\u2019ve done it will rob us of the ability to see their hidden potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo try to change outward attitudes and behaviors does very little good in the long run if we fail to examine the basic paradigms from which those attitudes and behaviors flow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true as it brought my mind the fact that we need to shine a light and do root cause analysis on real reasons why we exhibit certain behaviors. There was once I reacted badly to a colleague, after while a began to look inward on why I behaved<\/span>
\nthat way, I realized he had done something to which I had took offence to, so I kept this hurt and the day It happened again I reacted the way I did, this also led to series of bad behaviors on my part. Therefore, we should always look inward to see the root of our attitude to change them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cParadigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world. The power of a Paradigm Shift is the essential power of quantum change, whether that shift is an instantaneous or a slow and deliberate process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote we have different paradigm through which we see life, a shift in<\/span>
\nthese paradigms is essential to change how we see the world. The shift can be instantaneously or gradually. In recent time, I\u2019ve realized that I am now a positive confessing person, this paradigm shift did not happen instantaneously, it was a deliberate process achieved through one book at a time. As I keep reading and expanding my knowledge of what is truly possible, I see myself changing from a negative person to a positive one. I now see possibilities instead of problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInside-Out” means to start first with self; even more fundamentally, to start with the most inside part of self with your paradigms, your character, and your motives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that I should always look inward, like all the books we\u2019ve been reading, I need to change from within, anything that happens outside is the result of what is happening inside. If there\u2019s anything that needs to change it should start with me, my<\/span>
\ncharacter, my motives and my paradigms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can buy a person’s hand, but you can’t buy his heart. His heart is where his enthusiasm, his loyalty is. You can buy his back, but you can’t buy his brain. That’s where his creativity is, his ingenuity, his resourcefulness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is absolutely true, I can get a person to do something and his or her heart will not be<\/span>
\nthere neither their enthusiasm. Most people are at this stage where they are do just what they are paid to do but their heart is not there. Having this knowledge will help us to get people around us whose heart is in what we want them to do. Truly money can\u2019t buy a person\u2019s heart or brains. I remember a popular saying that money can buy you a house but it can\u2019t buy you a home. You can buy a person but every other thing about him may not be with you. I remember a story of a young boy who was force to kneel down, the person that punished expect him to cry but he didn\u2019t get that reaction, when he enquired the boy told him yes, I might be kneeling but, in my heart, I am standing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that there are parts to human nature that cannot be reached by either legislation or education, but require the power of God to deal with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, this is absolutely true, there are parts of ourselves that we will not<\/span>
\ndiscover except through the power of God, this also brought to my mind the fact that there is an element of God in everything and every pursuit, that element of God is what makes a true difference in all what we do and want to achieve. As much as we desire true greatness, we should remember that this can only be possible through the<\/span>
\nknowledge and power of God.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, it did, yes, I tried them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Leadership for Dummies<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author gave us short theories on practical strategies and surefire techniques on how to lead change in a way people will understand and accept, it arms us with what we need to: Build and flex our leadership muscles. He also explored the fine lines between managing and leading, how to cope with dilemmas and discomfort of leading.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cPeople are looking to you and taking more notice of what you do than what you say!<\/span>
\nDemonstrate excellence to promote excellence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

People read us and our actions much more than we are aware, what we do is more<\/span>
\nimportant than what we say, because the things we do show our true intentions and feelings, actions should bring to life the importance of our words or rather, what someone does should add more value to what someone says, \u201cone wise friend of mine said ones that he prefers not to say it but do it. I feel every leader or intending leaders should act more than speak, I as a person, I watch others actions and pay attention to it more than their words, because to me words don\u2019t matter, I have developed the habit of saying less and doing more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cHow you and your staff think, feel and act affects, and is affected by, your experiences of each other. Therefore, those you lead aren\u2019t passive in this process.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that we react to each other according what or how we perceived each other. This also brought out that followers\u2019 impact leaders and the leadership process, as they are not passive. They are actively influencing the leading processes either positively or negatively. I once had a boss who imposed decisions on us as if we didn\u2019t have a mind of our own, due to this we all felt undermined by him and reacted to him the same way towards him, it affected how we acted and responded to him. This made me aware that I should work on creating an environment where we can all have the right experience about each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cAuthentic leaders have the courage of their convictions and say what they think even if that means standing out from the crowd: they tell the truth. They\u2019re also open or receptive to others\u2019 views and opinion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that if I want to be authentic, I must be genuine about my conviction also having the boldness to say it and stand up for it, now this does not mean we should be rigid, while airing our conviction we should be open to accept others views and opinion. As much as we want them to accept us and our believes we should learn to accept others. Most people including, I, are public shy. I actually don\u2019t like being the center of attention, or drawing public eye to my person, so the possibility of standing up to say my mind is slightly slim, but aside from this fact I do try to say what\u2019s on my mind if the occasion arises, or I keep quite and do what I am convinced about. But every leader should learn to be bold enough to stand up for what they believe.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cWhen you lead people, be aware that you\u2019re also being seen to be a leader: your presence and what you pay attention to creates an effect or has an impact on people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This resounded in me, as we lead, our values and our acts create impact on the people we are leading. An example is a boss I worked with once, he usually reports back to work from his leave the evening of the day he should be at work, he did this overtime, all the staff under him tend to do them same, he could not caution them because he was guilty of the same act. Therefore, as we lead, we should watch our attitude, what we allow, what<\/span>
\nwe pay attention to, how much we value punctuality and discipline because those we are leading are observing, mostly likely will do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cEvery time that you\u2019re promoted into a more senior leadership position, you\u2019re likely to encounter situations that you haven\u2019t experienced before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me understand that every leadership position has it challenges which are most times different from the ones we may be currently facing. An example is my current boss, he was transferred from a plant where he had only 3 staffs and an official car to run a plant of only one production line, now as my boss his direct reports are 8, he is also overseeing a 5 cement production lines and no official vehicle. As we can clearly see, his<\/span>
\nresponsibility increased and his challenges tripled because the space he has to cover now is 5 times his initial, the number of people multiplied, these are situations he hasn\u2019t experienced before but he is performing quite well. This let me know that as we grow into senior leadership position, we should be adaptable and prepared to tackle<\/span>
\nproblems as they arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cSetting the standard doesn\u2019t mean that you have to be able to do every task that every member of your team does. As people do their jobs every day, they become experts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I remembered when I was a youth president, I set a stand of doing everything excellently, are required same from every head of subgroups that I headed. I wasn\u2019t a good actress but when we had an event, I would trust the leader of the drama team to give me a good drama and I will communicate same to him, at the end I will achieve my goal<\/span>
\nof excellence. I knew quite early that as a leader I can\u2019t do everything and that they are sometimes that no matter how add I try I will not be good at them, due to this I assigned responsibility and let them do their jobs. I have the ability to know each person\u2019s capability assign them responsibility accordingly. It\u2019s also true that what we do<\/span>
\nconsistently and repeatedly that we become experts in.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cAnother good general principle to adopt in leading people is to praise people in public and criticize them (constructively) in private.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When you criticize people in public, especially in front of their peers, subordinates and friends, they typically feel embarrassed, disrespected and humiliated. all negative reviews of performance should be done without an audience. Criticizing people in public can creates enmity because it undermines their leadership in front of their<\/span>
\npeers and could damage their self-confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has really been a great help as the author covered both personal, organizational and societal leadership, the principles highlighted in the book has helped me with deeper understanding of the act of leading and how to achieve success through the challenges that comes with leading others. I feel arm with this knowledge I am equipped to be a better leader and to develop others to be better leaders too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a leader can be extremely hard! You need to set the standards for others to follow: you have to be the person that you want others to become.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me that I need to be the person I expect others to be, I can\u2019t expect others to come early when I the leader come late. Therefore, being the leader requires I live it and also lead others to live it. The same standards I require from people should<\/span>
\nbe the same I set for myself. I\u2019ve always been a believer of leadership by example.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo be a successful leader, you need to continually develop yourself and your staff: your own and their positive qualities, relevant skills and competences.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote was a reminder of continuous self-development as a leader because according to John Maxwell, a leader that is not learning and growing is actually dying, a leader that is not learning and growing will be uncomfortable and envious of his follower who is, a leader that is not developing himself will not develop his staff or team members,<\/span>
\ntherefore I\u2019ve always been on the path of self-development, then I encourage as many as I can to do the same, I try to be a step ahead of the team in terms of development so I can be in a better position to develop other people.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to put more emphasis on managing in some situations and more emphasis on leading people in other situations to achieve success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me realize that there are times you need to be a manager, being definite about decisions concerning a situation and there are also situations that require you be a leader, and in some situations, you will be required to be both at the same time. The<\/span>
\nmost important factor all leaders need to do is to develop the ability to correcting identity the style required for any time given situation to resolved in order to achieve the desired success.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Develop your own self-knowledge so that you can be authentic by working through questions such as: What\u2019s important to me? What are my values? What makes me happy and what do I get upset about?”<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this that if I ask the right questions and correctly answer them, I will better understand myself, and the reasons behind why I act in a certain way. Self-knowledge is essential if we want to be an authentic and effective leader. According to John Maxwell we don\u2019t lead outside our core believes and value system, the earlier we discover what those values are the earlier can understand how we lead and if we are leading effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost leaders have doubts about their ability to succeed at one time or another, especially when faced with difficult situations!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wow, this is absolutely true, every leader most times doubt themselves,<\/span>
\nit shows they are humans, doubting ourselves is not such a bad thing, it becomes bad when we allow those doubt limit us from achieving success in any given situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuestioning your approach to leading people or being self-critical is healthy because you can enhance your self-knowledge and leadership ability through questioning your motives, attitudes and reasons for behaving as you do in situations that require leadership.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It is always healthy to ask yourself questions about how you are leading, this gives us the privilege if clarifying our motives and intentions, also helping in enhancing our self-knowledge and self-awareness. Questions open doors for us to see areas where we need to make changes or areas were, we should have used another method than the<\/span>
\none we used and also identifying the principled we applied that worked in other to reused them in similar situation, while noting that sometimes similar situation may require another set of principles because of the individuals involve in the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour values are descriptions of what is important to you or what you value. Some of your values are core values because they\u2019re the most important ones to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This just re-echoed point above, what are important to me are important because they are things I value, an example for me is honesty, it is important because I value honesty and I am honest, discipline is also important because I discipline myself to achieve success. These are examples of my core values and they are very important. If I discover<\/span>
\nyou are not an honest person my association with ends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing an authentic leader requires you to show a genuine interest in other people, as well as being true to yourself by behaving in accord with your values.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded of what John Maxwell said in 21 irrefutable laws of leadership that a leader touches a heart before he asks for a hand, this shows that as a leader we need to care about people, show interest in their wellbeing, try to understand them and be genuinely interest in their growth, only then can we be an authentic leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDeveloping your leadership skills can never be risk-free, otherwise you never discover how to handle potentially difficult problems.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that I should not expect to develop my leadership skill without some level of difficulty, actually difficult situation brings out the leader within us. But we need to learn these leadership skills so we can effectively apply it when the situation arises.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo really add value to your organization, you need to avoid becoming one of those busy fools who\u2019re less productive than they could be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Who we are and the value we add to our organization is a choice we have to make, and work towards achieving it. This is one reason I keep developing myself because as I am adding value to myself, I become more productive and effective in adding value to my organization downside, also improving the upside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, a lot of them, I did most and yes, they were helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 7<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Law of Attraction<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author gave us an excellent book to introduce a person to the most important law governing the universe. This book is a brilliant and perfect introduction to how we can use our thoughts to attract what we want or do not want into our lives. Most importantly the authors Esther and Henry Kicks introduces us to the being Abraham who is the teacher of these laws, Abraham also speaks with a common sense upon such topics as the<\/span>
\npower of our emotions, whether evil really exists, and why we cannot control other people. The book can serve as a guide for anyone who wishes to have a happier and more enjoyable life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cThe Law of Attraction is responding to the thoughts that you hold at all times it is accurate to say that you are creating your own reality. Everything that you experience is attracted to you because the Law of Attraction is responding to the thoughts that you are offering.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This brought to my understanding that our thoughts matter. How you think in any moment determines how you feel and act in any situation and it also determines what we attract into our lives. This has been the lessons we\u2019ve been learning from the first book we read in this institute, that what\u2019s important is our thoughts, wherever or on<\/span>
\nwhatever we fix it upon is what we will get.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cthe more interest you will have in deliberately directing your thoughts \u2014 for you get what you think about, whether you want it or not.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This was a wow for me, most of the time my thoughts are on what I don\u2019t want, what I don\u2019t like and what I hate. Those are the things that keep happening, this made me realize that because my thoughts are focused on those things, they become my reality whether I want it or not. I remember a time I had this thought that something was wrong or something bad was going to happen, I was to attend a friend\u2019s wedding, I insist I wasn\u2019t going but my friend said he would be angry if I did not come, I then went during the ceremony I broke the screen of my phone which made me not to have access to internet for the next 3 months, I was very angry, I should have stayed back. I know this must have happened because I had this thought of something going wrong and I was focused on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cWhen you are giving thought in a direction of something that you want, you will feel positive emotion. When you are giving thought in the direction of what you do not want, you will feel negative emotion.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis phrase resonated a book a read though I can\u2019t remember the title that how to check if we are in harmony with our desires is to check how we feel. Now this gave me a clear understanding that if I am thinking the things I want or in that direction I will be excited and happy, also showing my emotions are positive, then again if I am having a negative emotion, I should check my thoughts direction. This reminded me of a time my training<\/span>
\nmanager asked me to demonstrate a paradigm shift by taking my mind back to an instant where someone did something that annoyed me, immediately I took my mind back to that incident the anger returned again as if the person just did it, I felt angry and sad. This shows that our thoughts have great influences over our emotions. Some people say master your emotions, but I feel the most appropriate thing is to master our thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cOur desire to help you understand that you can get to wherever you want to be from wherever you are, no matter where you are or what your current state of Being.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this that no matter where I am currently and my state of being that it is possible to go from here to where I want to be by changing and controlling my thoughts. There is a popular quote in my language that says \u201cyour background should not be the reason that your back is on the ground.\u201d When I compare this with Abraham\u2019s desire to make us understand what is truly possible, I realized that no matter where I came from or my tribe or my religion or my skin color or my educational status it is absolutely possible for me to achieve a multidimensional success if I made up my mind to achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cBy deliberately directing your thoughts and by creating pleasing mental scenarios in your own mind that induce good-feeling emotions within you, you begin to change your own point of attraction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase meant to me that I can deliberately change my thoughts to make me feel good, this took my mind back to Psycho-Cybernetics where we can intentionally hypnotize ourselves. I recently lost a very close friend to plane crash, I find myself thinking about him, all the stress he went through and the painful dead of being burnt, this will make me feel extremely sad, so as not to go into depression I will go into my bath room, I have these stickers I stuck on the wall since reading the power of intention, I will read the stickers out loud and immediately the sadness will go. For example, \u201cI am a success, I attract success into my life because that is who I am\u201d. \u201cI live in<\/span>
\nabundance and I have abundant of everything I need\u201d.\u201d I am peaceful and happy, everything around me feels good and I feel great.\u201d I will repeat this over and over till I feel that way. This was creating a different scenario from my reality, shifting to the place where I can attract positivity into my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cWhen joy is really important to you, you do not allow yourself to focus upon things that do not feel good and the result of thinking only thoughts that feel good would cause you to create a wonderful life filled with all things that you desire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember a chat I had with someone recently, he complained a lot about so many things that I had to tell him, when your focus is all these things you will never find fulfillment in life, he then asked me if I was happy with the way my life is or has been, I answered yes, I was, he asked series of questions, if my happiness is based on hope or how can I be happy without a relationship, his conclusion was I am happy because I have the ability to ignore the things that made me sad. My conclusion was being happy or finding happiness is a choice we make daily, we don\u2019t need a reason to be happy, we just need to be happy that we are happy (smiles). This is the basic truth if being joyful is important we will make a choice not focus on things that don\u2019t align with that goal. I am creating<\/span>
\nthe best life I want with all the things I desire therefore; I can\u2019t allow thoughts that do not make me feel good.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cIt is also of value to recognize that in this combining of thoughts, ideas, and experiences, together you have the potential of creating something even greater than you could create on your own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that there is a possibility of creating something greater than I ever imagine when it comes from a combination of my thoughts, ideas and experiences. But these experiences should be positive ones not negative. Since I had the experience of having abundance of money, every time thoughts of money comes, I will be at peace because I know money will flow in, now combining these 3 things I\u2019ve been able to be in a place where I have money to meet my needs, clear my debts, pay my tuition fees, give out some and I am no longer dependent on my salary. This is way beyond what I could have imagined, I know it will get progressively better. Therefore, a combination of positive thoughts, positive ideas and positive experiences can help us create something greater than we could have created on our own.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book presented ideas that helped me think more positively about what I want to create in my life and the world at large. It shifted my focus to look inward to what I am creating by analyzing my thoughts. It reminded me of all the things I read in psycho-cybernetics and the power of intention. Re-forcing my beliefs and practice of<\/span>
\npositive thinking. it has helped me not be focused on the pains of losing a friend who was more like a brother, there were times when my mind will drift to the fact that he was no longer alive and wondering whom I will call for help or advice, but in all it gave me strength to think positively and walked through the pains. Generally, it was a great book to read if one can get pass the fact that an abstract being is the one talking.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you put yourself in the position of competition, the one who wins is always the one who is clearest about his wanting, and most expectant of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that if we are in a competition the person that win is the person that went into the game with the mindset that he wants to win. This is exceptionally true, 80% of all games are lost in the mind, when you go in with the mindset that you won\u2019t<\/span>
\nsucceed miracles can\u2019t make you win. Therefore, we should always be clear about our desired outcome even in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday, no matter where I am going, no matter what I am doing, it is my dominant intent to see that which I want to see. Nothing is more important than that I feel good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This ended up as one of my wall stickers. I profess this every day, I want to see what I wish to see, which are things that made me feel good and happy and excited. Yes, there are some days that things don\u2019t turn out the way we expected like that day I got news of my friend\u2019s passing, but this happens just one day out of several days, therefore my positive professions fuel the results I see daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut know that by your deliberate intending, you will be in control of your life experience; and you will not be swept up by their confusion, or by their intent or influence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This meant to me that by being intentional in my desires I will not be swept by the confusion of others, this is like standing in my truth, and knowing my intent. Like the example I gave above about my chat with someone, to him life means \u201ca dance around this meaningless abyss called existence\u201d and \u201cI don\u2019t believe Happiness is real\u201d<\/span>
\nthis is quoting him directly. To me life means an entirely different thing, exciting, fulfilling, joyful, peaceful and fruitful. His confusion did not shift my believes or how I feel, I am in control because my happiness is me. Like I also told him I can control how I feel therefore I have the ability to control what I experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cConfusion comes forth when you are considering too many things at one time, while clarity comes forth while you are more singular in thought.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This took my mind back to when I carry out spectrum analysis of electric motors, if I merge all the phases, voltages, current and harmonics, I will have a jumble of several waves forms that it will be very difficult to identify if there is anything out of place, but<\/span>
\nif I isolate each wave form to study it, I find it easier to quickly spot where the wave forms where not sinusoidal. Coming back to this quote when we focus on too many things at the same time, we will bring confusions to our mind but if we made a conscious choice to focus on a singular thought at a time, we gain clarity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you say I want, and I allow, therefore it is, you will be very fast in your creation of whatever it is that you want. You are literally allowing yourself to have it by not resisting it, by not pushing it away with other thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded of a time I said I needed some new clothes, I keep saying it, suddenly clothes started coming in, either someone bought a cloth which was not their size and when they gave it to me or some cloths dealers auction their stock and I got some cloths. This means that when we say what we want we are allowing it to flow to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you come to understand that this Universe; indeed, this physical experience in which you are participating, is abundant and that there is not an ending to that abundance then you do not worry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote teleported me back to the power of Intention. That was when my abundant<\/span>
\nexperience began, I communicated abundance to the universe and since then, for the first time in my life time, food wasn\u2019t an issue to the extent that I was able to give some out to others, Financially I have sufficient, because I know that there is abundance in the universe of everything I need. When we operate from this understanding there is no need to worry. I am so peaceful now because I know everything, I desire is abundantly available and I will get them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRather than trying so hard to erase the past, focus on the present. Give thought to what you now want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned to always leave the sleeping dogs alone, leaving the past where it belongs, I love<\/span>
\nto tell people that I don\u2019t live in the past, therefore I can\u2019t tell them about my past life or what happened in the past, we should let the past be the past, anyways that is why they call it past, because it should be gone and forgot, today is what really matters and what I can change today to get the results I want tomorrow. I concentrate my energy and focus on the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are all, as magnets, attracting unto you the subject of your thought.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reminded me of the power of intention, that we are constantly attracting from the universe. When our thoughts are negative, we attract the same. I remember when I read the Secret, I decided to imagine a certain type of man, I just created him in my mind less than a week someone contacted me on Facebook and the guy looked exactly<\/span>
\nlike the person I imagined, this shows that whatever our mind focuses on will become our reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the action you offer does not produce the results you are seeking, it is always because you are offering thoughts in opposition to your desire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned that for everything I want to do or I am currently doing that if my thoughts are not in line with the desired result, I won\u2019t get what I want.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As much as the teaching were good, but being possessed by an abstract<\/span>
\nbeing is something I cannot deeply subscribe to.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes. They were very helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 5<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Leader who had No Title<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The main idea of the book is that we can all be leaders, it doesn\u2019t matter whether we are at the top or at the middle or at the bottom of the ladder, he brought to bear that, titles have no meanings, all what matters to us should be doing the best work we can each time. He also portrayed that we are carrying the leadership genes within us, and it is in the interest of both ourselves and everyone in our lives for us to grow and develop these<\/span>
\nsame genes to stay ahead of the competitions. Learning to take total control and full responsibility for our actions and their consequences is one of ways to be a leader. He also emphasized that anyone can be a leader. We also don\u2019t need to be the CEO of the company to be a leader, the way we do our job shows if we are a leader or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. It\u2019s about knowing who you are, what you stand for, and then having the courage to be yourself in every situation rather than only when it\u2019s convenient. It\u2019s about being real, consistent, and congruent so who you are on the inside is reflected by the way you perform on the outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Living life and becoming the leader we are meant to be means finding the courage to always be ourselves, this is what is truly important, which most of us struggle with. This phrase talked to me that leading is all about me, about being real, about being consistent with whom I am within, going the extra mile to bring my true self out. Some situations may come in our lives that pushes out far away from being ourselves but in such situations, we should unplug and reevaluate the situation, view it from different angles and try to align it with our core values, believes and morals. Staying true to who we are on the inside can mean several things, for example, it can mean quitting a job that no long serves us, walking out of relations or leaving a particular place, I have had some<\/span>
\npeople who wanted to be a part of my life whose values conflicted with mine, as much I would have loved to have them around but I let them go, because having them around will derail me from being my true self, make me adjust my values and believes systems to accommodate their lower values, therefore I learnt to focus on being true to myself and standing up for my values, believes, and having the courage to be myself, like a popular quotes says if you\u2019ve not found what to live for then you are not fit to live. If I don\u2019t stand up for my originality which encompasses my beliefs and values, then I won\u2019t be the leader I should and I am not fit to live. For us to be the true leader that\u2019s within us we need to fight daily to stay true to our inner personality.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. Only the mediocre die always at their best. Real leaders are always improving and raising their bar on how superbly they can perform and how quickly they can move.<\/span><\/p>\n

I understood from this phrase that true leaders are never die at their best because they are always raising the bar of excellence and productivity. This is what makes them stand-out, they are always pushing themselves to move forward, true leaders never get to the point where they settle and accept this how far they can come or that this is the best they could do, also lack of this driving force that pushes the leader to improve their productivity makes those who stop when they get to where they call their best, mediocre. If we want to stand-out during our time on the earth! Then we should always keep pushing the boundaries of excellence and productivity. True leaders are addicted self-developers, they do whatever is necessary to grow, they buy relevant books and read through them. They do not only read through them, but they also go ahead to apply what they learned to every aspect of their lives, I as a person knows that I am a leader, I read, and I read a lot, not only that I read, but I also reflect on the books, thinking of how to adjust my life to the principles I just acquired in any particular book. I have never gotten to the point where I feel I have done enough or that I have learned enough, I keep pushing boundaries, I keep taking up new assignments and I keep on developing myself. Mediocre begins when we begin to settle at the point of our last achievement, when we stop learning we start dying, therefore true leaders keep on improving and they never relax on achieving multiple successes.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. The interesting thing about reflecting on your death is that it reawakens you to what\u2019s truest about life.<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase took me back to level 3 where I had to write my biography, it got me truly reflecting on how I want to be remembered, it made me take a closer look at what I am currently doing, the question that if I had few months to live what would I do differently made me realize, I should be living my best life now, not tomorrow and not next<\/span>
\ntomorrow. Thoughts of our mortality will spur even most carefree person to change. I have lived life to the best that I can, I have always done what is good for me even as push myself to be a much better person. If I happen to be on my dead bed now, I will have no regrets, life and learning had given me the privilege to go beyond my expectations and dreams, even though I haven\u2019t reached my best yet, but I am satisfied that daily I am making progress towards a much better quality of life. We therefore shouldn\u2019t wait for threats of our mortality for us to live our best life.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. Lucky breaks are nothing more than unexpected rewards for intelligent choices we\u2019ve chosen to make. Success doesn\u2019t just happen because someone\u2019s stars line up. Success, both in business and personally, is something that\u2019s consciously created.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have always quoted that success is repeatable, that if one person had succeeded in it, and we repeat the same process we too can succeed. I also strongly believe in grooming ourselves, for opportunities and these opportunities gives birth to success. Sometimes we say they had a lucky break, but we didn\u2019t see, the hard work, the sleepless nights, the lonely nights, and the days they had to deny themselves of things so they could achieve<\/span>
\nsuccess. I know for an example that I will be extremely successful, that I will achieve all my goals and dreams, that I will even exceed my expectations of myself, how? Because I have put in the work, I have developed and I am still developing myself, I have denied myself momentary pleasures so many times to train myself both academically, financially, and other spheres of life, I have put in my best, I know sooner than soon, the universe will reward my hard work, dedication, and commitment to giving and doing my best. When it happens people will think its luck, they will think it happened over night, but they would not see the time I had chosen the hard path instead of the easy one, the sacrifices I had made and they self-denial. A few days ago, I was nominated as the best staff in my department, a lot of people came to ask why, and said many things. I didn\u2019t mind them because I know I had put in the work for it, it was denied for a long time finally my time of success has come. I know in my previous assessments I had talked about how unvalued I was at my work, yes it has been very bad, and it got worse, but suddenly this 2022 things started to look up. Now prior to this I have worked for the last 10 year without any form growth on the job, my job role was changed 5 years ago to suit my qualification, somewhere along the line that changes were not reflected on my pay nor any promotion. But I kept going and I kept doing my best, other additional jobs beyond my job descriptions will be given to me and I did it. Yes, I was unhappy with the situation, but I kept showing up, earlier than I am expected to resume, and doing an<\/span>
\nexcellent job every time. Today coming out as the best staff may surprise many but not I, because I have worked for it, and I deserve it. This is nothing like my star lined up, it happened because I consciously worked towards it, even when the odds where against me, had bosses who undermined me, I didn\u2019t get sloppy on the job, I gave my<\/span>
\nbest always. From the phrase I know that when we put in the effort to work towards our success, its possible and we can achieve it, the luck here is the reward of diligent work. Being recognized as the best staff is not something that just happened, its years of excellent service, hard work, availability, and quality service. This is one of the<\/span>
\nreasons I keep working towards by dreams because I know success is possible if I do the work for it and my lucky break is around the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cReal leadership involves breaking through the limits of your mind so you can step into the highest strengths of your spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The real battle of life is in the mind, our mind controls absolutely everything about us, our feelings, our reactions and actions. Everyone has dreams and goals. However, very few people achieve them. This is because majority of us let our limits hold us back. These limits take various forms. Examples are physical inability, doubt, fear, or a negative past. When we meet our personal limits, we feel resistance. This makes everything feel much harder to accomplish. Many people around the world are unable to hold on when it gets to this point. Therefore, they give up. It is important to learn how to beat our limits and overcome them this where our greatest strength lies. This enables us to achieve our goals. Leading means we must overcome these limits in our minds. I have never been privilege to meet great leaders prior to my learning about leadership, I was unfortunate to work with and meet people whose leading style I pray never to emulate, but somehow I knew within me that leadership is beyond what I was experiencing, and I knew I had no guide on what true leadership is, and that if I didn\u2019t know I will end up like the leaders I\u2019ve met and looking at the knowledge of leading that I had then, therefore I began a journey of destroying what I knew then by unlearning and relearning, the quest to change both the narratives, overcome my limiting believes and become the leader I should, is what led me to IIGL. This phrase is true that if we don\u2019t breakthrough the limits in our mind, we may never step into our highest strength, and that by pushing beyond our limits, we can become everything that we ever wanted to be. We can achieve our dreams and leave a legacy that lasts and there in is our greatest human spirit strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. Remember, we see the world not as it is but as we are. So, if your stained-glass window is a mess, your life will become a mess. If your stained-glass window has a belief that says, \u201cYou can\u2019t lead without a title,\u201d then your actions will of course be consistent with that belief, and so you won\u2019t lead if you lack a title.<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase took me back to Seven Habits of Highly Effective People where Steve Covey made the same statement, this is actual true because we judge everything based on who we are not as the thing is. I remember a popular story, where a wife complains to the husband everyday about the neighbor not washing her clothes clean. Every time the neighbor spreads cloths on the line she will comment on it, why she couldn\u2019t take time to wash the cloths clean, this went on for a long time, then one day the husband decided to clean their louvers (glass window), the next time the neighbor spread her cloths on the line, she saw that it was clean, she then realize that it was her window that was dirty not the neighbor\u2019s cloths. Like I explained earlier about changing our mindset and limiting believes, if the believes we use as filter of the things around us are wrong then every other thing will be wrong. I have come to realize a long time ago that I don\u2019t need to have a title to be a leader, therefore anywhere I found myself I have held my self accountable to the best behavior, which is in line with my believes, due to this high level of self-accountability and responsibility, the leadership roles have always found its way to me. Everything about life starts with what we belief, like Napoleon will say, whatever the mind can conceive and belief, it can achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. I\u2019ve learned about leadership is that leaders are those individuals who do the things that failures aren\u2019t willing to do even though they might not like doing them either. \u201cOnly the mediocre die always at their best. Real leaders are always improving and raising their bar on how superbly they can perform and how quickly they can move.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me that being a leader is not comfortable or convenient or self-serving, to be a leader one must be willing to make lots of sacrifices, self-denial sometimes and going the extra mile even when no one is willing to. Over the years, I have come to find out that leaders do things that failures do not like to do, they might not like doing them, though. Leaders stay awake when failures are still changing gear in their sleep. Recently I encouraged my sisters to start exercising and taking care of their health, I discovered along the line I had stopped doing that, to be their champion in that I had to get back in the game, changed my eating habits and get back my exercising gears, it\u2019s not convenient or comfortable, but I am required to do it because they are all looking up to me. If we are to be leaders then we will have to do what others aren\u2019t willing to do, even if no one is doing it, we must, we should take the lead because true leaders are pathfinders, not path followers, they find the path and lead others along. Therefore, this phrase taught me that being a leader means doing the right thing always whether it favors us or not, and whether we like it or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The lessons learnt in this book are too numerous to count, learning that doing my job well is part of leadership, made me take a critical look at how I do my job, yes I have always held myself to a higher level of quality service delivery at all times but I had to look at the other integral parts of doing the job, that I don\u2019t need to be the head to do the right thing. It helped me understand that we all need to start demonstrating leadership, regardless of our titles, that everyone needs to drive innovation, inspire our teammates, embrace change, take responsibility for results, to be positive, to become devoted to expressing our absolute best by leading without a title. What we need to lead is I.M.A.G.E.: Innovation, Mastery, Authenticity, Guts, and Ethics. I\u2019ve also discovered the more time I spend outside of my comfort zone, the wider I will grow. Through what I have learnt from this book, I have been able to organize two webinars, educating people that something as small as doing their job well can make them a leader and that we all need to lead where we are planted and shine where we now find ourselves. Then to be a great leader, I must first become a great person through trainings and strengthening my inner leader which will help me perform at extraordinary levels. The key is here is self-leadership. In our world we define success by the things we have, not by the people we\u2019ve become. The more self-awareness we develop the more likely we are to grow and help others. therefore, developing myself to the level where I am the extraordinary leader that the world needs, I can help others grow (which I am doing) and I can make the world a better place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEach of us is born into genius. Sadly, most of us die amid mediocrity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me know that it\u2019s all in us, greatness, success, and everything we have ever imagined is in us. But unfortunately, most of us will never discover it till we die.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd on your last day, all that truly matters is whether you got to know your inner leader, and if you did, whether you had the bravery to allow it to offer its gifts to the world around you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote coupled with our level 3 assessments made me realize that at our point of dead whether we were successful or not will not matter, what will! are the things we should have done and the lives we would have been able to impact during our time here on earth. Also, that if we had truly known ourselves and allowed the world to see who we are by serving our true self to the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don\u2019t have any.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made remember how I have always argued that we all have choices and the power to do anything we want, most people unfortunately think they have no control over anything, therefore they invariably give away their power. Where people did not feel they had a voice, a power, a cause to come together, to ask and make a change, that quickly shift to them giving their personal power away, and it happens over time like cancer that slowly spreads allover until it kills the host. We don\u2019t wake up one day and decide to give<\/span>
\nup on ourselves. we give our power away out of fear and anxiety, or unmet expectations or experiencing sets backs. I learned if I condition my mind to think I can\u2019t change things and I don\u2019t have the power to transform what I am experiencing to a positive one, then I will give away my power, when that happens, I will spiral into hopelessness, despair, and fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe highest of all human abilities is the ability each one of us has to choose how we respond to the environment we find ourselves within.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true, we may not be able to control what happening around us, but we have the power to choose our response. We have the power to remain in a stable state<\/span>
\nwithin when all around us is chaotic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat your expectations at work and within your life become self-fulfilling prophecies. The results you expect are the results you\u2019ll see. That\u2019s an incredibly important thing to remember.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this that our expectations become our reality. This took my mind back to vision board, where we create our reality from. There was a time that I use to experience the opposite of my thoughts, if I think of failing, will succeed, I later realized I set a low expectation for myself so that when the results roll in, if I did fail it will be okay as I never expected to succeed anyway. But when I changed my expectations both of myself and life, since then there\u2019ve been so many expectations met and exceeded. Therefore, our expectations become our reality. If we see good, we will have good and if we see evil so will we receive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHard times do make better people. That in the middle of difficulty lives opportunity. And that each of us is built to win in both work and life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly there are a lot of opportunities in difficulty, when we overcome, we become stronger, better, and more inspired to succeed, as I have said in my previous summaries, my life has not been an easy one, but the situations I have grown through has made me tougher, stronger, courageous, and more assured of my success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a lot more power than we think. And a lot more control over the way our lives unfold that most of us seem to understand!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This just affirm the earlier point, that we are power, we are strong, and that we have absolute control over our lives, what happens to us and how we respond to those<\/span>
\nhappenings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that thing are difficult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that when we choose not to act there\u2019re more dire consequences<\/span>
\nsometimes than if we choose to act, an example is my work, for years I\u2019ve been sidelined, victimized, and denied my entitlements, except when it comes to assigning job roles. I did nothing about it, I accepted it and hoped one day it will change, late last year I decide to speak up, I got angry with the way things were and gave voice to it, I spoke for myself that I\u2019ve been cheated for being assigned a job role that I was not paid for, and I took a step to document it by emailing my work condition to both my direct boss, the Plant<\/span>
\nDirector and the HR manager, swiftly things began to change and peak up. If I hadn\u2019t acted and gave voice to what\u2019ve faced on the job, things many never change, I may still be in the same difficult, unjust, and unfair position. Therefore when we don\u2019t act or don\u2019t dare, things will become more difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are blessed enough to still have your parents, honor them. And do it today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reemphasized what I believe, honoring our parents, I am blessed to have a wonderful woman as a mother, I give the honor due to her, I respect and value her, I go extra mile for her, and she always comes first in my life, that is after myself. More than that the bible commanded us to honor our parents therefore I will honor her. Even without this I will still honor her, because of her sacrifices for us her children, I will<\/span>
\neternally be grateful to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

By infusing leadership into everything you do and each thing you touch, you can live remarkably. You truly can realize your original genius. You really can be one of the great ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote has taught me that, in everything we do we should do it with excellence having in mind that we are leaders. We should always know that whether we have a title or not, recognized or not, that we are all leaders and therefore should do things differently.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 5 Second Rule<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The main idea that the author of the book \u201c5 Second Rule\u201d is trying to convey is the importance of acting and making decisions quickly. The book suggests that we often have a window of opportunity to act or decide, which the author refers to as \u201cThe 5 Second rule.\u201d According to the author, if we don’t act within this window of opportunity, our doubts and fears will hold us back and prevent us from making progress<\/span>
\ntowards our goals The book argues that by taking action and making decisions quickly, we can overcome our own doubts and fears and achieve our goals. It suggests that this can be achieved by using a simple countdown technique, in which we count down from 5 to 1 and then act. The book provides examples and strategies for using this technique to overcome procrastination, increase productivity, and achieve personal<\/span>
\nand professional goals. Overall, the main idea that the author is trying to convey in this book is the importance of taking action and making decisions quickly in order to overcome our doubts and fears and achieve our goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Instinct to change your mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a window for everyone between the moment you have an instinct to change and your mind killing that instinct. While your mind starts working. against you in nanoseconds, the barrage of thoughts and excuses don\u2019t seem to kick into full force and stop you for a few seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. There is only one You! There will never be another one. That\u2019s your power.<\/span><\/p>\n

I understood from this statement that each person is unique and irreplaceable. It implies that everyone has their own unique qualities, characteristics, and abilities, and that these things make each person special and powerful. The statement suggests that each person can make a difference and to leave their own mark on the world, because<\/span>
\nthere is no one else who is exactly like us. It encourages people to embrace their individuality and to use their own unique talents and abilities to make a positive impact on the world. We are unique and that our individuality is a source of strength and power. It means that we are one-of-a-kind and that there will never be another person<\/span>
\nexactly like I or you or us. Our unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives make us who we are and give us the power to make a difference in the world. It’s important for us to recognize and embrace our own individuality, rather than trying to be someone we are not. By being true to ourselves, we can tap into our own power and make a positive impact on the world around us.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. Sometimes there is no next time, no second chance, or no time out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stop waiting. It\u2019s now or never. When you wait, you aren\u2019t procrastinating. You are doing something more dangerous. You are deliberately convincing yourself \u201cnow is not the time.\u201d You are actively working against your dreams. When<\/span>
\nyou wait, you aren\u2019t procrastinating. You are doing something more dangerous. You are deliberately convincing yourself \u201cnow is not the time.\u201d You are actively working against your dreams.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis statement is encouraging us to take action and not to wait or delay in pursuing our goals and dreams. It suggests that there may not always be a second chance or an opportunity to revisit something, and that it’s important to seize the moment and make the most of it. It also implies that waiting or procrastinating can be harmful, as it<\/span>
\ncan lead to self-doubt and the belief that “now is not the time.” This can prevent us from taking action and moving forward, which can ultimately hold us back from achieving our goals. By recognizing the importance of the present moment and acting on our goals and dreams, we can make progress and move closer to achieving what we want in<\/span>
\nlife. I remember last year when I realized that my second undergrad result won\u2019t be ready to proceed to graduate school, I decided to act, in all I was able to secure 10 admissions, but the only limiting factor was funding, in all I learned a whole lot about graduate school application that now I am coaching others, if I didn\u2019t act then may be its<\/span>
\nnow I will be learning. There is always no better time than now, this has become my philosophy.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. Success is a numbers game.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re not going to win it if you keep telling yourself to wait. The more often that you choose courage, the more likely you\u2019ll succeed. The more often that you choose courage, the more likely you\u2019ll succeed. Success is often thought of as the achievement of a goal or the attainment of a desired outcome. The phrase \u201csuccess is a numbers game\u201d means that the more opportunities we take and the more actions we take, the more likely we<\/span>
\nare to achieve success. This is because the more we try, the more chances we have, to succeed. One way to understand this concept is to think about it in terms of probability in math\u2019s. If we only try to do something once, our chances of success are relatively low. However, if we try to do it multiple times, our chances of success increases, this is like tossing a coin, the more we toss the more the possibilities of having a head come<\/span>
\nup. The idea that \u201cyou\u2019re not going to win it if you keep telling yourself to wait\u201d means that if we keep putting off taking, action or making decisions, we are less likely to achieve success. This is because success often requires taking risks and making choices and waiting too long to make these choices can limit our chances of success.<\/span>
\nTherefore, I learned from this statement that in order to be successful, we need to be proactive and take action. We should also be willing to take risks and make choices, even if they are difficult or uncertain. The more often we choose to do this, the more likely we are to achieve success.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. Win or lose, at least I\u2019m doing something! It takes a lot of bravery to be able to get honest with yourself and admit how hard it is to focus on what you need to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase suggests that the speaker believes that it is better to take action and try to achieve a goal, even if there is a chance of failure, than to do nothing at all. This attitude can be seen as a positive one because it reflects a willingness to take risks and try new things, rather than being afraid of failure or uncertainty. The second part of the statement, \u201cit takes a lot of bravery to be able to get honest with yourself and admit how hard it is to focus on what you need to do,\u201d suggests that it can be difficult to be honest with oneself about the challenges and obstacles that may be standing in the way of achieving a goal. Admitting that something is difficult or that we are struggling can be a brave and vulnerable thing to do. However, being honest about these challenges can also be an important step in overcoming them and finding ways to move forward. It also<\/span>
\nsuggests that it takes courage and honesty to take action and try to achieve something, even if there is a chance of failure. It also suggests that taking action, even if it is difficult, is ultimately more rewarding and fulfilling than doing nothing at all. Honestly this book keeps taking my mind back to math: zero multiplied by zero will always<\/span>
\nbe a zero, a one can always increase better than zero.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. It\u2019s okay to be scared. Being scared means you\u2019re about to do something really, really brave.<\/span><\/p>\n

The statement suggests that it is normal and natural to feel afraid or anxious when facing a challenging or risky situation. This is because fear is a natural response to situations that pose a potential threat or danger. However, the statement also suggests that facing and overcoming fear can be a brave and courageous thing to do. This is because it takes courage to act, even when we are afraid. By facing and confronting our fears, we can often achieve things that we might not have thought were possible. In terms of life application, this statement can be seen as a reminder that it is okay to feel afraid and that it is normal to have fears and doubts. However, it can also be seen as an encouragement to act and face our fears, even if it is difficult. This can help you to grow and learn and can ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and rewarding life. There\u2019s never been a time I am called to give a speech that fear, and doubt won\u2019t want to cripple me, despite that I<\/span>
\nwill tell myself hey girl you\u2019ve got this, you can do this, this is your stage, you prepared for this, go ahead and show them what you\u2019ve got. Most times people will come up to me and like that was the best, ever, in my mind I will be like I wish you could have seen my fears. We should never let fear stop us from acting.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. Small things are not small at all. They are the most important things of all. And they add up. Pushing yourself to 5- 4- 3- 2- 1 on the \u201csmall things\u201d gives you confidence to do the \u201cbig scheme of things.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a window for everyone between the moment you have an instinct to change and your mind killing that instinct. While your mind starts working against you in nanoseconds, the barrage of thoughts and excuses don\u2019t seem to kick into full force and stop you for a few seconds.\u201d This statement is suggesting that when we have an instinct or desire to change something about ourselves or our circumstances, there is a brief window of time in which we can act on that instinct before our mind begins to work<\/span>
\nagainst us. It suggests that our mind will start to generate thoughts and excuses that may discourage or prevent us from following through with the change. This process can happen very quickly, but it may take a few seconds for the full force of these thoughts and excuses to take hold and stop us from acting. It’s important to recognize that<\/span>
\nthis process is natural and that everyone experiences it to some extent. The key is to be aware of it and to try to act on our instincts and desires before our mind starts to work against us. This may require some mindfulness and self- awareness, as well as the willingness to push through any doubts or fears that may arise. For example, there are<\/span>
\nsome days I will want to exercise, if I roll it around my mind before I know it time would have gone far that exercise wont fit into my schedule for that day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The phrase suggests that small tasks or actions can have a significant impact and should not be overlooked or underestimated. This is because these small things can often be the building blocks or foundation for bigger goals or projects. This reminded me of another book the compound effect, were little this compound to become giants. The second part of the phrase, \u201cpushing yourself to 5- 4- 3- 2- 1 on the ‘small things’ gives you confidence to do the \u201cbig scheme of things\u201d suggests that by consistently and diligently completing small tasks or actions, we can build up our confidence and skills. This can then give us the confidence and motivation to tackle larger or more complex tasks and projects. Also, that paying attention to and focusing on small tasks and actions can be an important part<\/span>
\nof achieving success. By consistently and diligently completing these small things, we can build up our skills and confidence, which can then help us to tackle bigger and more complex task<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There were great ideas and lessons in this book, these ideas and lessons were helpful in several ways in both my daily personal life and in creating a better world. In my daily personal life, these ideas helped me to be more proactive and take action, even when I am afraid or uncertain. This helped me to achieve my goals and live a more fulfilling and rewarding life. For example, over the last few months I\u2019ve pushed back on a lot of things about my life, now I\u2019ve decided to that action, one of them is completing my IIGL studies. These ideas have helped me to focus on small tasks and actions and building up my skills and confidence. By focusing on the small task, instead of the big things or big pictures I can be more effective in making positive change in my community or in the world at large. By consistently taking action and working towards my goals, I will be in a better position to have a positive impact on the world around me.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to goals, dreams, and changing your life, your inner wisdom is a genius.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from the quote self-Trust: it suggests that our inner wisdom or intuition is a valuable source of guidance and understanding when it comes to setting goals, pursuing our dreams, and making changes in our lives. By trusting in our own inner wisdom, we can draw on our own experiences and insights to make decisions and take action that is aligned with our values and goals. Follow our own path: The quote suggests that<\/span>
\nour inner wisdom can help us to navigate the processes of life. By paying attention to our own inner wisdom and following our own path, we can make choices and take action that is authentic and true to ourselves and whom we are, rather than trying to conform to the expectations of others. By believing in our own potential and trusting in our own inner wisdom, we can tap into our own unique strengths and abilities and use them to achieve our goals and make positive changes. I love to say if we don\u2019t try, we may never know<\/span>
\nhow amazing we can be.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife is about the choices we make. And I have said over and over in this book that you can always choose how you act.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is important to me because it highlights the fact that life is largely shaped<\/span>
\nby the choices we make. Every decision we make, no matter how small, can have an impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. By recognizing that we have the power to choose how we act, we can take control of our own lives and make choices that are aligned with our values and goals. This quote can also be seen as an encouragement to make conscious and thoughtful choices, rather than letting external<\/span>
\ncircumstances or other people’s expectations dictate our actions. By actively choosing how we act, we can shape our own lives and create the outcomes we desire. it reminds us that we have agency and the power to shape our own lives through the choices we make. It encourages us to be mindful of our actions and to make choices that are authentic and true to ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProcrastination is not a form of laziness at all. It\u2019s a coping mechanism for stress.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote stood out because it highlights the fact that procrastination is often not a result of laziness, but rather a coping mechanism for stress. This is an important distinction because it suggests that there may be underlying factors that contribute to procrastination, rather than it being simply a lack of motivation or discipline. By recognizing that procrastination can be a coping mechanism for stress, we can take a more compassionate<\/span>
\nand understanding approach to addressing this behavior. This can involve identifying and addressing the underlying causes of stress, such as workload, time management, or self-doubt, rather than simply trying to overcome procrastination through sheer force of will. it encourages a deeper understanding of procrastination and the potential causes behind it. By recognizing that procrastination can be a coping mechanism for stress, we can take a more holistic and effective approach to addressing this behavior and achieving our goals. I remember another book make your bed, which also encourages us to move forward<\/span>
\nand start by making our beds every morning.<\/span>
\n\u201cWhatever is happening right now, this is it. This is your life. And it\u2019s not going to begin again. You can\u2019t change the past, but in five seconds you can change your future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this the power of being present in the present moment and making the most of the time we have. The phrase \u201cwhatever is happening right now, this is it\u201d reminds us that this moment is all we have, and that the past is gone, and the future is uncertain. By recognizing this, we can be more mindful of our actions and choices in the<\/span>
\npresent moment, rather than getting caught up in regrets about the past or worries about the future. The second part of the quote, \u201cyou can’t change the past, but in five seconds you can change your future,\u201d suggests that even small actions or choices can have a significant impact on our future. By recognizing this, we can be more proactive and take control of our own lives, rather than feeling powerless or at the mercy of external circumstances. Basically, it encourages us to be present in the moment and to make the<\/span>
\nmost of the time we have. It also reminds us that we have the power to shape our own lives and future through the choices we make in the present moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is teaching us that it is important to act on our goals and instincts quickly,<\/span>
\nrather than letting our doubts or fears hold us back. The phrase “5-4-3-2-1” suggests a countdown or sense of urgency, encouraging us to take action as soon as we have the instinct or desire to do so the second part of the quote, \u201cyour brain will stop you,\u201d suggests that our own thoughts and doubts can be a major obstacle to taking action and achieving our goals. By recognizing this and taking action quickly, we can overcome<\/span>
\nthese doubts and move forward. Overall, this quote is teaching us that it is important to act on our goals and instincts quickly, rather than letting our doubts or fears hold us back. By taking action as soon as we have the desire to do so, we can overcome our own doubts and move forward towards our goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s only one thing you must do: Stop thinking about how you feel. Your feelings don\u2019t matter. The only thing that matters is what you Do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is telling us that it is important to focus on our actions and behavior, rather than getting caught up in our feelings or emotions. The phrase \u201cyour feelings don’t matter\u201d suggests that our emotions should not be the driving force behind our actions and decisions. Instead, the quote emphasizes the importance of what we Do, suggesting that it is our actions and behaviors that ultimately matter and have an impact. This<\/span>
\nquote can be seen as an encouragement to be proactive and take action, even when we may not feel like it or when our emotions are telling us to do something else. By focusing on our actions and behavior, we can move forward and make progress towards our goals, rather than getting stuck in our own thoughts and feelings. In all I think focus more on our actions and behavior, then, we can move forward and make progress towards our achieving goals. Most times we focus more on how we feel, I feel tired, stress,<\/span>
\nfrustrated and even discouraged, but it doesn\u2019t count all we need is to take action and the energy we feel we are lacking comes back. I remember recently I feel exhausted mentally and physically, once I get back from work, I will crawl into bed at that\u2019s all for the day, it kept on for a while until one day I decided to do something about my house, suddenly the energy I lacked came back fully and I got my house in order in less time than I had imagined. We should do away with the excuses we give ourselves and do something<\/span>
\nabout our lives, only then will success be possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There weren\u2019t any!<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]How Successful People Think<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book focuses on the power of positive thinking and the importance of having a growth mindset. It also explores the different ways in which successful people think differently from others and how readers can apply these principles to their own lives to achieve success. The book encourages readers to think big, take risks, and make the most of their talents and abilities. It is considered a self-help and personal development book.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. A person who knows how may always have a job, but the person who knows why will always be his boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Good thinkers solve problems, they never lack ideas that can build an organization, and they always have hope for a better future. If you wait until you feel like doing something, you will likely never accomplish it. The same is true for thinking. You cannot wait until you feel like thinking to do it. Success comes to those who have an entire mountain of gold that they continually mine, not those who find one nugget and try to live on it for fifty years. Learning how to master the process of thinking well leads you to productive thinking. If you can develop the discipline of good thinking and turn it into a lifetime habit, then you will be successful and productive all of your life. Many people mistakenly believe that if individuals aren\u2019t born with creativity, they will never be creative. But you can see from the many strategies and examples I\u2019ve given that creativity can be cultivated in the right supportive environment. You can\u2019t build a house in midair; it needs a solid foundation. Ideas and plans are the same. They need something concrete on which to build. All good strategic thinkers are precise in their thinking. They try to match the strategy to the problem because strategy isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Sloppy or generalized thinking is an enemy of achievement.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cA person who knows how may always have a job, but the person who knows why will always be his boss. Good thinkers solve problems, they never lack ideas that can build an organization, and they always have hope for a better future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is important to me because it highlights the difference between having knowledge and understanding the purpose or reasoning behind that knowledge. A person who simply knows how to perform a task may be able to get a job, but someone who knows why a task is important and how it fits into the bigger picture is more likely to be a leader and have greater influence within an organization. The phrase also emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and creativity in leadership. Good thinkers are able to solve problems effectively and come up with new ideas that can benefit an organization. They also have a positive outlook and hope for a better future, which can inspire others and help drive the organization forward. It’s also important to have a clear understanding of the reason behind the task or action one is taking, to be able to make informed decisions, and to have a sense of direction which is crucial for success.<\/span>
\nConclusively the phrase highlights the importance of understanding the “why” behind what you do, and how this mindset can lead to greater success and leadership opportunities, taking me back to the book the leader who no tittle. If we understand the reasons behind what we do, we will do a better job, we will think out of the box and we will solve problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cIf you wait until you feel like doing something, you will likely never accomplish it. The same is true for thinking. You cannot wait until you feel like thinking to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase spoke to me and took my mind back to the 5-second rule book, which we will never feel like doing anything, therefore if wait till we feel like doing something, we may never do it. I do exercise, most times than not I don\u2019t feel like doing it, what I will do if I decide to do it, the night before I will set out my wears so that once I get out of bed that\u2019s the first thing that I will see. This require self-discipline, because having this strong control over your self will help stay focus to do what is needed when it is needed. I also remember when I was a student and working at the same time, having no time to attend lectures meant I had to self-educate. I looked at my time and knew if I am to achieve success, I need to utilize my nights for studying. Working 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a manufacturing firm was not easy, most nights I don\u2019t feel like waking up to study, but when I remember that I have exams and I will answer the same set of questions with those who attended lecturers I had to force myself to wake up and read. If I had waited until I felt like it, I may never have studied and I may never have attended the level of success that I did. I had to fake it until it became a part of me, I didn\u2019t need the alarm again to wake up and read it became a normal thing, therefore true leaders don\u2019t wait until it\u2019s the right time or until it feels right or until they feel like doing it, the just do it anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cSuccess comes to those who have an entire mountain of gold that they continually mine, not those who find one nugget and try to live on it for fifty years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me that what we do constantly and not occasionally will lead us to success. it also brought out that we should continually learn and increase in our knowledge which will lead us to success, we should be open to new ways of doing things. If we want to rely on what we learnt maybe a year ago, it may be stale knowledge.<\/span>
\nI find it truly odd when I see people 5 years after their first degree, they\u2019ve not done any additional courses or attended conferences or made any efforts to improve their knowledge. I keep wondering how they intend to become leaders in their field. Anyone who truly wants to be successful must make learning their friend, they must constantly seek new knowledge, they must constantly keep a braze with happenings in their fields and beyond. I as person intend to be a leader in my field, therefore I have made learning my companion, I will keep learning until I become a voice in my field, it doesn\u2019t matter how long it takes, how painful the journey, I know and believe that I will reach the top.<\/span>
\nv. \u201cLearning how to master the process of thinking well leads you to productive thinking. If you can develop the discipline of good thinking and turn it into a lifetime habit, then you will be successful and productive all of your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking is a process that is quite rewarding, because when you spend time thinking you give your mind the power to find solutions to difficult problems. I learnt from this phrase that spending time engaging in thinking will lead one to success. There\u2019ve been times when I would be in a fixed situation and when I sit to analyze my options and the possible paths to take, I find solutions. I also learnt that not all thinking is Productive, most times we spend our time engaging in negative thoughts and sometimes we prefer not to think at all. But if we truly want to be productive, we need to engage in productive thinking, solution finding thinking and result producing thinking, instead of negativity. Recently I tried to control my mind to be productive, by forcing it to force on the good things in my life, the successes I\u2019ve achieved and to remind myself if I could do all these nothing should stop me from doing more.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cMany people mistakenly believe that if individuals aren\u2019t born with creativity, they will never be creative. But you can see from the many strategies and examples I\u2019ve given that creativity can be cultivated in the right supportive environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone has a level of creativity in them, sometimes they may not know how to harness it or bring it out, but we all are creative in our own unique ways. This phrase is important to me because it challenges a common misconception about creativity: that it is an innate and fixed trait that cannot be learned or developed. This belief can be discouraging for individuals who don’t perceive themselves as naturally creative and may prevent them from exploring their potential for creative thinking and problem-solving. The phrase highlights the idea that creativity can be nurtured and developed through deliberate practice and exposure to a supportive environment. By providing strategies and examples for cultivating creativity, it encourages individuals to embrace their creative potential and explore ways to enhance their skills and abilities. I loved the idea that about a supportive environment because they wrong environment stifles ones creativity, an example is a fish, if a fish is taken out of water which is its natural thriving environment, the fish will not grow or perform so well and may eventually die, therefore for us to perform at the our peak creativity we need to position ourselves in the right environment. Overall, this phrase promotes a growth mindset towards creativity, emphasizing that anyone can learn to be creative with the right mindset, environment, and support.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cYou can\u2019t build a house in midair; it needs a solid foundation. Ideas and plans are the same. They need something concrete on which to build.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase highlights the importance of having a solid foundation for any idea or plan to be successful. Just as a house needs a sturdy foundation to stand the test of time, an idea or plan requires a solid groundwork to be implemented effectively. It underscores the importance of careful planning and preparation before acting. It implies that rushing into action without proper groundwork can lead to failure or instability. Without a solid foundation, an idea or plan may lack direction, clarity, and focus, making it difficult to achieve the desired outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also emphasizes the need for practicality and realism in the planning process. It suggests that ideas and plans should be based on realistic expectations and resources, and that any potential obstacles or challenges should be considered and addressed in the planning stage. Also having the right information can greatly facilitate the plan; we should spend time gathering all the information needed to formulate a plan. We all need a strong foundation for any successful project, whether it is building a house or implementing an idea or plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a look through my academic journey, I passed through one stage of planning to another and I kept improving, from planning the financials, to planning accommodation, to reading and studying plans were necessary stages of plans. I took a lot of things into consideration when I was setting out the plans, for example, my income, my volunteer activities, and my job. In all I can say if we don\u2019t plan, we are already planning to fail.<\/span><\/p>\n

viii. \u201cAll good strategic thinkers are precise in their thinking. They try to match the strategy to the problem, because strategy isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Sloppy or generalized thinking is an enemy of achievement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase emphasizes the importance of precision and specificity in strategic thinking. In many areas of life, such as business, politics, and personal decision-making, strategic thinking is crucial for achieving success and solving complex problems. The phrase highlights the idea that strategic thinking should be tailored to the specific problem at hand, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. This requires careful analysis and consideration of the unique factors and circumstances involved in each situation. By emphasizing the need for precise thinking in strategy, it implies that sloppy or generalized thinking can be a significant obstacle to achievement. Without a clear understanding of the problem and a well-defined strategy, it can be challenging to achieve the desired outcome. Strategy to solve a problem must first come with deep understanding of the problem to fit the strategy to the problem. This took my mind back to curve fitting in Mathematics, where a curve is constructed to fit a given data set, the data set is arranged to fit the curve or mathematical function. In a similar way when we have a problem to solve, we should plan and set a strategy suitable for each unique problem. In all I learned from this the importance of precision and specificity in strategic thinking, the need for careful analysis and tailored solutions. This approach can help us as individuals and organizations to achieve our goals more effectively and efficiently, leading to greater success and fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The lessons learned we highly valuable, it made me realize the value of thinking things through. Being selective in what I allow to influence my mind, I\u2019ve been able to choose paths that will lead to me to success, and I have also recorded significant successes both in my career and personal life. This book helped me change my perspective on creativity, I used to think that I am not creative at all, but through this book I realized that creativity is in the ideas, thoughts and actions that are uniquely mine. I\u2019ve also been able to help younger people by mentoring them in career planning, life planning and personal development through encouraging them to develop good thinking habits, self-audit, and effective planning. The lessons learned from this book are inexhaustible and through practicing them I believe I can make the world a better place as I keep getting better at applying the principles in this book.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cKnowledge is power only if a man knows what facts are not to bother about. Focused thinking removes distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate on an issue and think with clarity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me understand the value of de-cluttering the mind, our minds have a way of loading itself with a lot of junk, but learning this I now know how important it is to be selective about what I let my mind focus on. Truly if I had had this knowledge a while ago, there are many things that gave me sleepless nights that I shouldn\u2019t have bothered about.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe selective. Talk to people who know and care about you, who know their field, and who bring experience deeper and broader than your own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that the only people who will be honest with us and listen to us offering good advice are those who truly care about us. We should also look at those who are experienced in their field, and successful because if they are not they will most likely not listen with an open mind, and they may be biased in their response to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRealistic thinking gives you something concrete to fall back on during times of trouble, which can be very reassuring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As much as I support being optimistic, it really pays to always face reality, especially when it comes to relationships and finances. Because analyzing the realities of life situations will help be prepared for any events or circumstance that may occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must open yourself up to the idea of sharing ideas before you will engage in the process of shared thinking!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This made me realize that we get what we give. If we are not open to shared ideas, we can never be actively involved in sharing ideas or shared thinking. I\u2019ve also realized that we learn more as we either teach or share ideas with others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe try never to forget that medicine is for the people. It is not for the profits. The profits follow, and if we have remembered that they have never failed to appear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I made me understand that we should never focus on what we stand to gain on anything we do, we should focus on impacting lives, solving a problem, and helping others, then the gain will follow. I remember a time one the patrons of an NGO I volunteer for was having a challenge writing his welcome speech for a conference he was a chairman in, due to his busy schedule as the Medical Director of Federal Hospital, I offered to help write the speech, when I send it to him and he asked me for the price I told him he should not bother about it, that I did not help him to be paid. Few months down the line I had a financial challenge and this man stepped in, gave a sum he would have given if I had benefited from the speech I wrote. There fore like John Maxwell will say Offer a hand before you ask for help, we should focus of making a difference not on profit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t rest on their successes; they learn from them. More importantly, they learn from their failures. They can do that because they remain teachable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote means that people who are successful don\u2019t relent on their achievements, once they conquer a particular ground, they immediately move on to conquering new grounds. This made me think about my employer, he started with cement bagging and packaging, moved onto building cement one cement factory in Nigeria, moved to building 3 more within the country, progressed to different African countries and now he just commissioned the largest petrochemical refinery in world, even as he is into communication, estates development and other household commodities like sugar, flour, salt, pasta, noodles, spices and seasoning cubes. Even I too, I have never rested on my success, I keep moving on to achieve new things. I learn from my failures and find ways to ensure a different outcome in my next attempt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you spend time with people who think out of the box, you\u2019re more likely to challenge popular thinking and break new ground.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reemphasizes what the bible said that he who walks with the wise will himself be considered as wise, also a popular proverb that birds of the same feathers flock together. Therefore, to practice thinking out of the box we need to learn from those who have, study their pattern, and repeatedly follow the process. I believe that success is repeatable, therefore if we practice diligently the habit of thinking out of box we will succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you? <\/span><\/strong><\/em>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span><\/strong><\/em>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good.<\/span><\/strong>
\nand one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari <\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book teaches us how to build a life that guarantees long-lasting happiness, and fulfillment. It enlightens us that focusing on building our inner life is more important than building our outer life, also enjoying the little things in life. He talked about finding our true passion which is the key to finding our happiness. The book ultimately gave principle and proven concepts that can help and assist us readers in finding fulfillment in life and achieving our grandest goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cIt is only when you have mastered the art of loving yourself that you can truly love others. It\u2019s only when you have opened your own heart that you can touch the hearts of others. When you feel centered and alive, you are in a much better position to be a better person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that we can receive and give only when we are ready and willing to open ourselves up. This took me back to when I started volunteering, until I was ready and willing to give back to society to open my heart up and help others, opportunities and rewards never came my way. When we have mastered loving ourselves, treating ourselves the right way, only then can we love other. But if we haven\u2019t, we cannot truly love others. This phrase also reminded me of one of the commandments in the bible, \u201cLoving our neighbors as we love ourselves\u201d most times we lay emphasis on loving the neighbor, but not on the crucial aspect of loving ourselves, because if we don\u2019t love who we are, what we are and how we are, how then can we truly love another. To me it\u2019s not possible, because is in the abundance of the love we have for ourselves can we truly love others. It\u2019s in the security of our minds and in the wholeness of self-esteem can we be in a place that we can give wholly of ourselves to others. This statement \u201cwhen you feel centered and alive\u201d is a very powerful statement and a place of mental equilibrium, confidence, and self-assuredness (not in egotistical way) can we be a better person. This phrase contained lots of deep meanings and as we open our hearts to others, we will be able to touch hearts.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cSo, take the time to think. Discover your real reason for being here and then have the courage to act on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase took my mind back to the leader who had no title, finding our \u201cwhy.\u201d It\u2019s one thing to discover our purpose and it\u2019s another to be able to act on it. I remember a few years ago when I discovered I could organize leadership webinars\/seminars to educate others on real leadership, it was a wild dream then which was next to impossible to achieve, due to limited resources and lack of know-how on how I could do it. But I took up courage, I began to seek information, call for volunteers and before I knew what was going on, I had founded Elite Coach Africa and hosted my very first leadership summit. Through the activities on Elite coach, I\u2019ve been able to mentor and coach lots of youth within Nigeria and Africa. ECA has also opened doors for me to partner with other as a coach and mentor in some, giving me the privileged to impact more lives. In essence I am glad I found my purpose and grateful for the courage to act on my purpose, working to fulfill it. I am not where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be. I perfectly remember that I\u2019ve always wanted to be a public speaker since my childhood, but I didn\u2019t see how I could become one until a day I found a quote \u201cno one will give a stage to act, create your stage and invite others to join you\u201d this was what propelled me to create the Elite Coach Africa and I invited others to join me. When we\u2019ve found our purpose, we should run with it and not sleep on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cBe patient and live with the knowledge that all you are searching for is certain to come if you prepare for it and expect it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From this phrase came the idea that everything we want, and desire will come true, if we patiently wait and work towards it. Then again if it does not, we should be patient, it will surely come. I remembered a few years ago, the challenges I had in my job; I did everything possible to see changes in my job, but nothing happened. For 10 years there was zero career growth, neither any reward nor any form of appreciation showed up for me. I was highly frustrated and angry, I wanted to quit so badly that it was what kept me awake in the night and what I dream of when I eventually sleep. Several factors stopped me from quitting, like my academics, joining IIGL, and Elite Coach Africa, then my mom. My mom kept telling me to be patient, that I have worked for this organization, and I will receive my reward here. Just when I was down to my last block of hope, the reward started coming in, and everything I had hoped to achieve on my job happened in less than a year. This clearly shows that knowing that everything we are searching for will certainly come if we prepare for it and expect it, it come true. I am fully confident and completely persuaded that everything we seek, and desire will come to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cYou can be a fool for five minutes if you ask a question. However, you are a fool for a lifetime if you hesitate to ask a question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

My people have a saying that whoever knows how to ask questions will never be lost. Honestly, when we ask questions we learn, we open our mind to accepting new perspectives and new sets of ideas, but when we don\u2019t, we miss out on the possibility and opportunity of ever learning, thereby missing out on a crucial opportunity. I remember a few years ago, during my undergraduate, I went to one popular market within the state I was studying to get textbook, the first store I patronized didn\u2019t have the book I needed, I was then referred to another store, then another, till I got the book. Unfortunately, I didn\u2019t take cognizance of my environment nor was I too aware as I was moving from store to store, it was when I finally got the book and left the store that I realized I had lost my way. I walked round the market for close to 3 hours, trying to find my out but couldn\u2019t, I felt too embarrassed to ask question, when I was almost exhausted, I then asked someone the way and in less than ten minutes I was back on the streets and on my way home. I regretted not asking questions immediately I realized I was lost; it would have saved me 3 hours of aimlessly roaming the market and still coming back to where I started. Even though I never patronized that market again but every time I am on a journey to an unknown place, I will keep asking almost every person I pass on the street till I get to where I am going. I remember one of the books I read in level 1 saying ask for help, even when you get a no, don\u2019t stop, keep asking, until you get the help you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cThe saddest part of life lies not in the act of dying, but in the failing to truly live while we are alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me sad, because most people will never know what it means to truly live until they are either dead or too sick to enjoy life again. Writing my biography in level 3 made take a critical look at my life and what I wanted, I realized some things are not needed, I learned I don\u2019t want to be 50 years old and realized life had passed me by while I was focusing on the negative things. Now I celebrate my little wins, I pop wines by myself, I celebrate myself and I take breaks to care for myself. As much as I am working towards achieving my goals and dreams, I don\u2019t forget to take care of myself. Because if I don\u2019t, honestly who will?<\/span><\/p>\n

We should all learn to live life, do the things we want, when we delay gratification, we should not forget to give ourselves some break and take things easy. Even though I\u2019ve never done this before, I am planning to take myself out to nice restaurant and give myself a treat, I am also planning a vacation to another African country, which I feel is part what I need to do for myself. One song comes to mind when thinking about this phrase \u201cone day you\u2019ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember,\u201d my father told me when I was child, these are nights that never die. My father told me.\u201d<\/span>
\nWe should all live a life we will remember with joy, comfort, and peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIt\u2019s not what you will get out of the books that are so enriching, it is what the books will get out of you that will ultimately change your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I thought about one quote that reecho this phrase. It\u2019s not in how many books we read, but in the actions, we take and the transformation that occurred in our life through the book. Books should be able to get the best that is buried in us. I remember when I read the book \u201cThe Giant in Me\u201d the book changed my self-view and perspective on life, helping me believe I have the best in me and can achieve anything I set my mind to. Books have greatly impacted my life and have seen the transformation of my mindset, thinking and outlook towards life. Truly any book that brings out the best in us will always be a bestseller.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cThe moment I stopped spending so much time chasing the big pleasure of life. I began to enjoy the little ones, like watching the stars dancing in the moonlit sky or soaking in the sunbeams of a glorious summer morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me of my life before I joined IIGL I was always waiting for the big wins to celebrate, hence I felt miserable and sad, I felt like a failure and behind in so many ways. But when I stopped chancing the big wins, I started celebrating the small ones, I discovered I was achieving so much more than I ever imagined, I started celebrating my small successes. This made me feel better and great, enjoying the moment, enjoying waking up, enjoying each hour and moment I saw. Life in general began feeling awesome, and ultimately successes started trailing in. sometimes just resting on my couch can be the best and most rewarding moment in the world. Truly when we give ourselves a break from spending so much time pushing big pleasures, we can enjoy the little moments that we are blessed with.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book is phenomenal, the principles found here will last me a lifetime. I\u2019ve been able to understand more about life and what is important. I\u2019ve learned to find inner joy and happiness. I\u2019ve learnt that the most important things in life and our life\u2019s passion cannot be found in our jobs. Finding fulfillment lies within our ability to find inner peace and contentment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Setting priorities, knowing what is important, freeing my mind and opening my heart are some of the few changes that this book have helped me achieve. Over the last year and a half, I have been feeling unfocused, lost and could not quite define some aspects of my life, it was as if I was losing touch with my values and my \u201cWhy,\u201d I got mentally exhausted and emotionally burnt out. But the book helped to realign my focus, reminded me of my why, took my mind back to what was important and the reasons behind my being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now I can say, I\u2019ve got my confidence back, my energy back and I am back on the lane to do greater things. Overall, I belief that realigning my focus is the paradigm shift this book achieved in my life and with that, I also believe that I will keep making a positive impact in my community, church, workplace, and the world at large.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNever regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote not to regret my past, to pick the lessons, to see it as a teacher, and move on. There\u2019s a popular proverb in my people believe in, \u201cthe past has a way of catching up with you,\u201d they mean this in a negative way, like life coming full circle and your past sins coming for its pound of flesh, much like the grim ripper. But this quote taught me the past is lessons, we learn from it and make corrections or make different choices that will change the narrative.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLearn to say no. When you are saying yes to an unimportant thing, you are saying no to an important one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that learning to say no to things that are not important opens the door for us to say yes to what is important. Sometimes we tend to always give a yes to almost anything or requests that we get, because we hate disappointing someone who has so much hope and faith in us, even when it\u2019s not convenient. Most times we may say yes because we don\u2019t want others to experience what we had experienced when we received a no or a rejection. But I have come to understand that some people will always try to take advantage of the access they have to you, at these times learning or having the ability to say \u201cNo\u201d will help one to create some boundaries in one\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you? <\/span><\/strong><\/em>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span><\/strong><\/em>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good.<\/span><\/strong>
\nand one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Crucial Conversations<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The central message of the book \u201cCrucial Conversations\u201d revolves around the critical importance of effectively addressing conflicting viewpoints that are often accompanied by intense emotional reactions, all with the objective of improving relationships and the overall performance within an organizational, family and personal setting. According to the book, an individual’s ability to participate in relevant and crucial dialogues is considered a dependable measure of the potential success or failure of a particular undertaking. The text elucidates us on the indispensable competencies necessary to excel as a proficient communicator when confronted with high-stakes situations, conflicting opinions, and powerful emotional responses. Even seemingly trivial discussions with family have the capacity to exert a considerable influence on the overall quality of our daily experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Start with the Heart<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, when people aren’t involved, when they sit back quietly during touchy conversations, they’re rarely committed to the final decision. Since their ideas remain in their heads and their opinions never make it into the pool, they end up quietly criticizing and passively resisting. This is the first principle of dialogue: Start with Heart. That is, your own heart. If you can\u2019t get yourself right, you\u2019ll have a hard time getting dialogue right.<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence as a crucial foundation for effective communication and dialogue. Starting with one’s own heart means recognizing and managing our own emotions, biases, and intentions before engaging in a dialogue with others.<\/span>
\nBy being in tune with our own thoughts and emotions, we can approach conversations with greater empathy, openness, and authenticity. This self-awareness enables us to communicate more effectively, actively listen to others, and build deeper connections during dialogues. This can greatly help in conflict resolution, starting with heart involves understanding our emotions, triggers, and motivations before attempting to resolve the issue with our colleagues, family and friends. By being self-aware, we can approach the conversation with a calm and empathetic mindset, leading to a more productive dialogue. In family discussions or arguments, taking a moment to reflect on our own feelings and attitudes can help diffuse tensions and promote healthier communication. By understanding our own emotional state, we can approach sensitive topics with empathy and respect, fostering better relationships within the family. As the mediator in my family, I always do my best to be open to hear each party involved and try to be objective in not letting my feelings get in the way, this has helped resolve complex issues between my siblings, my mom, and now its extending to my nieces and nephew. Managing my emotions allows me not get manipulated by any of my siblings who is try to gain an advantage over the other. In essence, this phrase highlights the significance of self-awareness and emotional regulation in fostering meaningful dialogues and interactions with others. By starting with our own heart, we lay the groundwork for building connections, resolving conflicts, and promoting understanding in various personal and professional relationships.<\/span>
\nPeople who are skilled at dialogue do their best to make it safe for everyone to add their meaning to the shared pool even ideas that at first glance appear controversial, wrong, or at odds with their own beliefs. Now, obviously they don’t agree with every idea; they simply do their best to ensure that all ideas find their way into the open.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the day, what qualifies people to be called \u201cleaders\u201d is their capacity to influence others to change their behavior in order to achieve important results. Nothing fails like success. In other words, when a challenge in life is met by a response that is equal to it, you have success. But when the challenge moves to a higher level, the old, once successful response no longer works; it fails; thus, nothing fails like success.<\/span>
\nAt this point, you could be tempted to water down your content. \u201cYou know it\u2019s really not that big a deal.\u201d Don\u2019t give into the temptation. Don\u2019t take back what you\u2019ve said. Instead, put your remarks in context.<\/span>
\nAs much as others may need to change, or we may want them to change, the only person we can continually inspire, prod, and shape with any degree of success is the person in the mirror.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cConversely, when people aren’t involved, when they sit back quietly during touchy conversations, they’re rarely committed to the final decision. Since their ideas remain in their heads and their opinions never make it into the pool, they end up quietly criticizing and passively resisting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is important to me because it emphasizes the importance of active participation and contribution in discussions and decision-making processes. It highlights how individuals who remain silent during important conversations may not feel truly committed to the outcomes because their perspectives and ideas are not shared and considered.<\/span><\/p>\n

In many group settings, whether it’s a workplace meeting, a community project, or a family decision, active participation is crucial for effective collaboration and decision-making. When we withhold our thoughts or ideas, we miss out on the opportunity to influence outcomes and contribute meaningfully to the discussion.<\/span>
\nBy actively engaging in conversations, sharing perspectives, and voicing opinions, we will not only feel more committed to the final decisions but also help shape better, more inclusive outcomes. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of actively participating and expressing one’s views in various aspects of life to foster better communication, collaboration, and decision-making processes, I strongly feel that when we share our thoughts during conversations whether touchy or not we take ownership and responsibility for results achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instant, family discussions are usually very touchy, I try as much as possible to involve all my siblings and ensure they share their thoughts on what ever discussion we are having. Early this year when we need to install a solar energy system for my mom, I ensure each of my 4 sisters were actively participating in the conversation, at the end we bought the one suggested by one of my sisters, the amazing thing was that everyone was satisfied with the what we achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cPeople who are skilled at dialogue do their best to make it safe for everyone to add their meaning to the shared pool even ideas that at first glance appear controversial, wrong, or at odds with their own beliefs. Now, obviously they don’t agree with every idea; they simply do their best to ensure that all ideas find their way into the open.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This Phrase brought to the surface the significance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for open dialogue, where all perspectives and ideas are valued and considered. By encouraging a culture where diverse viewpoints can be shared without fear of judgment or reprisal, everyone can engage in more meaningful and productive conversations. In team meetings or brainstorming sessions, fostering a safe space for all team members to contribute ideas, even those that may initially seem controversial or different, can lead to more innovative solutions. By encouraging all voices to be heard, we can tap into a broader range of perspectives and expertise. For instance, In the family conversations or disagreements, creating a safe environment where each family member feels respected and listened to can lead to better understanding and communication. By allowing everyone to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment, families can navigate conflicts more constructively. Being the go to person in my family, I do ensure I let my siblings know I am with and I have heard them, which also allows them to listen and be open to my suggestions in difficult discussions.<\/span>
\nBy embracing that all ideas should be welcomed and considered, regardless of how controversial or different they may initially appear, we can foster a culture of openness, respect, and collaborative problem-solving. This quote made me understand the importance of valuing diverse perspectives and creating environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute to the shared pool of ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cAt this point, you could be tempted to water down your content\u2014 \u201cYou know it\u2019s really not that big a deal.\u201d Don\u2019t give into the temptation. Don\u2019t take back what you\u2019ve said. Instead, put your remarks in context.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the importance of maintaining the integrity of our statements and avoiding the urge to diminish their significance or retract them. Rather than watering down our content by saying “it’s not a big deal,” the advice is to provide further context or explanation for our original remarks. Essentially, it encourages us to stand by our words and offer additional information to help others understand the complete picture of what we’re expressing. This is very important as people sometimes tern to blow our words out of context of what we intended to accomplish with the word. I observed that there was a guy in one of the groups I belong to, that tends to misinterpret everything I said, he will pork holes in them to create unnecessary tensions within the group, to an extent he claimed I am not a coach nor a mentor. I initially ignored him, but as I read this book, I realized I needed to help him understand my words have no hidden meaning or agenda. I learnt to own my words, the world can roast if they want but I will stand on my words.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cNothing fails like success. In other words, when a challenge in life is met by a response that is equal to it, you have success. But when the challenge moves to a higher level, the old, once successful response no longer works it fails; thus, nothing fails like success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I understood from the phrase that success can sometimes lead to complacency or reliance on past accomplishments. When a challenge is effectively met with a successful response, it reinforces the idea that the same approach will work for future challenges. I strongly believe that success is repeatable, however, as situations evolve and challenges become more complex or demanding, the previously successful response may no longer be sufficient. In other words, what once worked may not work anymore when faced with new, higher-level challenges. This concept is captured in the phrase “nothing fails like success” because relying solely on past successes without adapting to new challenges can ultimately lead to one\u2019s failure. It highlights the importance of continually evolving, learning, and adapting to stay effective in the face of changing circumstances. Without continuously growing, learning and adapting we may find that we can no longer cope with challenges because the methods that worked yesterday may not yield the same result today. If the world keeps changing and evolving, we too should. I remember a time when type writers were the big solution to presentation of information on paper, they were great and extremely useful (Even though I\u2019ve never used any nor know how to operate it) but in today\u2019s world, sitting here with my computer, putting this summary together, the auto word corrections and easy deleting of wrong words makes me feel extremely grateful and blessed that I am not using the type writer. This goes to show that different challenges too require different solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cAt the end of the day, what qualifies people to be called \u201cleaders\u201d is their capacity to influence others to change their behavior in order to achieve important results\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that the essence of leadership lies in one\u2019s ability to inspire and motivate others to modify their actions and behaviors towards achieving significant outcomes. Being labeled as a “leader” is not merely about holding a position or title; it’s about having the capacity to effect positive changes through influence. True leaders have the skill to persuade and guide individuals or groups to adjust their behaviors, attitudes, and approaches in alignment with the overarching goals or vision. Effective leadership involves more than just commanding or delegating tasks; it requires the capability to inspire others to willingly alter their behavior towards a common goal. This influence can come from various sources such as setting a compelling example of ourselves, providing direction and guidance, offering support, or empowering others to take ownership of their roles. By fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and shared purpose, we as leaders can create an environment where everyone is motivated to change their behaviors in ways that contribute to achieving meaningful results. Ultimately, the mark of a true leader is not in our authority but in our ability to empower and guide others towards success through impactful behavioral change. For instant, I find great joy and fulfillment in seeing those I am leading succeed, I have been privileged to train my successors while I am still actively serving, by creating an enabling environment for them to achieve the same result I would have. I encourage team work and collaborative interactions within my teams. Every day I see people get inspired by my life to change their behaviors and habits so they can achieve the same successes I have achieved. That\u2019s the real essence of leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cAs much as others may need to change, or we may want them to change, the only person we can continually inspire, prod, and shape with any degree of success is the person in the mirror.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This specific expression evoked in me the realization that the only individual subject to transformation is oneself. I consistently react with disapproval towards the societal expectations dictating the necessity of changing others, given its inherently arduous nature. I comprehend the formidable challenge entailed in compelling oneself to engage in a particular action or alter a habit. Stimulating the impetus for change within ourselves poses a considerable challenge, whereas imposing this demand on others to evolve or expand their knowledge proves nearly insurmountable. This stems from the futility of expecting progress from an individual who lacks the intrinsic motivation for such development. For instance, during the initiation of my academic pursuit at the graduate level, notwithstanding the rejections and obstacles encountered, I persisted in refining my submissions and reapplying, despite the financial strain caused by these repeated applications. Conversely, I have endeavored persistently for over three years to encourage my younger sibling to embark on this academic journey alongside me. While I diligently pursued my aspirations, I simultaneously extended invitations to her to apply, only to be met with a litany of excuses for her inaction. It dawned on me that this ambition belonged solely to me, not her, and until she exhibits readiness to embrace it, my capacity to influence her remains futile. I am appreciative of my adeptness in self-motivation, inspiration, and self-discipline, allowing me to attain any goal I set my sights on. I have consistently maintained that my most triumphant endeavors are those dedicated to self-improvement. This assertion underscores the notion that my capacity to motivate, encourage, and mold myself invariably leads to resounding success in my endeavors, and validates that we can only and always inspire with a great degree of success ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I think we have all experienced those uncomfortable dialogues that we wish to erase from memory. Recalling these exchanges, I ponder on what alternative actions or words could have been taken, with the understanding that they need not recur. The literature has enlightened me on strategies for engaging in challenging and emotionally-charged discussions. It has equipped me with the skills to navigate crucial dialogues successfully, fostering an environment where diverse topics can be broached with ease. With the aid of this book, I can confidently assert that I have honed the ability to convert negative sentiments into constructive conversations, mastering the art of being influential without being confrontational in critical discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n

As previously noted, I have been able to cultivate enriching dialogues with my family, peers, and associates. While I may not consistently excel in communication, and dialogues may not always unfold as intended, I am committed to continual self-assessment and enhancement of my conversational aptitude. Furthermore, I aim to educate others on the advantages of establishing an inclusive space where individuals are encouraged to express their thoughts openly. It is my firm belief that through this dedication, I can contribute to the creation of a more harmonious environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time something happens, it\u2019s an incident. The second time it might be coincidence. The third time, it\u2019s a pattern.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quotation serves to confirm an existing knowledge that I have, highlighting the concept that actions or decisions made in life may initially be perceived as mistakes, but with repeated occurrences, they transform into patterns that are challenging to alter. Reflecting on my experience of withdrawing from my initial postgraduate program, I meticulously justified my choice, which seemed reasonable, leading me to proceed with the withdrawal. Similarly, in a subsequent instance, I once again rationalized discontinuing the program, finding my justifications compelling, and subsequently acted upon them. However, when faced with the temptation to withdraw from my third program – a bachelor’s degree in engineering despite the validity of the reasons, I recognized the potential development of a detrimental habit and pattern if I gave in. Resiliently, I persevered, eventually completing the program and today, I express gratitude for being able to identify this potential cycle and address it promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSecond, clarify what you really don’t want. This is the key to framing the and question. Think of what you are afraid will happen to you if you back away from your current strategy of trying to win or stay safe. What bad thing will happen if you stop pushing so hard? Or if you don’t try to escape? What horrible outcome makes game-playing an attractive and sensible option?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the importance of clarifying what we truly don’t want in a given situation in order to frame the conversation effectively and identify our underlying fears or concerns. By examining the potential negative consequences of continuing with a particular strategy or approach, we can gain insight into our motivations, fears, and the impact of their actions. When facing a conflict or difficult decision, understanding what you are trying to avoid or the undesirable outcomes you fear can help you reframe the situation and consider alternative approaches. By asking ourselves what negative consequences or outcomes we are seeking to prevent by sticking to a particular course of action, we can uncover deeper motivations and fears that may be driving our behavior. For example, if I am in a heated argument with a colleague and find myself pushing hard to prove my point, clarifying what I truly don’t want may involve considering the potential damage to our relationship, the breakdown of communication, or the escalation of conflict. By understanding the undesirable outcomes, I wish to avoid, I can approach the conversation with greater awareness of our underlying concerns and motivations. By reframing the situation in terms of what we genuinely want to avoid, we can gain clarity on our fears, motivations, and the potential consequences of our actions. This can empower us to approach the situation more thoughtfully, identify alternative strategies, and navigate the conversation or decision-making process with a more constructive and open mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe mistake most of us make in our crucial conversations is we believe that we have to choose between telling the truth and keeping a friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote highlights a common misconception that often arises when we are having conversations most especially with our friends and loved ones \u2013 the belief that we must choose between being truthful and maintaining a positive relationship with the other person involved in the discussion. Many people fear that speaking honestly or addressing difficult topics may jeopardize their relationship or lead to conflict, so they may avoid sharing their true thoughts or feelings to avoid potential discomfort or confrontation. However, this quote emphasizes that it is not an “either-or” situation where we must sacrifice one for the other. Effective communication involves finding a balance between honesty and respect for the other person’s feelings and perspective. By approaching crucial conversations with empathy, understanding, and a focus on mutual respect, it is possible to both convey our truth and maintain a positive relationship with the other person. I for an instant, do prefer to be honest with my friends, but if I see myself tipping toes around telling you the truth so as not to hurt you, I will remove you from my friends list.<\/span><\/p>\n

In reality, open and honest communication is essential for building trust, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships. When we avoid important conversations or withholding the truth it can lead to misunderstandings, resentment, and ultimately damage the relationship in the long run. By recognizing that both telling the truth and valuing our relationship with the other person are important aspects of effective communication, individuals can navigate crucial conversations with authenticity and care. When approached thoughtfully and respectfully, sharing truths and maintaining relationships can go hand in hand, leading to more meaningful and productive interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span><\/strong><\/em>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Full Steam Ahead<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book emphasizes the importance of inspiring a shared vision as a key leadership competency, its highlights the challenges associated with learning and applying this practice effectively, the authors, Ken Blanchard and Jesse Stoner, provide practical advice on finding a meaningful purpose, envisioning a compelling future, and clarifying values. The book, \u201cFull Steam Ahead\u201d is relevant in helping us as today leaders answer the fundamental question of ‘Where are we going? Overall, the book sets the stage for understanding the significance of vision, purpose, and values in effective leadership, personal development and organizational success.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cWe are all part of one community; we all need to assume responsibility for creating a shared vision. If your vision is only about yourself and getting what you want, you are too narrowly focused.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The question I have for you today is: Is there anybody in your life who was there for you, and maybe you haven\u2019t thanked them lately? Maybe you haven\u2019t given them a hug. Have you kept your \u201cI love yous\u201d up-to-date, with your parents or other relatives, or friends, or people who were there for you way back?<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cI was wondering if full steam ahead also means being reckless and blindly moving ahead in the face of danger.\u201d \u201cNo, I think it\u2019s the opposite. It means being so clear about your purpose, so committed to it, and so sure about your ability to accomplish it that you move ahead decisively despite any obstacles.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best words in the world would be meaningless if they meant nothing to the people in the organization. I realized having a mission statement didn\u2019t necessarily create focus and inspiration. On the other hand, a good statement of purpose that really held meaning for the people in the company could have a lot of power.<\/span>
\nYet, it seemed to me that values are more than just beliefs; they are deeply held. People care passionately about their values. We all feel good when we act on our values.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cKnowing who you are\u2019 means being clear about your purpose. \u2018Where you are going\u2019 is the picture of the future. And \u2018what will guide your journey\u2019 is your values.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Doing both focusing on your vision and being honest about the truth of your present situation\u2014 is what allows you to move full steam ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cWe are all part of one community; we all need to assume responsibility for creating a shared vision. If your vision is only about yourself and getting what you want, you are too narrowly focused.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From the phrase I learned the importance of having everyone within the team collectively contributing to what the vision of the team should be. Sometimes we may be the head of the organization, but it will be highly beneficent to other members if they can be part of the vision creation, because they will take ownership of seeing the vision is achieved within the context of the values of the organization. For instance, I remember a few years ago when I was trying to great a vision and mission statements for Elite Coach Africa, even though I had not known what I have learnt from this book. But I had realized I could not do this on my own so I called my partners, shared with them what I had in mind and asked them to brainstorm on what our vision, purpose and name should be. After some days of deliberating, we agreed on Elite Coach for the name of the NGO, and a vision of \u201cbuilding leaders for emergence\u201d. My partners were happy and supported me all the way. This validates the phrase that our vision should not be about us, it should be a shared one.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cThe question I have for you today is: Is there anybody in your life who was there for you, and maybe you haven\u2019t thanked them lately? Maybe you haven\u2019t given them a hug. Have you kept your \u201cI love yous\u201d up-to-date, with your parents or other relatives, or friends, or people who were there for you way back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote showed the significance of acknowledging individuals who have provided support throughout our life’s journey, those who extended help when we needed it, thereby facilitating our daily experiences. Reflecting on the assistance I have received, particularly in academic and personal realms, prompted a profound sense of gratitude, which led me to reach out to these individuals and express thanks for their benevolent acts towards me. Acknowledging the collaborative nature of our achievements is crucial, highlighting that our progress is not solely self-derived. By demonstrating appreciation, new avenues of opportunities can unfold, enriching our lives. Moreover, this practice safeguards against becoming disoriented amidst life’s challenges, preserving the contributions of family, friends, and acquaintances within our support network. If we are continually updating expressions of gratitude to towards our support network and helpers, this ensures a network of assistance remains available in times of need.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cI was wondering if full steam ahead also means being reckless and blindly moving ahead in the face of danger. No, I think it\u2019s the opposite. It means being so clear about your purpose, so committed to it, and so sure about your ability to accomplish it that you move ahead decisively despite any obstacles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This Phrase brought out the true meaning of full steam ahead, the significance of staying focused on our purpose and overcoming challenges that may come our way. As I read this, I thought about my graduate school journey and the last few years of my life. One of my personal vision is continuous self-development, and one of the ways I know I am fulfilling it is by continuously learning. Before I graduated from my bachelor\u2019s degree program I knew I wanted to proceed to graduate school. When I reviewed, my level 3 goals I saw it was part of the things I wrote down and My biography clearly stated that I will be a doctor in my field. Yet, I faced a lot of obstacles on my journey, which include but not limited to financial, qualifying exams, rejections, denials and recommenders. Despite these obstacles, I never lost sight of the purpose of why I wanted to go to graduate school, and I still pushed ahead to be where I am now, heading to graduate school. Learning from this and remembering the book \u201cThe leader who had no Title\u201d, which made me understand that clearly defining our why is the same as making our purpose clear. Our why will always keep us going when everything else pushes us to stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cThe best words in the world would be meaningless if they meant nothing to the people in the organization. I realized having a mission statement didn\u2019t necessarily create focus and inspiration. On the other hand, a good statement of purpose that really held meaning for the people in the company could have a lot of power.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the importance of having a mission statement that truly aligns with people and their core values most especially the employees within an organization. This made me think about some organizations that I have associated with in the past, with mission statements that means nothing to the people working with them, most of the employees are not aware of these statements, which influences the organizational culture and creates a toxic environment. But if the employees were involved in creating the mission statement, understand it and it holds meaning for the them, I strong belief that it will create a different out come and an enabling environment for both the organizational growth and individual growth. For instance, with Elite Coach Africa, I, together with my partners and volunteer coaches created our mission statement, one of which was \u201cTo Develop people to be powerful, yet straight forward in developing strategies and practice for leading people more effectively.\u201d I was happy when one of the partners told me, He\u2019s been looking for a way to impact lives and the Elite Coach platform gives him the opportunity to do this.<\/span><\/p>\n

viii. \u201cYet, it seemed to me that values are more than just beliefs they are deeply held. People care passionately about their values. We all feel good when we act on our values.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I understood from the phrase that values more deeply resonates with us than our beliefs. Our beliefs may sometimes change but values are so deeply rooted that a deviation from it rocks not only our minds but has the capacity to influence our moods, decisions and our lives. For example, if I belief everyone should be truthful, if it happened I meet someone who is not, it may not impact my decision as much as my value of being trustworthy. I deeply value someone being trust worthy that mean this speaks to my value of trust, honesty and dependability. If I discover I cannot trust a persons words, actions or intentions that person will be permanently out of my list of associates. My values are who I am, they defined me, they are my roots, they are also the mirror through which I view life and analyzes decisions and action. Beliefs are sometimes update as grow and learn in life but our values stay unchanged over the course of our life time.<\/span><\/p>\n

ix. \u201cKnowing who you are\u2019 means being clear about your purpose. \u2018Where you are going\u2019 is the picture of the future. And \u2018what will guide your journey\u2019 is your values\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that the essence of understanding and clarifying our purpose. Having a clear image of the future we are heading to helps us know if the actions we currently engaged in is leading us towards that or taking us in the other direction. For instance, my purpose in graduate school is to redefine the entire engineering education systems, bringing in inclusivity and diversity in program design and curriculum development. This purpose shapes where I am going and within it is my value of inclusive learning. Truly our values guide our journey because I remember on my bid to get into graduate school, I met some scrupulous individuals after my Visa denial in 2022, who offered to give me documents that were falsified, since this goes against my values of honesty, integrity and truthfulness, I declined their offer and today I am grateful that I did not sacrifice my values on the altar of getting to where my purpose lies.<\/span><\/p>\n

x. \u201cDoing both; focusing on your vision and being honest about the truth of your present situation is what allows you to move full steam ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This specific quote let me know that as much we have the big picture of where we are going, have big plans and goals, we should not ignore the reality of where we are right now. it emphasizes the importance of balancing optimism and realism in order to make progress. Focusing on our vision helps us maintain a sense of direction and motivation, while being honest about our current circumstances enables us to make realistic plans and take practical steps towards achieving our goals. By acknowledging both the possibilities of the future and the realities of the present, we can move forward with clarity and purpose. For instance, after gaining my admission, I realized that in present situation I am not strong financially to handle the logistics that will enable me resume at school. Considering my situations at the moment helped me set measures in place and ask for help from my friends and associates, which has moved me gradually towards achieving my goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book is one the best books I have read in recent times, it helped me to refocus on what I am currently doing and to reevaluate how my vision aligns with making significance. I actually came across that word for the first time in the book, not that it\u2019s a new word but it took on a meaning I never envisaged, which has motivated me to read further about it and find a balance. Then, I realized that all these whiles, even though I am making some small impact towards significance, I was more or less more focused on success and achieving this success had been my goal both in my career, personal life and academics. The word significance made me think back to my time during my undergraduate program, that winning was no longer about me, where I had spent more time helping my course mates understand difficult engineering subjects. I realized that I was more fulfilled because I was a contributor to their finding an easy time towards graduating and I made significant difference in their lives. This book has helped me strike out the word success from my list and to focus more on making significance in people\u2019s lives. Today, I\u2019ve made a commitment to no longer focus on me succeeding but to focus on significance, every act or word will be mirrored on how it will contribute towards it. I strongly believe that with this new resolve, I will be able to make great changes in my life, community and the world at large. It\u2019s no longer about me winning, its about helping someone else to win, and together we can create a better world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately, you may be successful in achieving your goals, but true satisfaction comes from having a significant impact and making a contribution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of us desire success and pursue it, which is not bad at all, but this word significance put a name to something I’ve always believed on and found to be true. Most people succeed but fail to find that deep fulfillment that should come with success, this was me at one point. When I finished as the best graduating student in my Higher National Diploma program, I should have been fulfilled, but no! I was sad and depressed. But when I went for Bachelor’s degree, I focused more on helping my course mates and ensuring we all graduate. I wasn’t the best student but I was fulfilled and happy because most of my course mates had an easier time towards graduating. Significance speaks to our core values. While success can bring momentary gratification, significance offers a lasting sense of purpose and fulfillment. This also brought to my mind a time when I had a discussion with a doctor friend of mine, about what he could do about his life, as he was at the apex of his career, I told him to groom others and give back to the community. Success losses it’s value once it\u2019s been achieved, but significance keeps growing and gaining momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLearn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the importance of balancing past experiences, future goals, and present actions to achieve success. Living in the past will prevent us from moving forward. I remember in level 3 when I had to let go of past hurts and events that impacted my life negatively, it helped me move past events and pick lessons from them. Also, past experiences have a way of shaping our goals and our today. My visa denial clarified my future goal, helping me plan towards attending graduate school on a full scholarship, without that experience I would have still been planning on paying my way through school. The lessons it taught me made me resolve never to visit the embassy again without a fully funded offer. Also, I am constantly aware of my present moment, aware of events happening in the now and it has helped me overcome difficult challenges while pushing forward towards achieving my goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo many of the lessons I share with my teams revolve around attaining goals by having a clear vision of where we are headed as a group and also individually.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote let me understand the importance of having a clear vision to achieve individual and group goals effectively. If we are achieving the organizational goals and our personal goals are not being achieved, we will not feel motivated and we might feel totally burnt out. I strongly feel that organizations that take active role in ensuring their employees personal, developmental and career goals are being achieved will see more loyalty, productivity and commitments from the employees towards achieve the organizational goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe power of a picture works when you focus on what you want to create, not what you want to get rid of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the important of focusing on what we want than on the negative things happening in our lives. For instance, I had printed a picture of the type of funding offer I had wanted, looked at everyday and speak into it. When that was over, I printed a picture of my Visa, and after that a picture of my flight ticket. Financial, all these would have been impossible to achieve on my own, but having these pictures embedded in my mind assured me that its possible and it indeed became a reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe message is the ability to produce business results, not at any cost, but within our value system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realized from this quote, that whatever we do should be based on our value system not just because we want to do it. I know of an organization whose goal is to get their product across the world, but unfortunately, they are doing this at any cost, and this I know will be detrimental to the organization in the long run. In truth, we should not do any business if it goes out of the scope of our values.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, None.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No, None.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Critical Thinking
\n<\/span><\/strong>Assessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book on critical thinking imparts knowledge on how we can amalgamate our logical capabilities within the critical decision-making process as we engage in society and other activities in our daily lives. Structured around vivid and genuine instances derived from legal proceedings, current political and societal discourse, and marketing, this took us deep into the identification of fallacies as well as the evaluation, admiration, and formulation of sound arguments. The author aimed at helping us the readers develop a lifelong practice of critical thinking and the development of arguments regarding a myriad of contentious issues in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Bias and prejudice close minds and stifle critical inquiry; the first task in good critical reasoning is to eliminate such bias.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we say that an inductive argument is strong, we are saying nothing at all about the truth of its premises. Rather, we are saying that if its premises are true (not that they are true) then the premises provide strong support for the truth of the conclusion.<\/span>
\nIn cooperative critical thinking there is still serious sustained inquiry, but the goals are different. Rather than trying to find weaknesses in your position, I am trying to find ways in which our positions can be reconciled.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. It is important to distinguish between argument and testimony; unfortunately, that distinction is not always easy to make. In everyday life we frequently combine testimony with argument: My argument may contain premises that I testify are true.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress is not the only influence that can distort perceptions. One of the most important influences on our perceptions and our memories, and thus our testimony is our expectations. The scientific method involves making predictions, and the success of those predictions supports the truth of the theory. But the falsification of a theory is not quite as simple and straightforward as it might first appear.<\/span>
\nWe have such fundamentally different views that it is unlikely that any argument you could give would make a dent in my beliefs. Critical thinking and critical argument are very valuable, but they aren\u2019t superpowers; and learning when they are, and are not, likely to be effective is one part of becoming a good critical thinker.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cBias and prejudice close minds and stifle critical inquiry; the first task in good critical reasoning is to eliminate such bias.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is important because it highlight the need for doing away with all forms of prejudices before we can be an effective critical reasoner. Most time our inner beliefs tend to be the mirror through which we interpret information, judge people and make conclusions. For instance, if I am biased against any culture or ethic group, if I happen to be a jury, I will not be fair in my judgment or decisions. I remember a particular tribe in my country that are assumed to be violent, both male and females, when dealing with them, I will subconsciously be cautious in my words and conversation, to avoid triggering such tendencies. This does not mean the person is violent or likely to be violent, but my long-held bias tends to cloud my reasoning while conversing with them. This goes to show that for us to be successful critical reasoners we must eliminate all forms of bias<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cWhen we say that an inductive argument is strong, we are saying nothing at all about the truth of its premises. Rather, we are saying that if its premises are true (not that they are true) then the premises provide strong support for the truth of the conclusion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this statement the distinction between the strength of an inductive argument and the truth of its premises. When we describe an inductive argument as strong, we are not making any claims about whether the premises are actually true. Instead, we are stating that if we assume the premises to be true (without confirming their truth), then they offer substantial support for the conclusion. In other words, the strength of an inductive argument lies in how well the premises, if taken as true, back up the likelihood of the conclusion being true, rather than asserting the truth of the premises themselves. It’s about the logical support provided by the premises, not their actual truth value. For instant, if we say that every swan we have observed so far is white, then the next swan we observe will also be white. The Inductive Conclusion is that All swans are white. But in truth this may not necessarily be true that all swans are white, but based on the premises to which we have created our conclusion it holds to be true.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cIn cooperative critical thinking there is still serious sustained inquiry, but the goals are different. Rather than trying to find weaknesses in your position, I am trying to find ways in which our positions can be reconciled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This Phrase made me understand that Cooperative critical thinking involves an approach where we engage in serious argument and may sustained emotional inquiry, but with the aim of finding common ground and reaching an agreement, rather than focusing solely on finding flaws in each other’s positions. The emphasis is on collaborative problem-solving and us seeking ways to reconcile differing viewpoints. For an example if I and my colleague, have differing opinions on how to approach a project at work. If my colleague believes that a particular strategy will lead to the best outcome, while I think a different approach would be more effective. Instead of simply critiquing each other’s ideas, we can engage in cooperative critical thinking. During our discussion, if we actively listen to each other’s arguments, ask clarifying questions, and try to understand the reasoning behind our perspectives. Rather than trying to prove each other wrong, we can focus on finding common ground and exploring ways to blend our ideas into a more comprehensive strategy. Through this process, we may identify areas of overlap, mix elements of both approaches, or come up with a completely new solution that integrates the strengths of both viewpoints. This example, clearly shows that cooperative critical thinking is demonstrated by the collaborative effort to reconcile differing opinions and create a more robust and inclusive approach that benefits from both perspectives and parties involved. It emphasizes we work together towards a shared goal rather than engaging in adversarial debate or criticism. This is a win-win case.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIt is important to distinguish between argument and testimony; unfortunately, that distinction is not always easy to make. In everyday life we frequently combine testimony with argument: My argument may contain premises that I testify are true.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis phrase brought to my understanding that we cannot make a clear distinction between testimony and arguments. As I read it I thought back to my daily interactions and conversations, then I realized some may have been testimonies while others were normal argument. Words and sentences sometimes take on their own meaning depending on the context to which it was used, sometimes too the tone to which these words and sentences were use can offer a different meaning to it and making quite a challenge in categorizing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cStress is not the only influence that can distort perceptions. One of the most important influences on our perceptions and our memories, and thus our testimony is our expectations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The understanding I got from this particular phrase is the profound influence that our expectations wields over our memories, perceptions, and testimonies. To illustrate, when an individual set out on a journey with the anticipation of it culminating in success, this preconception not only molds their experiences throughout the journey and beyond, but also leaves an indelible imprint on their recollections and declarations. I remember when my sister gave me her word that she will support my academics, due to past times she had come through for me, I was sure she will, I expected her to, that influenced my memories and my perception her.<\/span><\/p>\n

viii. \u201cThe scientific method involves making predictions, and the success of those predictions supports the truth of the theory. But the falsification of a theory is not quite as simple and straightforward as it might first appear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase took my mind back to those times in high school when we used to carry out experiments to test whether a particular theory is true or false, or sometimes just to verify the possible outcomes. To proof a theory is false may prove extremely difficult because most of those theory have been tested over and over again. Most of what we were doing was just to test and see if we could obtain the same result and not to prove it was false. Then again if we did not get the same result we know that it may be an error from us not basically the theory.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in <\/span>helping you to create a better world? If so, how?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This particular book presented quite a formidable challenge in terms of readability, nonetheless, upon closer examination, I managed to grasp the significance of engaging in critical thinking, as well as comprehending the difference between deductive and inductive arguments. It made a clear distinction between arguments based on logical reasoning and those based on personal testimonies. Furthermore, delving into the intricacies of courtroom proceedings provided me with valuable insights into the dynamics of legal discourse. In summation, this literary work has significantly enhanced my understanding of collaborative dialogues aimed at fostering mutual comprehension and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Armed with this newfound knowledge, I am poised to cultivate more meaningful and harmonious relationships with my acquaintances, loved ones, and the global community at large, thereby contributing to the collective endeavor of enhancing our shared reality and making the world a more harmonious and prosperous place for all to live in.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have such fundamentally different views that it is unlikely that any argument you could give would make a dent in my beliefs. Critical thinking and critical argument are very valuable, but they aren\u2019t superpowers; and learning when they are, and are not, likely to be effective is one part of becoming a good critical thinker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase as quite similar to the phrase about bias which influences our beliefs, decisions and perception. Then we all have our different beliefs that will be difficult to change, this is were critical thinking and critical argument comes into help. That we can help each other understand why we each have the belief we do, and we should also try to come to a place where we have a command ground and understanding of each other\u2019s arguments. I remember a time my friend at work argued about one of the pastors in my local assembly, that he is from my state, I knew the pastor and I was sure the man was not from state even though I did not know exactly where the pastor was from, I tried to understand why she held that opinion, and got to know she was informed someone who knew the pastor, I then proceeded to let her know that why I think he is not from my state is because of his surname, that such names does not exist in my state. Further inquiry from other people confirmed that even though the man was not from my state, he came from a neighboring state. This shows that critical thinking is helpful but we should not mistake it to have superpowers to help us resolve difficult arguments and discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 3<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 4<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 3<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 2<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 3<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author John C. Maxwell emphasizes the importance of leaders adding value by not withholding information and showing gratitude. He highlights the key to shared thinking as asking the right people the right questions, leading to exponential growth in the best outcomes. The book discusses the responsibility of leaders for those they lead, suggesting that bad bosses should be approached with questions that place responsibility back on them. The aim of this book is to empower both good and bad leaders to grow and become effective in leading.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you lead a team, start asking questions and really listening. Start valuing the contributions of your teammates ahead of your own. And remember that when the best idea wins, so does the entire team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the importance of effective team leadership and collaboration, by truly listening to our team members, that when we do this as leaders we show them respect and value their opinions and ideas. This also brought that placing the contributions of our team members above our own means recognizing the skills and expertise each team member brings to the table. Doing this fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best work. I feel that encouraging a culture where the best idea wins promote meritocracy within the team. It shifts the focus from individual egos to collective success, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and innovation. When the team succeeds, everyone benefits. I remember when I was the head of Education wing YouthUp global, I always encouraged active participation of my team members and my word was not a law, I kept the communication line open and allowed the best idea to win.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cWe see others more clearly than we see ourselves. Why? Because we see ourselves by our intentions. That often gives us a false impression of who we are or what we do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This Phrase made me understand the interesting aspect of human perception and self-awareness. Seeing others more clearly to form judgments based on observable data, creating a relatively clear image of who they are. on the other hand, when it comes to self-perception, we tend to view ourselves through the lens of our own intentions. I can pin point the book I read it in but the book brought out that we are more lenient on ourselves, when justifying our actions and the reasons behind them than we are to others. We are aware of our thoughts, motivations, and justifications behind our actions, which may not always be apparent to others nor true. This discrepancy between how we see others and how we see ourselves can lead to a distorted self-image. Our self-assessment can be influenced by our internal narrative, biases, and justifications, which may not always align with how we are perceived by others based on our actions and behaviors.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cGreat teams are made up of people with diverse skills. But when it comes to values, habits, disciplines, and attitudes, there needs to be unity. That starts with the example set by the leaders.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase the importance of balancing diversity in skills with unity in values, habits, disciplines, and attitudes within a team. That as the leader we need to be the example we expect others to be. This quote emphasizes that establishing unity in values and other key aspects often starts with the leadership within the team. The team leaders play a vital role in setting the tone, modeling the desired behaviors, and cultivating a culture that encourages unity in values and practices. When leaders embody the team’s shared values and demonstrate discipline and positive attitudes, it sets the standard for others to follow. I remember when I was the youth president in my local assembly, I always exemplify the behavior I expect from them, for instant when we were to host our very first youth summit, and we were to contribute money for it, I was the first to bring out money for the event, that encouraged the other youth members to follow suit. Therefore, great leaders, led by example.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cGrowth is the great separator of those who succeed long term from those who do not. As time goes by, the gap that separates those who grow intentionally and those who don\u2019t widens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have always believed that growth is a continuous process, that we should always strive to better than we were yesterday. Most importantly as leaders we should never stop growing because if we do those we are leading will grow better and that is when envy will set in. Growth should be an intentional process, we should also know it will cost us time, money friends and sometimes family to be able to achieve the kind of success we desire. For instance, I will be relocating to the US for my graduate studies by Fall 2024, this is a necessary step towards both my personal and career growth, but this move will cost me leaving behind everything I have known and loved for the last 30 years, but I don\u2019t mind so much, as this will open greater doors of opportunities for me. Being a leader and mentor to many, I owe it to myself and those I am leading to always learn and grow, so I won\u2019t get to the place where their success begins to intimidate me.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cWhen we experience losses, we need to learn from them and let them go. If we focus on the loss instead, it can bring us down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase the importance of letting go of all hurts, losses and wrongs done to us. Because if don\u2019t this will make us bitter and angry, giving birth to negative energy that will hinder us from moving forward. For instance, between the year 2020 and 2021 I invest over 3.5 million Nigerian naira in a farm, the farm had a theft that crippled it, and I lost all the investment, worst still the owner of the farm took a loan with my name and bank verification number, increasing my financial loses to over 4 million. This investment was aimed at financing my graduate studies and it set me back greatly. To be able move forward I had to let go of the loses and move on., I am glad I did because I look back today and I can see the progress I have made.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cOver time, if your negative emotions are left unchecked and allowed to brew, they will overflow into every area of your working and maybe also your private life. These negative emotions can influence our decision making, taint how we view relationships, and affect how we lead our people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this that negative emotions have a way of influencing our choices and decisions, it can also hurt or destroy our relations if they are left unchecked. For instance, a few days ago I started having ear pains which I ignored the pain increasing became worse that everything about me centered on the pain. I realized that because of the pains I was experiencing it made me irrational, irritable, short tempered and angry, it took responding rudely to a close friend of mine before I realized what was happening, I decided to seek medical attention for my pain, which after being treated my mode improved and I became better. This same method is applicable to negative thoughts and emotion, the root cause should be identified, so it can be treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cEvery leader\u2019s inner circle is a blessing or a curse. Every person on your team carries two buckets: one contains gasoline and the other water. When there\u2019s a fire, they use one bucket or the other on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this the power of the leader\u2019s inner cycle, I remembered a popular phrase, that inner circle is either your cage or your stage. What each team member is will be revealed during adversity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has help me learn ways that I as a leader can enhance my leadership skills by asking thoughtful questions, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. It has encouraged me to engage in collaborative decision-making processes by seeking input from team members, leveraging collective intelligence for better outcomes. Through the valuable lessons picked from this awesome book I have learned to prioritize sharing information, expressing gratitude, and being open to feedback to cultivate a positive work environment and effective leadership. I have also learned to prioritize personal growth and be intentional about it. I belief that with the help of this book I will continue to develop my leadership skill and become a better mentor.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to be successful and reach your leadership potential, you need to embrace asking questions as a lifestyle.\u201d<\/span>
\nI learned from this quote that questions are the keys to opening doors of possibilities and opportunities in life. A proverb in my local language says that he who asks questions will never get lost or miss a road. No question is inconsequential and unimportant. Asking questions should become the new normal for every leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople who make growth their goal instead of a title, position, salary, or other external target always have a future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have always prioritized growth than titles, I remember a teaching I listened to a few years ago by Late Dr. Myles Monroe, that if we can be identified by our titles alone then we are not effective as leaders, he further stated that our names should have enough impact that we don\u2019t need titles. As leaders with a future, title, salary, positions and other rewards should not be our priority.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to leave a legacy, invest in people, and encourage those you develop to pass on everything they learn from you to others who will do the same. People are what matter in this world not money or fame or buildings or organizations or institutions. Only people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me of my goal as person to leave people better than I found them, I have mentored several young people and helping them become better, because I believe they can be better and they have the power to change the society and the world. This phrase let me understand again the importance of investing in people and that people matters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 360 Degree Leader<\/span><\/strong>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book 360 Degree Leader expounded on how leaders excel by mastering three fundamental approaches to exerting influence. These leaders have the ability to “lead up” within the organizational hierarchy through collaboration with their superiors; they can also “lead across” the structure of the organization by cooperating with their peers; furthermore, they are capable of \u201cleading down\u201d the hierarchy by guiding and inspiring their subordinates. The author opens our understanding of how to enhance one’s influence, which can be acquired by anyone at any level within the organization through the practice of 360-degree leadership. Mastery of leading up, leading across, and leading down is essential for those who aspire to be a 360 Degree leaders. Through the book the author assured us that the attainment of 360 Degree leadership is feasible for anyone with moderate to exceptional leadership abilities who demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe bottom line in managing your emotions is that you should put others not yourself first in how you handle and process them. Whether you delay or display your emotions should not be for your own gratification. You should ask yourself, what does the team need? Not, what will make me feel better?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the importance of putting ourselves in the other persons shoes, when it comes to managing our emotion. This let me understand that we should not let how we feel get in the way of what is best for the team. A good leader always put the teams need first before his own. Most times what benefits the team may get in the way of what we need as leaders but we should never forget that in leading, the leaders need always comes last.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cThe leader\u2019s attitude is like a thermostat for the place she works. If her attitude is good, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the environment is easy to work in. But if her attitude is bad, the temperature is insufferable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This Phrase reemphasized what I already know that attitude is everything, most especially the leaders. Each one us radiates energy which depends mostly on how we may feel at that moment, this tend to influences how we think, react and behave towards others. This energy if not a positive one will adversely affect the team and their productivity. I remember a time when my boss in the office was extremely angry and in a bad mode, we had no idea what offended him, but he sure made the office a hell for everyone for that day. This made me realize that as leaders we have a duty towards those we lead to always show a good attitude as it goes a long way in creating an atmosphere where those we lead can grow and thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cA Chinese proverb says, \u201cThose who drink the water must remember those who dug the well. Gratitude is one of the most attractive of all personal attributes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase the importance of always showing gratitude. As leaders we should cultivate the habit of gratitude towards those who support and follow us, because it is always a great privilege to lead others. Every time someone approaches me to either mentor or coach them, I show deep appreciation to them because there are million others whom they could have chosen but they chose me. Appreciation should be part of our everyday lives not only to those above us but also to those below us, the waiters, the janitors, and the uber drivers. I\u2019ve learned that showing gratitude goes along way to show the strength of a person\u2019s personality and character. I remember sometime this year, I mentored someone towards getting a scholarship and she got it, she was supposed to get back to me to let me know the questions she was asked that will help another person, unfortunately, till date she never did and she stopped all communication with me, as much as I understand individual personalities, this was bad and I have resolved to avoid her. Showing gratitude opens door for us to receive more help.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cLeadership is a moving target, and it always will be. If you desire to become a better leader, get comfortable with change. And if you want to lead up, learn to think like a leader. Think people, think progress, and think intangibles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of leadership. It emphasizes that in order for us to improve as a leader, we must be open and adaptable to change. Additionally, to effectively lead upward within an organization, it’s essential to adopt a leader’s mindset by considering the needs and development of people, focusing on making progress, and valuing intangible aspects such as relationships and culture. Essentially, to excel in leadership, we must embrace change, prioritize people and progress, and think beyond just tangible outcomes. I remember a president of a company in my country once said \u201cpeople are like toothpick, you use them and dump them.\u201d I was not surprised at all when I heard he started losing his staff to his competitors. This goes to show that when you! as the leader don\u2019t value and invest in your people you lose them.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cTo become a 360 Degree Leader, you will have to pay a price. You will have to give up other opportunities in order to lead. You will have to sacrifice some personal goals for the sake of others. You will have to get out of your comfort zone and do things you\u2019ve never done before. You will have to keep learning and growing when you don\u2019t feel like it. You will have to repeatedly put others ahead of yourself. And if you desire to be a really good leader, you will have to do these things without fanfare or complaint.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand the price we need to pay to achieve excellence in leadership and influence. This price will involve letting go of opportunities, it will cost us the price of continuous learning and development. Not only that, it will require time investment in learning and updating our knowledge and skills to a brace with the industry. To do this will require we do things that will take us out of our comfort zone and doing things that are not convenient or comfortable. But to attain 360-degree leadership this is the price we all must pay. I remember a few years ago when I decided to return to school for a second degree, it was extremely not convenient, coupled with my school being in a different state than where my job was. It cost me money, time and effort in night studies, I had to discipline myself to focus achieving success and today it has not only empowered me in leadership, but as a forerunner for others to follow and it also paved way for my grad school.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cOccasionally someone will ask me about how ego fits into the leadership equation. They\u2019ll want to know what keeps a leader from having a huge ego. I think the answer lies in each leader\u2019s pathway to leadership. If people paid their dues and gave their best in obscurity, ego is usually not a problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this particular phrase that when the leader works hard to learn, grow and progress in developing his leadership influence, ego will never be a problem. This same principle is applicable to everything around us. If we work hard to earn our money being flamboyant will not be a problem. This also let me understand that as a leader grows his knowledge on leading people, the inflated ego that everyone has dies a natural dead. I have never seen a genuine and true leader who was proud; such as Dr. Myles Monroe and John C. Maxwell, these exemplary leaders are my role models in leading.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cPeople don\u2019t function like machines. They have feelings. They think. They have problems, hopes, and dreams. Though people can be managed, they would much rather be led. And when they are led, they perform at a much higher level.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the importance of recognizing the human aspect when dealing with individuals in a leadership role. It highlights that people are not like machines that can be simply managed through instructions and commands. People are emotional beings with thoughts, aspirations, and challenges. Effective leadership involves understanding and addressing these complexities by providing guidance and inspiration rather than just control. When individuals feel like they are being led with empathy, support, and respect, they are more likely to be motivated and empowered to excel in their performance. In essence, acknowledging and tapping into the human aspects of individuals can lead to higher levels of engagement and productivity. This took my mind back to the people I had served under in the past, who were autocratic and authoritarians, they failed to understand that the people they lead are not robots, that they are humans and with feeling. If the leader does not recognize and invest in those he\u2019s leading dreams, aspirations and goals, one day he will wake up and find he was only leading himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Every book by John Maxwell is always filled timeless and valuable wisdoms, that if one takes the time to implement the principles he shares, he will be the best leader in our world. Through the lessons I have gathered from this book, I have come to understand the value of Leading up, which is my senior colleagues and boss, leading across with my peers and leading below to those I am leading. I have learned to continue to invest in self-growth, self-development and learning to elevate my leadership skills. I intend to keep improving myself to have more to offer to the world, I am also getting ready and actively preparing for the leadership role that will come my way in future, to be able to be the kind of leader, who values and grows people. By becoming a better version of myself and valuing people investment I feel I would make a difference in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never really know something until you teach it to someone else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase resonated what I already know, that we learn by teaching others. I remember during my last undergraduate program, where I spent more time teaching others, I discovered I became more proficient in those subjects I taught than the subjects I didn\u2019t. in essence we should endeavor to teach others what we know.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood leaders know when to display emotions and when to delay them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the importance of controlling our emotions. Some people will say my emotions got the best of me or my emotions beat me. As leaders knowing how to control how emotions is an essential and necessary skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA smart person believes only half of what he hears, but a really smart person knows which half to believe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me of the fact that we do not need to believe everything we hear, there are more lies going around than truth. As leaders we need to know how to filter the things we hear, because we may run in trouble if we don\u2019t. I know of a leader wo lives on gossip and because of that he has had issues with several people as he doesn\u2019t verify what is true or not. As leaders we need to sieve what we hear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeadership is more disposition than position influence others from wherever you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learnt from this phrase that true leadership is not solely determined by one’s title or position within an organization. It implies that leadership is more about one’s character, attitude, and ability to influence others regardless of their official role. Effective leaders can inspire and guide others to achieve common goals even if they do not hold a formal leadership position. By embodying leadership qualities such as integrity, empathy, and vision, we can make a positive impact and influence those around us, regardless of our rank. In essence, leadership is about the influence and impact we have on others, no matter their designated position.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there isn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there isn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Rules of Work<\/span><\/strong>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author brings out that there are principles governing professional environments. These principles are remarkably uncomplicated to comprehend and once grasped, they are equally straightforward to adhere to. He consolidated them all in this simple book. The author not only instructs us on how to APPEAR more proficient but also on how we can truly BE more effective in contemporary workplace settings. He guides us on how we can explore strategies to progress without compromising ethical standards, exude an aura of confidence and dynamism that garners admiration, establish a distinctive and influential position, navigating conflicts without antagonizing adversaries, deciphering the prevailing corporate ethos to discern when to communicate and when to maintain silence or when to extend our work hours and when to depart early, and how to we can leverage pivotal opportunities that can propel our career advancement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Keep your eye on the ball, and you\u2019ll already be playing with a vast advantage over your colleagues. The Rules Player stays focused. Keep your mind on the task at hand being very good at your job and don\u2019t get distracted. the Rules Players will have gotten their work done by lunchtime so that they have the afternoon free to study for the next promotion.<\/span>
\nI\u2019m talking about taking an interest in the whole organization and not just your corner of it, and letting your boss see that you have your eye on the big picture. Only take that one step forward when you are confident you will look good, gain benefit, or make a difference to someone who needs help. If you know you can do it by Wednesday, always say Friday. If you know it will take your department a week, say two. If you know it will cost an extra two people to get the new machine installed and up and running, then say three. If you have been in your job for a while, you should have learned all these rules by now. If new, then these things are waiting to be found out.<\/span>
\nIn the end it\u2019s about gut feeling. Follow the Rules until they\u2019re so ingrained they become instinct, and then trust your instincts.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cKeep your eye on the ball, and you\u2019ll already be playing with a vast advantage over your colleagues. The Rules Player stays focused. Keep your mind on the task at hand being very good at your job and don\u2019t get distracted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I understood from this phrase the importance of being focused on our job, in terms of continuous improvements and development to be better at what we do. I have always believed on growing to become better and even the best, therefore I stayed focus on learning skills that make me useful and relevant on the job. Currently I am one of the best hands my department has, and I have become great at my job.<\/span>
\niii. \u201cThe Rules Players will have gotten their work done by lunchtime so that they have the afternoon free to study for the next promotion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me realize that I have unconsciously been playing by this rule without even knowing it does exist. Right from when I returned to work after my higher national diploma, I have focused on completing my work before lunch time which frees me to engage in other personal activities that are geared towards self-growth and development. For instance, during my graduate school application period, because of stable network at the office, I ensured all assigned task were complete at most lunch time, I will use the remaining hours to work on my grad school applications. This has been extremely helpful and made me more efficient on both personal progress and efficiency on the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cI\u2019m talking about taking an interest in the whole organization and not just your corner of it, and letting your boss see that you have your eye on the big picture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This particular phrase made me understand the need for me to be more interested in my organization. I do agree with the author that this is important, but unfortunately, sometimes due to the poor work culture within the organization the interest to learn and to know the organization will be killed. Also, I injustice and unfair treatment can make one loose interest in the organization. Therefore, we should try to create an enabling environment that will allow individuals working in the organization become a part of the big picture.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cOnly take that one step forward when you are confident you will look good, gain benefit, or make a difference to someone who needs help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase brought to my understanding that I should not accept every job that comes my way, nor should I volunteer for every opportunity that I see. This took my mind back to 2019 when I started volunteering for NGOs, I signed up for any one that I see, both those that align with my values and those that don\u2019t, at one point I was working with about 8 NGOs. But as I learned and grow, I began to say no to some and only agree to serve on one\u2019s I know I will be making an impact on people\u2019s lives. Even at work I used to be that person every odd job land on her table, at a point I felt it was because I was a woman, but now I have learned to say no to some job and only accept those that I feel will afford me a great learning experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIf you know you can do it by Wednesday, always say Friday. If you know it will take your department a week, say two. If you know it will cost an extra two people to get the new machine installed and up and running, then say three.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from the phrase the importance of under promising and over delivering, also, keeping things in future perspective, this actually made me laugh, because I have a colleague who will always complained that his job is difficult and time consuming, hence he won\u2019t deliver on time until that particular task is handed to some else, that\u2019s when he will say that the job is easy. For instant, if a task took him 5 hours to complete, when that same task is given to another he will say that the job will be completed in 2 hours. I realize he was already playing by this rule. Therefore, going forward I will try do my best to follow this rule which will help me not to race against deadlines, but give more time to still deliver on schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cIf you have been in your job for a while, you should have learned all these rules by now. If new, then these things are waiting to be found out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I agree with the author, that being on a job for a long time makes you know all the written and unwritten rules of the organization. For instance, I have been with my current company for over 13 years now, there is nothing new or any rule that I have not seen within this period, and I know how to play by them. But, we recently employed some new staff who don\u2019t know these rules, and unfortunately, they do not ask us the old staff. One of the new staffs had a standoff with our security guys, instead of following the proper channel of reporting, went above and over the local business unit to report to the headquarters, this boomeranged on her, as this matter was brought back to the local plant to resolved, making it into a major disagreement between the two parties involved that nearly lead to someone being sacked. If she had known the rule and followed it, this issue would have been resolved without even the head of the local plant being aware of. I learn from this that we should know the rule of any organization we are part of.<\/span><\/p>\n

viii. \u201cIn the end it\u2019s about gut feeling. Follow the Rules until they\u2019re so ingrained they become instinct, and then trust your instincts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase is similar to the one above, having worked with my organization for some years, I am familiar with all rules and follow them, but there are times I don\u2019t follow the rule and just go by my instinct to do what is needed at that movement. For instance, one of the rules is to clock in before you go to your office, but sometimes the bus will come late and I have a report to deliver at a certain time, because of the lateness of the bus I may skip clocking in and go straight to the office to commence my report. Therefore, its best depending on circumstances to follow our instinct instead of the rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book was truly one the of the best books that I have read, like every part was an interesting read. for some people, work is perceived as effortless: they navigate smoothly through the intricacies of office dynamics and interpersonal conflicts, consistently exhibiting appropriate behaviors, achieving salary increases, promotions, and positive outcomes, but for some of us it was not this way, for example I had to wait for 10 years, to have a promotion at work. This book has opened my understanding to the intricacies and the dynamics of the professional environments, being productive, working smart, inter-colleague relationships and communication to say a few. Having this knowledge has helped me approach the workplace with a different mindset and this will help both my colleagues as I intend to share this knowledge with them. Together we can make the workplace safe for everyone to grow, thrive and succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can\u2019t get your work done by lunchtime, then you will have to fit all these things into and around the work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that it\u2019s more important than anything else, I should get my job done by lunch time, to free up time for personal learning and development. I personal hate not completing my work before lunch time, but I know sometimes it may happen due not receiving data on time to prepare my reports, when ever this happens, it throws me off balance and makes me behind my schedule, hence no personal time. Like now the data came in early, and having completed my work frees me to work on this summary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you\u2019re stepping backward with the rest of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this, that when everyone refuses to step up to handle a job, I should join them in doing the same. Also, not to accept jobs that will make me look bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to remain totally objective and firmly in the middle. Stay on the fence whatever you do, because if you don\u2019t, then one side will blame you as well as the person she was arguing with originally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me of some things I had learned in crucial conversation, about being open to hear both parties, especially during conflicts. I learned the importance of not taking sides as we will gain an enemy when we are not in the middle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Go Pro<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In the book, \u201cGo-Pro: 7 Steps to Become a Network Marketing Professional,\u201d the author Eric Worre conveyed the idea that success in network marketing, which I related to any professional endeavors, requires a committed, strategic, and skillful approach. He outlined seven critical steps that we should follow to succeed in network marketing. These steps include becoming a product of the product, learning to find prospects, inviting, presenting, following up, helping others to join, and promoting events. Each step is essential for building a successful network marketing business and in extension a successful career. He also brought out the mindset, skills, and actions needed to excel in the field. Worre\u2019s main message is that by treating network marketing as a profession and following a structured approach, we can achieve significant success.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cFacing your fears and living a life that\u2019s free is easy. Spending the rest of your days living half a life is hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase highlighted the choice between confronting our fears to live authentically and freely versus succumbing to fear and living a life of limitations and regrets. This suggests that taking the courageous step to confront our fears, whether they are related to personal growth, aspirations, or relationships, leads to a sense of liberation and inner freedom. It implies that choosing to overcome obstacles and challenges, despite the initial discomfort, ultimately results in a more fulfilling and content life. I noted that avoiding or denying our fears and living in a state of stagnation or conformity can be emotionally draining and unsatisfying. Settling for a life that falls short of our true potential or desires can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and a sense of unfullfilment. I know the idea of facing fears and embracing change may seem daunting at first, the rewards of living authentically and pursuing our genuine aspirations far outweighs the difficulty of remaining stagnant and unfulfilled. I remember a particular scripture that says God has not given us the spirit of fear but that of boldness and of a sound mind. Therefore, we should never live in fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cThe greatest benefit isn\u2019t getting what you want. The greatest benefit is what you\u2019ll need to become in order to get what you want. I learned what was always there and what has been passed down for ages. The journey is everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand that in the journey of life it is not about what we want but about the changes in our lives that occurred as we worked towards getting what we wanted. One of my mentors always said it was about the process and not the result. This also brought to my mind the person, that the journey to graduate school made me become, most especially while preparing for my GRE, I realized I could study for 8 hours straight, this shaped me into a more articulated person in terms written words and articulating my thoughts in a better way, surprisingly it also helps improve my typing skills and reducing my typing errors. Yes, I got what I had wanted but most importantly I became a much better person to achieve it.<\/span>
\niii. \u201cAchievers are the people who want to perform at a high level. They are ambitious, motivated and energetic. They are full of ideas and want to move up the corporate ladder, which are great attributes to have. But there is a downside for the Achiever. The moment a person decides to be an Achiever, they become a target.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I could relate perfectly with this particular phrase as it highlights the qualities of a high achiever. These are people who perform exceptionally well in their jobs and anything they engage in. They have the excellence mindset that helps them set their best foot out at all times. In my industry I have seen this type of people move up the career ladder quite quickly but they are subject to a lot of persecution and attacks both from their bosses and peers. I have seen it play out again and again. I remember during my Higher National Diploma, after the first semester everybody knew I was the best student in the department and the faculty, since then I began to face a lot of persecution, they did not mind the fact that I was working full time at a job 3 states away from my school, and barely had time to attend lectures. Whenever I was in school to sit for my tests my peers would tell the lecturer to set difficult questions for me, they instigated some of the lecturers against me, and some of them felt I may be in another school but to come to their school to get A\u2019s in all courses. The worst was them not informing me of a rescheduled exam in my final year and last semester, but I still wrote exams because the head of department knew I was a high achieving student and that I won\u2019t intentionally miss an exam. Fast-forward to the day of graduation these same set of people told me there are a lot of best graduating students roaming the streets without jobs. I wept bitterly but today looking back, I am happy I never accepted their verdict, I have gone far beyond most of my course mates even though I am not in competition with them, I am currently the only person with a bachelor\u2019s degree and the first among them to be going for a PhD and these does not include my industry achievements. Truly, being a high achiever is the best decision I have made in my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cYou can tell the size of the man by the size of the problem that gets him down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wow, this phrase reminded me of a bible verse that says \u201cif you faint on the day of trouble your strength is small\u201d. I do believe that when we overcome challenges we become stronger and better. I remember a phrase that says in every challenge we either become better or bitter, a victim or a victor. In my life I have faced a lot of challenges that would have broken a lesser human, but I am glad I am not, I always pick myself up and try again. This phrase is absolutely true that the size of a man can be determined by the size of the problem that got them down. I have heard of people who had troubles that were less than mine but committed suicide, people do ask me how I coped with my challenges but even I have no idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cIf you succeed in this business, it\u2019s going to be you who creates that success, not me. And, if you fail in this business, it\u2019s going to be you who creates that failure, not me. You are going to be the difference between success or failure. I\u2019m here to guide you every step of the way, but I can\u2019t do it for you. I\u2019m here to work with you, but not for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that true success can only be achieved when we take responsibility for our actions and decisions. It motivates us to take ownership for our career paths while also recognizing the support available to us through guidance and partnership. It\u2019s a call to action that emphasizes personal agency in the journey toward achieving goals. This is one thing, that I have always known, that ultimate success or failure in the business or career or anything we do depends on our actions, decisions, and efforts. This phrase strongly asserts that success is not a result of external factors or someone else’s influence, but rather comes from our commitment and hard work. I always love to tell people no one will come and save you, if you need a savior look in the mirror. The earlier we begin to take responsibility for our outcomes, then we will be on the right path to achieving the success we want.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cRemember, our goal is education and understanding. It\u2019s not to win an argument. Our job is to help blind people see. When someone brings up a negative question or if they offer you an objection, all they are really doing is helping you to identify one of their blind spots.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this that our aim is to understand and learn not to win in arguments. These days I don\u2019t have energy to argue with anyone. I just state what I know about a thing or an idea but I don\u2019t push to assert that I have the best ideas. I have also observed that ignorant people tend to argue a lot and they argue baselessly, hence if one engages in the argument with them, we all will be in the same ignorant boat. Sometimes when people argue, we get clarity on their state of mind, weakness and level of understanding, most times for me I will just refer them to google.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cModel Successful Behavior Try to avoid reinventing the wheel when you get involved in this profession. The hard work has already been done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me understand that while modeling successful behavior is valuable, it\u2019s also important to adapt those behaviors to our unique situation and strengths. Success is often about finding the right fit for our style and circumstances, and simply copying someone else may not always yield the same results.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has opened my eyes to the value of being a mentor or guide, offering support and advice. It gave me clear insight to the fact that we cannot achieve success without us taking responsibility to put in the work and taking initiative. This book revalidated my beliefs on self-independence and self-reliance. while emphasizing a partnership and a collaborative approach with others. I re-learnt the importance of teamwork and also the necessity for personal accountability. Prior to reading this book, I had no knowledge about network marketing, but now I can say armed with the information obtained from this book I can to a great extent be an effective network marketer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYour database will be one of your most important assets. Everyone goes on the list. If they are negative, put them on your list. If you hate them, put them on your list. If they are your best friend, put them on your list.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me laugh because we tend to exclude a lot of people from things we do or sell. Prior to reading this book, I would not send links to my events to people who don\u2019t like or support me, but now whenever I will be organizing any event or webinars, I will definitely include all of them, both old, young and everyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the future, you\u2019re only going to be paid for performance. You won\u2019t be paid for your time anymore.\u201d<\/span>
\nI learned from this quote that as we become more skilled and grow in knowledge we will no longer be paid based on how long we work but on the problems we can solve.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy world changed when I started focusing on the skills and made the commitment to practice, practice, practice, until I mastered them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me remember a quote from John C Maxwell that it’s easier to go from level six to a level ten on a skill than to raise a level two skills to a ten, because no matter how hard one tries to raise a low-level skill you might get to level four but not more than five, and one will still be poor on the skill level. So, I have learnt from this quote to focus on skills that will be improved significantly to the best level than on skills that will make me look poor at my best.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFreedom is possible, but it isn\u2019t free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me of a popular adage that even in Freetown nothing is free, therefore to attain anything tangible there is a price to pay and if we pay the price we will achieve all we dreamt of.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI realized that to earn more, I needed to become more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me that the more we learn and improve our skills the more we earn. There is a popular adage that one of my friends loves to say that if you put money in your brain your brain will put money in your pocket. Therefore, if we truly want to be in a better position where we can earn more we need to keep on learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did youcomplete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1-10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The book, \u201cThe 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,\u201d by John Maxwell outlines the fundamental principles of leadership that are essential for success for everyone who has the desire to lead. The main idea that he’s trying to convey is that leadership is not just about holding a position of power, but about having the ability to influence and inspire others to achieve a common goal or success. The author emphasizes that effective leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed over time. He also outlines 21 fundamental laws of leadership that cover topics such as trust, vision, communication, and teamwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cIf you want to be a leader, the good news is that you can do it. Everyone has the potential, but it isn’t accomplished overnight. It requires perseverance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote re-emphasizes the fact that anyone can be a leader. I think it resounded what the book \u201cthe leader who had no title\u201d said, that we can lead from anywhere, that we don\u2019t need to be at the top or be the CEO to lead. Everyone can be a leader, if they active prepare themselves and work had towards it. I started preparing and learning about leadership since 2017, I kept reading books upon books, to know how to effectively lead people, team and the community. After nearly 3 years of actively being a student of leadership, I had my first successful leadership role in 2019. Being the right leader requires we become a student of leadership and actively preparing ourselves to lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cThe higher you want to climb, the more you need leadership. The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the critical role of leadership in achieving ambitious goals and making a significant impact. It suggests that as we aspire to reach higher levels of success or influence, the importance of effective leadership becomes increasingly essential. To ascend to greater heights and create a substantial impact, we must possess strong leadership skills to guide and inspire others toward a shared vision. Leadership is seen as a catalyst for achieving greater success and influence, enabling us to mobilize and empower others to work towards common objectives and goals. John Maxwell said in his book \u201cthe five levels of leadership\u201d that our leadership abilities put a cap on how far we can go, both in achievement and in leading others. In essence, this quote conveys that the extent of our accomplishments and impact is closely tied to our ability to lead and influence others effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cLeadership is often misunderstood. When people hear that someone has an impressive title or an assigned leadership position, they assume that individual to be a leader. Sometimes that\u2019s true. But titles don\u2019t have much value when it comes to leading.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly, titles don\u2019t make a leader, it is the leader that makes the title. I learned from this quote that when it comes down to effectively leading others, the title has no part in it. I have seen a lot of people with lofty titles but they suck when it comes to leading. Like I said in my previous reviews, what made me become a student of leadership was because I had served under people whom I had thought should be great and good leaders, unfortunately, they were micromanager, sadist and haters of people\u2019s progress, they did their best to keep people down and struggling. Somehow, I knew there was more to leadership than what they displayed and began to search to know what that was. The journey to find it is what led me to IIGL and I am glad I found them, because my knowledge has expanded and I am now a much better leader than I was before.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cTrue leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a little time either to increase your level of influence with others or to undermine it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of leadership. It emphasizes that in order for us to improve as a leader, we must be open and adaptable to change. Additionally, to effectively lead upward within an organization, it’s essential to adopt a leader’s mindset by considering the needs and development of people, focusing on making progress, and valuing intangible aspects such as relationships and culture. Essentially, to excel in leadership, we must embrace change, prioritize people and progress, and think beyond just tangible outcomes. I remember a president of a company in my country once said \u201cpeople are like toothpicks, you use them and dump them,\u201d I was not surprised at all when I heard he started losing his staff to his competitors. This goes to show that when you! as the leader doesn’t value and invest in your people you lose them.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cMany people view leadership the same way they view success, hoping to go as far as they can, to climb the ladder, to achieve the highest position possible for their talent. But contrary to conventional thinking, I believe the bottom line in leadership isn’t how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others. That is achieved by serving others and adding value to their lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote challenges the common perception that leadership and success are primarily focused on personal advancement and reaching the highest levels of recognition. Instead, it advocates for a more altruistic approach to leadership by emphasizing the importance of serving and adding value to others. The quote suggests that true leadership is not about personal accolades or climbing the hierarchical ladder but rather about the impact one has on the growth and development of others. By prioritizing the well-being and advancement of those around us, we leaders can create a more significant and lasting impact. Ultimately, the quote underscores that genuine leadership is about selflessly serving others and contributing to their growth and success. For instance, during my first undergraduate program the goal was not to fail, later changed to graduating as the best, but at the award ceremony, it was meaningless, even though I had studied hard for it, unfortunately, it meant nothing to me and I was sad. That made me resolve to do things differently. During my second Bachelor’s degree, I focused more on helping my course mates, spent more time teaching them courses that they had challenges with than focusing solely on myself. The good part is that we all graduated. I wasn’t the best, but I was glad and fulfilled that someone had an easier journey to graduate, just because I was part of the class. Impacting a life positively became the ultimate goal. All leaders should aspire to make an impact, then personal success will follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cWhen people respect you as a person, they admire you. When they respect you as a friend, they love you. When they respect you as a leader, they follow you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this particular phrase the different levels of respect that people can have for one another and the corresponding emotions and behaviors that result. When we respect you as a person, we admire your qualities and achievements, which can foster a positive relationship. Respect as a friend, we will show love because we value our friendship and the qualities that our friend brings to the relationship. For example, my friend who is an Avionics Engineer, I value her because she believes in me, not only that she will go the extra mile to support my dreams and goals, she will have faith when I have none and she supports me with prayers. I also do the same for her. But when people respect us as a leader, they follow us because they trust our judgment, expertise, and ability to lead them towards a common goal or that our path in life inspires them to want to walk that path so they can replicate our success. I have had people walk up to me and say my life inspires them and that they want me to mentor them, this shows they respect me as a leader. Therefore, every leader should understand the kind of emotions and behaviors of the people around them and where they as leaders stand in their ladder of leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cGreat leaders always seem to embody two seemingly disparate qualities. They are both highly visionary and highly practical.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the duality of effective leadership, suggesting that great leaders possess a unique blend of visionary thinking and practicality. Visionary leaders have the ability to conceptualize and articulate a compelling vision for the future, inspiring others to follow suit. They possess the foresight to set ambitious goals and push boundaries to achieve them. On the other hand, practicality is essential for implementing these visions into actionable plans and strategies. Practical leaders are detail-oriented and focused on executing tasks efficiently to bring the vision to reality. By combining these seemingly contrasting qualities of being visionary and practical, great leaders can inspire others with a clear direction while also grounding their aspirations in achievable steps and outcomes. For instance, my conversation with the current president of IIGL, she has a great vision for IIGL, and we are working on practical steps to accomplish this vision. Like John Maxwell will always say great leaders see where they are going, know how to get there and have the ability to lead others there.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Like all the books from John Maxwell that I have been privileged to read, this book has helped me reassess my leadership skills and relearn what truly matters in leading ourselves, then others. I have learned to always have empathy for people and to genuinely care for both their wellbeing and progress. As much as I was doing part of this before, this book has helped realign my values to accommodate more people into my network. I have recalled the value of making a significant impact on the lives of people around me, which is the ultimate goal of every leader. This book has helped me know more about leadership and helped me to advance on the journey of being a great leader. I hope with this knowledge I will make a greater impact in the world and make it a better place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTo lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that leading ourselves is quite different from leading others, leading ourselves involves knowing the right thing to do and going ahead to do it. But when it comes to leading others we need to focus on what matters to them, show them empathy and be really interested in their lives and wellbeing, not only that it also involves actively seeking their progress and if necessary invest in them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChampions don\u2019t become champions in the ring\u2014they are merely recognized there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that when we properly train ourselves and prepare for opportunities, when they come we will be recognized. I began actively studying and learning deeply about leadership and the right way to lead others in 2017. It was in the year 2019 that I was appointed a leader, the group voted me as their leader despite my protest against it. The founder of the group said he saw something in me that I am capable of bringing the best out of the team, truly out of 7 teams in the group, the team I lead came out first. This shows that we prepare before war not in war.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion. The heart comes before the head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me of another quote in the book 5 Levels of Leadership. He said \u201cyou touch a heart first before you ask for a hand,\u201d this means that we as leaders must first show our concern and deep care for the overall wellbeing of people before we can lead them. For instance, a person that takes care of the widows, children and orphans, helping them in one way or the other, showing deep interest in their growth and wellbeing, will more willingly follow him, than a person who does nothing at all. Therefore, as leaders we should lead with our hearts and show empathy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople don\u2019t care what you know until they know what you care about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that people truly don\u2019t care if you were the best graduating student or that you are a professor or governor, but once they know what you care for, they will want to know everything about you. For instance, if one is passionate about helping the less privileged and has a track record of doing so, you will discover that everyone will want to know more about that person and some will even want to be involved in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. Leaders who are good navigators are capable of taking their people just about anywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that it takes only a leader with a vision, purpose and direction to be able to guide people on the right path to take. True leaders are pathfinders and they also have that ability to lead their people on that path. For example, when I discovered the drawback of my first undergraduate degree, I tried to start two post graduate programs but found out I will still be a victim of the system, I dropped out and went for a bachelor\u2019s, while I was still studying I have mentored some people to join the program, currently I have 3 people in the program. This is how leaders should be finding the path, walking the path and leading others through the path.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment What was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Law of Success<\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Law of Success conveys that achieving success is within anyone’s reach, regardless of our background or circumstances. By adopting the right mindset, habits, and principles, we can unlock our full potential and reach their goals. The author Hill emphasized that success is not a destination, but a journey. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and grow. By adopting a positive mindset, practicing self-confidence, setting goals, and acting, anyone can move closer to achieving their desired future.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Forced idleness is far worse than forced labor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in your temperance and self-control and strength of will and content and a hundred other virtues which the idle will never know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Life is an everlasting question-mark! That which we want most is always in the embryonic distance of the future. Our power to acquire is always a decade or so behind our power to DESIRE! And, if we catch up with the thing we want we no longer want it.<\/span>
\nYou probably know that you are not the only man who has had to sacrifice immediate monetary remuneration for the sake of gathering knowledge, for in truth your experience has been that of every philosopher from the time of Socrates down to the present<\/span>
\nBe sure that your definite purpose is constructive; that its attainment will bring hardship and misery to no one; that it will bring you peace and prosperity, then apply, to the limit of your understanding, the principle of self-suggestion for the speedy attainment of this purpose.<\/span>
\nNo man has a chance to enjoy permanent success until he begins to look in a mirror for the real cause of all his mistakes.<\/span>
\nYou cannot enjoy outstanding success in life without power, and you can never enjoy power without sufficient personality to influence other people to cooperate with you in a spirit of harmony.<\/span>
\nSuccess is the development of the power with which to get whatever one wants in life without interfering with the rights of others.<\/span>
\n\u201cForced idleness is far worse than forced labor. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in your temperance and self-control and strength of will and content and a hundred other virtues which the idle will never know\u201d<\/span>
\nThis phrase reminded me of a popular adage that says \u201can idle man is the devil\u2019s workshop\u201d. Idleness can bring depression, sadness and isolation from the world; therefore no one should be idle. We are created to be productive beings, but when we are doing nothing it chips away on our self-confidence and self-esteem which can lead to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Being forced to work builds our positive attributes because then we can discover we have perseverance, doggedness and tenacity embedded in us.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cLife is an everlasting question-mark! That which we want most is always in the embryonic distance of the future. Our power to acquire is always a decade or so behind our power to desire! And, if we catch up with the thing we want we no longer want it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase brought to light the fact that once we get what we had desired we no longer want it. This made me remember the time I had worked so hard for something at the end when I got it, it felt worthless. The things we desire most often seem distant and unattainable, much like objects on the horizon. Our aspirations and dreams exist in the realm of possibility, yet they remain just out of reach, motivating us to strive for growth and progress. I remember 3 years back when I was a junior technician, I so much desired to get to the level of an engineer, I wrote letters, and emails for my organization to upgrade me, it looked so far away and unattainable. Finally, when they did, I felt it was not worth all the effort I put in to get them to do the right thing because I deserved better. This shows the dynamic interplay between our desires, acquisition, and fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cYou probably know that you are not the only man who has had to sacrifice immediate monetary remuneration for the sake of gathering knowledge, for in truth your experience has been that of every philosopher from the time of Socrates down to the present.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that whatever thing we are doing and sacrificing to gain knowledge, that we are not the first and neither would we be the last to do so. Over the years I have studied several people like Myles Monroe and the sacrifices they made to become impactful and influential leaders. I realized that if I too make the same sacrifices they did, I can achieve what they did. This holds true for everyone who will either read their books or come across their messages and decide to walk their path will still achieve the same result.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cBe sure that your definite purpose is constructive; that its attainment will bring hardship and misery to no one; that it will bring you peace and prosperity, then apply, to the limit of your understanding, the principle of self-suggestion for the speedy attainment of this purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote spoke to me about the importance of our purposes having no malignant effect on anyone. That whatever we are doing on earth will hurt or harm no one, it should bring us peace, and if that is true of our purposes, we should hasten to accomplish it. This phrase has given me a new perspective for viewing my action, goals and aspirations, also a yardstick to which all actions, intentions and pursuits are audited, to see if they align with the above.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cNo man has a chance to enjoy permanent success until he begins to look in a mirror for the real cause of all his mistakes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that true success can only be achieved when we take responsibility for our actions and decisions. It highlights the importance of self-reflection and introspection in identifying one’s shortcomings and learning from mistakes. By looking in the mirror metaphorically, we can confront the root causes of our mistakes and make necessary changes to achieve lasting success. I strongly believe that when we take time to audit our actions we can now have a clear direction on where we are heading and how we can achieve permanent success.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cYou cannot enjoy outstanding success in life without power, and you can never enjoy power without sufficient personality to influence other people to cooperate with you in a spirit of harmony.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the correlation between personal influence, power, and success. It let me understand that to achieve significant success, we must possess a certain level of personal power. However, this power is not solely about authority or control but is also tied to our ability to influence and collaborate with others effectively. It also involves developing a strong personality that inspires cooperation and harmony among others, which is essential in harnessing this power and achieving outstanding success in various aspects of life, whether it be in career, relationships, or personal growth. I\u2019ve discovered that it\u2019s easier to influence people when you genuinely offer help to them and support their progress.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cSuccess is the development of the power with which to get whatever one wants in life without interfering with the rights of others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote brought to light a positive and ethical perspective on success. It suggests that true success is not just about achieving personal goals and desires but also about doing so with integrity and respect for others. Like most of the phrases above it highlights the idea that acquiring power and resources to fulfill our ambitions should not come at the expense of infringing upon the rights or well-being of others. Success, according to this perspective, involves the skillful development of our abilities and resources to attain our objectives while upholding ethical standards and considering the rights and boundaries of others. This phrase made me realize that our aspiration should promote a balanced and principled approach to pursuing success.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has made me reflect on my actions, desires, dreams and aspirations. I\u2019ve been auditing my actions to ensure whatever I am doing does not in any way affect the lives of others negatively. Through this book I have learned that success is achievable, reinforcing a stronger belief in myself that I can be the kind of leader which my community, state, country and the world needs. It has reminded me of some valuable lessons I have learnt throughout my studies and personal books I have read over the years, like lessons on Self-Confidence, Initiative and Leadership, Imagination, Self-Control, Doing More than Paid For (from the leader who had no title), Collaborating with others, influencing others and Not acting in ways that hurt others. I strongly believe that by improving myself to become a better person and leader, this book has empowered me to make a positive impact in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe world will forgive you if you make mistakes, but it will never forgive you if you make no decisions, because it will never hear of you outside of the community in which you live.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, if he had decided to be like other seagulls, then he would never have discovered his true abilities and what was achievable when we push beyond our limits. Social media has given us now the opportunity to reach people outside our local communities, but if we don\u2019t make the decision to put our-selves out there, no one will hear about us. I have made a lot of tangible connections with people I have never met just by showing up on the social media space, most especially LinkedIn. Even though I am an introvert, when it comes to putting myself out there to let others know what I am doing, I kill that desire to be hidden.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what you want, when you want it, why you want it and How you intend to get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The quote reminded me of the importance of knowing exactly what we want, when we want it and how we want it. During my graduate school application, I was getting several admissions without funding and some with partial funding, this was eating me up deeply. December 2023, I took a bold step, went online and looked for samples of Fully funded offers, with 12 months stipend and health insurance that was offered in the month of January, I printed it out and put a date on it, which was January 30th 2024. Amazingly I got my first fully funded offer January 31st, 2024, this offer came exactly as I had wanted above. This shows that knowing what we want is not enough. We should also know when and how we want it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Power of Self-Confidence<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book, \u201cThe Power of Self-Confidence\u201d highlights the importance of cultivating self-confidence in every aspect of life. Through this book, Brian Tracy aims to equip us the readers with the tools and mindset necessary to believe in ourselves, pursue our goals with passion and determination, and overcome any obstacles that stand in our way. he emphasizes that self-confidence is not something we are born with, but rather something we develop through intentional effort and practice. I do agree with him, as I am a product of self-confidence developed over time of proving to myself that I have the ability to achieve my dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cThe foundation of self-confidence, the basis of boldness and self-assertion, is a deep inner trust, based on living a life of perfect integrity, and disciplining yourself to live consistent with your highest values in every situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me of a word from Pastor T.D Jakes that says \u201cUntil you have a taste of finishing, you will not respect yourself\u201d. When we discipline ourselves to achieve and successfully live a life of integrity in situations where keeping it was difficult we do not respect nor value ourselves. For every time we discipline ourselves to do the right thing when nobody’s watching, we build our confidence, we build our boldness and inner trust. I remember a time during my undergraduate that we had a test, unfortunately I got the materials for the test an hour before the test. I was hoping the lecturer would not ask any test questions from that material but on entering the test hall, the lecturer asked us to answer only one question and it was from that material. The material was open on my phone because I was trying to read it before entering the test. Most of my course mates knew this and started pushing me to open my phone to copy the answer, so they too can copy from me. I told them I could not do it, they kept insisting on it. To avoid getting in trouble, I got up and submitted a blank test script with just my name. I told them I would rather fail with honor than pass with dishonor, that anything I will do that I will not be proud to tell my children about, I would do it. That simple act of integrity, built my self-respect and self-confidence. When we live and do the right thing we’ll be confident and bold. Guilt has a way of keeping one\u2019s head bowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cThe development of unshakable self-confidence, therefore, begins with you taking full, complete, systematic and purposeful control of the contents of your conscious mind, disciplining yourself to think consistently about only the things that you desire and to resolutely keep your mind off the things that you fear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that for us to have unshakeable self-confidence, that we have to intentionally stay away from everything that will bring fear or anything close to that into our lives. I remember when I was denied the United States Visa in 2022, that single denial broke me, to make an already bad situation worse I was scammed a few days later, this led to complete mental and emotional breakdown. I could not imagine not understanding why these things happened to me. From then on, I began to have severe anxiety and panic attacks, that chipped away at self-confidence, until I got hold of myself and began to intentionally dispel the fears, speak to myself and feed my mind with positive things. It was not long after that, my fears disappeared, I began to work towards my graduate school admissions again. Building our confidence requires intentionality.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cYour job is to do whatever it takes to convince yourself, in your heart, that you are absolutely unstoppable and that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.\u201d<\/span>
\nThis quote reminded me of another quote I read from Napoleon Hill that \u201cwhatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve,\u201d I usually tell people that if you believe that you will fail, no power on earth will make you pass. I remember a few years ago when it was just a belief that I have the ability to win a fully funded scholarship with a 12 months stipend and health insurance. Everyone thought I was crazy, that it was not possible and most especially with a bachelor\u2019s degree. I kept the faith, I repeated it to myself everyday and every moment, I wrote it down and today, I did not just get one fully funded admission, I got three. I know this truth that anything I want to achieve I can do, it’s just a matter of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cHappiness is a condition. It is not something that is achieved by pursuing it directly, but rather comes as a result of our engaging in purposeful activities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Having good or healthy self-confidence and self-assurance will always keep you happy. I learned from this phrase that we don\u2019t pursue happiness but it’s derived from purposeful engagements. I remember a time when I said that I will be happy when I have completed my first bachelor\u2019s degree, unfortunately other events took over and I never found that happiness, until I learnt that happiness is not in things but in ourselves, since then I always have a cheerful and happy outlook at life. Then again whenever we do something meaningful for someone, it indirectly brings us joy and fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cDeep down inside, the average person knows that he or she is put on this earth with amazing capabilities. He or she knows that there is something better than this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me of the book Awakening the Giant in me, which made me understand that each of us were born to be great and each of us has greatness in the inside of us. All my life I have always believed there is more to life than what I had at the moment, that has kept working hard, pushing limits and finding ways to prepare myself for greater opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIn fact, the habit of setting and achieving ever-larger goals is absolutely indispensable to the development of ever-higher levels of self-confidence and personal power.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the importance of continuously setting and achieving challenging goals as a means to enhance self-confidence and personal empowerment. By pushing ourselves to strive for increasingly ambitious objectives, we can experience personal growth and development. As we successfully accomplish larger goals, we build confidence in our abilities and expand our sense of personal power. This cycle of setting and achieving ever-higher goals is seen as crucial for nurturing self-assurance and unlocking greater potential within oneself. Ultimately, the habit of pursuing challenging goals serves as a pathway to increasing levels of self-confidence and personal empowerment goals. For every goal I achieve I set a larger and bigger one, for instant when I completed my bachelor\u2019s degree, I told myself I am going for a PHD, it looked so impossible, one I don\u2019t have a master\u2019s degree, but I knew I could do this, and I began working towards it, today I have achieved that, now I have set another goal for myself to graduate as the best student in my program and I am believing that I will achieve this goal. Truly the bigger the goal we achieve, the better our self-confidence will be.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cTrue self-confidence does not come from positive wishing or positive hoping or positive thinking. It comes from positive knowing based on having proven to yourself, over and over again, that you have what it takes to get from wherever you are to wherever you want to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me smile, because every little bit of it is true. This quote has come true in my life over and over again., my journey to the United States is a true testament of this quote being true. I have always had this strong belief that I will get to the top, I honestly don\u2019t know where that top is, but over and over again I have found myself leading in most organizations I have been a part of. For instance, I became the first ever female president in my local church in 2017, fast forward to 2019, I was appointed the women leader of TOLDNetwork, where we have industry leaders and women more advanced than I am. Then in 2021, I was made the head of the education wing for Nigeria and later West-Africa for Youth-Up global and today I am 100 percent sure that if I joined any organization I will get to the top. This confidence is not positive thinking, wishing or profession, I have done it again and again, that\u2019s how I know and I know I have the ability to lead well.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book has helped understand myself and my journey through life better. It made me know the value of improving one’s self-confidence, and cultivating healthier, more fulfilling relationships with others. Having a healthy self-confidence can lead to better communication, understanding, and collaboration, which can have a positive impact on society. I now know that those who are confident in themselves are more likely to take on leadership roles and engage in advocacy for causes they believe in, for which I have been doing over the years. In truth this book served as a validation of what I have been doing and reaffirms my beliefs in myself. I now know I should protect and safeguard my self-confidence, also avoiding anything that will breed fear in my mind. With health and good self-confidence, I am sure I can drive social change and create a more just and equitable world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you set more goals, try more things, engage in more activities, and explore more opportunities, your probabilities of success increase dramatically.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase taught me the importance of setting multiple goals, trying out more things and engaging in different activities, which as a derivative will increase our chances of being a success. This phrase took me back to a few years ago when I was a bit frustrated about my career and everything that was not working in my life. I remember how dejected and sad I was, also suicidal thoughts filled my mind. But, when I began volunteering in different NGOs, and started joining multiple activities, I became successful in them which directly feedback on my self-confidence, self-worth and self-esteem. I became so successful that I no longer noticed my unproductive career in engineering. Even though I later became successful in my career, if not for those other activities I was involved in, the motivation to stay on my job would not have been there. Therefore, it\u2019s like tossing a dice, the probability of getting a head increases with multiple tosses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery situation is a positive situation if viewed as an opportunity for growth and self-mastery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me that in every situation or condition that happens to us we can either be a victim or use those situations to learn and grow. Life is full of challenges, and if at every turn we let them weigh us down, we will end up being frustrated. We should see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, while still pushing ourselves towards achieving our dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nE. What is your overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Love Without Conditions<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In the book, \u201cLove Without Conditions\u201d by Paul Ferrini emphasizes the concept of unconditional love as a transformative force in personal relationships and self-acceptance. The book highlighted the importance of self-love as a prerequisite for loving others authentically. The author addresses the barriers to unconditional love, such as fear and judgment, and highlights the role of forgiveness in releasing emotional pain. He encourages us the readers to live authentically and to cultivate deeper connections by loving without expectations. Ultimately, this book presents the journey toward unconditional love as a path of spiritual growth and enlightenment, inviting us to create more meaningful and fulfilling relationships with ourselves first and then others.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cYou cannot love in an unloving way. You can\u2019t be right and attack what\u2019s wrong. Error must be undone. And since the root of all error is fear, only the undoing of fear will bring correction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase emphasizes that genuine love cannot coexist with unloving actions or attitudes. It let me understand that true love embodies understanding, compassion, and forgiveness, rather than judgment or hostility. The idea of “being right and attacking what\u2019s wrong” implies that trying to assert moral superiority through aggression or criticism is counterproductive and ultimately unloving. Another thing it spoke to me is that errors or wrongdoings stem from fear, and to correct these errors, we must address the underlying fear rather than simply pointing out faults. By acknowledging and undoing fear, such as fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of inadequacy, we can foster healing, understanding, and positive change. This phrase advocates we approach situations with love, empathy, and a desire to understand rather than confront and criticize. I do understand that most times it’s difficult to show love to everyone but I have learned not to allow wrong doings to get to me and I have schooled myself to always let everything go.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cYou, my friend, are not what you think you are. You are not simply an accumulation of all your negative beliefs and actions. That is who you think you are, but that is not who you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote brought out that we often define ourselves based on our negative beliefs, past actions, and experiences, leading to a limited and distorted self-image, this is detrimental to our well being and progress in life. It emphasizes that our true identity is not solely composed of these negative aspects. Instead, it encourages recognizing that there is a deeper, inherent worth and potential within each of us that transcends our mistakes and self-critical thoughts. This statement invites individuals to challenge their negative self-perceptions and understand that they can grow beyond their past and beliefs, ultimately embracing a more empowering and authentic sense of self.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cIf you find yourself condemning your brother, you can be sure that it is not him you condemn. It is some shamed part of yourself you have not acknowledged. Perceiving inadequacy in your brother cannot make you feel better, for it merely aggravates your own sense of unworthiness.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote highlights the idea that when we criticize or condemn others, it often reflects our own inner struggles and insecurities rather than the faults of the person being judged. It suggests that negative judgments towards others can stem from unacknowledged shame or feelings of inadequacy within oneself. Instead of resolving personal feelings of unworthiness through judgment, it often exacerbates them. Ultimately, the quote encourages self-reflection, pointing out that by recognizing and addressing our shortcomings and vulnerabilities, we can cultivate a more compassionate and understanding perspective towards others, fostering healing rather than resentment. I do see people who criticize me and others being in a bad position within themselves instead of anything we have done.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cWhen one\u2019s intention changes, the form that carries those intentions changes. If you are sensitive to your own intentions and those of others, you will be better prepared for changes in form.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote taught me that our intentions, what we truly aim to achieve or express have a profound impact on the way we interact with the world and the outcomes we experience. When our intentions shift, the methods, behaviors, or circumstances that manifest in our lives also change accordingly. Being “sensitive to your own intentions and those of others” means developing awareness and understanding of the motivations behind actions, both our own and those of others. This heightened sensitivity helps us navigate changes and challenges more effectively since we can adapt our responses based on a clearer understanding of underlying motivations. Trying to understand the reasons behind others’ actions will give us clarity and allow freedom to judge the events objectively, instead of based on how we feel or our emotions. This quote truly, encourages self-awareness and empathy, suggesting that recognizing intentions can lead to more constructive interactions and transitions in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cIf it is hard for you to forgive and to love someone, then say so. Do not condemn him in order to justify your own weakness. When you are in fear, tell the truth. Truth always brings sanity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote the importance of honesty and self-awareness in dealing with feelings of fear, forgiveness, and love, which is similar to the phrase above. It encourages us to acknowledge our struggles openly, particularly when they find it difficult to forgive or love someone, instead of resorting to condemnation or judgment of others as a way to mask or justify personal weaknesses, it advises being truthful about one\u2019s emotions. I remember some time in 2018 I was in a relationship with someone, we had a lot of differences which ended up hurting me a lot, we later broke up and went our separate ways I forgave him and moved on with my life or so I thought, Until last year 2023 when he came back to resume the relationship that I realized the pains was still there, I was honest to let him know, that seeing him invokes an anger him I thought had gone, and this will greatly affect the way I react to him, and I stopped all communication with him. Truly, admitting to fear or difficulty can bring clarity and a sense of sanity to a chaotic emotional state. If we embrace and express the truth of our feelings, we can begin to address our internal conflicts more constructively. Ultimately, we can use this approach to foster a healthier emotional environment, paving the way for genuine healing and growth rather than perpetuating negativity through blame or criticism.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIf you wish to understand the meaning of what happens in your life, stop giving it your own meaning. Let the situation be. Feel it fully. Allow it to teach you why it has come into your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote encourages us to let go of preconceived notions and judgments we impose on life events. Instead of trying to assign our personal interpretations or meanings to situations, it encourages a more open and accepting approach. By allowing a situation to exist as it is and fully experiencing it, we can gain deeper insights and lessons from our experiences. The main idea is that rather than immediately reacting to events and situations with analysis or emotional judgment, we should embrace the feelings associated with the situation. This openness can lead to greater understanding and personal growth, as it allows the situation to reveal its inherent meaning. We should embrace the concept of mindfulness and learning from life\u2019s experiences without the bias of personal interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cGratitude is the choice to see the love of God in all things. No being can be miserable who chooses thus. For the choice to appreciate leads to happiness as surely as the choice to depreciate leads to unhappiness and despair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase the transformative power of gratitude and its role in shaping our emotional well-being. Gratitude involves consciously choosing to recognize and appreciate the presence of love and positive elements in all aspects of life, seeing them as manifestations of a higher divine purpose (referred to as “the love of God”). The statement argues that by choosing to appreciate rather than criticize or look down upon our experiences, we cultivate a sense of happiness and contentment. In contrast, focusing on negativity or failure to recognize the good can lead to feelings of misery and despair. Gratitude opens up the universe for us and the universe opens its portals for us to receive more of those things we are grateful for. Our perspective, whether one of appreciation or depreciation directly influences our emotional state and overall happiness. By fostering an attitude of gratitude, they can enhance their joy and fulfillment in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Through this book I have come to understand the transformative power in personal relationships and self-acceptance. I now understand Unconditional Love being that transcends judgments, expectations, and conditions. It involves loving oneself and others purely and authentically, without the need for reciprocation or approval. Also, Self-Love and Acceptance, that to love others unconditionally, one must first cultivate love and acceptance within oneself. I learnt about overcoming Fear and Judgment and how fear, judgment, and past emotional wounds can hinder the experience of love. The book helped me rethink my life, analyze my emotions and life experiences to make adjustments and take corrective steps to deal with any un-forgiveness within me. I have come to accept the pure love that comes from God and I have also accepted self-love forgiveness and freedom from guilt. By embracing love in its purest form and walking in forgiveness I believe I can help make life better and easier for people, in the end make the world a better place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cForgiveness is the only gift that asks nothing in return. And so, it is the only gift that can be given and received without guilt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase the importance of genuine forgiveness, for me this gives us freedom and it costs nothing. If we harbor un-forgiveness it breeds bitterness and eats away our soul, hence it is important to always forgive, it\u2019s a free gift, if God could forgive all our trespasses who are we not to forgive others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have the capacity to love yourself. That capacity must be awakened in you for authentic spiritual growth to take place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Just like the bible says that we should love our neighbors just as we love ourselves, the emphasis is on loving ourselves, because it is from loving ourselves the right way that we can be able to love others. Some people find it difficult to love themselves but this phrase is a reminder that we can truly love ourselves and that in loving ourselves that we can have effective spiritual growth. I do love myself therefore I ensure I remove myself far from anything or anyone that threatens that love and peace that I have with myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething cannot be lacking unless it was first present in abundance. Without presence, absence has no meaning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In truth we can\u2019t miss what we never had.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything that we miss means that we once had it or had experienced it but if we never had, how can we miss it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, you must accept the truth of equality for yourself. If you feel superior or inferior to any other human being, you have not accepted the truth about your spiritual identity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote helped me to realize that I have grown to the level where I don\u2019t feel inferior or superior to anybody, I am just focused on being the best version of myself and always doing what I can to be better so I can serve my best to the world and then help others along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span><\/strong><\/em>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span><\/strong><\/em>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Art of War<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria\/USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The main idea of The Art of War by Sun Tzu is that victory in conflict is achieved through strategy, adaptability, and understanding, rather than brute force. Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of knowing both oneself and the opponent, planning carefully, and exploiting opportunities while minimizing risks. The book highlights the importance of strategy, planning, and preparation, which are essential to winning battles without unnecessary confrontation. The book teaches that mastery of strategy and awareness can lead to success in both warfare and life\u2019s challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cIf you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand that it is important to know the enemy; much more important is knowing ourselves. This means that if we don’t know ourselves, we won’t know how to prepare for battle, which invites defeat. If the enemy has a deeper understanding of us than we do, we won’t know how to safeguard our most vulnerable points, which they can exploit to their advantage. However, if we have a thorough understanding of both the “enemy” and ourselves, we can confidently assert our victory. Applying it to life, we should always try to understand each person we are dealing with; much more than that, we should understand ourselves and how we will react in response to them. This allows us to maintain self-control and prevent irrational behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cAll warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase reminded me that we shouldn’t make our life plans public. We should not let people know exactly what we are going to do. People should be in the dark about what our next move is. This strategy confuses people about the specific actions you plan to take. I recall my initial attempt to obtain a visa, which I publicized widely, only to face rejection. The second time was quiet; everyone thought I traveled home for my annual leave, but I went for my interview, and it was successful. Everyone at my workplace thought I was an unserious and careless person; unknown to them, I was planning my next move diligently. This did not give them room to sabotage my plans. It is important for our safety and the safety of our plans to not let our plans be public until we succeed.<\/span>
\niii. \u201cIt is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I agree that the most challenging lesson in truth is to love our enemies. This isn’t about the enemy, per se, but loving someone you know had intentionally worked against you or perhaps did something deliberately that hurt you deeply. For me, as much as I don’t have enemies, I do have certain people who did things that hurt me. What I have done is keep myself far away from them and not make myself vulnerable to them. As much as we should strive to show love to everyone, I believe we should exercise wisdom in our interactions with certain individuals who consistently work against us.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cConform to the enemy’s tactics until a favorable opportunity offers; then come forth and engage in a battle that shall prove decisive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase that, in any position we are in, we should first learn and study the place we are. For example, if we become the head of an organization, we should refrain from making immediate changes. We should first understand the dynamics of the workplace, the people we are working with, the culture of the place, and work ethics before making any moves to change anything. We should first blend into a community before we try to make any changes; with this, we will not make enemies while thinking we are doing some good.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cHence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that winning battles through confrontation often comes at a high cost in resources, lives, and time. While it may lead to victory, it is not the pinnacle of success. As leaders, we should not try to use brute confrontations to resolve issues. Supreme excellence is achieving goals without conflict; the highest form of skill lies in overcoming obstacles or opponents without engaging in a fight. This might involve diplomacy, psychological strategies, alliances, or undermining the enemy’s plans, making resistance futile or unnecessary. I believe that every issue can be resolved diplomatically, and when we approach the issues amicably, we can all reach a mutual understanding. Fighting has never been a solution to any problem; instead, it escalates and complicates it. Therefore, as leaders, we should learn to resolve issues without wars.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cBe extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This phrase made me understand the importance of adaptability, subtlety, and mystery in achieving mastery over situations and outcomes. By being formless, we avoid rigid patterns that opponents can anticipate, making us unpredictable and harder to counter. Soundlessness reflects the value of discretion and quiet strategy, which enables us to act without revealing our intentions or vulnerabilities. This will not allow anyone to have information about us that can be detrimental to our well-being. These qualities enable us to maintain control, influencing outcomes according to our preferences and keeping others off-balance. When we are subtle and mysterious, we influence events without confrontation, positioning ourselves as a quiet but decisive force capable of directing the fate of others and situations alike. This quote, like the previous ones, reminds me of the importance of keeping our plans quiet and our next line of actions silent.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cIf you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the value of self-awareness, understanding our opponent, and recognizing external factors in achieving success. Knowing ourselves means understanding our strengths, weaknesses, and limits. Knowing the \u201cenemy\u201d involves studying their strategies, capabilities, and intentions. \u201cHeaven and Earth\u201d symbolizes external conditions, timing, environment, and circumstances that tend to impact on our lives, which we need to understand and identify. Mastering all these elements ensures we can make strategic decisions, minimize uncertainty, and lead to decisive, complete victories against all obstacles. This phrase reminded me of the Bible scriptures that say whoever wants to build a house must count the cost, which means considering everything that will impact or affect the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Reading this book has prompted me to contemplate the wealth of wisdom it contains. They have helped me to rethink my decisions, my plans, and how to relate to situations and people to have peaceful coexistence. The most important and vital thing I learned from this book is that we don\u2019t need to fight and have wars to win; that strength lies in resolving differences without wars. I learned that as a leader we should not make ourselves vulnerable to others, and we should retain some mystery about our plans. Knowing ourselves and the dynamics of the challenge put us in a position to become victorious. Living with the principles found in this book will help me avoid arguments, fights, and unnecessary battles, thereby becoming an effective leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAppear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember reading a quote about DR Bean, who made everyone think he was an unserious joke cracker but shocked everyone that he has a master\u2019s degree in electrical engineering. This quote made me understand the strategy of deception in achieving success. I also remember reading a book called The Rule of Work; one of the rules was to under promise and over deliver; this makes people underestimate your ability, and you can then come out strong. This taught me not to reveal my true strengths or weaknesses but to always do the best that suits the situation at any given time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of our plans failed because we disclosed them to people who shouldn’t have known about them. This quote reminded me of the fact that we should keep our plans quiet and let their success speak for itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins but excels in winning with ease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote served as a reminder of the lessons I’ve learned from this book, which emphasize the importance of winning wars effortlessly and without resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Think Again<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria\/USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Think Again by Adam Grant highlights the power of rethinking, questioning our old beliefs and staying open to new ideas. The central idea is that growth comes not from certainty but from curiosity, humility, and adaptability. He encourages us readers to think like scientists, continuously testing and updating our views based on evidence. He warns us against becoming too attached to opinions, as it limits growth and innovation. Through engaging stories and research, the author Grant shows how rethinking strengthens relationships, improves decision-making, and fuels progress. In essence, this book is a call to embrace flexibility and unlearning as essential tools for personal and societal transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cWe learn more from people who challenge our thought process than those who affirm our conclusions. Strong leaders engage their critics and make themselves stronger. Weak leaders silence their critics and make themselves weaker. This reaction isn\u2019t limited to people in power. Although we might be on board with the principle, in practice we often miss out on the value of a challenge network.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote brought out the importance of engaging with people who challenge our thinking. We learn and grow more from constructive criticism than from agreement. Strong leaders actively seek feedback, even from critics, to improve and strengthen their perspectives. Weak leaders, by avoiding or silencing criticism, miss opportunities for growth and become less effective. This principle applies to everyone, not just leaders. While we may agree with the idea of valuing challenges, in practice, we often resist or overlook their benefits. Like the example given in the book about \u201cOddsson\u201d who never acknowledged the fact that he was responsible for the financial crisis in Iceland. As leaders we should accept criticism to improve ourselves, we should be open for people to say no to our ideas, which will force us to rethink. The period I was forced to develop myself the most was when I was faced with people who did not agree with what I was doing. I remember when I told a friend about starting Elite Coach, she told me it won\u2019t be a success, that she tried to do something similar and failed. I was forced to rethink my \u201cWHY\u201d because that will push me to define my motivation, and today Elite coach became a reality. As leaders, we should listen to the critics and pick the best lessons from them.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cThinking like a scientist involves more than just reacting with an open mind. It means being actively open-minded. It requires searching for reasons why we might be wrong, not for reasons why we must be right, and revising our views based on what we learn.\u201d<\/span>
\nThe way I understand this is that thinking like a scientist means going beyond simply being open to new ideas; it involves actively seeking out challenges to our beliefs. Instead of focusing on proving ourselves right, we deliberately look for evidence that might prove us wrong. This approach encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and humility. By continuously testing and questioning our views and being willing to change them based on what we discover, we grow and make better decisions. It\u2019s about prioritizing learning over defending our existing opinions. I have always said that learning makes us understand that we need to learn more, that there is so much out there we are yet to discover. As scientists, we should stay curious about knowledge and never get to the point when we feel we have a monopoly of knowledge. I think for every book I have read over the years; I have updated my views from lessons learned in those books. With all the books I have read, I have never felt I know enough about anything, because each book dismantles already held views, now with rethinking, I understand why I have loved reading because they help me update my ideas and views.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cHow do you know? It\u2019s a question we need to ask more often, both of ourselves and of others. The power lies in its frankness. It\u2019s nonjudgmental a straightforward expression of doubt and curiosity that doesn\u2019t put people on the defensive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The question \u201cHow do you know?\u201d forces us into thoughtful reflection and inquiry. The strength of the questions lies in its simplicity and neutrality, it doesn\u2019t accuse or criticize but invites exploration and understanding. By asking this, we prompt ourselves and others to evaluate the basis of our beliefs or claims. It fosters curiosity and openness, creating a safe space for dialogue rather than triggering defensiveness. This approach will help uncover evidence, challenge assumptions, and encourage better decision-making while maintaining respect and collaboration in conversations. This is self-auditing enquiry that pushes us to seek knowledge and try to move out of the comfort zone of things we know to explore the unknown territory of what we have no idea about. It is a discovery question. I remember an adage in my dialect that says, \u201cwhoever knows how to ask questions will never be lost\u201d: so, asking this question opens our lives up for exciting discoveries. In our being frank and straightforward in acknowledging what we need to learn opens doors for us to acquire information that empowers our understanding of life concepts.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cA hallmark of wisdom is knowing when it\u2019s time to abandon some of your most treasured tools and some of the most cherished parts of your identity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote spoke to me that true wisdom involves recognizing when to let go of ideas, beliefs, or habits that no longer serve even if they once felt essential to our identity. Holding onto outdated tools or perspectives can limit growth and adaptability. By being willing to change and evolve, even at the cost of cherishing parts of ourselves, we open the door to new opportunities, deeper self-awareness, and progress. It\u2019s a reminder that growth often requires courage to embrace the unknown. I am learning to apply this principle in my program, as it is far from the engineering that I knew. I had to let go of my engineering beliefs, values and concepts to embrace this new way of learning and research. I understand that this is needed for my transition into human focus research as against my previous machine focus research. I still have my engineering identity, but it will not serve me in this new research area, hence this must be laid to rest to fully embrace human centered research.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cIt\u2019s a sign of wisdom to avoid believing every thought that enters your mind. It\u2019s a mark of emotional intelligence to avoid internalizing every feeling that enters your heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the importance of discernment and self-awareness in managing our thoughts and emotions. Wisdom comes from recognizing that not every thought we have is true or helpful, and we should question and evaluate them before accepting them as reality. Similarly, emotional intelligence involves understanding that feelings are temporary and don\u2019t always reflect the bigger picture. Instead of letting our emotions control us, we can acknowledge them, reflect on their source, and respond thoughtfully. This approach leads to greater clarity, balance, and emotional resilience. Most thoughts we have may not serve us well, therefore we should always learn to evaluate how we feel and categorize them in the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIntelligence is traditionally viewed as the ability to think and learn. Yet in a turbulent world, there\u2019s another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have always held the belief that as leaders we need to learn, un-learn and relearn. This quote highlights the evolving definition of intelligence in our rapidly changing world. Traditionally, intelligence has been seen as the ability to acquire knowledge and solve problems. However, in a dynamic and uncertain environment, the ability to rethink (question our existing beliefs) and unlearn (let go of outdated knowledge or habits) becomes even more crucial. Rethinking allows us to adapt to new information, while unlearning helps us move beyond what no longer works. These skills ensure growth, flexibility, and resilience in the face of change. This quote took me back to \u201cThe Art of War\u201d that a strategy that worked before should does not mean it will work again when use, we should learn to discard every strategy and study the enemy. This is very crucial in our journey as leaders, we should stay flexible in learning, update our ideas and knowledge, learn and relearn principles that have served great leaders in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cWhen we find out we might be wrong, a standard defense is \u201cI\u2019m entitled to my opinion.\u201d I\u2019d like to modify that: yes, we\u2019re entitled to hold opinions inside our own heads. If we choose to express them out loud, though, I think it\u2019s our responsibility to ground them in logic and facts, share our reasoning with others, and change our minds when better evidence emerges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote challenges the common defense of clinging to opinions simply because they are personal. While we have the right to form and hold opinions, once we express them publicly, we bear responsibility. It\u2019s important to ensure our opinions are supported by logic and evidence, to be transparent about the reasoning behind them, and to remain open to revising them when new or better information comes to light. This approach fosters constructive dialogue and helps us grow intellectually and socially. I remember sometime last month \u201cNovember 2024\u201d I had a conversation with a friend about the time for an event back home. He suggested a time that I disagreed with, letting him know it was held at a different time. A few days later I got information that confirmed the time he gave me was right and I was wrong. The next time we had a conversation I apologized to him and agreed to his earlier suggestion. To him it was nothing but to me I owe it to my values to acknowledge my being wrong and owning up to my lack of information.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book was an engaging read and made great impact on my thinking. The principles in this book can transform both our personal lives and the world around us. In my daily life, rethinking helps me approach challenges with curiosity rather than defensiveness. For example, when I face disagreement, adopting a mindset of learning rather than arguing can strengthen my relationships and foster understanding. It also encourages me to question my assumptions and make better decisions by seeking diverse perspectives and evidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

On a broader scale, rethinking is essential for tackling global issues like climate change, inequality, and social conflict. It will also help me greatly in my intended research area of diversity, inclusivity, ethics and policies within the engineering field. By staying open to new ideas and adapting my strategies, I can develop innovative solutions and build bridges across divides. This will be promoting a culture where questioning and learning are valued over stubborn certainty fosters collaboration and progress.<\/span>
\nIn essence, applying these principles makes me more thoughtful, empathetic, and adaptable individual, creating ripple effects that contribute to a more inclusive and forward-thinking world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf knowledge is power, knowing what we don\u2019t know is wisdom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded of an argument that occurred in one of the groups I am a part of; we were a group of PhD scholars from Nigeria acknowledged that they knew nothing about their fields when they joined their labs. Some other guy in the group shut them down that they are looking down on themselves, that how can they being first-class graduate from Nigeria say they were ignorant. He went further to say, \u201cIf you know how much you know and bring to the table, you will stop seeing yourself as deficit unless we don\u2019t care or we have a deficit mindset.\u201d I was forced to reply that \u201cSometimes what we all think we know is not always what we should know. Each course has their own required growth on knowledge. For instance, imagine me that finished two programs in Electrical Engineering but have never seen something like a Microcontroller, and someone who has been programming one from their first year in college. We can’t have the same knowledge. The ability to realize there is much about your field that you don’t know yet, and are willing to submit yourself to the tutelage of one whom you know knows is a blessing beyond measures. It’s not degradation, or putting oneself down, it’s the first principle of learning. I remember reading somewhere a quote \u201cif you don’t know and you don’t know that you know not, you will never know: But if you don’t know and you know that you don’t know, you will learn.\u201d I made this statement on December15, 2024, I didn\u2019t have this book then. In a way this book revalidated the things I have learned over the years via this quote<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe listen to views that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me that we all love to hear good things about both us and what we do, and we tend to reject those conversations that does not align with this. This taught me the value of embracing opposing ideas that forces us to think. We are pushed to learn and research more about a concept when our ideas are being opposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe less intelligent we are in a particular domain, the more we seem to overestimate our actual intelligence in that domain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have met people who aren\u2019t knowledgeable in certain areas but portray themselves as if they do. I remember having a friend who once read a book on finding purpose, he came up to me to start asking me questions about my purpose. I listened to him quietly, to discover how much he knew about what he was saying, it was not long before I discovered he stumbled on the book that talked about finding purpose and he had not done any in-depth studies about it. I was amazed by the level of confidence he exhibited about the subject; I did not debunk his ideas but just let him know I have gone beyond knowing my purpose to fulfilling it. Our greatest strength as leaders is knowing our limits in knowledge. One thing I have always known is that the more I read, the more I realize there is so much I don\u2019t know, this knowledge keeps me humble and keeps me learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose who can\u2019t don\u2019t know they can\u2019t. According to what\u2019s now known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, it\u2019s when we lack competence that we\u2019re most likely to be brimming with overconfidence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote echoed the above quote 3, emphasizing that as leaders we should always know our limits in knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No Exercises.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Originals<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria\/USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In the book \u201cOriginals\u201d the author Adam Grant showed us how anyone can challenge the status quo and bring fresh, creative ideas into the world. He explains that being original doesn\u2019t mean being fearless or always taking big risks. Instead, it\u2019s about thinking differently, speaking up, and acting on our ideas, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. He used stories of entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders to explain how originality works in real life. He talks about how we can spot good ideas, manage fear, and push for change without being reckless. The main message is that originality isn\u2019t just for \u201cspecial\u201d people, it\u2019s something we can all learn and apply.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cIn the deepest sense of the word, a friend is someone who sees more potential in you than you see in yourself, someone who helps you become the best version of yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the true essence of friendship. A real friend is not just someone who enjoys our company or shares our interests, they go deeper. They believe in our abilities and potential, often seeing strengths in us that we might not recognize. True friends encourage us to grow, support us in overcoming challenges, and inspire us to strive for our best self. They act as a mirror, reflecting not just who we are, but who we could become, helping us reach goals we might not have thought possible on our own. It\u2019s about mutual care, growth, and belief in each other. This quote reminded me of my best friend Comfort, who believes in me so much that she was the first person to put down money for my visa application. She has proven to me the true value of friendship; she has seen me at my worst but still believed I had it in me to be the best that I can be. She believes I can achieve anything I want even when that belief is far away from me. Over the years she has shown me that I can trust her in my decisions and in choices. All through the time I traveled to the country’s capital in preparation for my trip she has always been available to accommodate me, transport me to where I’m going and not collect a dime from me, I’ve grown to value her friendship and come to believe that indeed friends become sisters, also that true friendship do exist. I have also done similar things for her when she needed help in paying for her license back in 2018, I took a loan for her, and I have always been there for her. Showing that true friendship is a mutual give and take relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cOverall, the evidence suggests that liking continues to increase as people are exposed to an idea between ten and twenty times, with additional exposure still useful for more complex ideas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this phrase a psychological concept called the mere exposure effect, which suggests that the more we are exposed to an idea, the more we tend to like or accept it, which is true. The phrase explains that for most ideas, repeated exposure (about 10 to 20 times) leads to increased familiarity and comfort, which makes people more likely to embrace or like the idea. For more complex or challenging ideas, repeated exposure beyond 20 times can still be beneficial because it takes longer for people to fully understand and appreciate them. In simple terms, this means that when introducing new ideas, persistence and repetition are key, especially for things that might be harder to grasp or initially seem unfamiliar. The more often people encounter the idea, the more likely they are to accept it over time. Overtime, I have come to realize that even in bad situations, that the more I revolve the idea or situation in my head, the more it appears not bad or difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cAnd in the long run, research shows that the mistakes we regret are not errors of commission, but errors of omission. If we could do things over, most of us would censor ourselves less and express our ideas more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I realized from this phrase that, over time, we tend to regret the things we didn\u2019t do or say, rather than the mistakes we made by trying. It highlights the idea that we often hold ourselves back, out of fear, doubt, or insecurity, and later wish we had been more courageous in sharing our thoughts, pursuing opportunities, or taking risks. In hindsight, we realize that even mistakes are valuable because they teach us lessons, but missed chances can leave us wondering “What if?” The message encourages us to take more chances and speak up because expressing our ideas, even if imperfect, is better than staying silent and living with the regret of never trying. I used to be that person that worried so much about missed opportunities. For instance, when I had speaking engagements, after the events I would think about the words I should have said but did not, or actions I would have taken. This will keep me feeling so bad that I miss the opportunity to network with others. Now, I have moved beyond this to understand that I did my best and to move on from there. This has helped me be more focused on growing and doing better than reminiscing on things I did not do.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cIt\u2019s widely assumed that there\u2019s a tradeoff between quantity and quality, if you want to do better work, you have to do less of it, but this turns out to be false. In fact, when it comes to idea generation, quantity is the most predictable path to quality. Original.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote challenges the common belief that doing more work means sacrificing quality. People often think that to produce great work, they need to focus on fewer tasks or ideas. However, the opposite is true when it comes to creativity and generating original ideas. The author explains that creating many ideas increases the chances of coming up with high-quality, innovative ones. This is because quantity allows for exploration, experimentation, and improvement. The more ideas we generate, the more opportunities we must refine them, learn from mistakes, and discover something truly outstanding. I think that quality doesn\u2019t come from aiming for perfection right away, it comes from producing a lot, filtering out the weaker ideas, and letting the best one shine. This took my mind back to the probability of success in Mathematics, the more you toss some dice, the more the probability of getting a head. This phenomenon played out perfectly during my graduate school applications, sending out multiple applications and receiving similar offers allowed me to make the choice of which school to attend.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cAlong with providing time to generate novel ideas, procrastination has another benefit: it keeps us open to improvisation. When we plan well in advance, we often stick to the structure we\u2019ve created, closing the door to creative possibilities that might spring into our fields of vision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I have always been against procrastination, but in this phrase, I found a surprising advantage of procrastination, \u201cit can lead to greater creativity.\u201d When we delay starting a task, we allow our minds more time to wander, explore, and come up with new ideas. Instead of rigidly sticking to a plan created too early, procrastination keeps us flexible and open to inspiration that might arise unexpectedly. By leaving some room for improvisation, we could incorporate fresh, creative insights that we might have missed if we had finalized everything in advance. In short, I learnt that procrastination, when used thoughtfully, can help us avoid being locked into a single way of thinking and make room for better, more innovative solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cEntrepreneurs who kept their day jobs had 33 percent lower odds of failure than those who quit. If you\u2019re risk averse and have some doubts about the feasibility of your ideas, it\u2019s likely that your business will be built to last. If you\u2019re a freewheeling gambler, your startup is far more fragile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I understand from this phrase that being cautious and taking calculated risks can lead to more sustainable success, especially in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs who keep their day jobs while building their business tend to be more careful and thoughtful about their decisions. They have a safety net, which allows them to test ideas and adjust without the pressure of needing immediate success. This approach reduces the likelihood of failure by allowing them to plan and grow steadily. On the other hand, those who take big risks by quitting their jobs and going “all in” often rely heavily on luck or quick success. Without a backup plan, their businesses are more vulnerable to setbacks and less likely to survive long-term challenges. I learnt that in taking a balanced, risk-aware approach makes a business stronger and more durable than diving in recklessly without preparation. This phrase killed my idea of quitting my day job to start a business.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cWhen we’re determined to reach an objective, it’s the gap between where we are and where we aspire to be that lights a fire under us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned from this quote that the motivation to achieve a goal comes from recognizing the difference between where we are now and where we want to be. This gap creates a sense of urgency and drive to close it, pushing us to take action and work harder. In other words, when you have a clear vision of your goal and see how far away it is, it inspires us to bridge the gap. This feeling of being \u201cin progress\u201d fuels determination and helps us stay focused on reaching our objective. The challenge of closing the distance is what keeps us motivated to keep going. I remember last year when I told myself, if I did not get back to school in 2024, that I was done going to school. Just before I threw in the towel, I decided to give it all that I\u2019ve got one more time, in my attempt to get into graduate school. I applied to over 34 institutions in the United States, four in Europe via Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program, and four in Sweden, via the Swedish Government Scholarship. I honestly don\u2019t know where I got the energy or brain power to write all the essays required for these universities and scholarships. But the desire to leave where I was and be back in school kept me pushing hard. I am glad that in the end it all paid off nicely.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I made a LinkedIn post about some of the things I learned from this book, which will stay with me, for example, \u201cTake thoughtful risks: Be bold, not reckless, which encourages me to show up powerfully where and when ever an opportunity opens. I have also learned from this book that I don\u2019t have to be perfect or do it perfectly, I should trust the process while learning through the experiences. It made me think deeply about how we, as leaders and individuals, can leave a mark by daring to be different. What struck me most was how the book connected in unexpected ways to other books I have read. This book has taught me that success isn\u2019t just about being bold; it\u2019s also about being thoughtful, open-minded, and persistent. Being a better person, better leader, coach, mentor and teacher starts with being open to learning, absorb and implement new information. Through this process of becoming better, I can make a difference in the lives of people and the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe more you value achievement, the more you come to dread failure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote was just interesting and more of a factual statement. This quote also took my mind back to a book a read about money \u201cThe Psychology of Money\u201d that most people fear becoming rich, and their mind keeps them at a certain level financially. Therefore, when they reach or pass that amount of money, some event will occur that will take them back to the previous struggling state. Applying this to achievements, because most people fear failure, they choose not to aim to achieve anything, thinking that is safety. As much as achievements is good, we as leaders should focus on making impactful decisions, improving ourselves and impacting lives. Then we won\u2019t need to fear failure and achievements will naturally be attracted to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany entrepreneurs take plenty of risks, but those are generally the failed entrepreneurs, not the success stories.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminded me of someone who took a risk to leave his day job and start a restaurant, a business he had no idea about. The result was not far from what was expected, it failed. I knew quite early that I was not cut out to be an entrepreneur, therefore I channel my energy towards something I know I can achieve, which is academics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]High Performance Habits<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria\/USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author Brendon Burchard broke down the six habits that help anyone excel: getting clear on what matters, fueling our energy, focusing on what\u2019s essential, working smarter (not just harder), building strong connections, and stepping up with courage. He showed that success isn\u2019t about being naturally gifted; it\u2019s about making intentional choices every day. Through real-life examples and practical advice, the book teaches us how to stay motivated, push through challenges, and create a life of both achievement and meaning. It\u2019s a guide to becoming our best self, one habit at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. What were the seven ideas that 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cBe more intentional about who you want to become. Have vision beyond your current circumstances. Imagine your best future self, and start acting like that person today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote emphasizes the power of purposeful self-development. It urges us to consciously define the person we aspire to be rather than drifting through life reactively. By visualizing our ideal self, including qualities, achievements, and impact, we create a compass for growth. The key insight is that transformation begins by embodying that future version now through our choices and behaviors, not someday “when circumstances improve.” It challenges us to bridge the gap between present reality and future potential by immediately adopting the mindset, habits, and actions of our highest self, making our vision inevitable through daily practice. I\u2019ve always been passionate about self-development, which is why I put so much into becoming a person than I was yesterday. Long before I became a PhD student, I had a vision of it, which is why for my second Bachelor’s, I opted for a thesis-based report and to publish my findings against my advisor’s wishes. I knew I wanted to be a researcher, and the best way to do it was to start where I was. Today, only in my first year of studies, I have my second first-authored paper, two posters, and two co-authored papers. This is the power of having a vision of who you want to become and working towards becoming that person.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cSeek clarity. Generate energy. Raise necessity. Increase productivity. Develop Influence. Demonstrate Courage. These are the six habits that you need to adopt if you are to reach high performance in any situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote distributes success into six actionable practices. Clarity means knowing your purpose and goals. Energy is about sustaining physical and mental vitality. Necessity involves creating compelling reasons to push forward. Productivity focuses on meaningful output, not just busyness. Influence builds relationships that create impact. Courage requires bold action despite fear. Together, these habits form a framework for excellence, whether in career, health, or personal growth. They remind us that high performance isn\u2019t innate; it\u2019s built through deliberate, repeatable behaviors. If we master these, we can excel in any challenge. This reminded me of when I started my studies, and writing became a requirement; it was a major challenge for me, as I did not like writing. But having clarity of what I wanted, I picked the challenge. Today, words flow easily, and I no longer struggle to put ideas down. Sometimes I write in academic format, and other times I choose my rhythm as I choose to do with assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cClarity is the child of careful thought and mindful experimentation. It comes from asking yourself questions continually and further refining your perspective on life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote made me realize that clarity is not discovered passively; it\u2019s cultivated through intentional effort. The first step is deliberate thinking, where we examine our motivations and values, asking questions like, “What do I truly want?” Next comes trial and reflection, where we test ideas in real life, observe outcomes, and adjust accordingly, much like refining a strategy after seeing what works. Finally, relentless curiosity keeps clarity evolving; by continually questioning our path (“Does this still align with my goals?”), We ensure our direction stays purposeful. This process mirrors scientific experimentation, where each iteration brings us closer to understanding our authentic purpose. Clarity is a practice, not a permanent state. It requires ongoing engagement, questioning, experimenting, and refining to cut through distractions and reveal what matters. Just as a sculptor shapes raw material into art, you shape your vision through consistent effort. The result isn\u2019t just fleeting insight, but a durable compass for decision-making, helping us navigate challenges with confidence and alignment. My advisor advises me to always ask, \u201cHow does this align with my goals? Does this bring me closer or farther from my goals?\u201d Clarity helps us see how things fit in place as we navigate the journey towards becoming.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cSo don\u2019t hope for a flash of inspiration to reveal what you want next. You generate clarity by asking questions, researching, trying new things, sorting through life\u2019s opportunities, and sniffing out what\u2019s right for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote rejects passive waiting for sudden epiphanies. True clarity comes through active engagement: interrogating our desires (“What excites vs. drains me?”), exploring options (researching careers\/hobbies), and testing experiences (volunteering, side projects). Like a detective or researcher, we gather evidence, discarding mismatches (e.g., a lucrative job that feels empty) and amplifying what resonates (e.g., creative work that energizes me). It\u2019s trial-and-error with the purpose of gaining clarity and understanding. The message empowers us to own our path. Instead of wishing for answers, we create them through curiosity, experimentation, and honest reflection. Each step, even missteps, sharpens our discernment. Clarity emerges not from lightning bolts, but from the steady friction of engagement with life. In my just concluded semester, I wrote two essays, while reflecting on the first essay that I did not have a good score, I gained clarity on what was wrong with the essay, As I reflected on the essay, my mind walked back to the writing process, putting ideas together, searching for pieces of literature to support the ideas I had, validating the sources, wondering how to strike a balance between what I wanted to say, how this links back to the course and materials within the course that support the claims I made. Unfortunately, the boundaries of using external sources limit how many sources to include in the essay. They ignited a feeling of sadness for not having enough materials within the course. Halfway into writing this essay, I knew I had chosen the wrong topic and thesis, but at that point, it was too late to turn back. I decided to make the best out of what was available by not going overboard and using many sources not part of the class. With clarity, I chose a different topic and thesis for my second essay, additionally solicited for active feedback for every stage, and at the end, I improved significantly, earning an A in the course. Again, clarity empowers us to right our wrongs as we grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cTo reach high performance, you have to consider more than your individual passions and efforts, and you\u2019ll have to go well beyond what you like, prefer, or naturally do well, because, to be frank, the world cares less about your strengths and personality than about your service and meaningful contributions to others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote shatters the myth that success comes from simply \u201cfollowing your passion.\u201d High performance isn\u2019t self-centered; it\u2019s contribution-centered. While talents and preferences matter, they\u2019re just starting points. The world rewards those who solve real problems (e.g., a gifted coder creating user-friendly apps vs. just obsessing over code aesthetics). It pushes us to ask: “What does my community\/industry actually need?” and then develop relevant skills, even uncomfortable ones (like public speaking for an introverted expert). True excellence aligns our growth with others\u2019 needs. Example: An artist might prefer solitary painting but achieves impact by learning to teach or market their work. This quote reframes performance as value creation, requiring humility (to stretch beyond natural strengths) and empathy (to spot unmet needs). It\u2019s not about diminishing ourselves but expanding our relevance. I signed up to serve on the tours team last semester, against my desire to stay home and study. This helped walk some international visitors around the campus and helped me learn more about the institution. I\u2019ve always been recognized for how I have helped others rather than for my personal traits or strengths. This shows that we need to step out of our comfort zone to serve the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cIt changes from a desire to feel a particular state of emotion; passion; to a quest to be a particular kind of person. It becomes part of you, something you value more deeply than other things. It becomes necessary for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote teaches us that relying on passion alone isn’t enough for lasting success. While feeling excited and motivated is great, emotions come and go, we won’t always “feel like” doing the work. The key shift happens when we stop chasing temporary feelings and start seeing ourselves as the kind of person who does the work regardless of how we feel. For example, a writer doesn’t wait for inspiration; they write daily because that’s what writers do. When something becomes part of who we are, it transforms from an optional activity to a non-negotiable part of our lives. Just like brushing our teeth isn’t something we debate each day, actions tied to our identity become automatic. An athlete trains even when tired because they see themselves as an athlete, not just someone who exercises when motivated. This is powerful because it creates consistency, the real secret behind any meaningful achievement. By focusing on becoming rather than feeling, we build habits that withstand challenges and lead to lasting results. This reminds me of a quote: \u201cIt\u2019s what we consistently do, not occasionally, that makes us successful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cHigh performers. They want to know that their efforts align with something important, that their work is significant, and that their lives are creating a legacy and feeding a larger purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reveals a key difference between simply being busy and truly performing at a high level. High performers aren’t just checking tasks off a list – they need to connect their daily work to meaningful impact. Whether they’re CEOs or teachers, they constantly ask: “Does this matter beyond myself?” For example, an entrepreneur might measure success not just by profits, but by how many lives their product improves. This need for purpose acts like a compass, helping them prioritize what truly deserves their energy and say “no” to distractions that don’t contribute to their larger mission. The deeper power of this mindset is how it transforms ordinary work into legacy-building. When we see our efforts as part of something bigger – whether that’s advancing our field, mentoring others, or creating systemic change – we tap into extraordinary motivation. A nurse might view their shifts not just as jobs, but as chapters in a lifelong story of healing. This perspective fuels perseverance during challenges and creates satisfaction that outlasts our daily stress. Ultimately, the quote reminds us of that sustainable high performance comes not from chasing external rewards, but from aligning our actions with what we want our lives to stand for. I recently volunteered as a leadership coach for a group of students under Braven. Through this platform, I was able to impact first-generation low-income students’ lives with my industry experience and how they could prepare themselves to land a good first job. Being part of something larger than myself empowered and motivated me to be present, available, and accessible to the students, regardless of my tight academic schedule. I always love to know that what never I am doing changes or impacts a live and contributes to a larger purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The lessons picked from this book transformed my daily life by helping me shift from passive reaction to intentional creation. Instead of waiting to “feel motivated,” I\u2019ll focus on embodying the identity of someone who takes consistent action, whether that\u2019s writing daily, prioritizing health, or learning new skills. The 45-60 minute work-break rhythm will prevent burnout while boosting my productivity, ensuring I have energy for both career and relationships. By viewing emotions as experiences rather than directives, I\u2019ll navigate challenges with greater resilience, maintaining inner stability even during stress. This practical framework turns abstract ideals into actionable habits, making personal growth measurable and sustainable. In my professional work, these principles will elevate my impact. The high performer\u2019s focus on service over passion aligns perfectly with creating value for others, whether through mentoring, problem-solving, or innovating. I\u2019ll ask better questions: \u201cDoes this project serve a real need?\u201d rather than \u201cDo I feel inspired?\u201d The identity-sculpting mindset will push me to develop weaker skills (like data analysis for a creative field), making me a more versatile contributor. Regular breaks and emotional mastery will help me lead teams with clarity, fostering environments where people thrive without sacrificing well-being. Living these ideas creates ripple effects. When I prioritize growth over comfort, I inspire others. By modeling how to balance achievement with humanity (through rest, purpose, and emotional agility), I contribute to cultural shifts that reject burnout culture. I strongly believe that true change starts not with grand gestures, but with daily choices to show up as our best, evolving selves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to feel more energized, creative, and effective at work and still leave work with enough oomph for the \u201clife\u201d part; the ideal breakpoint is to stop your work and give your mind and body a break every forty-five to sixty minutes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote highlights a crucial yet often ignored productivity secret: our brains and bodies aren\u2019t designed for nonstop work. High performers don\u2019t push through fatigue; they strategically recharge. Research shows that after about 45\u201360 minutes of focused work, our concentration and creativity dip. By taking short breaks (even 5\u201310 minutes to stretch, walk, or daydream), we reset our mental clarity and return to tasks with fresh energy. For example, a programmer who pauses hourly to walk around will likely write better code faster than one glued to their screen for hours and still have energy for family time later. The deeper lesson here is about sustainable performance. Regular breaks prevent burnout by balancing effort with recovery, like an athlete alternating sprints with rest. This rhythm also sharpens creativity, as insights often emerge during downtime (think of shower epiphanies). By honoring your natural limits, you accomplish more and protect your well-being. The quote isn\u2019t just about productivity hacks; it\u2019s a reminder that true effectiveness requires respecting our humanity, not treating ourselves like a machine. I learned this lesson the hard way, I sat for almost nine hours transcribing interviews we conducted. Towards the tail end of the ninth hour, I could no longer understand what I was reading. I went over the same paragraph four times before realizing my brain had gone on a break. I had to pause, take a walk, and return after some minutes. Boom, I was able to focus and understand. Taking breaks is important if we want to achieve high performance. We should learn to work in sync with our biology, not against it. Breaks aren\u2019t lazy, they\u2019re how we stay sharp all day and still enjoy life after work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we seek to experience life and all its emotions and yet choose to feel centered, happy, strong, and loving right through the ups and downs, then we\u2019ve accomplished something powerful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote captures the essence of emotional mastery, which is the ability to fully engage with life\u2019s rich experiences without being derailed by them. High performers don\u2019t avoid difficult emotions or chase constant happiness; instead, they cultivate an inner stability that endures through all seasons of life. For instance, a leader navigating a company crisis might feel stress but chooses to anchor themselves in purpose and compassion rather than panic. This isn\u2019t about suppressing emotions, but about developing the resilience to feel fear, joy, or grief while maintaining a core of strength, like a tree bending in the wind but keeping its roots firmly grounded. The power of this approach lies in its liberating paradox: by making peace with life\u2019s inevitable fluctuations, we gain greater control over our well-being. Someone practicing this might cry at a sad movie (which I do a lot) or feel frustrated in traffic, yet still access an underlying calm, knowing these moments don\u2019t define their entire day. This emotional agility creates sustainable happiness, distinct from fleeting pleasure. This quote invites us to stop waiting for \u201cperfect\u201d circumstances to feel whole and instead cultivate the quiet triumph of showing up fully, vulnerable yet unshaken, whatever life brings. At my former employment, people used to wonder how I was able to stay happy, motivated, and positive, despite not being promoted or rewarded. What they did not know is that I had found my peace within myself, I am self-peace-centered, and the storms outside will not overwhelm my inner peace. They were amazed at how brightly I smiled with all the odds that were against me, but my validation did not come from the job; it came from knowing that it’s all for a season, and my best was yet to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHigh performers know themselves, but they don\u2019t get stuck there. They are more focused on sculpting themselves into stronger and more capable people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reveals a critical balance in high performers: they practice self-awareness without self-absorption. While they understand their current strengths and weaknesses, they treat these traits as clay, not concrete. A talented public speaker, for example, might recognize their natural charisma but still drill themselves on content depth to avoid relying solely on charm. This mindset rejects the fixed labels of “I’m just not a numbers person” or “I’m naturally disorganized,” instead of asking: “What skills can I build to close this gap?” Self-knowledge becomes a launch-pad for growth, not an excuse for limitations. The real power lies in the sculpting process, the deliberate chiseling of better habits, skills, and perspectives. High performers embrace discomfort as the price of evolution. Unlike those who use self-discovery as an endpoint (This is just who I am), they view identity as fluid. This quote reframes personal development: it\u2019s not about finding ourselves, but creating ourselves, one intentional upgrade at a time. As I noted earlier, I have never been a words person; I am a numbers person, but when I discovered that to progress or succeed in my program, I needed this skill. I had to ditch the \u201cI am not a words person\u201d to build the skills needed to write. Today, I have not only improved my writing, but my grammar and typing skills have also significantly improved. In essence, in self-discovery, we should not get stuck with our faults, but we should find ways to develop those faults into strengths that will profit the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Hard Thing about Hard Things<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria\/USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author shared practical realities and challenges of building and running a business, particularly when there are no easy solutions. The book’s core message is that entrepreneurship and leadership involve navigating difficult situations, often with no clear-cut answers, and that leaders must develop the resilience and emotional fortitude to face these challenges. While directed at CEOs, the lessons in this book are applicable to anyone in a leadership role or running their own business, or anyone who wants to improve their leadership and thinking skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. What were the seven ideas that 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cThe hard thing isn\u2019t setting up an organizational chart. The hard thing is getting people to communicate within the organization that you just designed. The hard thing isn\u2019t dreaming big. The hard thing is waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat when the dream turns into a nightmare.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reminds me that success isn\u2019t about perfect plans but about navigating the messy, human side of execution, whether it\u2019s resolving conflicts in a team or pushing through self-doubt. The real test isn\u2019t setting goals; it\u2019s handling the fear and friction that come with them. The first part of the quote resonates because creating systems (like an org chart) is easy; getting people to collaborate effectively within them is much harder. In my previous job, I led a women’s organization where we had clear roles, but teamwork often broke down due to miscommunication. No matter how well we defined responsibilities, people still worked in silos. It taught me that structure alone doesn\u2019t ensure success; trust, transparency, and intentional communication do. The second part speaks to anxiety of ambition. A few years ago, I launched a passion project, Elite Coach, with high hopes. At first, it was exciting, but when attendance at webinars plateaued, I\u2019d wake up stressed, questioning if it was worth the effort. The \u201cdream\u201d felt like a nightmare because reality didn\u2019t match my expectations. Eventually, I learned that perseverance, not just vision, is what separates fleeting ideas from meaningful achievements. Even though I have let Elite Coach rest for now, I will still revive it again and have it running as it should.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cHard things are hard because there are no easy answers or recipes. They are hard because your emotions are at odds with your logic. They are hard because you don\u2019t know the answer and you cannot ask for help without showing weakness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote explains that hard things are difficult not just because they\u2019re complex, but because they lack clear solutions, pit emotions against logic, and force us to confront vulnerability. Unlike structured tasks, they require judgment amid uncertainty. Emotions like fear or pride often clash with rational choices, making decisions agonizing. Additionally, societal pressure discourages asking for help, as it\u2019s misconstrued as weakness. Personally, I\u2019ve faced this in career shifts and leadership, where staying logical despite doubt or seeking help despite pride was the real challenge. True difficulty lies in navigating these inner conflicts, not just the external problem. Growth comes from embracing the struggle.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cPeople always ask me, \u201cWhat\u2019s the secret to being a successful CEO?\u201d Sadly, there is no secret, but if there is one skill that stands out, it\u2019s the ability to focus and make the best move when there are no good moves.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reveals that the essence of successful leadership, especially as a CEO, isn\u2019t about possessing secret strategies, but about excelling in decision-making when no perfect options exist. The defining skill is the ability to stay focused and choose the “least bad” move amid ambiguity and pressure. Great leaders don\u2019t rely on playbooks; they navigate uncharted territory with clarity. While intelligence and vision matter, what truly sets them apart is the resolve to act decisively when every path carries risk, whether it\u2019s cutting losses, making unpopular calls, or pivoting in crisis. A personal example: Facing a COVID-19-related delay in my in-person seminar, I chose to postpone the seminar despite partners’ backlash, prioritizing long-term quality and safety over short-term appeasement to proceed with the seminar. I learned from this that leadership isn\u2019t about avoiding tough choices but embracing them with conviction. The real test is steering forward when all options seem flawed.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cA healthy company culture encourages people to share bad news. A company that discusses its problems freely and openly can quickly solve them. A company that covers up its problems frustrates everyone involved.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote powerfully captures why transparency is the lifeblood of healthy organizations. It reveals that cultural strength isn\u2019t measured by the absence of problems, but by how openly teams can confront them. When leaders punish messengers or cultivate fear around failure, they don\u2019t eliminate issues, they just force them underground where they fester. I learned this the hard way early in my career when our team missed a critical deadline. Instead of surfacing the bottleneck immediately, junior members stayed silent, fearing blame; the bosses did not disappoint, as blame was apportioned to everyone. By the time leadership discovered the delay, it had snowballed into a crisis. Contrast this with a role where a CEO would start meetings with, \u201cWhat\u2019s broken this week?\u201d That psychological safety would transform how we operate, collaborating on solutions rather than hiding vulnerabilities. Now, in my research on team dynamics, data consistently shows that psychological safety outperforms artificial harmony. Organizations that normalize discussing failures don\u2019t have fewer problems; they solve them faster, with less drama. This quote reminds me that the cultures we admire (like Pixar\u2019s \u201cugly baby\u201d philosophy) aren\u2019t accidents; they\u2019re built by leaders who understand that sunlight is the best disinfectant for organizational challenges. Just as I had to unlearn engineering\u2019s \u201cperfect solution\u201d mindset for human-centered research, managers must unlearn the instinct to shoot the messenger. Growth happens when we stop conflating problems with failure and start treating them as information vital for iteration. The healthiest cultures don\u2019t fear bad news; they institutionalize learning from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cThe Struggle is when you wonder why you started the company in the first place. The Struggle is when people ask you why you don\u2019t quit and you don\u2019t know the answer. The Struggle is when your employees think you are lying and you think they may be right. The Struggle is when food loses its taste.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote captures the existential weight of entrepreneurship, not the glamorous hustle culture sold in media, but the soul-crushing grind where purpose evaporates and every pillar of your identity shakes. The Struggle isn\u2019t about long hours or funding pitches; it\u2019s the erosion of certainty that makes us question our own sanity. The quote\u2019s genius lies in naming the unspoken: entrepreneurship\u2019s defining trial isn\u2019t external obstacles, but the internal war where logic screams \u201cquit\u201d while some stubborn, stupid instinct whispers \u201c<\/span>
\n\u201cnot yet.\u201d This happens even when you are not an entrepreneur. I remember in my journey to graduate school, when past rejections screamed to me to quit, but one inner instinct kept me going, saying \u201cnot yet\u201d. Here I am today studying a program I totally love. Now advising founders to recognize The Struggle as a rite of passage. The ones who survive aren\u2019t those with the slickest solutions, but those who develop emotional infrastructure to sit in that dissonance, to lead when they no longer trust their own compass. It\u2019s why I warn idealists: building something meaningful requires tolerating seasons where meaning disappears entirely. The Struggle doesn\u2019t care about your passion; it tests whether you can outlast the eclipse of purpose itself. This mirrors my academic pivot, too, the moment engineering\u2019s concrete truths gave way to human research\u2019s ambiguities. Both journeys demand the same uncomfortable growth: learning to move forward when every internal and external signal screams retreat. True resilience isn\u2019t found in victory laps, but in those silent midnights when you\u2019re hollowed out and choose to continue anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cThere are no shortcuts to knowledge, especially knowledge gained from personal experience. Following conventional wisdom and relying on shortcuts can be worse than knowing nothing at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote cuts to the heart of a dangerous modern illusion, that expertise can be hacked, or wisdom downloaded without the hard work of lived experience. It warns us that superficial knowledge isn\u2019t just inadequate; it can be actively harmful when mistaken for true understanding. I learned this the hard way during my Elite Coach journey. Early on, I devoured business books, public speaking, and thought I had uncovered \u201csecret formulas\u201d for success. I implemented generic advice about rapid scaling and media presence. only to burn through resources, and my social media manager quit on me. The conventional wisdom wasn\u2019t wrong, but my lack of contextual experience made me apply it blindly. The real breakthrough came only after painful trial and error, when I developed an intuitive grasp of our specific needs and participants\u2019 knowledge that no book could have provided. This mirrors my transition into human-centered research. Initially, I tried to impose engineering\u2019s structured frameworks onto messy human problems. I am used to numbers; words did not just make sense to me. But true insight came only after humbling myself, conducting countless interviews, sitting with discomfort when data contradicted my hypotheses, and gradually developing a nuanced understanding no textbook could offer. Nothing educates the mind faster than understanding data that makes no sense to the ordinary eye. The quote\u2019s brilliance lies in exposing how shortcut thinking creates false confidence. Like a tourist memorizing phrases without understanding a culture, we risk profound miscalculations when we mistake borrowed knowledge for earned wisdom. The most valuable understanding; whether in business, research, or life comes not from avoiding the struggle, but from surrendering to its necessary grind. True mastery demands we put in the reps, make the mistakes, and accumulate the scars. There\u2019s no alternative to showing up, getting it wrong, and persisting until theoretical knowledge transforms into hard-won, personal truth. This is why experience remains the most ruthless and effective teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cAfter putting economics aside, I found that there were two primary reasons why people quit: They hated their manager; generally the employees were appalled by the lack of guidance, career development, and feedback they were receiving. They weren\u2019t learning anything: The company wasn\u2019t investing resources in helping employees develop new skills.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote cuts through the noise of traditional retention strategies to expose the fundamental human needs that drive employee loyalty, or rebellion. At its core, I think it reveals that people don\u2019t leave jobs; they flee poor leadership and intellectual stagnation. The absence of growth and guidance isn\u2019t just disappointing; it\u2019s existentially draining for ambitious professionals. The first reason is that toxic management hits harder than most organizations admit. I\u2019ve witnessed brilliant colleagues tolerate mediocre salaries, chaotic workflows, and even ethical gray areas when they had leaders who actively mentored them. Conversely, I\u2019ve seen six-figure retention packages fail because employees couldn\u2019t stomach another day of gas-lighting, neglect, or capricious decision-making. I remember my very first boss at my previous job shielded me from the toxicity of that work culture, I did not know the workplace was toxic until I started working with another boss who fostered this toxicity. A manager\u2019s emotional intelligence (or lack thereof) becomes the lens through which employees view the entire organization. I did not hate my job; I totally loved it, but my view of the organization was totally different due to the toxic culture. The second reason, \u201cstagnation,\u201d is the silent killer in \u201cstable\u201d roles. Early in my career, I stayed late willingly when given stretch assignments that expanded my skills, but watched peers disengage when relegated to repetitive tasks. Humans are wired to grow; when companies treat roles as static boxes rather than dynamic opportunities, they violate a psychological contract. When I think back to working for ten years without tangible progress, this quote becomes more meaningful. This resonates with my research on motivation: the brain literally rewards learning with dopamine. Deny people that neurologically pay off, and you\u2019re not just boring them, you\u2019re starving their hardwiring. People don\u2019t just quit jobs; sometimes, they are pushed to by poor structures within the organization, and poor leadership can contribute to this.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This book and the lessons in it have transformed how I lead and collaborate daily. Recognizing that people quit bad managers, I\u2019ll prioritize active listening, clear feedback, and career advocacy in every team interaction, whether mentoring interns or managing projects. I see myself and my experiences through the pages of this book, I will work hard not to be a contributor, nor an instigator of toxicity in the workplace. Understanding the brain\u2019s craving for growth, I\u2019ll build learning into routines: dedicating weekly time to new skills and designing roles (mine and others\u2019) with measurable development milestones. In creating a better world, I\u2019ll champion workplaces where psychological safety and continuous learning are non-negotiable. By modeling vulnerability in leadership, admitting when I\u2019m wrong, and spotlighting team growth over personal wins, I can help shift organizational cultures from fear-based to growth-focused. Personally, I\u2019ll audit relationships and commitments quarterly: am I growing or just enduring? This framework helps me exit stagnant situations courageously, while investing deeply where I\u2019m both challenged and supported. The ripple effect? Teams and communities where people don\u2019t just survive but continuously evolve because when we\u2019re led well and learning daily, we solve bigger problems together. For instance, this book helped me say no to a department nomination for a secretary role, auditing my current commitments allowed me to see clearly how I won’t be productive in the role, which empowered me to say no.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLife is a struggle.\u201d I believe that within that quote lies the most important lesson in entrepreneurship: Embrace the struggle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife is a struggle” isn\u2019t a warning; it\u2019s the secret. Entrepreneurship isn\u2019t about avoiding hardship but leaning into it. The struggle sharpens resilience, exposes weaknesses, and separates visionaries from dreamers. Every late-night doubt, every near-failure, is the curriculum. When we stop resisting the grind and start embracing it as the price of mastery, that\u2019s when breakthroughs happen. The most successful founders don\u2019t conquer the struggle; they befriend it. The obstacle isn\u2019t the enemy\u2014it\u2019s the training ground. We should fall in love with the fight and work towards celebrating the wins. I see people ask me how you got a fully funded offer. Sometimes I lack the words to explain the struggles, the rejections, the multiple SOPs, recommendations, the research statements, the emails to potential advisors, and the Exams I wrote. Was it worth it? Yes, it was. Was it easy? Hail No. But the beauty of life struggles is that when we embrace the struggle, the win will always be worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeadership is the ability to get someone to follow you even if only out of curiosity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote redefines leadership not as a position of authority, something I already know and agree with, but as the art of inspiring voluntary engagement. It suggests that true influence begins not with commands, but with sparking enough intrigue that people choose to follow your lead, even if just to see where you’re going. I’ve seen this dynamic play out in both corporate and academic settings. The most effective leaders I’ve worked with didn’t rely on titles to compel action; they created magnetic visions that made people lean in. NGOs I have volunteered for over the years are those that have a compelling vision that aligns with my goals. This philosophy reshapes how I approach influence. Now, whether mentoring or collaborating, I focus less on convincing and more on creating intellectual tension, asking unexpected questions, highlighting paradoxes, or prototyping ideas visibly. Like a trailhead that hints at undiscovered terrain, effective leadership invites others to join the journey before the destination is fully known. The deeper truth here? Curiosity is the most sustainable motivator. While fear or incentives produce temporary compliance, genuine interest creates enduring commitment. In a world saturated with directives, I think the leaders who matter most are those who make the path forward too interesting to ignore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember that this is what separates the women from the girls. If you want to be great, this is the challenge. If you don\u2019t want to be great, then you never should have started a company.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote delivers a hard truth about entrepreneurship and life itself: Greatness isn\u2019t an accident; it\u2019s a choice forged in the fire of relentless challenges. I always love to say that anything that is worth doing is worth doing well. The phrase “separates the women from the girls” isn\u2019t about gender; it\u2019s about maturity. It\u2019s the difference between those who crumble under pressure and those who use it to level up. Startups aren\u2019t for the faint of heart; they demand resilience, adaptability, and an almost irrational willingness to endure discomfort. I\u2019ve seen too many founders hit a breaking point when funding falls through, when a key employee quits, or when the market shifts overnight. In those moments, we have two choices: retreat to safety or push forward despite the uncertainty. The ones who succeed aren\u2019t the smartest or the luckiest, they\u2019re the ones who treat struggle as the price of admission for greatness. If we\u2019re building something meaningful, hardship isn\u2019t a sign that we\u2019re failing; it\u2019s proof that we\u2019re playing at the right level. The question isn\u2019t “How do I avoid this?” but “Am I willing to endure it?” Because if not, maybe we never really wanted to be great; we just liked the idea of it. a conversation with my advisor recently had him calling a perfectionist, I told him no! I am not, but I pursue excellence, and if it has my name on it, it will be done well. Once again, greatness is not by accident. If you don\u2019t want to be great, then don\u2019t start.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

None.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thinking, Fast and Slow<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria\/USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The author Daniel Kahneman explored how our minds operate through two systems: System 1 (fast, intuitive, and automatic) and System 2 (slow, logical, and effortful). He explains how System 1 often drives our decisions effortlessly but can lead to biases and errors, while System 2, though more reliable, is lazy and easily overwhelmed. The book reveals how these systems shape our judgments, from everyday choices to financial decisions, and highlights the many cognitive biases, like overconfidence and loss aversion, that trick us into irrational thinking. Kahneman\u2019s key message is that understanding these flaws can help us make better decisions. He also emphasizes that while we like to believe we\u2019re rational, our thinking is deeply flawed in predictable ways. Through decades of research, he shows how emotions, shortcuts, and mental fatigue distort our reasoning, leading to poor business, relationships, and policy choices. However, he suggests that awareness of these biases, such as anchoring or the halo effect, can help us slow down, question our instincts, and improve decision-making. This book isn\u2019t just about psychology; it\u2019s a practical guide to recognizing the limits of our minds and navigating a world where intuition and logic often clash.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. What were the seven ideas that 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. \u201cA reliable way to make people believe in falsehoods is frequent repetition, because familiarity is not easily distinguished from truth. Authoritarian institutions and marketers have always known this fact.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote highlights a key psychological insight: repetition makes ideas feel true, even when they\u2019re false. Our brains (System 1) mistake familiarity for truth because recognizing something easily, whether a slogan, a rumor, or a political claim, creates a sense of comfort. This quote points out that this cognitive shortcut is exploited by authoritarian leaders and advertisers, who repeat messages relentlessly to manipulate beliefs. The danger is that critical thinking (System 2) often doesn\u2019t intervene, allowing lies to take root simply because they\u2019ve been heard often enough. The quote also warns about the power of propaganda and manipulation in shaping public opinion. Whether in politics, marketing, or social media, repeated exposure to misinformation can override skepticism, making people accept distortions as facts. Kahneman\u2019s work reminds us that our minds are vulnerable to such tactics, and the only defense is conscious effort, questioning sources, seeking evidence, and slowing down our judgments. In an age of viral misinformation, understanding this flaw in human cognition is more important than ever. This is one reason why I deeply dislike Facebook and YouTube, because if you mistakenly click on any of those adverts, a billion of them will keep popping up. To keep them out of my face, I report them and permanently block them on Facebook, but YouTube is not that easy. I do understand that repeatedly seeing something makes us accept it, I do try as much as I can to limit my external influences.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. \u201cThis is the essence of intuitive heuristics: when faced with a difficult question, we often answer an easier one instead, usually without noticing the substitution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reveals how our brains substitute difficult questions with simpler ones without us even realizing it. When faced with a complex problem, like assessing risk or making a strategic choice, our intuitive mind often replaces it with an easier question, such as judging familiarity or emotion. This mental shortcut creates the illusion of reasoning, leading to quick but often flawed conclusions. For example, instead of evaluating a policy\u2019s merits, we might just decide based on whether we like the politician proposing it. The substitution happens automatically, masking lazy thinking with false confidence. The quote underscores a key vulnerability in human judgment: we mistake intuition for logic. Because the substitution feels seamless, we rarely question whether we\u2019ve answered the right question, just whether the answer feels right. The author\u2019s warning is clear: true critical thinking requires catching these mental sleights of hand. By recognizing when we\u2019re sidestepping complexity, we can engage deliberate thought (System 2) and avoid the traps of heuristic-driven errors. Clarity begins with noticing what we\u2019re actually judging, not just what feels easiest. This makes me wonder why people always say our intuition is never wrong, or listen to our intuition. This quote reemphasizes that our brains sometimes do not want to think. Therefore, they find easier ways or substitutes for the real problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. \u201cThe confidence that individuals have in their beliefs depends mostly on the quality of the story they can tell about what they see, even if they see little.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote reveals a troubling truth about human confidence: we often believe in our own stories more than the facts. As the author explains, people don\u2019t necessarily base their certainty on solid evidence. Instead, they rely on how coherent and compelling their narrative is. If an explanation feels logical and vivid, even if it\u2019s built on little data, we tend to trust it. This is why someone with a simplistic but confident answer can seem more convincing than an expert who acknowledges uncertainty. Our brains (System 1) prefer a smooth story over a messy truth. This idea has huge implications, from politics to business to everyday life. A charismatic leader or a persuasive salesperson can exploit this by crafting a compelling story, regardless of its accuracy. Meanwhile, real-world decisions, like investing, hiring, or diagnosing an illness, require weighing evidence, not just satisfying narratives. Kahneman\u2019s insight warns us that confidence is not equal to correctness. To think clearly, we must recognize this bias, pause (engaging System 2), and ask: Is this story actually true, or just well-told? The quote reminds us that wisdom lies in doubting our own certainty as much as others\u2019. Then, as research, I am trained to question every idea, including mine. There is a hypothesis I have held that there is a system exclusion bias against women in engineering, which is against the current narratives that this no longer exists, especially in the advanced world. I knew affirmatively that this bias exists in third-world countries, but I did not have any evidence that it exists elsewhere. I began to gather evidence by interacting with men and women, even faculty members, about this idea, and now I am confirming that my hypothesis is true, even though everyone says something different.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. \u201cConfidence is a feeling, which reflects the coherence of the information and the cognitive ease of processing it. It is wise to take admissions of uncertainty seriously, but declarations of high confidence mainly tell you that an individual has constructed a coherent story in his mind, not necessarily that the story is true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote is like the previous one and cuts to the heart of how human confidence often works, it’s more about storytelling than truth. It explains that confidence isn\u2019t a reliable measure of accuracy; it\u2019s simply a feeling that arises when our brain (System 1) pieces together a smooth, easy-to-process narrative. The more coherent and mentally effortless the story is, the more confident we feel, even if that story is built on shaky evidence. That\u2019s why someone can be utterly certain and completely wrong at the same time. True wisdom, it suggests, lies in trusting those who admit uncertainty over those who radiate unshakable confidence. The implications are profound, especially in fields where decisions hinge on expert judgment, medicine, finance, or policy. A doctor, CEO, or politician who speaks with absolute certainty may simply have a well-constructed (but flawed) mental model, while the hesitant expert might actually see the complexity others miss. Kahneman\u2019s insight teaches us to question confidence, both in others and in ourselves. Instead of being swayed by bold claims, we should ask: Does this confidence come from deep knowledge, or just a convincing inner story? True critical thinking means valuing doubt as much as certainty. This also reminded me of the story we tell ourselves about anything; if we can convince our brain to believe in anything, then we should also convince ourselves to question every claim, belief, and idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. \u201cAcquisition of skills requires a regular environment, an adequate opportunity to practice, and rapid and unequivocal feedback about the correctness of thoughts and actions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote distills the essential conditions for mastering any skill, whether it’s playing chess, diagnosing illnesses, or flying a plane. True expertise isn\u2019t just about effort; it requires a predictable environment where rules stay consistent, allowing patterns to be learned. Random or chaotic settings make skill-building nearly impossible. Equally crucial is deliberate practice, repeated engagement with the task, and most importantly, immediate, clear feedback that leaves no doubt about what worked and what didn\u2019t. Without these three elements, improvement is haphazard at best. The quote insight reveals why some fields (like mathematics or chess) produce so many experts, while others (like stock-picking or political forecasting) are riddled with false “gurus.” In predictable domains, feedback corrects errors and sharpens intuition (System 1\u2019s fast thinking). But in unpredictable areas, even seasoned professionals often mistake luck for skill. The quote serves as a reality check: before investing time in mastering something, ask, Is this environment stable enough to reward practice? If not, confidence may be an illusion. True skill thrives where feedback is swift, and the rules don\u2019t lie. This quote took my mind back to my previous place of work, where talent is not recognized, nor skills rewarded. This led to the attrition of extremely talented and skilled professionals. It made the other not even aspire to gain any additional skills or knowledge, as they knew it would not be valued. I developed myself because I knew that it was just a transition phase in my life and that building myself would be relevant to where I was aiming to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. \u201cExperts who acknowledge the full extent of their ignorance may expect to be replaced by more confident competitors, who are better able to gain the trust of clients. An unbiased appreciation of uncertainty is a cornerstone of rationality, but it is not what people and organizations want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote exposes a harsh reality about expertise and human psychology: in many fields, honesty about uncertainty is punished, while overconfidence is rewarded. this highlights how true rationality, acknowledging the limits of one\u2019s knowledge, often clashes with what clients, employers, or audiences demand. People crave certainty, even when it\u2019s unwarranted, and this creates a perverse incentive for experts to mask doubt with false confidence to maintain credibility. As a result, the most cautious, nuanced voices may be overlooked in favor of those who speak with unjustified boldness. The implications are rather troubling, particularly in high-stakes domains like finance, medicine, or policy. A financial advisor who admits uncertainty might lose clients to a rival making bold market predictions; a doctor hedging a diagnosis may seem less competent than one asserting false certainty. This point isn\u2019t just about individual honesty; it\u2019s about systemic bias against rationality itself. Organizations and societies often prefer the illusion of control over the humility of \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d The quote challenges us to recognize this dynamic and resist it, valuing truth-tellers over storytellers, even when their answers are less satisfying. I deeply think we should normalize the ability to say, \u201c I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. \u201cJumping to conclusions is efficient if the conclusions are likely to be correct and the costs of an occasional mistake acceptable. Jumping to conclusions is risky when the situation is unfamiliar, the stakes are high and there is no time to collect more information.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote captures the double-edged nature of snap judgments, our brain\u2019s tendency to rely on quick, intuitive conclusions (System 1 thinking), and when that helps or harms us. In familiar, low-stakes situations, jumping to conclusions is often beneficial. For example, if we see dark clouds and let’s grab an umbrella, we\u2019re usually right, and even if we\u2019re wrong, the cost is minimal. This efficiency is why our brains default to fast thinking. it saves time and energy in routine decisions. However, the risks become clear in uncertain, high-stakes scenarios, like diagnosing a rare disease, investing large sums, or making strategic business decisions. In these cases, acting on gut feelings without proper analysis (System 2 thinking) can lead to costly errors. As the author warns that when the situation is complex, the consequences are severe, and facts are scarce, slowing down and seeking more information is crucial. The quote teaches us to balance intuition with deliberation, recognizing when speed is an asset and when it\u2019s a dangerous shortcut. I am not a super fan of shortcuts; doing everything by the book is always my style, which includes proper research to gather correct information.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Understanding Kahneman\u2019s insights helped me make better decisions daily by recognizing when my brain takes shortcuts. For example, when faced with a tough choice, I\u2019ll pause to ask: Am I answering the real question, or just an easier one? This prevents snap judgments driven by bias or emotion. In personal relationships, I\u2019ll question whether my reactions are based on facts or assumptions, fostering clearer communication. By slowing down and engaging deliberate thinking, I can avoid errors like mistaking confidence for competence or favoring familiar but flawed ideas. Small, mindful adjustments lead to wiser choices in money, health, and interactions. By modeling intellectual humility and critical thinking, I can help others navigate complexity without falling for oversimplified narratives. This approach builds trust and better outcomes in workplaces and communities. By understanding how easily people confuse coherence with truth, I can promote literacy, teaching others to question sources, spot logical gaps, and resist echo chambers. In civic engagement, I\u2019ll support policies rooted in data, not just persuasive rhetoric. I envision a world where more people pause, reflect, and demand evidence, which is one with fewer conflicts and smarter collective choices. I know change starts with individual awareness, but its ripple effects can redefine how societies think and progress, making the world a better place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simpler language will do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote underscores a key principle of effective communication: clarity beats complexity. It suggests that using unnecessarily complicated words or jargon doesn\u2019t make us seem smarter; it often does the opposite. When we express ideas simply and directly, people are more likely to trust our credibility and grasp our message. Complex language can create confusion, breed skepticism, or even signal insecurity (as if we\u2019re masking weak ideas with fancy words). The deeper insight ties into cognitive ease, a concept in the book. Our brains (System 1) prefer information that\u2019s easy to process. Simple language feels more truthful and persuasive, while convoluted phrasing triggers mental strain and doubt. Whether we\u2019re writing, speaking, or debating, the goal isn\u2019t to impress with vocabulary but to convey understanding. As this quote implies, True intelligence isn\u2019t flaunting complexity; it\u2019s making the complex clear. This reminded me of a funeral my mom attended. When she came home with the program, it was filled with big, complex words and grammar. My sisters and I picked up the dictionary to see the meaning of those complex words, only to discover they meant nothing related to what they were trying to convey. We concluded that the deceased\u2019s son wanted to prove that he was educated, which unfortunately, he failed because those words were out of context. Now I try to write and speak in a way that a ten-year-old will understand. I know the academic world values complexity, but I try to simplify words and make them easy to understand.<\/span>
\n\u201cWhen people believe a conclusion is true, they are also very likely to believe arguments that appear to support it, even when these arguments are unsound.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote highlights a fundamental flaw in human reasoning called “confirmation bias,” our tendency to accept information that aligns with our existing beliefs while ignoring or dismissing evidence that contradicts them. This explains that once we believe something to be true (whether it’s a political opinion, investment strategy, or personal assumption), our brain (System 1) automatically favors arguments that seem to confirm it, even if those arguments are weak, illogical, or based on false premises. The danger lies in self-reinforcing delusion: We cherry-pick “proof” that feels right while disregarding red flags. For instance, if someone trusts a charismatic leader, they might uncritically accept shaky justifications for their policies. Or, if an investor is convinced a stock will rise, they may overvalue bullish news and ignore warnings. This quote reveals why misinformation spreads so easily: people don\u2019t judge arguments objectively; they judge whether arguments fit their narrative. The antidote? Actively seeking disconfirming evidence and engaging System 2 (critical thinking) to question our own certainty. Even in learning, research has shown that our brain actively connects the dots of new information to old ones, looking for patterns that align with what was previously known. As I write this idea comes to mind that a particular quote aligns with what I have read before, especially as this speaks about cognitive knowledge, but since I am not trying to link that, I don\u2019t think critically about how it aligns, I just accept that it does.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the consistency of the information that matters for a good story, not its completeness. Indeed, you will often find that knowing little makes it easier to fit everything you know into a coherent pattern.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This reveals how our minds favor simplicity over truth when forming narratives, that humans are drawn to stories that feel logically consistent, even if they\u2019re built on limited or cherry-picked information. When we know less, it\u2019s easier to connect the dots into a satisfying pattern because we aren\u2019t distracted by conflicting facts or nuances. This explains why snap judgments, stereotypes, and conspiracy theories often feel so convincing; they offer clear, streamlined explanations, even if they ignore critical details. Our brains (System 1) prefer the comfort of a coherent story over the messy reality of incomplete or contradictory evidence. I learned from this quote that the more we learn about a topic, the harder it becomes to reduce it to a simple narrative. Experts, who grasp the full complexity of a subject, often hesitate to make sweeping claims, while those with superficial knowledge confidently assert oversimplified answers. The author warns that this preference for tidy stories leads to errors in judgment, from everyday misunderstandings to major policy mistakes. The lesson I picked is that true wisdom lies in recognizing that coherence doesn\u2019t equal correctness, and that the world\u2019s complexity often defies easy explanations. Like now I can’t fit all the things I know about leadership on one slate, it has now become so complex that I wonder what exactly I know about leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you <\/span>complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment <\/span>on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good <\/span>and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a Man Thinketh Assessment by Udeme Idem (Nigeria) 1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book? He is conveying how our thoughts shapes our lives, that where we are right now Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3807","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3807"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5891,"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3807\/revisions\/5891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}