As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by OkolikoVictor Simeon (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main gospel here is that the mind is the core driver of all life’s pathways from where one is, where one is going to and where one ends. It forms the bases to what runs in one’s head and forms the bases of reality. It makes the “que sera sera” statement obsolete and projects that if you think it and keep thinking it will see the light of the day regardless of good or evil. The literature becomes the most powerful powerful reminder that our minds are our business guides. Like a garden we must plough and plant and weed and tend to it to be able to harvest great and wholesome fruits.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. The mind operates as a computer
“Garbage-in garbage-out;” the books puts the mind to be best described as a computer that is regardless of how sophisticated it gives out what is inputted into it and the strength of the mind like a computer is not in the built or make of the computer or the power of the processor but lies on it operators that is what is fed into it (thoughts). It you think right you will live right and vice versa.
ii. Change begins internally
The book elaborates continually the fact the change begins generically from thoughts that regardless of what situations people fall into they act base of there long stored thoughts, that people do not act arbitrarily they act from serial thought and a man doesn’t act or base on situations or circumstances he is a calculated and finds out more about himself from daily acts.
iii. One cannot achieve beyond his thoughts
Our achievement in life is a mirror image of what we think about. If we can sensor and guide our thought towards what id crave to have and achievement, we become limitless and can have abundance of knowledge and wealth
iv. A healthy thought births a healthy body
Allen in this book was able to link and prove that there exists a direct connection between a very healthy body and a healthy mind. He states with very sounding examples that a cheerful mind is a home for a very healthy body and even describes the mind as a control room for sound health and cure for sickness.
v. The mind drives one to destination
Regardless of vision the mind is the most powerful compass that directs on which way to go. It expresses itself on actions and decisions that rails one to his destiny.
vi. Inner peace come from the mind
With so much happening and the world driven by fast and instant ideologies this book builds and provide solace in the fact that a very sound and beautiful life free from the hustle and bustle of life is possible via a duly regulated thoughts properly cultivated like flowers that blossom after careful pruning and tendering a mind free from chaos will birth a life void of chaos.
vii. Indecision always rails towards negation
If you leave the garden of your mind empty or uncultivated, weeds will grow everywhere.
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?
After a few pages of this book, I knew it was the right book for me. I have for years struggled with conflicting thoughts and for long knew the power of positive thinking but this depth of elucidation I haven’t not see. As I digested pages of this powerful book, I already began the journey of being the master of my thoughts via calculated thought removing all negative thoughts just like weeding in the garden of my heart. I will from the learning of this book carefully tend to my thoughts and guide to nurture and have realized that like weeds to a farmland the mind is constantly under attack from evaders and the journey to liberation of the mind never ends. I will be more deliberate what I think about my family, work and health and work towards only positive vibes.
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.
“Man’s’ mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth.”
The above statement kept resounding and clapping in my mind during and after reading this book, firstly I have always known the power of the mind but it cleared me that a mind cannot be fallow it will bring forth regardless of whether it is guided or not I see a lot of decision I shy always finding it course at the end of the end and it has made me realised in totally that not making a choice i.e. not thinking is thinking.
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 find the fact that not thinking or staying neutral most times is a negative. This is because options should be yes or no for decision or thought to metamorphose into actions but most times one doesn’t choose any it automatically means no. Why is indecision always railing towards negation?
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The whole literature is a game
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
None at the time of writing this assessment.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by OkolikoVictor Simeon (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The story for me centers around rising above the pedestrian, the main character in it Jonathan Livingston, a seagull challenge the ideology and way of life that like others of his kind he was meant and built to just live to feed and survive, he thought above and visioned life at a higher level where he could explore new levels of height and be airborne longer and higher to be able to put himself above his pairs and be able to know life beyond those boundaries, he dared to knock on the door of the unknown and unexploited.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. The maverick nature of Jonathan
The dogged and perpetual refusal to the seagull to accept the norm where he found out for me was the major take home I see a 21st century that seems to be fully efficient and questioning what is in vogue is created by persecution I nicknamed the “that how we meet it” syndrome Jonathan was not infected by it and stood against the push back that come with it.
ii. Inner investigations of self
Jonathan went further to ask questions and explore himself; he critically studied his build and try to juxtapose it to his current boundary and saw clearly that he was meant for more. Throughout human history people who have changed the course of nature have had that very vital quality of asking why
iii. Journey of growth
The main character her embarked on a journey to find out more and grow he didn’t know that stood at the end, but he journeyed anyway he sets the greatest example that growth is a journey where the endpoint should not always be too crystal clear but an ideology and a quest to beat the status quo. He hurriedly was ready to share knowledge and guide others.
iv. Seeking independence
Jonathan wanted above all this to be free, free to push himself, free to explore and grow he wanted the ultimate freedom to learn and grow and conquer his greatest enemy: average
v. Giving back
Jonathan after his whole quest and journey seeking every adventure and challenging the unknown did hold back and let the rejections and persecution let he hate the rejecter he willingly involved in training others and schooling young ones and gave back regardless of his story and challenges.
vi. Greater Good/Bigger picture
Jonathan was always in the look out for the bigger picture he constantly occupied his mind with the “what if” question and looked at himself to be meant for just more, more altitude, higher flight time, not just built to live and just die and survive but for more
vii. Adventure
Most times what we require the most is adventure, taking a leap of faith with the hope of landing on our feet. Jonathan dared to take that leap, and he had fun in pursuit of happiness.
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?
With the 21st century experiencing a lot of changes and boundaries I find this book and its lessons Handy. As a logistics lead in a fast moving consumer goods industry I face a lot of challenges trying to meet up demands by customers and the fact that my team is rich of people cutting across all ages tribes and educational strata I will listen more to ideas that are unconventional because this key business indicators that I have to meet up daily have been rigidly meet over time. I will try to spot the “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” and try to implement some of their ideas because most times the norms need to be challenged to break new ground. I will not shut them up no more.
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.
“Amongst many other punch lines the quote that I connected with the most is “Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.”
I came across a lot of challenges daily which I mentality and thinking either positively or negatively. I have recognized that my biggest asset is my mind, and my body follows wherever my mind leads her. And is limited only if I cannot think it and conquer it in my mind first.
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?
Basically, I haven’t been able to categorize the book, and its concepts I find the whole story highly ambiguous which is subject to a lot of interpretation.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The book is generally an exercise from start to finish, Jonathan’s life was plagued by first trying to fit in and forget his inner desire to follow his foreign way of thinking and seeking more. He tried to live and fit in back into his community after this first though cross his mind but it keep recurring, I found myself listening more to the voices in my head that refuse to go away basically the ones that speak to challenging the status quo and ask question on the norms of who I am and to what extent I can chase my dreams and achieve my aims and objectives. I must say the whole book is an exercise. I see myself listening more to my kids at home when they ask unconventional questions that aren’t what I know normally and challenge them.
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.
Not at the time of writing this assessment.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by OkolikoVictor Simeon (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The major idea is that the human mind operates like a camera, in all its qualities, you position, focus and take a shot and life will only be the photo, and life will emanate from how you picture yourself. Like a machine the “Picture” we become is from how our mind (Camera) captures, from success to failure they are all borne out of the mind.
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2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. How one sees his life eventually becomes how his life becomes, it places the mind at the epicenter of reality. It controls everything that eventually happens, one is left at the mercies of his mindset about himself.
ii. Like a car it puts the imagination as the ignition to any dream and its actualization. It places imagination like a master plan you have to complete in and have a clear picture of whatever dream you must be able to actualize it. It’s achievable if you can imagine it
iii. Like sickness and health beliefs are infectious and can be cured. One must understand that the mind, like a battlefield, must be consciousness delivered from negative and nay belief that rails to pessimism. It states clearly that optimism can be learnt and cultivated
iv. Success is a pathway that can be planned through conscious improvement of self-image and Rational Thinking. Like a machine can break down times and plunge into negative thinking, it could also be troubleshot and corrected and brought back on course
v. Work-Life balance can really go a long way to drive success via deliberate elimination of beliefs that are toxic and embracing very relaxing ideology that eliminate panic and fear all enemies of the very sound mind and of course a great self-image
vi. The state of the mind is a journey that can be prepared for and deliberately altered at different points and like a habit it must be adjusted over time and strengthened for more gains
vii. Life is built on self-imagine regardless of how the world, like the external factors play how it turns out generally, is from internal thoughts. The engine of the mind drives the whole machine of life and determines its destination
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
The ideas here already have begun to reshape my life both personally and professionally,
It has reassured me that my thoughts are the captain of my ship, such my life and I can only give what I have so the first step being the development of my personal self-image.
With a great self-image I become more equipped and capable of taking on problems and situations in my home as a father and as the leader of my team at work. It makes me more optimistic, helping to navigate through cumbersome brainstorming sessions to drafting actions, plans and solutions. A positive image will give me empathy, make me more courageous and give me the belief that I can take on the world.
With a vibrant subconscious mind void of negative beliefs, I will be able to navigate through difficult situations with empathy or reach out to help others. This practice can help you build the emotional resilience needed to tackle global challenges without becoming overwhelmed.
Making me a better father, husband and leader at home and work and a core driver of positive change
With the world faced with numerous challenges this book comes In handy for me as we require leader that do not second guess themselves but stand tall in face of the adversaries and dare to believe and challenge the norms, the concepts in this book will rail me towards a mindset that impact is possible if I can conceive it, nurture it like pregnancy and birth it to actualization when the time is mature, that it always starts from my min and the only person standing against my actualization of my dreams.
Finally this book has imbibed in me the belief that with a great mindset is highly contagious and as a member of a team in numerous ramifications from family, both nuclear and extended to my team at work, church, socials clubs and community I can influence positivity in my team and the power of a positive team is limited, am on my way to become a great leader, Leading the way by going first
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
The book carries a lot of punch lines but the state that caught my attention most was:
“Happiness is a habit. Practice it.”
I have always seen happiness as a point I will get to, not something I need to learn and even try to master. It has helped me embark on a journey to be deliberate about it and learn its rudiments. Like a habit it will have it ups and downs but I need it so I would learn to gradually fine tune to attain perfection
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?
Basically, I have seen very clear and simple nuggets in this book, and I find most of its concepts void of fallacies and I clearly tend to pick my learnings.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes, there were numerous exercises for all chapters, and I took time to go through all
Exercise 1 was most intriguing for me maybe because the first is centered on the principle of mental exercise and mental imaging, it was basically all about and centered on painting a picture of a desired outcome while still meditating and chilling. One will have to pick a very quiet and conductive time within the day, I choose sunset because of the cooler weather then and the minimum was stated to be five minutes, During this time, you close your eyes and vividly create a mental picture of a specific goal you wish to achieve, see, feel, and hear yourself successfully performing a task or reaching a desired outcome. You picture yourself doing what you want to conquer, say a task or quality. For me I find it difficult to actively listen. I tend to drift mostly especially for uninterested gist. I program and imagine my wife or boss talking to me and I respond that I have heard and understood all and I visualize them asking me questions about what they have discussed and I answering them correctly.
Exercise banks on the fact that the subconscious mind cannot accurately differentiate between real and imaginary so it begins to see virtualized as real and adopts it. Like drug design it is a pseudo diagnosis like an attenuated parasite that triggers the immune system in drugs thereby fixing the main diseases this exercise over time synergizes the virtualized and real, helps improve confidence and reduces stress and pressure. Like a test tube baby, it grows a quality free from the real-world setting preparing it for the actual
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.
Not at the time of writing this assessment.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10