As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Yvonne N Kilama (Uganda)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
We are who we think we are. A man is literally what he thinks; his character being a complete sum of all his thoughts. By the right choice and true application of thought, a man succeeds and with the he failures. Between the two extremes comes his grade of character.
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.
A noble character is not a thing of favor –but the natural result of continued effort in the right thinking and right doing. This is true even with my own life; I have to deliberately think right in order to do the right thing at work, at home at church. And so I often ask my self; Yvonne, is this the right thing to do now?
The outer world of circumstances shapes itself to the inner world of thought. A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad cannot fail to produce it’d results on character and circumstances. With this I learn that I may not be able to directly choose my circumstances but I have to choose my thoughts, then indirectly but surely will I shape my circumstances.
I also have to be mindful about my health- sickly thoughts express themselves though a sickly body. I need to have solid, pure, happy thoughts that will build up my body in vigor and grace so that I do not break down. This is something that I often underestimate when going after dreams.
The need to combine thought with purpose. Everyone needs to have a purpose to which they will direct all their energies. There is a project I needed to have embarked on long time a go – some how I had no drive. After reading this section I thought I needed to mark out a straight pathway mentally to its achievement- I need to get past the doubts and fears, these will fail me.
To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to achieve; but I have also learnt that it takes vision, hard work, sacrifice to achieve. It is not luck, good fortune or chance; it takes effort to achieve results. These results are a product of thoughts completed, objectives accomplished and visions realized.
It is important we maintain calmness of mind even as we go after achievement. The writer puts forth that we need to cease to fuss, fume, worry and remain poised, steadfast and serene. This all depends on the measure of how we understand ourselves as thought-evolved beings.
Self control is strenghth . Right thinking is mastery. Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, “peace be still”
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world?
I have learnt that I have to dream big, think big in order to achieve. I often think big….sometimes I get lost in there trying so hard to achieve worrying how things will work out, I fret over things….I will now determine to remain serene.
I will have to determine to think right in order to do right.
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.
“Circumstance does not make man; it reveals him to himself.” What we think of the circumstance says a lot about who we really are.
“Men do not attract that which they want but that which they are”. I just thought that we are who we think we are; if we think of ourselves as achievers we attract achievers and achievement into our lives.
“A man’s mind may be likened to a garden which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild.” We have to be keen to keep the mind from going wild by ‘cultivating it and sowing the right seeds.’
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
I do not agree with the writer when he says, “ a man may be cursed and rich, he may be blessed and poor..” I do not think that one can be blessed and also be poor- I am affirm believer that it is God who blesses us; the blessing of God adds no sorrow.
In addition, I would like to differ in opinion when the writer says, “not what he wished 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” this is not necessarily true. There have been times when I have seen God’s favor upon me even when I did not deserve it. There are thinks that God does for us even before we ask- He knows my life- the end from the beginning. Sometimes when I wander off the right path he may get some things to ‘fall in place’ simply because He is a loving, merciful and gracious God.
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?
There were no exercises
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
I like the way the thought factor is linked to achievement in section five. As a man thinks so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains. I do agree achievement of any kind is the crown of hard work, Sacrifice, determination and the diadem of thoughts. I am of the same mind with the writer when he says, achievement by the aid of animality, indolence, impurity, corruption and confusion of thought will cause a man to fall; it will be short lived.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Yvonne N Kilama (Uganda)
1. What Ideas were personally most important to you in this book? Do not simply list the ideas, but explain or discuss why they were important to you, using personal examples.
The story in this book forwards the idea that we should always think and dream big…think out of the box. It is important to have a higher purpose in life towards which we work. We should not just be ordinary…being the rest of the flock. Then like Richard puts it , “ we can list ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence, intelligence and skill. Choose to be the pace setter and leave foot prints in the sands of time.
You will need to overcome your fears. Jonathan seagull discovered that boredom, fear and anger are the reasons a gull’s life is so short. Jonathan was determined. We choose our next world through what we learn in this one. learn nothing and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations …’Jonathan loved to fly and was not afraid of the price he paid…’ He was isolated, misunderstood, called names; devil rebel, too ambitious. But he rose above all that. We have to learn to live above people’s negativity; their words and attitudes towards you goals and dreams. Some times to achieve your dreams you may have to go against the tide, the law, the norm…Jonathan had to go against the law of the flock. Do not settle for ordinary, go for the extra ordinary.
It takes hard work to make it. It cannot all be easy. This book teaches that there will be pain, frustration and set backs here and there as one pursues their dreams. It takes time and hard work before one can fly to perfection. This means we should not give up as soon as you get frustration; but simply be patient. Sometimes we have to fall to be rise, sometimes we have to go backwards in order to go forward…sometimes we succeed with heavy blows! We simply have to pick the lesson and move on.
Your attitude is what is most important. Your attitude will determine how far you go in life. You are who you think you are. If you think you will make it, surely you will. I learnt in this book that Success and defeat all starts in our minds- we are free to go where we wish, be what we want to be.
2. Can you relate the ideas or concepts in this book to your personal circumstances in life such as your relationships, your beliefs, your goals, your values, etc? Explain.
This book directly relates to me. I remember when I was a student in High school; I had a problem with economics. My problem arose from the fact that I didn’t enjoy my economics classes. We had a teacher who was terror it’s self. That lady had the special ability to abuse and to shout. Personally, I can tolerate a physical beating more than a verbal insult. Such Insults can be traumatizing and very belittling. The teacher would explain a concept and if you failed to grasp it, it was better for you to pretend to have got it and later ask a friend to give you an explanation than to raise your hand while in class seeking clarification. She would describe to you how scattered your brains are; that being the reason for failing to understand ‘simple’ concepts. And the intensity with which she would make her statements would make you believe, indeed, you are stupid. As a result, the thought of economics, the subject just horrified me. The classes were so traumatizing that they made me pray earnestly to God always. Each time before I went for the Econ class, I would pray that the teacher does not pick on me. I would then walk up to class trusting God for a ‘Trauma-free’ Econ session. It was hard for me. I kept failing the tests not because I was stupid but because I could not concentrate and understand concepts in class. I kept failing until one day I just decided; I must excel in Economics.
I laid a few strategies to excel in economics. I started giving the subject extra time for revision. I made friends with the teacher’s ‘biscuit’, Winnie (the Econ A student) and we started revising and having discussions together. That girl was nice, she was brilliant and she believed in me. She kept telling me, “Yvonne, you can make it… just believe in yourself. These things are not so hard”. When I believed I could make it, I started improving. I will never forget the first 80% score I got in the economics tests. It felt so good that truthfully, even now, it is an indescribable feeling. I began to tell myself, ‘I am not stupid…I can make it…I will make it…’ I believed in me. I moved on and continued to excel. Before I knew it, I was the teacher’s ‘biscuit’, too. And the teacher also began to believe in me. In the final exams, when I got an A in Economics, only God could fully understand what I had been through: He had seen me through it all. He gathered the ’scattered brains’ and enabled me to excel. Eventually, I got a government scholarship to the University, where I pursued an Honors Degree in Social Work and Social Administration.
Here is what made me excel: the right attitude! I told myself, “I must excel in Economics”. The teacher could have claimed that I had scattered brains, I was stupid… but was I to believe that? And confirm her claims? Certainly, not. I had to disprove her. It had to begin with my mind. I had to have the right attitude. When I began to perceive myself as an Econ ‘star’, I rose to ‘star-hood’.
Whatever project lies ahead of you; tell yourself, “I can make it… I will make it and I will excel at it, I will not be limited. Your attitude or your way of thinking will determine your altitude (or determine how far you go). You have got to think right and be positive. In order to maintain the right thinking, you may need to disassociate yourself with people who feed you with negativity. There are some friends you may have to lose for your own benefit. Surround yourself with people who will build you, people who will provoke and promote you to be the best you can be in all your endeavors.
3. What are the most important new ideas or concepts you learned from this book?
– We are who we think we are- I need to think big about me. I can be anything that I want to be
-Forgiveness and reconciliation is what will make this world a better place
– Every one needs a mentor and a role model in life. These are people who walk alongside you, encourage you, help you up when you fall and will count your pitfalls and success as their own
– Knowledge is power- there is no worse thing than to live ignorantly in this world. You settle for an ordinary state of life – you are not ware that you have the power to change your circumstances. How will you ever learn to fly?
4. Has this book challenged or changed your thinking in any way? If so, explain how?
Sometimes the very people that frustrated you, despised you, isolated you, cast you out pulled you down will admire you and want to be like you, when you have realized your dreams. Do not keep grudges and be selfish, Forgive them and help them up too. Offer to be their teacher, mentor, and trainer or coach….tell them how you were able to make it ,help them come up too. That is the only way this world can be better. That is a lesson I have learnt.
5. Are there ideas in the book that you totally disagree with? If so, why?
I do not agree with the writer when he uses the analogy that Heaven is not a place but “perfection”. In my opinion, heaven is real. It is a place that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior has prepared for those who are faithful to him hear on earth. Whoever has Christ has life. It is Christ who makes us perfect…he gives us his word in Bible to direct us to live right. Philippians 4:8. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. In Him we live and move and have our being. Without him I am nothing; with Him I have everything. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
6. What did you find most helpful and least helpful in this book?
It a simple easy to read book, with lots of good ideas. The characterization and themes of the book apply directly to life.
7. In 50 words or less, please describe the main idea the whole book is trying to convey.
Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve is a series of obstacles and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have or do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. One will have to face peril, disaster and adversity with courage, firmness, strength of mind and spirit with the hope that someday they will get where they are heading.
Please Rate each of the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Keys to Success
Yvonne Nabwire Kilama (Uganda)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea presented is the importance of having a positive mental attitude and definiteness of purpose before you can achieve much in life. All the other principles discussed simply complement ‘definiteness of purpose’. Success in life is dependent on one’s ability to know much about one specific area and perform exceptionally within it. When you have a definite purpose it is easy to look out for and harness opportunities in your area of specialization. Also, it is that purpose that becomes your driving force; with focused energies, you work at it with determination, refusing to accept the possibility of failure.
Reading about this principle was timely and a good eye opener for me especially as I thought of pursuing further studies inured to grow in my career. It helped me put my goals in proper perspective and envision where I am heading. After reading the book I felt like I had got direction and I was able to make a decision
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.
Firstly, I loved the idea of having to establish a mastermind alliance. Having the ability to use the strength of experience, training and knowledge of other people just as if they were your own. It is true that no mind is complete or can really suffice by itself. This idea reminded me of a head teacher back then in my high school who used to say, “…only teamwork will make a dream work”. I realized that for one to succeed they need to be able to sell their vision to others and be able to work together with others in harmony. I realized that I may need to shake off some negative minded people in my life and surround myself with people who believe in me and will build me in the direction that I have chosen to go.
Secondly, the idea of assembling an attractive personality was particularly interesting. Many times as people pursue success, personality is something that ignored. While we are going for success, we will need to work with people. It is required that we have a fondness for people, learn how to communicate appropriately, be patient and tolerant with others. I learnt that there are some seemingly negligible factors that have a potential to deter success; facial expressions, sense of humor, smiles, handshakes, emotional control, the list goes on. . It is funny that this idea made me think of a colleague of mind who because of her manner of speech (tactless), tone of voice and facial expressions puts off people. She is often described as unapproachable, unfriendly and proud, she always has something to say in every situation…..yet she is really a good person when you get to know her. There is need to be deliberate about your habits and mannerisms and not ignore them; they say a lot about your personality and may draw people to you or put off others. I have also learnt to smile and just laugh; not to take life so seriously and build meaningful relationships with people.
Thirdly, I love the idea of simply being positive in all of life. This idea helps me not to fret over situations. When I looked at the author’s penalties of a negative mental attitude, I saw a really miserable life.In the past I used to worry and be anxious about how things may turn out. I have now learnt to ask myself, what is the worst that can possibly happen? As longs as I will not die, I just tell myself, ‘ …embrace it and see how to forge ahead…’ if I make a mistake in the decisions I make in my day today life, I do not have to spend days feeling guilty and regretting; I simply need to pick the lesson in it and move on. This attitude takes fear away and causes my faith to rise.
Another idea that touched me was going the extra mile. I have learnt to do more that I am paid for. This helps personal improvement, earns you favorable attention as you stand out from the rest, it builds your confidence, opens doors for you and makes your personality quite pleasant. I tried this out both at work and at home and trust me works. I discovered that when I did things beyond what was expected of me, I became distinct; and people, including my husband would wonder what my driving force is. I also discovered that at such times my confidence and self esteem was really high.
I also liked the idea of learning from defeat. Every one faces defeat at one point or another. Defeat is never the same as failure unless and until it has been accepted as such. The person with a positive mental attitude reacts to defeat in the spirit of determination and not in the spirit submission; that was a powerful revelation for me.
The sixth idea is that of budgeting my time. This is an area that is frequently spoken about but I had not been keen about it in my life yet. I discovered that I can make a substantial difference in my life by the wise of time. And so, I need to plan my job time, relationships (making time for those that matter), health, faith (Devotion to God) and even my spare time. One thing which quite hadn’t occurred to me was my mental habits; I need to recharge my positive mental attitude often; I should not spend time thinking about things I do not want. I need to discipline myself to do things as I plan to do them.
The last idea is making health a habit. I need good physical health including play and humor. My health was not really a priority and yet with long life one will be able to achieve more. It is a challenge I am going to take on. It is indeed true that when I feel healthy, I am feel happy and I feel terrific.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These ideas have opened my mind to see so many things that I had to been keen about for a long time. I learnt that Napoleon’s Keys to success are not extraordinary “KEYS”- The seventeen principles are day to day disciplines that if one devoted their minds to, they will indeed succeed. I am going to commit myself to these principles until I see substantial change in my life
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“whatever your mind can conceive and believe, your mind can achieve”. It is not very new, this inspires me to have a positive mental attitude in all I try to do.
“Defeat is never the same as failure unless you accept it as such” A person with a positive mental attitude reacts to defeat in the spirit of determination as opposed to the spirit of hopeless acceptance.
“Our real wealth is the intangible power of thought”. I thought this was a deep statement, indeed there is no scarcity of opportunity, and there is only a shortage of imagination.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
The ideas presented in this book are clear and easy to understand
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes, I did respond to a number of questions asked as I studied; they were quite helpful for reflection.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
The book was interesting. I learnt that my thoughts have a lot of power; I need to have a positive mental attitude in all my endeavors.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10