As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Inas Ouafi (Morocco)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of As a Man Thinketh is that our thoughts shape our character, circumstances, health, and ultimately our destiny. The author, James Allen, emphasizes that the mind is the master of the body and the environment, and that by controlling and directing our thoughts we can transform our lives for the better. In essence, thought is the creative force behind all that happens to us, and personal responsibility and self-mastery begin with mastering our own mind.
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. My Thoughts Shape My Circumstances
I’ve noticed a clear connection between my thoughts and how I experience life. When I focus too much on negative thoughts, worries, or fears, it feels like obstacles multiply and everything becomes harder to handle. This mindset creates a kind of mental barrier that makes it difficult to see solutions or opportunities. For instance, during my job search, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed and discouraged, thinking that I wasn’t making any progress or that things weren’t going to work out. I realized that these thoughts were holding me back more than the actual challenges.
Once I made a conscious effort to shift my focus, to imagine positive outcomes, to remind myself of my strengths and what I can control, I felt a renewed sense of motivation and clarity. This change didn’t magically solve everything, but it helped me approach each step with more confidence and persistence. By shaping my thoughts toward hope and possibility, I was able to keep moving forward and open myself up to new chances that I might have missed if I stayed stuck in negativity.
ii. I Am Responsible for My Own Life
It’s both challenging and empowering to realize that where I am today is because of my own actions and choices, no one else is to blame, and no one else will change it for me. Sometimes, especially when facing tough family expectations or feeling stuck, this responsibility feels overwhelming. But it also reminds me that I hold the power to take steps, make decisions, and improve my life. Knowing this helps me move forward instead of waiting for things to change on their own.
iii. Having a Clear Purpose Gives Me Direction
I’ve noticed that when I don’t have a clear goal, I start to feel scattered, unmotivated, and even anxious about the future. There was a time when I felt stuck, unsure of where to focus my energy. But when I began setting small, concrete goals, like completing an application, preparing for an interview, or learning a new skill, I felt a renewed sense of clarity. Even though my bigger dreams may still be far away, these smaller steps give my days meaning and keep me moving forward with confidence.
iv. My Mental State Affects my Health and Well-being
I’ve noticed that during periods of stress or anxiety, especially when I’ve faced multiple problems at once, my body reacts; I get sick, or unexpected health issues appear. For example, there was a time when I was under constant pressure, I suddenly developed persistent headaches and fatigue. It took me some time to realize that my mental state was playing a big role in my physical health. Once I understood this connection, I made a conscious effort to keep my mind calm and focused, even in difficult situations. This shift in my thinking not only improved my mood but also helped me recover and maintain better overall health.
v. My Visions and Ideals Are Seeds of My Future
I hold onto the vision of a life where I feel free, respected, and able to pursue my passions. Even if today things feel tough or unfair, I know that by keeping that vision alive in my heart, I am slowly moving closer to it. The example of the youth who worked hard despite poverty reminds me that growth and transformation are possible for me too.
vi. Calmness and Self-Control Give Me Strength
By nature, I’m a calm person and rarely react impulsively. Losing control isn’t something I’m inclined to do. However, sometimes anxiety does take over, maybe not visibly, and it clouds my judgment, making it hard to think clearly. When that happens, I remind myself to practice calmness and remember that I’m capable of it. By doing so, I find I can face challenges with greater wisdom and strength.
vii. Sacrifice Is Part of Achieving My Goals
I’ve realized that if I want to change my life, I have to be willing to give up some comforts or old ways of thinking. For example, applying for jobs in a new city means stepping out of my comfort zone and dealing with uncertainty, but I understand that this sacrifice is necessary for my growth. It’s hard, but it motivates me to keep pushing forward.
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 will help me in a practical way because they have already changed how I see myself and how I face challenges. I now understand that my thoughts are not just private feelings, they shape my mood, my actions, and even my health. There have been times when I let stress and anxiety take over, and I ended up feeling physically sick. Realizing that my state of mind was part of the cause pushed me to make a conscious effort to keep my thoughts calm and focused, and I noticed real improvements in my well-being.
In my daily life, this means I now try to pause before reacting. If I catch myself spiraling into negative thinking, I stop, take a breath, and ask myself how I can see the situation differently. This small shift allows me to respond more wisely, and not let temporary emotions control my decisions. It also makes me more patient with people, because I remember that they too are shaped by their own thoughts and struggles.
On a larger scale, living with purpose and self-control has an effect beyond me. When I remain calm and collected, even in stressful moments, it creates a sense of stability for those around me. I’ve seen how my own calmness can make others feel more at ease. That’s why I believe improving myself is one of the best ways I can contribute to creating a better world.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.”
This stood out to me because it’s a reminder that growth starts when I stop blaming circumstances or people and start taking responsibility for how I respond to life. I’ve had moments where I felt frustrated or unfairly treated, but dwelling on that never helped me move forward. When I shift my focus to understanding what I can learn from the situation and how I can improve myself, I feel more in control and at peace.
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?
“In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Chance is not.”
I partly disagree with this. While I believe effort plays a huge role in success, I also think there’s always an element of chance in life. Some people are simply born into situations that give them more opportunities than others. As Bourdieu explains, factors like family heritage, social capital, and the environment we grow up in strongly influence our path. For example, someone born into a wealthy, well-connected family may have access to education, resources, and networks that others have to struggle to reach. That doesn’t mean effort doesn’t matter, it does, but luck and starting conditions can make the journey easier or harder.
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?
The book does not contain explicit exercises. However, we can draw inspiration from its ideas like setting aside time each day to observe my thoughts, pausing to reframe negative patterns, and reflecting on how changes in my thinking affect my actions and results.
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.
Nothing.
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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Inas Ouafi (Morocco).
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of the book is that true freedom come from pursuing personal excellence, self-discovery and spiritual growth rather than simply conforming to society expectations. The story uses the metaphor of a seagull who wants to master flying for the pure joy of it to illustrate the importance of following your passion, breaking free from limiting beliefs to realize your highest potential. Ultimately, it’s about living authentically and understanding that heaven is a state of being not a physical place external reward.
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. Pursue your passion, not just survival
I’ve realized that doing something just to get by or meet other’s expectations doesn’t bring satisfaction. After high school, since I had studied mathematics, it seemed logical to continue in the engineering field, so I enrolled in an engineering program. But after just one week of college, I realized this was not the path I wanted for my future. At the last minute, I made the difficult decision to change my major. Choosing a field that I truly love and that challenges me has made my academic journey far more meaningful, even during the most difficult moments.
ii. Break free from limiting beliefs
The story shows that true growth requires breaking mental chains, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Sometimes, I’ve doubted myself or felt stuck because of fear or what others expected. But, when I pushed myself to try new skills or move out of my comfort zone, I discovered I was capable of more than I thought.
iii. Perfection is a journey, not a destination
I used to feel frustrated when I couldn’t master a new skill right away, which often led me to give up. Over time, I realized that true mastery takes patience, practice, and continuous effort. I don’t have to be perfect on the first try, what matters is being consistent. I’ve learned that the real joy lies in the learning process itself, not just in reaching the end goal. Because Practice is the key to success. No matter how difficult or tricky the skill is, it becomes easier with time. The more you practice, the more familiar you become with it.
iv. True freedom comes from within
The Elder Gull says that heaven isn’t a place but a state of being, and I completely agree. A few months ago, I experienced moments when I couldn’t enjoy anything — even though, from the outside, it seemed like I had every reason to be happy. In reality, I was not at peace with myself. I felt depressed because I hadn’t reached my goals, and everything seemed off. Eventually, I decided to take action and work to change my situation. I realized it’s not about what you have or where you are, but about focusing on what you can control and what truly brings you joy. That’s when you begin to find your own “heaven.”
v. I just want to know what I can do un the air and what I can’t.
This means pushing boundaries to discover my true potential whole also accepting my limits. When I was applying for jobs in my field, I faced many rejections at first. It was discouraging, but each attempt taught me more about my strengths and the areas I needed to improve. I learned that the goal isn’t to avoid failure, but to explore my abilities fully, to know how far I can go and where I still need to grow.
vi. We can lift ourselves out of ignorance
Jonathan shows that ignorance isn’t permanent, it’s a choice to stop learning. I’ve had moments in my life where I felt stuck simply because I didn’t know how to move forward, like when I first started learning English. At first, I hated the language simply because I couldn’t understand it, and I felt overwhelmed by not knowing the right way to approach it. But one day, when my favorite author released a new book in a series and I couldn’t find it in French, I decided to challenge myself. I began forcing myself to read and watch TV in English, alongside taking online courses. I soon realized that Knowledge was the key to progress. The more I learned, the more confident I became, and the less intimidating the language felt.
vii. Don’t Lose Yourself Trying to Fit In
There have been times when I tried to act like everyone else just to be accepted. For example, after my master’s graduation, I noticed that many of my friends and people my age were settling down and starting jobs even if it wasn’t their dream just because “it’s the time to settle down.” At every gathering, I faced criticism and constant questions about my job search. Some even told me to accept jobs outside my field, change my plan entirely, or choose a “more compliant” path just so I wouldn’t be the unemployed friend. But I knew that wasn’t my plan. I’ve always dreamed big, and I refuse to settle for less than I deserve or take a job just to fit in with my peers. Staying true to my vision might take longer, but it’s the only way I’ll feel fulfilled. I realized that pretending to be someone I’m not was only holding me back. Staying true to myself, even if it makes me different, is far more rewarding than blending in for the sake of approval.
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 lessons from this book help me see that freedom and growth start with myself. In daily life, it reminds me to focus on what I can control, my thoughts, my actions, and my choices, instead of worrying about what others expect or what seems “normal.” It encourages me to keep learning, even when it’s hard, and to enjoy the process instead of only looking at the result.
These ideas also influence how I interact with others. By understanding myself better, I can be more patient, supportive, and positive with people around me. I can help others see their potential, instead of letting limits or fears hold them back.
On a larger scale, applying these lessons can create a better world because progress starts with individuals who are committed to learning, growing, and helping others grow too. Even small actions, like encouraging someone or sharing knowledge, can make life freer and more meaningful for more people.
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.
One quote that stood out to me was: “You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”
This struck me because sometimes I feel like my plans are limited by circumstances or by what people expect from me. This line reminded me that freedom starts with my own mindset. Even if the outside world is full of rules or limits, I can still choose how I think, what I focus on, and how I act toward my goals.
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?
There wasn’t much I didn’t understand in the book because the author used a very clear and symbolic style. However, I sometimes found myself wondering if the story makes it sound too easy to break free from limits. In real life, it’s not always a matter of simply deciding to fly higher, there are responsibilities, financial pressures, and social expectations that can make it harder.
I also felt unsure about the part where Jonathan completely leaves his flock at first. While I understand the idea of focusing on your own growth, I believe it’s possible to improve yourself without cutting ties so suddenly. In my view, personal growth and staying connected to your community can go together.
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?
Nothing.
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.
Nothing.
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? 7
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8