[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
As a Man Thinketh<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Assessment by Moses Baffour Awuah (Ghana)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n James Allen book As a man Thinketh, I believe portrays a collection of thoughts on how powerful a man\u2019s thought is, and that a man is literally what he thinks, his character been the complete sum of all his taught.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n A. Every action and feeling is preceded by a thought. <\/span><\/p>\n As James Allen wrote everything about life begins with a thought. This idea is important to me because the idea of starting a training program for young people in my country began with a thought. It was from this thought I proceeded to take actions to make sure that it sees the light of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n I personally believe that the words we speak to ourselves eventually become\u2019s our thought. I believed I am trained leader but I will never forget the words Solomon Ababio Adjeman spoke to me when I was in Junior High School, he said I was a leader. This I believe has formed my thought pattern for a very long time. I will also not forget the words of my Religious & Moral Education tutor, he entered into our world when all our teachers had given up on us, he encouraged us, told us we could make it in our final exams, taught us inspirational songs to sing when we feel all is lost and we want to give up, showed us strategies we could study to pass our exams and to God be the glory those were the best times in our lives and that was how I performed well in my final exams. The words we say to ourselves and people say to us are very important.<\/span><\/p>\n C. Dreamers are the saviors of the world. <\/span><\/p>\n Australian millionaire Peter J Daniels asked \u201cwhat do you do when your dreams begin to fail?\u201d He replies, \u201cJust hang on to one more dream.\u201d This idea is simple and straight forward; if I want to be a savior in this world I must be a dreamer. Dreamers change our world. Dreamers make impact, Dreamers make a difference. There is so much joy in my heart when participants of the leadership program I organized talk about the impact the program had in their lives. I would continue to dream all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n D. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n E. Men do not attract what they want, but what they are<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What you are is truly who you are and a simple reflection of yourself, it is one thing wishing for something and the other revealing who you truly are, I have seen how I have attract likeminded people often in my life, but its strange when people have the same mind, desires and goals as you have, it would amaze you as to how you just click together and how you would enjoys each other\u2019s company.<\/span><\/p>\n F. Its important to improve yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n James Allen speaks of how men are eager to improve on their circumstances and not on themselves. This idea is important to me because, personal development I believe is a key to becoming relevant to your world because when you develop yourself you break your thinking pattern, you desire to do more for humanity and you always want to see to it that others come to discover their purpose. That is the exact reason why I am excited about this program. I believe I am on my road to self improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n G. To be careful of what I secretly love and harbor<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n James Allen continuous to write about how the soul secretly attracts what it loves and harbor. You know, we can deceive ourselves that we love something but rather in our hearts there are things we really cherish; what is in our heart eventually comes out, not what we make others believe. When my laptop was giving me problems I was really worried but I didn\u2019t tell anyone. In my heart I secretly desired for a new one, one day in a conversation with a good friend, I only made a passing statement, that my laptop was giving me problems. To my amazement, he paused the conversation and immediately decided to offer me a new laptop.<\/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><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The above ideas would serve as a useful guide to help me be conscious of my thoughts, the things I secretly harbor, to spend each day improving myself so I can improve on my circumstance and become relevant to my world. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Quotes:\u00a0 Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention?\u00a0 If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Exercising yourself in right thinking through the reading of books, associating yourself with the right company and joining in meaningful conversations, discussions and debates is a key \u00a0to building a strong mind. This makes this quote very important to me.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCherish your visions. Cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This quote is so important to me because when the thought of having to start a leadership training programme for high school graduates began in August 2012, it began to be the main focus of my life, I worked at it each passing day. I cherished it, paid the price for it, I would spend several hours planning and strategizing as to how I could make it happen with my limited resource and to God be the Glory it came to pass in June this year.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnly by much searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n It is an undeniable fact that it takes much research to discover something both internally and externally, yet we find so little a time to do so, it was through much search on courses on personal development and leadership, that made me stumble on this site, I never knew it existed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCircumstance does not make the man, it reveals him to himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0It is said that give a man power, money and position and you will know his true character. As an evangelism and Hostels coordinator at the university when I was with the Campus Christian Family, many thought that I worked so hard because I wanted to be the president when the current leader at that time handed over. Lots of people were amazed how I didn\u2019t even context for any position in the next badge of leadership. I had one single motive to impact the people and move on, even though many urged me to go for a position, I didn\u2019t allow the position and influence I had at that time to sway me away from my goal.<\/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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The book is clear and that it is understandable to read.<\/span><\/p>\n 6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete?\u00a0 If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I didn\u2019t see any clear exercise to complete in the book.<\/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?\u00a0 If so, please comment.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Overall the book was a useful tool to get one to rethink on the things he spends most of his time thinking about.<\/span><\/p>\n Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10.\u00a0 Ten is good and one is poor.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A.\u00a0How interesting was it to read?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8 Jonathan Livingston Seagull<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Assessment by Moses Baffour Awuah (Ghana)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I believe the author is trying to talk about the human potential and what one could do if he breaks away from any and everything that limits him. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why?\u00a0 List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you.\u00a0 Use personal examples from your own life.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A. I learned not to be afraid to discover my inner strength<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It strange how sometimes everything around you can deter you from discovering your inner strength, so was the life of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, as his family discouraged him. Time and time again in my personal life I have seen people try to encourage me to settle for the normal and not try to break the status quo, it\u2019s as though people doing extra ordinary things are for the few privileged in our society.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n B. Love through forgiveness of self and others is the key to impact the lives of many.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If Jonathan Livingston Seagull had not demonstrated this very important virtue he would not have gone back to help the other seagull\u2019s. For me forgiveness is not a forgotten memory, but it is a memory without revenge, yes; I remember what you did to me but I don\u2019t intend to pay you back in that same coin or repay you with evil. Quite a number of times in my own life I have seen how I had given my time, energy, strength and resources to others but they have refused to pay me back with the same kindness i showed to them. Recently just as I was reading this story, I called one of the people I had given the best of myself to, It amazed me how she was so busy that she could not make time to speak to me or return my call, but I remember how I made time for her when she needed me. I sometimes draw strength from those who remember the good I did for them and I have decided not to allow anything to prevent me from helping anyone that comes my way that need help, In fact I have very little expectation of men, I choose to let love lead me.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n C. Humility is important if ever I would learn new things.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The ability to acknowledge that somebody knows more than I know and that someone has discovered something I have not discovered yet. I personally believe that it is hard for proud people to learn new things. I also believe that submitting yourself to a mentor to receive his encouragement, instructions, corrections and rebuke is the greatest sign of humility and that was exactly what Jonathan Livingston Seagull did. That is what I also seek to do.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n D. Constant practice would help me achieve my ideas just like Jonathan Livingston Seagull.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not always easy to keep on practicing one thing over and over again, especially if you are the one that likes variety like I do. It was through constant practice that Jonathan gained speed. One day in an ICT class I saw how my friends had speed in typing and I purposed in my heart to learn how to type faster, I immediately installed Mavis Beacon software on my laptop and I started practicing everyday how to type faster and that was how to I began to type faster.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n E. From the Story you realize that there is a price to pay for every success.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jonathan had to pay the price of been misunderstood and to be cast out of his own people but that was the price he had to pay to achieve his dream. I realize how some time ago I had to spent several hours, strategizing and planning a Youth Empowerment program in my own country, I spent lots of lonely hours in those times, but that was how I finally birth the training program for young people with the help of my team. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n F. I learned a very important idea about the choices I make in life and that in this life who and what you become is dependent on the choices we make.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When I saw this online program I felt it was the platform I had been waiting for all this while to be empowered to help my generation. It was a great decision I made to commit myself to this programme no matter how busy and demanding my schedule was. Jonathan could have chosen to be like all the other Seagulls but he decided to be different.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n G. I discovered that been with people of like-mindedness can speed up your growth and help you achieve great things than when you are alone<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So was the life of Jonathan Livingston his association with Chiang and Sullivan had a great impact on me. I have seen myself grown in the faith anytime I was surrendered with people of the same kind. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/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><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Quotes:\u00a0 Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention?\u00a0 If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhy, Jon, why?\u201d” his mother asked. \u201cWhy is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can’t you leave low flying to the pelicans, the alhatross? Why don’t you eat? Son, you’re bone and feathers!” “I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This quote is an example of how people who are so close to you, would discourage you as you decide to pursue purpose and how it is important to be determine to discover your potentials.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYour whole body, from wingtip to wingtip,\u201d Jonathan would say, other times, \u201cis nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This quote simply tells us that everything begins with a taught and if one can rise above the limitation of his taught, then he can achieve anything he sets his mind to do. This confirms James Allen\u2019s Saying in his book \u201cAs a Man Thinketh\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This quote is so important to me because, in our part of the world, where we have been marginalized for a very long time, people must come to the understanding that everything is possible and they could be creatures of excellence.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn\u2019t flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn\u2019t have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes numbers have a way of limiting us and sometimes it as though we can never achieve a certain goal but when you fix your mind on being perfect at something, continuous practice and learning would help you get there and sometimes at the initial stage you would not realize you are there.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with those gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The fear of the unknown has a way of preventing us from pursuing our dream. I believe that life should be adventurous, full of trying of new things, pursuing purpose and breaking every boredom in our lives. I personally believe it is better to try something and fail than not to try at all.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/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><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>B.<\/span> Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nThis book has reminded me again about the importance of my thoughts and what I should allow to enter into my mind. As I read the book I decided to consciously make plans as to what to allow entering into my mind. I have now decided to read my goals to myself often, this I believe would come to form my thoughts so it would occupy my mind than foolish thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nB.\u00a0How helpful were the contents?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8
\nC. How easy was it to understand? \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 9
\nD. Would you recommend it to others?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it?\u00a0\u00a0 9<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\nThe lessons I stated above would be pillars on which I would use to govern my personal life in pursing my dreams with the understanding that one must pay a price for whatever he wants to achieve, try to find people who are of likeminded like myself, be humble, keep on practicing till i reach perfection, make wise and intelligent choices, love through forgiveness and finally not be afraid to discover my inner strength. I will teach these same lessons and help others discover this truth; this I believe would help me create a better world. <\/span><\/p>\n