Antionette Carter – Assessments

As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

In this book, the main point is that we are literally what we think. The beliefs we have about ourselves and others are the very thing that makes up our reality on a personal level. No matter the nature of our thoughts, whether they are good or bad, we bring about what we think about. We have full control of this human experience and no one else holds the power but yourself. Even the thoughts and feelings you have about others turn out just to be projected thoughts we have about ourselves. There are no coincidences in life, everything is in perfect order as the universe and law of attraction are always consistent. In order to enhance our lives we must first master our minds. We must learn and accept that we in fact are not the mind and that the mind is just a tool meant to use for our advantage for the purpose of creating! With that knowledge we may become aware of the nature of our thoughts and began to take control of out outer world. What you see is what you believe! Have faith, think and expect the most high and it will be.

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 man is made and unmade by himself.”

That statement really made me think deep into my own thoughts and comparing my thought pattern to my physical reality. Depending on where you are on your journey in this life, it can be pretty scary to finally understand that you have been the only one responsible for the good and the bad that makes up the circumstances of your life. Even further, how can you now even proceed with life the same? With the knowledge comes responsibility. Either way you choose though now will be a conscious choice. It is life changing information, whether you decide to get in the game of life or not. You have not the power to stop creating! This is what you were born to do!

ii. “Man is always the Master.”

I like this point because it also makes you have to think. When we hear the word “master” we automatically associate that with skill, perfection, right? In this case we are the masters of our reality whether we are skilled at it or not. our very thoughts are our reality! The emotions behind those thoughts are the fuel. Knowing this, I thought to myself, why not take control of the inevitable? Why not get in on the creating of your own life? There is no higher reason for living, in my opinion of course.

iii. There is no element of chance.

We bring about what we think about, everything in our reality was created by our subconscious mind. All that we see is a projection of our very thoughts, manifested in the physical. Thoughts and emotions become things, and people and circumstances! In my personal life, I could literally see that my thoughts about myself manifested in the way other people were treating me!

iv. With practice we can take control of our thoughts and emotions and in return our physical reality, including the state of our bodies!

he encouraging thing about all of this to me is knowing that we all have the power to do this. Just like any other goal this to is attainable. It is our natural state of being. It is the very reason we chose to be here in this place at this time. To learn to use and control our minds!

v. Be present in the now.

How being present in the now is o important to the creating of the future. Every moment is an opportunity for creating, every situation is a opportunity for learning about yourself and others. Being engaged and present in the moment allows you to get the meaning out each moment in life. One practice that I have found to be beneficial in settling into the now is meditation.

vi. The physical signs the body reveals about the thoughts and beliefs we have about ourselves and others, and the emotions that fuel them.

Beliefs are only thoughts that we make habit of thinking and emotions are feelings we keep feeling. From the lines in our faces to the sickness that form inside our bodies, all were brought about in harmony with the way we think and feel over a period of time. This point has been a real challenge for me. We are our own biggest critics. I am learning that the harder I am on myself the harder it is for me to give others a break. We are all on our personal journeys! No judgment necessary!

vii. With this knowledge is enlightenment and a source of empowerment for everyone to learn and appreciate.

We all have the power to master the skill of controlling the mind. I am actively and eagerly learning more about this process and in return myself and others.

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 lessons are definitely already helping me in my day to day life. It gives me peace to know that I have control of my reality through thought and emotion. I love knowing that I have the choice of what I want to create and what I put my awareness on. I have yet to master the skill but am proud to stay that I am on a steady road of progress and I know that I will be successful! In the moment I master and practice this knowledge I will no sooner run and shout to the hills my own personal blueprint to freedom!
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.

“He that seeketh, findeth.”

I am inspired by this because it gives me faith that with practice I will reach the ultimate goal of mastering my emotions and directing my thoughts in a way that enhances my life and the lives that I impact. This very statement is a motto that I have adopted to live by! It keeps me on track in the knowing that the universal laws are consistent and will never fail, and in that case I can not fail! Anything that we seek to learn is on the inside of us. We have everything we need. All we have to do is ask and the answer will come, but with faith! Faith in ourselves brings the power of the universe to our fingertips.

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 were no points in the book that I did not understand. The book was simply put and a easy read.

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 in the book to complete. I think the overall message of the book should be a practice we apply to our everyday lives.

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.

There are no additional comments I would like to make in regards to the content of this book.

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 Antionette Carter (USA/MO)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea being conveyed in this book is that we all have a greater purpose for our lives and it is our own personal responsibility to find out just what that is. Although it may be in our comfort zone to blend in, our true happiness comes from the expression of the creation of our true destiny. We must not dare to be afraid to stand out and be different, for this is where we find the blueprint of the soul’s desire. We are far more powerful than we sometimes give ourselves credit. We oftentimes allow others opinions and fears to carve out false beliefs which create obstacles for success. If we are brave enough to follow our dreams and to be authentic to self, we will without question inspire ourselves and in return inspire others to do the same. Being different will cause others to fear and even judge you but we have to remember that we all have our own guidance system within and what is right for one can never be right for all! No one can be you, no one can fulfill your destiny but you! The understanding that there is always room for expansion, there is always something to learn! We are never done improving. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the individual ride of eternity and drown out all the naysayers. Know that as you follow your heart the onlookers will soon be amazed with your fearlessness and will want to know your secret. Be the way maker!

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 examples from your own life.

i. There is always a better way!

We were born to strive for excellence. We are here to be the best version of ourselves. One example for how this personally applies to my life is how I am learning that I am more than my reality. I am the creator of such! In my personal life I have come to the realization that power through action and words is the equivalent of manipulation, but my true power comes from the evolution of the mind and the control of my emotions. I have discovered a better way and a higher way of thinking.

ii. We can learn from others, from those that have already walked the path.

Learning comes from the difference we see in others. If we can learn to embrace the differences and adopt them for our own growth we will continue to evolve and thrive in the beauty of contrast. In my personal affairs I have learned so much from different people and their cultures. The contrast in the way they do things has provided me with many different perspectives and understandings. Learning from others gave me the advantage of having a multifaceted perspective on things I once had a closed mind or fixed ideas about.

iii. Never give up!

No matter how many times you fail, there will soon come a time of success. Each time you fail is just a step closer to who you really are. It’s training for perfection! When I first started learning about the power of the mind, one of my first tasks was to learn how to meditate. It was difficult for me, I even had thoughts that I would never get it. The determination to connect with my source was dominant in which case I kept trying. I did not let my false perception of failure stop me. It took me almost a year to master the art of meditation. All of my attempts were not in vain, but a set up for my success. Now that I have reached this level of accomplishment I will never go back. Only forward!

iv. Simply be fearless!

Fear is just a false sense of perception. I had a son at the age of 14 years old. Everyone around me was fearful of my future but the love I had for my child was stronger than any fear! I raised him and now he is 24 years old. A fearless man! We are now doing our spiritual work together.

v. Subtle changes can yield major results.

We often over think our next step, or our paths to success. When we can commit to small adjustments, big things can happen. For example, while learning to meditate I found that with one small adjustment of embracing my thoughts rather than trying to get rid of them took me on a journey of success.

vi. There is a reason for life!

A reason more than just surviving and following the pack. The reason is learning, loving and discovery. Discovery of oneself and the discovery of others. The loving of life and the joy of loving. The learning of the union between mind and heart. I have been blessed to be inspired to learn. I am now discovering myself and who I truly am and what’s truly important

vii. The journey is never done.

There is always a higher level of awareness. There will always be room for improvement. This point reminds me to be kind to myself on this journey, to be patient with myself and always acknowledge my progress forward. No matter the lesson there on the other side lies a greater one! Pace yourself!

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?

All of these ideas I am already in practice of including in my day to day life in every aspect. The ideas in this book gave me further confirmation and inspiration that I am on the right track. It is not an easy feet to accomplish reprogramming the mind and being in control of your own destiny but it is one of the most important things I have ever done. Because it is so important to me and has already started to change my life in so many ways I want to teach others especially the youth about what I learned and how I was successful in my journey of discovery of self. I feel that one of the most pressing issues is the lack of oneself. With the power of that knowledge and how to apply it to life there are no longer any obstacles to overcome. There will only be left limitless volution and happiness for all!

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 gull see’s furthest, who flies highest.”

This quote was so profound for me because this is what I have been learning to apply in my daily affairs. For so long I thought that my way was the only way. Though that process turned out to be a defense mechanism that never seemed to really protect. I have recently learned that through higher consciousness is the only real map to freedom. There is so much more to life than survival. We all seem to fight for power only to be left powerless. True and sustainable power comes from within and once that power is obtained it can never be taken away. The view from the tip top of the mountain is far more expansive than the perception from the ground. It is the duty for each one of us to from a caterpillar, to evolve into that beautiful butterfly and never to forget to enjoy and embrace the cacoon in the middle. “The breakthrough” also makes me smile everytime I think about the word. Just like Jonathan I thought that everyone would be lining up to hear about such an epiphany! I too thought that yes, I have discovered something that no one can deny, it is the answer, the key to life! I quickly learned that is it only when the student is ready does the teacher appears. So in other words, we all are touched by the “breakthrough” by true hearts desire and not a moment before!

5. Is there anything in book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so why?

The book was well written and simply conveyed. I was really able to apply the concept of the book to so many areas of my own life. I agree with the point of the book and hope that more people are able to adopt and practice some of the same concepts.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete. If so, did you find all of them helpful?

There were no exercises in this book to complete per say. I think there is a lesson to apply, which is to always stirve for exellence and never settle for less.

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.

There are not any other points that I wish to point out. I did enjoy the content of the book and look forward to reading more like this one. I see for our future that one day this type of content would be more standardized in the education of our youth!

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

PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea this book was trying to convey speaks to the fact that we are what we think. The most important task for us all to undertake is to program our subconscious minds with fruitful and positive thoughts. All that we see in our reality is directly the result of how and what we are thinning about ourselves and others. Change your inner thoughts and your outer world will reflect that very change. It is through repetition and unwavering determination that we can accomplish the goal of controlling the mind and in return our reality. How we think of ourselves is how we operate in life. When we place limits on our abilities they become locked away and it is our responsibility to discover and unlock our true powers which are limitless and without bounds. We are affected by the negative thoughts and opinions of others but more importantly we tend to adopt those opinions as our own. The real work is to reject those beliefs and replace them with new and empowered ones!

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 old can be modified by our present thinking.

Everything that we experience is in the now. When the past was now, your vibration was not the same as it in the present now. Circumstances and time has evolved and so have you. When you think about the past in the present moment you are also offering your present vibration. When we can change the way we look at thing that happen to us, we change the way we feel about it. If you can look at past failures as necessary steps towards your success you can change the negative emotion and patterns developed around that subject in your subconscious mind. I had a difficult relationship with my mother for many years. I could not see a solution for the relationship to grow. I needed an apology that she was not willing to give and because of that I refused to forgive her for what I had felt she had done to me. Now on my journey to freedom I have come to realize that she had really done nothing more than be the master teacher in my life, the very fuel to the flame of my fire! If not for the hard lessons would I be who I am today. Everything is working for our good, always!

ii. We age not by years but by events in life and how we react to them.

Acting from anger, stress, fear and any other low vibrational emotion is hard on the body and manifest sickness and poor quality of life. Just by staying calm and having faith that all is well is enough to preserve the body. No medication or surgery is more efficient in healing and maintaining the body than Universal life force energy! That energy freely flows when the body and mind is without stress. In my own life I have witnessed myself heal things like hair loss and a aching back just by relaxing and feeling better. I have also gone to mend relationships that were seemingly doomed. The subconscious mind is a powerful tool!

iii. The subconscious mind is not bias, it takes in information and creates by the laws of the universe. I am currently working on the information I am feeding to my subconscious mind. It is a task of repetition and patience! One thing that helps me be nice to myself is the fact that I know that I am giving 80 percent of my attention to evolving my mind and in return my life. We are not perfect, just aiming to be so! This is a journey rather a destination. Enjoy the forever ride!

iv. The author talked about how the opinion of one’s outer appearance only changes with the inner opinion of one’s self image.

I like this point because it gives me the power to know that I am in control. In control of how I see myself and how others see me. Reading this book really inspired me to evaluate my own self image and was able to uncover some things about myself that I didn’t exactly see before. This gave me the foundation to do even deeper work on my self image and to eliminate any obstacle on my mental path.

v. We can only understand our internal workings by the external models we build. In other words, what we are seeing, feeling, tasting and touching are all external vibrational interpretations of what we have created in our minds. Our beliefs, our limitations and our successes all come from the way we feel about ourselves and the world around us.

vi. Replace negative emotions with positive new one’s Me personally, has found it pretty difficult to change an emotion that I have been feeling for years on a certain subject.

I have also found it effective to rewrite the story based on my new perspective and in return change the feeling and pattern of thought on that very same situation.

vii. If you can remember, worry or tie your shoes, you can be successful in learning the teachings of psycho cybernetics!

Whew! Isn’t that a great thing to know? It is for me. I sometimes think to myself, “have you got in over your head?” No! I can do this, we can do this. I remind myself that this is my nature, who I really am. This book was confirmation of just that.

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?

In the most profound way, the section of the book that talked about our self image was mind shifting for me. It gave me basis to look into myself deeper and better understand the workings of me and where it all started. It also gave e practical tools and exercises to use to further sharpen my skills. This very work of information is what I inspire to share with others in a way that can be received even by children. In a creative way I want to incorporate these teachings in a curriculum for our youth and began a new way of education the future leaders of our 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.

The quote that caught my attention was, “Don’t try to get rid of the butterflies in your stomach, just make sure they fly in formation.”

This was a freeing statement for me because it assured me that being nervous is ok just persist. Nervousness is not a sign of failure but start of success. We are going to have some flutters about the new. If we start to associate those flutter with positive emotions we can transcend the false sense of fear.

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 understood the book perfectly. It offered simple suggestions and was easy to comprehend.

6. Did the book contain any exercises for the reader to complete. If so, did you complete all of exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes, the book contained several exercises. I did complete all of them and plan to continue to work with them ongoing. I made a note of the exercises that most interested me to further study and master and then someday teach.

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 don’t have any additional comments pertaining to this book.

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

Awkaken the Giant Within
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main point the author is trying to convey in this book is that you can do anything you put your mind to if you believe that it can be accomplished. By understanding the motives behind our actions we began to understand the path our lives are headed. With mental, emotional and physical control, anything you desire can be realized. This lays out specific processes to trigger you to find answers that are already on the inside of you, that will push you forward in creating a new life for yourself. Reading this book gives you strategies to help you reach the success we all desire.

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 most powerful way to shape our lives is to take action.

Every direction leads to an ultimate destination. What we do constantly is what shapes our lives, not the things we do occasionally. This point speaks to creating new habits and replacing the old ones that dis-empower you. Habits are formed from beliefs that have stemmed from consistent thought on a subject. Just by changing the way we think, we can change our whole lives. I have been personally working with this concept for about six months consistently in my own life and the results have been amazing to watch! Just with the change in belief that I was destined to live a hard life had allowed me so much freedom and peace within. It has allowed me to realize opportunities in my life that I would have never even thought of on my own. Our beliefs can cage us or free us, we have the ability to choose. The decisions we make shape our future, not our conditions.

ii. Once a belief is accepted, it becomes an unquestioned command to our nervous system.

So basically the body follows all commands accepted by the subconscious mind. The author talked about studies where people under hypnosis changed physical and mental traits depending on who and what they believed themselves to be. The power of our beliefs is superior to all perceived problems. I heard a quote once that has stayed with me and made a big impact on how I believe life to work. The quote says “She believed she as the greatest, and so she was!” I feel blessed to have come across this information.

iii. How pain and pleasure shapes all of our behaviors.

What we associate pain with we will avoid at all cost and whatever we associate pleasure with, we will do anything to get it. Oftentimes we associate things that give us false pleasure, or temporary satisfaction. In this case it is beneficial for us to know the difference between means values and ends values. Means values are things we do to reach the end goals. The end state of mind is the emotions you are wanting to achieve by the means values. For example, we all have the desire for money, why is that. What is it that money provides? For me it would be freedom, peace and security for myself and all those around me. With that knowledge I want to make choices and put myself in environments that make those states of mind possible. We don’t need the money to feel those emotions.

iv. It talks about identifying the most important emotions to you, what emotions do you most enjoy experiencing.

This will give you a map of what decisions are right for you. One of the most important emotions for me is freedom. Because I have identified this I now have a better understanding of what environments and situations will bring this more and more into my life everyday.

v. Worry does not empower one’s actions but dis-empower.

The goal is not to ignore problems that may come up in life but to put ourselves in a better mental state to solve any problems that we may come up against. We can take control of our lives. We should never spend more than 10 percent of our time on any problem and 90 percent of our time in the state of solution. The same way you can create a problem you can solve it. The belief that we can handle anything is the key. I used to glorify the fact that I was a worrier. That’s just what I did. It didn’t feel good but I thought that worrying about things proved that it was important to me. I thought it was just a part of the process. I now know that worrying only slowed me down and caused me to make decisions that only prolonged my success.

vi. Ask yourself questions that provide the key to unlocking our greatest potential.

We have the choice to question our doubts and fears. Most of the time these emotions are not valid and are only beliefs from past interpretations of events. New experiences create change. We all ought to step out of our comfort zones to create new circumstances and interpretations in our lives. Start asking yourself does this cause pleasure or pain? Is this thought empowering or not? In my own life, I have found it fun to play a game with myself. I compartmentalize my thoughts at the end of the night and determine which are fear based and which ones are a representation of who I really am. Over time I have gotten better with detaching from thoughts and emotions that don’t serve me.

vii. That living is giving.

This point means so much to me. I have found great pleasure in giving of myself in any way I can. Even when I feel like I can’t make it another day, helping someone realize they can gives me purpose. It gives me fight. I have always said that the birth of my son saved my life. I was such a broken child with nothing to live for. The universe gave me a son at 14. The desire to give him a life filled with love gave me a reason to live and to live well. I now have a new desire to share myself with the world. To be an inspiration to others through my own experiences and triumphs. I didn’t know it before but it is so clear to me now that the reason for my life is to give of myself as God has so graciously given unto me!

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way both in your daily personal life and in helping you create a better world. If so, how?

These lessons will enhance my life in a way of helping me identify what is valuable to me and creating a map to live by those values. Like the author stated, those that know their values and live by them are the leaders of our society. I think it is a valuable and necessary tool to know where your life is headed. This is the only way we make clear decisions about who we are and what we stand for. When one is aware of their worth nothing can stand in the way of their success. By simply following my heart I will be an inspiration for others to do the same. I will be the change I would like to see in the 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.

One of the statements that really caught my attention in this book is “Each of us sees in another what we carry in our own hearts.”

I love this statement because it requires all of us to check ourselves. It eliminates the illusion that others are separate from us. We are all one. As we improve our own self image we will improve the outlook we have on the world. We will have a greater understanding of one another and the motives that drives our actions. To judge another is only to judge yourself. I think the greatest service that any of us can offer the world is self awareness.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about or are there ideas which you disagree with? If so, why?

There is nothing in the book that was unclear to me. It was an enjoyable valuable read.

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, the book did contain several exercises to complete. I did complete the some of the exercises and am in process of completing the ten day exercise suggested. I actually started incorporating a bit of these practice previous to reading this book. Abraham Hicks has been a great guide in my growth and suggest some of these same techniques. I am pleased to see some of the same information from so many different sources. It confirms that I am on the right track!

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 have no further comments in regard to this book.

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

 

Creating your Path through Leadership
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea of this book is to highlight the benefits and inspirations behind the creation and curriculum of IIGL teachings through the eyes of students, staff and donors. It also gave others the opportunity to share the journey and success of the students and graduates. In this book, the various entries gave personal insight and experiences to give the reader an inside look into how IIGL has and can impact one’s life in great ways, on the journey to become influential community leaders and teachers. IIGL has proven to be an asset to the building of community leaders and continues to grow in its reach. Anyone will benefit from this program. I am blessed to have been introduced to these studies.

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. Get a mentor. A mentor can be very important to one’s growth on the journey of self realization. Many times when we have a goal in mind there is someone that has already done it and can shed light on our own journey. A mentor can teach you in a single moment what it takes a lifetime to learn. Mentors don’t have to be older or in an superior position. Mentors can come from all walks of life. In my own life I have found children to be an inspiration and even mentors in my life. In the way that they explore life and expect the best, they are the best teachers!

ii. That leaders are lifelong learners.

We never get to a point were we can’t learn anymore. Life is eternal, therefore we can never really get it done. Knowing that we can never get it done has given me peace, helped me have patience. There is no need to rush. There is great benefit in savoring the lesson. There is a saying that I like that goes “When the student is ready, the teacher appears and when the teacher is ready, the student appears.” I like this saying because it shows the constant cycle of teaching and learning.

iii. The power of effective communication.

Good communication is an art. The ability to communicate successfully determines 85 percent of your success. Being able to communicate in a certain way can persuade others and heal nations. Being able to communicate properly brings peace and clarity to situations. I have taken great interest in successful communication. I feel that in the direction I am headed my ability to communicate is vital to my success and to the success of others. I have taken time to invest in public speaking training and mentorships to enhance my skill.

iv. It states that leadership is the process of influencing the activities of an organized group towards achievement.

I personally believe this to be true. I have discovered through my own walk of life that as I get more proficient in any area of my life I naturally attract others looking for guidance in that area.

v. The moment you start living your life for you, you began the journey of true happiness.

This point is so important to me because it confirms my decision to follow my heart. I have lived a long time doing things just because I thought it would be approved by society and even the people that are important to me. I came to the realization that living for me is the greatest gift I can offer the world. Being my best self and living as an example for others to do the same is true happiness for me.

vi. Personal development helps a man go the extra mile.

Often times we don’t know our true potential. Some never even figure out what they really want in life. Learning of your true value and natural capabilities can be the start of the confidence to push you forward. Going the extra mile becomes possible for the one who believes in himself and willing to shape one’s character on the journey to self awareness. I am eager to continue to mold my own character with the tools and concepts I have obtained through this program and other sources.

vii. Your present situation is not your final destination!

This is one of the most powerful statement that anyone can accept to be true. We all find ourselves in situations that may not be ideal. The good news is that nothing is set in stone, all things are transformable. The better news is that we have the complete control over the direction we want our lives to go. With unwavering faith and belief in yourself anything is possible. Your current situation is just an opportunity for you to take score of where you are mentally and to form a plan to reach your goals. I have found that appreciating where you are is the key to having a future worth appreciating. The journey is just as important as the 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?

These lessons are at the core of any level of success. I feel that the concepts I have learned are life changing. I will never be the same. I am now a strong thinker and planner. I am aware of my value and what’s important to me. I have clarity on what my purpose is in this life and how to get it. All of this new perspective comes from the consistent, simple concepts offered in this program. I am pleased to know that anyone can become successful because there is a blueprint for us all to follow. We all have success born into us, with practice we can become who we are truly meant to be. All of us have the ability to make the world a better place by making ourselves better. The best you is best for the world. To shine your light bright enough for all to see is a true honor to God.

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 most important statement that I read in this book was “The key to life is imagination”. This is such freeing information for me! To know that I can change my world in an instant if I can imagine it. The biggest fear I had was to be a failure in life, to reach a cap that I could not push through. Since studying the laws of the universe that fear has practically left my awareness. I am now confident in my future. I now know the power of my mind and the importance around learning how to use it to properly shape my life. I have been feeling like I am in a dream that never ends. I am now living a life of magic and favor. The way God intended!

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 am in agreement with everything I have read in this book and all the book previous in level one! Level one was essential to my growth and expansion and brought together so many of my scattered thoughts and ideas.

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 a few passive suggestions the authors of this book made for one’s self improvement. I am pleased to say, yes, I have completed all of the 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 would like to just say thank you to everyone that contributed to the contents of this book. It was very inspirational. I look forward to completing my studies and sharing my experience!

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

 

How to Win Friends and Influence People
Assessment by Antionette Carter

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea of this book is to become interested in other people. To be successful we have to learn to appreciate others and make other people feel important about their contribution to the world. Anyone can talk about themselves but it takes one of great character to listen to what is important to other people.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally 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 ability to deal with people is as purchasable as milk and sugar.

Many of us lack the knowledge of how to deal with others properly, it is a rare commodity when one does. The way we relate to others is directly tied to how successful in life we are. I have realized in my own affairs that the more I am able to relate and have compassion for other people the more willing they are to have compassion for me. Two people can have the same level of skill and the one with the ability to deal with others will experience far more ease and success on his journey.

ii. Before trying to improve someone else, first improve yourself.

I am a strong believer in becoming the change you want to see. I find that most issues we find in others are unresolved issues that we have within. The universe has a funny way of helping us reconcile the negative emotions and thoughts we are having on the inside of us. When we can rectify these issues from within they disappear from our outer experience. I have noticed that when I enter my day with a positive attitude, all things that come to me are in a positive light.

iii. It takes character to have understanding instead of condemning others.

I feel that having understanding for others is simply having an understanding of self. We have all been in similar situations and can relate to a lot of the things that we all go through. To have the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is an art. It takes for one to remember where they once were and respect the journey since then. To take a moment and consider another person’s point of view is often the bridge between a problem and a solution. No one likes to be condemned, although one may be wrong, it is hard to admit when being ridiculed or criticized. When dealing with my own children I have noticed that when I can offer them understanding instead of scolding them we reach agreements quickly. When I allow them the freedom to speak and to express without judgment they are almost always honest with me. This type of interaction has made communication between my children and I open and safe.

iv. The deepest urge for any human being is to feel important.

We all want to make our contribution to the world. We all just want to be heard and understood. I worked in the insurance industry for about ten years and one of the main things that we learned was to always address our clients by their names. I also used to write down each client’s birthday and send them a birthday card each year. I was delighted to read that Dale Carnagy used a method similar to this! My clients were always so happy to get the card in the mail. This simple act allowed me to create relationships with my customers that still are intact today!

v. Become interested in other people.

This point ties in perfectly with the previous one. Being interested in others allows them the chance to shine, it lets them open up to you. The most important person to everyone is themselves! The greatest way to get something that you want from someone is to in return give them what they want. The reason we all do anything is because we want something from it. Finding out what interests people makes them feel important, it allows them to feel heard. I have recently been doing some work with something called birth cards. It is comparable to tarot but a bit different. When I first started out I was uncomfortable marketing this way of reading. First, because I was new at it and second because it is so personal to one’s character. After a short time I noticed how much people loved hearing about them! Whether it was good or bad, people all loved the information that made up them! I also enjoy telling people about who they truly are.

vi. People rarely succeed at anything unless they are having fun!

Life is supposed to be fun. When you do what you love you are pleasing God. When we are doing the things we love, burnout is not a factor, we can do it forever and never get tired. I have been trying to find the fun in all things I do. When I say trying, I mean that because there was a time that I could not even think of what was fun to me. I am learning to be lighthearted in life, to not take things too seriously. I have found that being in this state has allowed me to meet so many great people and have experiences that I would have never had before.

vii. A smile costs nothing but creates much.

Another thing we learned in the insurance business was that people can hear a smile over the phone. It was true! I noticed that on the days I would come into work not in the best mood my customers could tell even over the phone. The days I came in ready to work and a smile on my face, my sales and interactions with others were proof of the smile on my face. Smiling is not just for you, oftentimes a smiling face is what gets a person through a trying day.

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?

I know that using the concepts and principles in this book will propel my relations with people. The points the author made regarding not criticizing others and how to be understanding and relatable to lead. This is the character I will strive to attain for myself. This is the type of person that I myself would respect. As I stated before, become the change that you would like to see in the world. I love the concepts of this book and I know it is an asset to my self image to adopt these principles. To embody these concepts is to be a powerful leader and teacher. I want to be someone that is an inspiration to others and with these concepts I know I can’t go wrong!

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 statement that really hit home for me was “Don’t be afraid of the enemies that attack you, be afraid of the friends that flatter you.”

Flattery is inauthentic and appreciation is authentic. No one likes to be flattered, lied to. Honesty is an attractive character trait everyone should have. Oftentimes when people are trying to flatter you, they have ulterior motives. At least you are expecting the enemies attack! Flattery can be sensed and so can appreciation. I think it serves the world far better if we all learned the art of appreciation!

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 were no ideas in this book that I disagree with. The book clearly delivered the concepts and they are easy for anyone to understand and adopt.

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 did not really have any exercises to complete but it did have some suggested reading for the reader. I jotted down the names of the books for future reference.

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 have no further comments pertaining to this book.

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? 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? 10

Keys to Success
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author was trying to convey was that there is a sure way to success. We all can be successful if we truly put our minds to it. Like any other goal, being successful takes practice and formula. When we create a plan and stick to success is inevitable, failure is always a delusion. Most people are not successful in life because they never figure out what their definite chief aim is. They never lock down what the purpose of their lives are. Going through life without a goal is the number one reason we fail to reach success. So let me correct myself and say that the Only way to fail is to not try at all! We are only limited by the restraints we put on ourselves. Taking clear action towards the things you want in life is the only way to do it, we first have to make the choice to be free thinkers and bold action takers.

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. Being enthusiastic about life.

Controlled enthusiasm is like fuel to any goal. It is our responsibility to adopt a Main purpose in life and to be enthusiastic about it! The more enthusiasm you direct into the world the better you are attracting what you want. In my own life I have noticed that the more passion I have for the projects I want to bring forth the more I attract to me the people and resources I need to bring the vision forth. As I show enthusiasm about what I have learned, others match my same enthusiasm and want to be involved in what I have to offer and/or feel drawn to learn about my same subjects of interest.

ii. Emotion without reason is a dreadful enemy.

We have emotions to feel them. Emotions are our very guidance system in this material world. We have been trained to label our emotions good or bad, positive or negative. When really we have the right to feel through all emotions without judgment. It is when we use our emotions without reason that we begin to run into problems in our lives. This can be corrected by just sizing your emotions up to your reasoning capabilities. I have come to notice in my own life that in any situation my calm, still demeanor allows me to be able to quickly and efficiently find solutions. I have learned that being in an angry state never allows me the freedom of problem solving. In all actuality in the state of anger I experience things getting worse before they get better.

iii. Time is our most precious asset.

We all have the same 24 hours in a day but we don’t all use that time the same. In my opinion the greatest thing you can spend your time doing is the study of self. The more time spent learning of self, the better equipped one is to navigate properly in this world. Learning self translates to the study of all. I have found that the more deeply I understand myself and the motives behind my actions the more I am able to have compassion for those around me and even the circumstances I may find myself in. The time I have spent on self study has proven to be priceless and has added true value to my life.

iv. Accurate thinkers permit no one to think for them.

I found this point to be so powerful because we are so often trained away from the power of thinking for ourselves. Society has taught us that being different is a negative thing. Reading and accepting this point was empowering to my life. I have always been different and I have always thought in a way that was not always accepted by others! I know now that my way of thinking is mine! My unique way of interpreting things is the very art of my expression. Without my contribution of thought the world would be short of my greatness! We are all here to contribute to the whole.

v. What you think today is what you become tomorrow.

This point ties in to the point we talked about regarding time. The amount of time you spend imagining the best for yourself is a measure for what is to come. We all have the power to think our way into success. The self image that you create for yourself in your mind is what will present into the world. I have found so much pleasure in thinking about who I really am and what I am becoming. The beauty in the imagination is that you can be who you really are Right Now! Who you believe yourself to be, you are, it’s that simple! I have watched my environment change and even my own actions have changed and are forming around my new self image just off of the thought I am thinking about myself! Your thoughts are the only thing that you have complete control over. With that knowledge, if you can control your thoughts, you can transform your entire life!

vi. Whatever your mind can conceive you can achieve!

The mere fact that you can see a dream in your head is all you need to bring it forth! With the belief in yourself and in the power of the universe all that you desire is possible. Learning that it is not my job to figure out all the details has been freeing for me. I know now that all I need to do is hold the image of my goals in my head and take inspired action towards those goals give me unwavering faith that my dreams will be realized. Being a part of this program is proof of how dreams come true as a result of positive thought.

vii. The value of having a pleasing personality.

Having a pleasing personality is very important when it comes to success. None of us can realize our dreams without the assistance of other people. Having a pleasing personality comes from being first pleased with self and in return pleasing to others. In order to persuade people without force we need to relate to others in a way that is genuine and effortless. In my personal life I have experienced a great deal of hardship and loss in my life and I thought that my aggressive nature was needed to protect me from this world. Through my recent studies and application of practices I realized that there was nothing to fear after dealing with my own perceptions of self. I realized that only the negative characteristics in me were the ones that I judged in other people. I learned that being harmonious and kind awarded me so much positive relations with others. I noticed the better I feel about myself the better others feel about me. It all starts from within. Be the example you want to see in the world.

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 are a road map to my success. I have formed a checklist of tasks surrounding the 17 principles of success. Reading this book gave me the inspiration in knowing that there is a sure and proven way to realize your dreams. I am excited to master these principles. I believe that this way of thinking will directly give me the wisdom to lead others to success as well. Pairing these concepts with my unique interpretation will bring forth leading edge results. The concepts are simple and straight to the point.

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 quote I would like to point out is “Prayer is your greatest power”. To realize and to understand this concept is to enter a new outlook on life! For so long I questioned the power of prayer and sometimes doubted its results. I am now in a place in my life that I know that prayer is valid and it is valuable. It all comes down to the way we pray, the process we use to bring forth the things that we desire. Ask and you shall receive. This simple statement is packed with such power. I think the most important tip to take into prayer is belief. Believing that you are worthy for the things you desire is key. Prayer is played out in imagination. The beautiful scenes we picture in our minds are the beginning of our hearts desires, this is the way of prayer and result. Everything in the universe started with imagination (prayer) and then brought forth with belief that it will be. Prayer is our direct communication with God. I have found meditation to be my most effective way of praying, knowing that I have already asked for what I need by just living and experiencing life. I use prayer as time for receiving and being thankful of what is already done. I have found that there is no life worth living outside a life created in prayer.

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 am in full understanding of the contents in this book. There are no points in the book I disagree with.

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 did contain a number of exercises to complete. I did complete all of the exercises and am still using them in my daily practices. I have experienced positive results due to incorporating theses exercises into my daily activities and am eager to pass this information on to others.

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 have no further comments in regard to this book.

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

 

Maximum Achievement
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author is trying to convey in the book is that there is a proper combination of principles to achieve anything we want in life. Whatever you want you can have as long as you are persistent. Nature gives us back what we put out. Nothing more, nothing less. We first of all need to make the decision about what makes us happy. We are responsible for our own success and failures. No one else. This book magnifies the importance of self reflection and accountability. The moment one accepts the fact that he is in control of his own destiny, he becomes unstoppable.

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. If you want to be happy and successful, make sure your thoughts and actions are taking you there and nowhere else.

We can get distracted by the obstacles and negative beliefs but we have the choice and ability to turn to our desires and let nothing get in our way. It is easy to give into negative thought patterns, but with determination to change the way we show up in the world we can with time turn those patterns into positive ones. What we truly desire we aspire for, we go after. Make the conscious decision to be happy and you will be. The biggest thing is deciding what it is that we want. What really makes us happy. That is the most valuable information that any of us can have. I just found out that being happy is my choice! I have made my decision and am not currently moving towards my dreams, dreams I forgot I even had!

ii. Success starts with you taking over your power of choice.

You get to choose how your life turns out. You are responsible for your life whether it is going good or bad. Why not use your power of choice for your evolution and success? To become successful you must become more aware. Aware of your thoughts, aware of your emotions and environments. All of these contribute to your success or lack of. Most people live in a waking sleep, on autopilot. Just going about their lives in a way of routine and non expectancy of change. When in this state we are unaware that we are only creating more of what’s already been created! We are not moving out of our comfort zones, we are failing to explore. In the past year I stepped out of the comfort of my own city and traveled to a place that I would have never imagined myself being. I am a city girl from St. Louis and ended up in Asheville, NC in the forest! I was very uncomfortable, but I knew I needed this experience to change my life. Sure enough, the connections I made and the peace I received can not be bought.

iii. Everything fits together and happens for a reason.

Nothing that happens in life is by chance. Assume that every difficulty is an opportunity for growth and self mastery. We are all a part of a bigger plan. Our lives affect the lives of others and vice versa. I have been putting into practice taking responsibility for myself in every situation. I have been using every situation as a tool to collect data about myself and where I am in my subconscious thinking. I am having fun understanding exactly how my thoughts are creating my physical reality.

iv. The law of expectation.

This law says that what we expect with confidence is what we get. Successful people have the expectation of success and unsuccessful people have negative expectations for life. We must confidently expect to gain something positive in our lives all the time. Everyday I open my eyes I tell myself what I expect out of my day such as wander, excitement, discovery and ease. I am pleased to say that I have been experiencing exactly what I expect to experience!

v. The law of attraction.

My favorite law! This law works everywhere, all the time! There is no escaping from it. It is consistent. You are a living magnet. Everything you think about with feeling is what you attract into your life. What we all have now is a result of what and who you are. I am inspired by this law. My entire life has changed due to the application to this law. I am intentional in my thoughts and emotions. I know that my thoughts are the very tool of the creation of my life. I have made a vow to honor myself and God.

vi. The law of correspondence.

This law says that your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. If you have a chaotic state of mind then your outer world will be filled with chaos and confusion. If you have found a peace of mind, your daily affairs will be of ease and harmony. I think this is one of those most valuable pieces of information I could have received on the journey of changing my reality.

vii. What you want also wants you.

What you truly desire is your and is moving towards you. Even in confusion your subconscious mind is setting up circumstances for you to grow towards success. Everything is always working in your favor. You can choose to focus on solutions rather than the problems and the solutions will always reveal themselves to you. I have been discovering myself and the things that I want. I see that the more I become clear about the things that make me happy, the close those things come to me. Its almost an effortless thing that’s happening. I am working hard to keep myself in good spirits so that I may receive all of the blessings that I deserve!

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way in both your daily personal life and in helping you create a better world. If so, how?

Using these lessons will help me remain focused on the things I do want and let go of the things that I don’t want. The concepts in this book helps me to hone in on the specifics of what makes up who I really am. This book gave me a map to plan out my goal and execute them. The information that I received from these lessons is a bridge to bring together the gap of information previous learned from other sources. I know that with the knowledge of the right combination of concepts anything is possible. Teaching these concepts to other people is a sure way to create a better world. I think that I have made it clear that I believe in the power of self awareness and responsibility.

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.

I like the statement “It’s your job to become the conductor of your own orchestra.”

This statement is profound for me because it states the responsibility for one’s own life. It gives the power back to one’s self and takes away the victim mentality that holds so many of us back. It is so empowering to know that with practice and determination I can and will live the way that I desire. these tools are life changing and life long. Being in control of your own destiny is priceless, it can not be measure. Anything your heart desires can be realized with persistence. Happiness is our own responsibility to obtain and sustain.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not agree with or misunderstand or are unclear about or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so why?

There was nothing in the book that I did not understand. I enjoyed reading it and the information was 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?

There were a few exercises the author suggested and yes I was able to complete those exercises for myself. They were very helpful and bridged a gap from other information I am already studying.

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 have no further comments in regard to this book.

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

 

 

Success through a Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea in this book was stated several times throughout the reading. It is simply what the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve with PMA (positive mental attitude). Through the principle of PMA applied to any of the other 16 success principles, achievement is inevitable. We all have success born within us and we all have talents for surmounting any problem. Just like other things in life, with practice anyone can be successful in applying these principles to change one’s life for the better. Having a positive mental attitude is the beginning to all success and is in my opinion the most important principle to adopt.

2. What are 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. If you know what you want then you will recognize it when you see it.

This statement is important to me because it made me think about my own journey. About a year and a half ago I had something happen to me that I now call the “zap.” This zap changed my entire outlook on life and altered my reality in a way that I could not even recognize my path forward. It took months for me to realize that my path would become illuminated when I made a decision about what I wanted. I had my first child at 14 years old and found myself since then doing things that I thought the world would approve of. I never even thought about what I wanted. It was such a task to discover me, and what I represented outside of the labels society had given me. I am proud to say that after much work, I have reached a point of clarity in my life. I have also discovered that as my desire grows the things that I want, want me in return!

ii. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose!

I know from my own experience, letting go of what is familiar can be a bit uncomfortable. But stepping out into the unknown to find your true essence is the most freeing thing one can do. Once you find the fire within it can never be dimmed. It is yours forever. Unlocking your own potential is the key to a world of magic and grace. It is the thing we are all searching for, I am elated to have found it on the inside of me.

iii. Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying with PMA.

Our attitudes shape our future whether it be positive or negative. Most of us are unsuccessful in life just because we give up. I have learned that right at the time you feel like giving up, Keep Going! Success is always on the other side of struggle, we just have to be strong enough to push through. PMA is a sure tool that will assist in your push factor. PMA constitutes faith.

iv. The most important person on earth is You!

Yes! That’s right! I feel so liberated even saying it, it’s such a beautiful realization to have. We all have a habit of making ourselves small, or make up things in our heads that others are better or more equipped than we are. The truth is that we are all equal in the eyes of the universe and we have all come with gifts and treasures to share with the world. I love knowing that if you seek you shall find. I am so in love with loving me!

v. The practice of keeping your mind on what you do want and off what you don’t want.

Keeping your mind on what you want attracts to you the people and the resources to support that vision. What we give our attention to is what we create in our lives. Focusing on what we don’t want only clogs the channels of success. I have made it a daily practice to focus on only the positive things in people and places. One of the most valuable things I have learned throughout this journey is that it is a choice as to what we extract from any situation. There is treasure in every atmosphere and it can be found if searched for. After sometime of practice finding the beauty in all things becomes easier.

vi. If you are unhappy with your world the best way to change it is from within.

What we see in our outside world is only a reflection of what is going on in the inside world. What we truly think about ourselves and others is reflected back to us in physical reality. For example if you are unhappy with your finances despite what you have been taught, which is pick up more work or work harder, you should go within. Ask yourself what your beliefs are around money and where did those beliefs come from. Have you been telling yourself you are unworthy of riches? I know that for some time on this journey, I was failing to generate any income! It was scary and frustrating, especially when I know how much I have to offer. I had to look myself in the mirror and ask some hard questions of myself. I discovered that I was carrying around some beliefs I had from my childhood, even some feelings of shame. I got a GED when I was a teenager and didn’t get much college education. I realized I had labeled myself not good enough subconsciously and had not even realized it! From that point of realization til this day I remind myself of how awesome I am. I right list of all my accomplishments big and small! I sing love songs to myself, and I praise God for now seeing myself for who I really am.

vii. It is to identify yourself with a successful image.

How you see yourself is how the world sees you. The thoughts you are having about yourself the world joins you! You are your greatest ally! Don’t be the friend to your weakness but the fuel to your power. The better I feel about me the more I attract and create the most beautiful people and opportunity. The better I can see the beauty in myself the easier it has been to smell the roses and to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. Life has become worth living.

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 lessons are the basis of all success, with that knowledge I will memorize and practice these lessons on a daily basis. I have found a foundation of teachings to offer to my own clients and community members. I think that everyone is looking for a guide to success. This book provides step by step practices that are sure to transform anyone’s life as long as they have the desire.

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.

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

I like this quote because it gives you back the power, the complete power. It takes away the victim and calls in the warrior. The most empowering information that one can have a apply is the knowledge that we are the rulers of our destiny. We have the choice to create whatever we please for ourselves and others.

“Love people and serve them.”

I love this quote for it’s simplicity and at the same time it’s impact. If we can live our lives loving and serving others it would be a perfect world. This all starts from the serving of self. Once you are fulfilled you will be so full of life that it will spill out into any environment you occupy!

5. Is there anything in the book you do not understand or are unclear about or are there any ideas which you disagree with and if so why?

There are not any points or ideas that I disagree with or misunderstand.

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?

This book did contain some exercises to complete. I found most of them to be tied in with the exercises from “Keys to Success.” I did review and complete all of the exercises and am actively using them in everyday practices.

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, why?

I have no further comments in regard to this book.

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

Goal Mapping
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea being conveyed in this book is that with a solid workable goal anything in life can be accomplished. There are formulas we can utilize in life that will help us plan for the future. The main block that most of us experience in success is the lack of creating and executing a plan. This book lays out studied and proven ways for anyone to reach success. This book was inspired by someone that was in a position that a lot of us find ourselves in and decided to do something about it. The author became successful through the techniques discussed in the book and now offers the knowledge for others to use as well. With a combination of left and right brain activities this book assists one with creating a vivid outline of what the future looks like. It helps create a clear outline of what it takes and who it would take to help bring your vision to life. This book offers proven methods to reach success on any level for anyone and every walk of life. I have learned that without a goal the mind has no aim in life and without aim, success is unattainable.

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. Knowing what you want.

All forms of success first start with having a dream, a vision for the future. Anything we see with our eyes on this earth first started with a dream. If you can see it in your mind and believe it is possible, you can achieve it! Great things come from dreaming. The imagination is a power we all have been blessed with. Use it without doubt and your every dream will become possible. The book suggests that when dreaming make sure that it is something that you can’t do alone. Make it big enough to prove to yourself the power of God that you possess on the inside of you. Push yourself to new heights. In my own life, I am finding pleasure in the possibility of things. I have found the fun in living in my imagination. I have the new realization that anything is possible with my belief and attention. This information has taken my life in a whole new direction. I am now brave enough to enter into the depths of my dreams and believe them into reality.

ii. How seeing yourself in your desired position in life helps bring about your goal.

Somehow being able to put yourself in the ideal place in your mind on a consistent basis sets in motion the components we need to move forward. The subconscious has no way of determining if what you are seeing in your head is real or not. This technique of visualizing yourself in the end goal makes an impression on the subconscious mind. This goes back to the previous point, what you see you can be! When we have a clear picture of what the future will look like, we now have a clear way forward. Our actions, thoughts and interests will all be geared toward that vision. I am currently working towards a vision so big I can’t do it alone. I am keeping my mind focused on the end and not the how. With my focus on what is important, my everyday activities surround that end desire. In all things I do, I am making sure my actions are a contribution to my future.

iii. Make a plan and work it!

Every dream must have a plan in order to be realized. If no plan is in place there is no map to success. You must think through all the details and plan for success. Your plan should be broken down into small tasks to be performed. Make a list of things that need to be done by priority. Check things off as you go to keep yourself motivated and always keep score of the small accomplishments. Be kind to yourself and know that reaching any goal is a process to be followed and completed. One of my biggest challenges in life was trusting the process. I had to learn that all things have a season or an appointed time. Creating a plan and following a process has taken anxiety out of my motion forward. I have a clear understanding of what to expect and how to overcome obstacles.

iv. Enjoying the achievement of your goal and enjoying the journey.

Sometimes we get so focused on the end goal that we forget to stop and smell the flowers along the way. The journey can be just as fulfilling as the dream. Along the way we are picking up so many treasures that mold us and stay with us forever. When we forget to pat ourselves on the back for our small successes it makes it hard to enjoy the end goal. I have learned how ever you feel on the journey is the same way you will feel when the goal is accomplished. It’s all valuable! I know in my personal life learning to enjoy the journey has been beneficial to me in so many ways. It has taught me to slow down and take in the moment. I have found so much beauty in my journey even looking back on the hard times, understanding how those times were a contribution to my wisdom. I am now able to take those experiences and help others through similar situations.

v. Know why you want a thing.

What emotions are tied to your dream, what motivates you towards your goals. Attaching strong emotions to our goals makes them more powerful in the conscious and the subconscious mind. If you only have a few reasons that attach you to your goal you will have low motivation. But if you have several reasons your motivation towards your goal will be higher and nothing will be able to stop you in reaching success. Sometimes we have to go beyond just our logical needs and look for the things that we are passionate about. I have been teaching myself to have more fun when I am setting goals. My childhood influenced me towards survival versus happiness. I’ve learned that the only way that I can truly survive moving forward is through my success in being happy!

vi. We need a time frame.

We need to know when we want things to happen! For a goal to be definite it needs an achievable timeline. When there is no timing there is no urgency. When there is no urgency we tend to procrastinate and sometimes never get around to accomplishing our goals. Goals without deadlines are just wishes that may or may not be fulfilled. Giving myself achievable deadlines keeps me on track to success. It helps me delegate my time and daily tasks by priority. Having a timeline also gives me the convenience of keeping up with how far I’ve come and how close I am to my desired goal.

vii. How the goal will be achieved.

I think this is the most important point. In the past, figuring out how was so daunting to me. It scared me most of the time because I just could not see all the steps coming together. I know from experience that this can cause one to completely abandon their goals. This book suggests breaking down the how into three major actions you will need to take to move you along your path. Are there any new skills you need to learn, are there any qualifications you need to gain and what resources do you need to secure. Making a list and prioritizing tasks can be the thing that catapults you into position to achieve your goals.

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, why?

These ideas will help me to move forward in a tremendous way! With the techniques learned in this book I am sure that I will be in position to clearly map out my goals and move towards them in confidence. I have learned new ways of handling the attainment of my dreams. I understand now how to turn my wishes into dreams and then ultimately achieve my goals. I am eager to put these techniques to the test in my personal life and in my professional endeavors. This book was right on time in helping me move forward and seeing my future clearly. I can see myself offering these techniques in my youth outreach and even in my own household with my children. Everyone can benefit from reading and applying the teachings in this book.

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 statement that caught my attention was “you get what you plan for.”

This statement is important to me because it is a statement that completely changed the way I thought about Everything!

“He assumed he was the greatest, and so he was.”

These statements are so impactful to me. When I got the realization that things turn out the way that I expect them to turn out changed me. It made me look back on my life and assess the situations and the relations I had with other people. I saw the pattern of how my expectation had a direct relationship on how things turned out in my life. I have learned to expect the best out of myself and others. To look for the beauty in all. When you keep your expectations high only the best is due to you!

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 was nothing in the book that I did not understand or disagree with.

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 goal mapping exercises for the reader to complete. I did complete the exercises and found them to be extremely beneficial in all areas of my life.

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 have no further comments in regard to this book.

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

Nonviolent Communication
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author was trying to convey in the book is that violence is not the true nature of the human but rather compassion. The purpose of nonviolent communication is to help connect with ourselves and others in a way that makes compassionate giving natural. The intention of the soul is to contribute to the richness of life. When we learn how to give and receive through nonviolent communication we develop a consciousness of feelings and needs and how to communicate them out into the world in a non threatening and more accurate way. Using the suggestions of this book helps us focus on “what is alive in us” and what can make life more enjoyable to ourselves and others.

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 language of life.

This language is based on the human feelings, needs, and the strategies used to convey them accurately. The language of life is speaking from the heart. It is connecting with others humaneness, it bridges the gap between separate and the whole. We are all more alike than we would like to believe. We just express different, different places of judgment or joy. Places of dissatisfaction or approval. The goal is to express and to observe from a place of understanding and compassion. I thank the universe for bringing me to this book at this point in my life! It is at such a time that I am really in need of guidance. Using this concept of connecting with what’s alive in us has really had a major impact on the way I am communicating with my children. Learning to listen to them past the surface and to really hear their needs has been amazing and groundbreaking in my family. I am learning to be vulnerable enough myself to state what I am feeling instead of what I am observing that causes me to feel a way.

ii. How our needs are life in action and our feelings are connected to our needs.

In life when our needs aren’t getting met we tend to blame external forces for our discomfort. I think if we stopped to consider how to better identify our needs and then to accurately communicate them we would find greater success. I have lived a life aiming to beat the odds and in the process please others around me. I wanted more than anything to never be labeled a statistic. Operating from that place left me abandoning my true feelings and desires. Never really developing my true identity. I appeared to have it all together but I was really lost. Lost in the illusion of what everyone else wanted for me. I am now finding so much freedom in the search of what I really want. To be completely honest, I realized I had never given how I felt and what I wanted much thought. I am taking the process one step at a time. Articulating my feelings without judgment has been challenging but transformational for me.

iii. Realizing that we are responsible for our own happiness.

We are not here to make others happy nor are others responsible for our happiness. We are responsible for the way we respond to one another. I think that taking responsibility for self is the ultimate change needed to see a better world. I have learned that no matter the situation, I have the power to choose how I feel and what I think. It gives me a sense of power knowing that it is me that holds the key to my own happiness.

iv. Observation without evaluation is the highest form of human intelligence.

We are trained to be other directed, rather self directed. It is important that we are able to separate observation from evaluation and also to effectively convey what you are needing takes the skill of non judgment. To have compassion and understanding of another even when their actions are unfavorable is a true and valuable skill. The relationship between my children and I has been enhanced with this concept in mind. I am eager to put these concepts to the test in all areas of my life. I have even started to create a game with my kids challenging them to express how they feel without having judgment towards the situation. I must say it has been challenging. It has shown me how much we really avoid speaking about how we really feel and what we need.

v. Find the need behind the judgment.

I like how the book pointed out the fact that we all have the same needs. We just have different ways that we need those needs met. Oftentimes we negatively judge a person’s words or actions against us according to the way we interpret the situation. We address things on a surface level without ever really dealing with the source, or the need behind the judgment. I am with one situation at a time uncovering the real reasons for the trigger. It has been fascinating to discover that you never really gave yourself freedom to evolve due to suppression of feelings. When you lift the weight of judgment from your shoulders you suddenly become light as a feather. You start to see that the weight was never really yours to carry. We can only be responsible for the things we have the power to change.

vi. Positive Action Language.

This is a language of saying what you do want and avoiding what you don’t. Be clear about what you are requesting and avoid making vague, abstract statements. Most times speaking of what you don’t want can be viewed as criticism. Vague requests are often cover-ups for unreasonable demands.

vii. Every time we say something to another person, it is a request for something in return.

This is why it is so important to think before you speak and to also know the needs behind your words. This point is also important when receiving from others. Having the ability to identify the needs of others based on the things they communicate with you is also a valuable part of Positive Action Language. I again want to say how much this book at this time has been such an asset to my family and our current situation. I have a sixteen year old that has endured a lot and has a lot of trauma she is working through. Being able to stay centered and identify what her needs are and to properly respond to them is the line between failure and success right now. I am truly blessed to have come across this information. Not only am I learning and implementing these principles but so is she. I am so excited to see where this will take us!

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way in both your daily personal life and in helping you create a better world? If so, how?

I feel that being able to communicate with others compassionately is my highest currency in this life. Being able to connect with them through their joy and even in their pain is invaluable. I know how it feels to be misunderstood and to also not know how to communicate effectively. It is my main goal to empathize with others, to relate to them. The only way this is made possible and sustainable is to truly know and value my own needs. Knowing what I need and being able to request them to be met in a way that everyone involved is being taken care of is to be in a high position.

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.

I like the statement that the author made that says “Comparing yourself to other people is a sure way to make life miserable.”

I like this statement because it gives permission for one to be an individual. It asks for us to have compassion for ourselves and the individual journey we are all on. Every one of us has a unique path to happiness, to fulfill our needs. It is wise to give way for that path without the comparison of others and the duty of pleasing others. Nothing on the outside of you is important to your growth. The only real comparison is between you today and you yesterday. Make yourself proud and the world is sure to follow!

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 is not anything that I disagree with in this book. It was a great read and it helped mold my outlook on life.

6. Did the book contain any 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 in the book to complete.

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 have no further comments pertaining to this book.

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

 

 

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Assessment of Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author is trying to convey in the book is that to become Principle centered is to become truly successful in all areas of life. Oftentimes we find ourselves sacrificing one area of our lives for the success of another. Then we have to ask ourselves, are we truly fulfilled? Should real happiness come with a sacrifice? There are basic principles of effective living and one can only experience true success as they learn and integrate these principles and habits deep within his nature. We all respond to life according to what is most important to us and how we tend to see life through the lens of our own experiences. It is the responsibility of our own to make the choice to be proactive in our lives and not reactive to the circumstances that surround us. Right thinking is the foundation of excellence. By exercising the principles presented in this book we can begin to create a life that is meaningful to ourselves and others. If we believe in the principle that we are the controller of our own destiny then the information in this book assists in one’s journey to self mastery.

2. What were the seven ideas that were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i. “The way we see things, govern the way we behave.”

The lens we see shapes how we see and experience the world. We all have the power to apply our own meanings and interpretations on circumstances in life. A problem to one may very well be a blessing to another. Our past experiences tend to block us from seeing the full potential of the future. When we learn to see past experiences as opportunities for today’s evolution, I believe that we will be on our way to everlasting happiness.
In my own life I am learning the art of seeing perfection in every moment. It has not been an easy task to find beauty in even the hard things but I can admit that it has shown me things about myself that I didn’t know existed. I have learned that all difficulties are an opportunity for me to learn something deeper about myself. I have found myself healing traumas that I didn’t want to face. I am learning to see the world as a safe place, a place full of wonder, a place full of opportunity.

ii. Change your situation, you must change yourself which first takes place by changing your perception.

Most of us want to change makers in the world. We would like to all make the world a better place. But what most of us don’t really want to do is change ourselves. We want to believe that if situations change or if people change we will feel better. I have found that true change comes from within. This has been one of the most enchanting but also the most difficult things that I have set out to accomplish. Change me! To let go of the old labels and the expectations of society, to lay down the fears and the regrets of my own judgment has been a rollercoaster. Some days I feel I have figured it all out and other days I feel like I am in a twilight zone but I stay consistent. To really discover yourself is the greatest gift you could ever give the world.

iii. What is your highest priority is in life with a polite no to other things.

I think that sometimes it is hard to become successful when we are scattered in our thoughts and activities. Knowing what is a priority on your journey to accomplish your goals is the step to organizing action forward. For over a year now I have been studying and learning new concepts. Concepts and ways of thinking that I have never operated from before. For a time I found myself frustrated with the transition period because I had no clue where to start or if even my efforts were in vain. With the help of the IIGL curriculum and some other resources I have been able to begin to organize and prioritize my daily actions to assure steady growth towards my goals. I have found relief in having a guide to apply action.

iv. Daily planning limits vision.

I really like this point because it gave me so much relief to know that it is ok to not be on a strict daily regime. I learned that I am not a person that operates well off of a strict routine but more of a “spontaneous schedule” I like the idea of weekly planning. It gives me more freedom for spontaneity and adjustment. Weekly planning allows you to open your mind more to opportunities and also gives way to categorize tasks by importance. It takes the urgency factor out of everyday life in order to properly prioritize.

v. “You can’t be successful with other people if you haven’t paid the price of being successful with one self.”

I have been paying that price! When I came to the realization that all things and people in my reality were only a reflection of my world inside It changed the way I saw the world and immediately started to change the way I saw myself. The ups and downs I began to experience going forward started teaching me about how I truly saw the world. It revealed to me my deepest fears and my truest desires. I no longer take offense to others’ responses to me and rather go within myself and analyze what is truly trying to be communicated to me for my growth.

vi. It’s hard to like yourself without self mastery.

It’s not about what we say or what we do but who we are. When you find out who you truly are it can be a magical experience. We accept labels from society and we even give ourselves false labels and restrictions based on past experiences and so called failures. We are hard on ourselves and judge ourselves so harshly. I have learned to like myself through acceptance. Acceptance of what is and what awaits me. I have learned that my failures were only that because I believed them to be. I have taken back my power and changed my story. I have changed the way I have looked at my past and myself. I have given myself credit for making it this far and now looking forward to a bright future.
vii. A balance of courage and consideration equals maturity.

Courage without consideration calls for decisions to be made with only one side in mind. Consideration without courage calls for one to sacrifice their own happiness in the name of others. It is important to keep the balance of the two to bring maturity in any situation. I am currently rebuilding a relationship with my teenage daughter after a horrible divorce and custody battle. It has been very challenging for me to navigate. Using the principle of maturity in this situation has been an invaluable guide.

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 are valuable in assisting me with determining what my thoughts and actions are centered on and then organizing what is important to me by prioritization. I now have a better understanding of what is driving me in life and why. I believe that the greatest contribution that I can offer to bettering the world is mastering myself. My awareness continues to change and I am now at the realization that me being the best me is equivalent to saving the world. With the principles offered in this book I have found better ways to plan and organize 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.

One statement that caught my attention was “It is the weak that are cruel.”

This statement touched me because I come from a hard city, I have lived a hard life and still it is out of character for me to ever be cruel to another person. I notice that it is more common for people to be cruel and uncompassionate to others. I have also learned that this only comes from fear, fear of various different outcomes or judgments. It is hard to confront and communicate issues in the way of harmony in the midst of difficulty. To have compassion for yourself and others requires maturity. You have to be strong to love your way through life despite.

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 was not anything in this book that I did not 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 there were exercises for the reader to complete and yes I was able to complete them. I found the exercises to be very helpful to me and I found it to also align with the current circumstances in my personal life.

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 have no further comments pertaining to this book

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? 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? 10

Goals
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main point the author is trying to convey in this book is that we all have more creative ability to solve problems and come up with new and better ways to reach your goals than we ever have used. We all are potential geniuses. We have untapped power that lays dormant on the inside of us just waiting to be awakened! In childhood we are tricked out of our natural abilities to create and are told to fall in line. By practicing the principles we can accomplish more in the months and years to come than one would in an entire lifetime. All things learned can be unlearned. All it takes is the first step to changing the way we see ourselves and then the way we see the world around us.

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. Making a plan of action is a master skill in becoming a successful person.

Being proactive in life instead of reacting to life’s situations will carry you further than you can even imagine. The process of planning is essential to your achievement. In my personal journey to success in life I have gone through a rapid time of transformation in my perceptions of what life is and how I want to show up. I have learned that nothing is obtainable without first a clear understanding of what I want. For some time I had no idea what I really wanted. All my life I have been told what was best for me and even though I am not one to easily conform I admit that even my rebellions were based on what others thought about me. After identifying the things that were really important for me to accomplish I realized that even knowing what you want is only half the battle. Knowing what I wanted without a clear plan to get there was only a wish or a dream of what was possible for me. Not until I was able to sit down and make a plan for myself did it actually seem obtainable. Making a plan of action eased some of my fears and doubts. It gave me hope that I could actually live the life I have always wanted and now I had a map to get me there.

ii. Determine your goals by priority.

Oftentimes we are all over the place when it comes to achieving our goals. I understand now that out of fear we do the things that seem urgent to us instead of the things that are actually important to our success. I call it busy work or distractions from the real thing. In my own experience I know that this comes from the fear of really moving forward with my goals. I have doubted myself and in return have not allowed myself to do the important things. For a time I let myself be overtaken by fear of not being good enough or equipped enough to make it all happen. Even on a deeper level I realize that I was foolishly waiting on some magic force to come in and do it all for me. I sit here today and now say that I am the driving force to my happiness. I am the only one to make it happen and the magic force I was waiting for lives on the inside of me! I must trust myself and take action. My belief in myself will take me where I want to go.

iii. Time management begins with clarity.

I like that the author pointed out the fact that you can not manage time, you can only manage yourself. I am someone that needs structure and to create structure where there is no one forcing you to do something is also a learned skill. You have to really want something to wholeheartedly go after it. For the past couple years my number one goal was to connect with Source. I developed a system for myself so that most of all of my time was focused on just that. Even though I had no idea where life was taking me I knew that spending my time on my connection would bring about everything else that I wanted. I felt that that was the most valuable use of my time. I can now say that I have accomplished my goal and can see how this has positively affected my life today and revealed to me what my true goals and life are. I now have clarity and purpose.

iv. Whatever you can hold in your mind on a continual basis, you can have.

Positive thinking eventually translates into positive knowing. You must be convinced of your success. Whatever is impressed on the mind is expressed in the outer world. I became obsessed with the need to be one with God. All day everyday that is what I think about. At first I was skeptical of my ability and even my worthiness of such a connection. I did not let my doubts stop me, I really didn’t even consider I had a choice. I persisted everyday and things started to change for me. Meditation got easier and my everyday life started to feel lighter. I grew to establish a personal relationship with my creator. Now I know that I can accomplish anything!

v. You write your goals out daily.

Every time you write your goals down it impresses deeper and deeper in your subconscious mind. I like this concept because it reminds me of the things that are truly important for me to achieve everyday. It gives my day focus and purpose. In every action I am thinking about whether or not it is in line with what I need to accomplish to move me forward in life. Even in the things I decide to watch on TV or the people I decide to surround myself with. Writing my goals down at the beginning of each day has unlocked a new force of energy around my life.

vi. Visualization.

We should make it a habit to see ourselves in the desired end. All improvement in your life begins with improvement of your mental pictures. Visualization is training for your master computer! For months now I set aside time to quiet my mind and picture myself as a best selling author. I picture myself sitting behind a table with a line of people waiting for me to sign their purchased book. I even visualize my book cover in vivid detail. These exercises move me closer to the belief that this will indeed materialize for me in my future. It gives me a sense of excitement to picture that accomplishment. I know that it is no longer a dream for me but in fact my reality.

vii. Take action today! Now is your time.

The future belongs to the risk takers and not to the security seekers. Be bold in your approach to achieving your goals. You are the only one that can make it happen. The actions we take today are the results of tomorrow. Every time I do something in regard to my goal no matter what it may be, no matter how small it may seem, it gives me the confidence in myself to keep going. It gives me a sense of immediate accomplishment. Working towards my goals every day ensures that I will inevitably reach the obtainment of my desired end.

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, why?

The ideas learned from this book helped me identify my way forward and the things that were holding me back. Being clear about what you want and how to get there is priceless. It is a skill that can be used to elevate every area in your life. With knowledge of my own potential and going after my happiness will prove to be an inspiration to others. Through my own life I will be an example of how having a positive opinion of self moves mountains. To overcome fear and to be courageous about your purpose gives others permission to do the same. As the book states everyone can do this, no one is exempt if you just try and be consistent.

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 statement that caught my attention is when the author said, “Look for the positive in every situation and you are sure to find it.”

This statement is important to me because I know that in life seemingly bad things can happen. Things in and out of your control. My father died almost two years ago. It was sudden and unexpected. When that happened I was angry at God and confused as to why things always seem to be bad for me in my life. Shortly after his death I was listening to Napoleon Hill and he said there is always an equal gain to every loss in life. That angered me. I yelled to the top of my lungs, how in the hell is there an equal gain in losing my father? The answer that came to me was the most powerful realization of my entire life. In my search of what death really meant I discovered life! I woke up! God showed me that through the questions I had for God about my father I would discover that life is everlasting. That death is only a transition into something more. I tribute my journey of my new life, my new understanding and my new peace to my dad. My dad died to wake me up. Such a wonderful gift, a priceless gain.

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 book was very clear and to the point. I agree with and appreciate all that was suggested in this book.

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, the book did contain several exercises. I did them all and am using them in my everyday practices. The suggestions made in this book are a game changer and yes they are very helpful!

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 have no further comments related to this book.

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

 

Leadership for Dummies
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author is trying to convey in this book is that Leadership is common sense. This book suggests that by coupling your common sense with the ideas of this book you can become the leader you desire to be. There are many different calls for leadership. Finding your style and approach to leading others is essential to finding success. Having respect for yourself and the needs of others is the foundation of being a good leader. Having the confidence to step into the role of leadership comes with great development of self worth. Trusting that you are equipped to lead is a process and this book is a tool to help that process along the way.

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. leadership comes with great responsibility.

I believe that the way one shows up to this responsibility separates good leaders from not so good ones. Wanting to just be in charge and tell people what to do is not enough to be called a good leader. Skills like getting the best out of people or knowing how to deal with people with different views and outlooks on life is important. A good leader is mindful about himself and the people he is leading to assure that everyone is getting their needs met. I can say that being a mother was my first major job in a leadership role. Being able to lead three people with very different personalities has been a valuable learning curve for me. To witness the impact of my guidance without the hand of control has been rewarding.

ii. Transformation that you would like to see happen in any team starts with you.

You have to be the example of what you want from others, People are more willing to give the best of themselves if their leader is willing to do the same. I believe that you should never ask someone to do something that you are not willing to do. Working alongside your team creates relationships and relate-ability. People like to be treated as equals and know that their values are important. Inspire your team by being enthusiastic and positive so that it rubs off on your team members. I remember when my kids were little and it was time to clean up. As long as I was singing the clean up song and helping them along the way, they were happy to get the house work done. It even became something they looked forward to instead of it being a dreaded chore.

iii. That in leadership you are always being watched!

People are looking to see that you practice what you preach. Your actions and words are always being noted. This brings me back to my kids saying to me, “Why can’t I do it if you did?” I could never explain that away or get away with the do as I say and not as I do method. This showed me that a true leader leads by example and when the example isn’t so great you have the courage to voice that. In hopes of correcting the beliefs of the team member and also to show that we all make mistakes and it’s ok to admit when you were wrong. To be able to talk about the mistakes you made and the impact it had on you or a situation just may be enough to keep your team from avoiding those very actions.

iv. Know what you’re about.

Knowing what you bring to the table and what values are important to you is critical. Knowing why you do what you do everyday is the very motivating factor in your approach to leadership. When you understand and appreciate the impact your role has on the lives of others you tend to act with integrity and selflessness. My understanding that the guidance and examples I offer my children has a direct impact on how they see themselves and the world keeps me determined to live a life they could be proud of. I made sure I gave them a standard to take out into this world where standards are low. It was important to me that a piece of me was instilled in them. If I did not see my importance, I would not have been motivated to be such an example.

v. Earn your right to lead.

In a leadership role people should want you to lead them. They should feel safe in the fact that you are in position. Engage with the people that you are leading to allow them the knowledge that they are valued by you. How can you lead people you do not know? How can you be a leader of those who don’t trust you? They will surely be plotting for their escape from your reign. We have all experienced a time where someone is just in charge of the situation and that is that. You did not choose the leader but are subject to their role. I have found it common that in these circumstances the leadership approach is insufficient. The leader feels entitled to his position instead of feeling purposeful to his position. I personally feel that if all leaders were appointed there would be a more harmonious relationship between the leader and the led.

vi. Be bold.

Don’t be the fence rider. Being able to make sure decisions sets you apart from the rest. It takes trust in yourself to make decisions. Being a leader is rising to every occasion with the knowledge that you hold value. Know that your perspective is important. Every decision that you make will not please everyone. That is an impossible task. But if you can make a decision that overall can assure the growth of everyone involved that is what counts. The purpose of you in a leadership role is for you to have the vision, even when others can’t see. Trust yourself. I find it amazing to see how some of my hard choices in life turned out to be the best for everyone in the long run. When I decided to divorce my ex husband my kids were really angry with me for quite some time. As the years passed they were all able to see how our family actually improved from that decision. If your intentions are pure things will work itself out.

vii. Believe that everyone wants to make a difference.

Having the belief that people are mostly good will change your approach on leading. When we have a negative opinion of others it causes us to rule in a negative way. Having a positive outlook on people allows for an environment of trust. It gives you the comfort to be able to delegate tasks and gives others the stage to shine. Everyone wants to feel important. Learning to let others take control was one of my biggest lessons. I was always worried that if I didn’t get it done myself then it would not get done correctly or even at all. I found myself overwhelmed in this mindset and had to learn to let go. I had to start to trust myself, trust that I had the power to choose good people. As I started to let go I discovered that so much more was possible. I learned that pitting my idea together with other like minds was priceless. There were ideas and strategies created that I could have never developed on my own. Be the leader that builds up and not puts down!

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?

In a world where people are looking for a good leader these concepts are most valuable. I think that my call to leadership has not been of my own desire and just knowing that makes me want to lead with conviction and integrity. I don’t consider myself a leader but a protector, a guide. Learning the different approaches in this book made me look at myself and my purpose in life. It made me check my motives. I believe reading this book helped me cultivate who I would like to be as a leader. What’s most valuable to me is to help others unlock who they really are, to be their true selves. After mastering the ideas in this book I have no doubt that I will have a blueprint on how others can do the same, my life being that example and inspiration.

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.

I like the statement:

“Look after others and they will look after you.”

This statement is important to me because it reveals that in any situation the harmony factor is important. It is not wise to expect others to look out for your interest when theirs are being ignored. The saying “treat people how you want to be treated,” is underrated. We use these statements so loosely. In leadership I think this concept is most important. People follow you because they want to and no in between. Always have the best intentions when it comes to your leadership position. People will go the extra mile without being asked when they feel safe and seen.

5. Is there anything in this book that you do not understand or are unclear about or are there any ideas which you disagree with and if so, why?

There are no ideas that I do not understand or disagree with.

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, the book did contain several exercises which I did complete. All of the exercises were helpful.

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 have no further comments pertaining to this book.

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

 

Unlimited Power
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author is trying to convey in this book is that by mastering the techniques suggested you will gain complete control of your mind and body and thus your entire life. Ultimate power is the ability to produce the results you desire most and create value for others in the process. Real power is shared and not imposed. Power is the ability to change your life, to shape your perceptions and to make things work for you and not against you. We all have the ability to obtain true power through positive action. Action is what units every success. People that have attained excellence follow a constant path forward. This book gives a blueprint of how to walk that path.

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 first step in obtaining success. Know your outcome!

This point is so important to becoming successful because if you don’t know what you want, you don’t know what to do. How can you take steps towards something if you don’t first have the direction. In my personal life finding out what I wanted allowed me to be able to see the steps I needed to take. Before I became clear about what I wanted I felt as if I were stuck.

ii. Today one of the largest sources of power is derived from specialized knowledge.

Knowing a lot about a specific thing has far greater value than knowing a little about a lot of things. I think this is one of the ways we make it hard for ourselves in the pursuit of success, we fail to narrow down our options. We tend to be scattered in our endeavors. I found this to be one of my own blockages. Not being able to choose one thing and to act on it. Once I was able to make a decision on a specific thing, taking action was just the next logical step.

iii. The definition of power is the ability to act.

There are so many geniuses in this world that are never discovered and it is simply due to the fact that they fail to act. So many of us lack the confidence or courage to go after the things we really want. May it be because of our circumstance or our mind set we can become our biggest block. The only difference between the most successful person and the least is the determination to action. I find a way on a daily basis to take some kind of action toward the things that I desire. Rather it be big or small, I find satisfaction in knowing that I have taken some form of action in the right direction.

iv. There are seven fundamental character traits that one has to have for one to succeed.

The first one being passion. Passion is discovering a reason, an energy and almost an obsessive purpose that drives one to do, to grow and to be more. Passion is the fuel that powers your success train and causes you to tap into your full potential. I have discovered within myself that if I am not passionate about something then it’s more than likely I will not get it done. Passion is my driving force. Passion is one of my best qualities in life.

v. Unwavering belief in yourself in order to be successful.

You are what you think you are. Our beliefs about what we are and what we can be precisely determines what we will do in life. If we believe in magic we will have magic! I know that sometimes doing a new thing can be hard. I have even had visions that were hard for me to believe that I could ever achieve them. Through several methods and even more books I finally gained the confidence and belief in myself the impossible. I know now that the sky’s the limit!

vi. Clarity of values.

Values are specific belief systems we have about what’s right and wrong for our lives. It’s the judgments we make about what makes life worth living. When we have a clear understanding of what is important to us we have a better understanding of the direction we are going to reach success. We have a gauge of what things we are willing to endure and the places where we decide to draw the line. One of the most important things to me is legacy. I constantly think about what I could do in a lifetime that would have an impact on generations to come.

vii. Developing the mastery of communication.

The way we communicate with others and the way we communicate with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives. People that are successful in life are those that have learned how to take any challenge that life throws at you and communicate that experience to themselves in a way that causes them to successfully change things in their lives and the lives of others. Successful communication with yourself and others is a master skill. You can say the exact same thing in different ways and depending on your communication style you motivate different outcomes. I am grateful to have come across different methods and especially the book “Nonviolent Communication” to help enhance my communication style and skill. Being a successful communicator first starts with the way you speak with yourself. The things we tell ourselves and expect to be true will directly correlate with how we in return deal with the people and the world around us.

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?

I believe being able to master the seven fundamental characteristics which are passion, belief, strategy, clarity of values, energy, bonding power and the mastery of communication, I will be well equipped to accomplish success in all areas of my life. These characteristics can be learned and adopted. As long as I am incorporating these characteristics into all that I do they will eventually just become a lifestyle to me and become a part of my natural way of doing things. In my obtaining of success others will also reach success that are connected to me and inspired by me. I intend to be a living example of how life can be enjoyable with the determination and the belief to get there.

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 of the quotes that caught my attention is “ He who knows much about others may be learned, but he who understands himself is more intelligent. He who controls others may be powerful but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” I like this quote because it just says that mastery of self is the greatest power. If we can be truly honest with ourselves and able to really be the change we would like to see in the world we will find that through self mastery we have mastered the world. Your outer world is only a reflection of what is in the inside of one’s self. Trying to control others is only an avoidance of seeing self. Having to control others is the lack of the ability to control oneself. The second quote says “ If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This quote is important to me because it promotes change. It shows that you are the only one that can change the outcome or the result of your life. You can not expect something different from the same things. You must step outside of your comfort zone to find the new, to access the creative part of you. Sometimes we are afraid of the things that are unfamiliar to us. I have found that the familiar things are the very things that keep me from advancement.

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 is nothing in the book I am unclear about. The book was an easy read and straight to the point.

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 some suggested exercises in the book to complete. I was able to complete the exercises and I did find them to be helpful.

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 have no further comments pertaining to this book.

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

The Law of Attraction
Assessment by Antionette Carter (USA)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author is trying to convey in this book is that simply we are what we think. What we think about we bring about. Just as the law of gravity is working in our lives so is the law of attraction. Whether good or seemingly bad, what our lives look like and the circumstances we find ourselves in are all due to the thoughts we are having on a daily basis. Many of us have not accepted the fact that we are responsible for our own lives and there is no outside force deciding for us. Some of us even find comfort in the thought that someone or something else is the director. We all can take complete control of obtaining happiness if we take control of our thoughts and use them for our good. The law of attraction is working regardless of our knowledge of it, but with the knowledge offered in this book we learn techniques that allow the law to work for us rather than against us.

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. Strong will follows strong desire.

If you really want something nothing can keep you from it. I think this is a great way to gauge the importance of things in our lives. We often beat ourselves up for not achieving certain goals in life. If we took the time to evaluate the reason we even had the goal in the first place. Most of the time we are motivated to do things because of outside sources and not from our own desire. In my personal experience I learned about myself that if I am not inspired from within to accomplish a thing then most of the time it’s not done to my best ability or it doesn’t get done at all. Being sure about what you want and why you want it is the first step to obtaining it.

ii. The successful man has the I can and I will attitude.

When you are going after your dreams there is no room for doubt. When you believe you can do something and can see yourself doing it, you can do it. Our minds are powerful tools that are being used whether we are conscious of it or not. Whether we are directing our thoughts to create the life we want is totally up to us. If we have learned in this book that you are attracting, whether on purpose or not, why not learn how to make it always work out for your good. Don’t waste your thought force. Worrying is a negative way to use your thought force for example. Worrying means that you are expecting the worst to happen. When you worry you are picturing the worst case scenario while adding the emotion of fear to the thought. In most cases the worst case scenario never even happens. We spend so much time in a state of what if on the negative side of the spectrum. One saying that I learned to replace the what if is “isn’t it wonderful.” Using this statement in the place of what if has really transformed my way of expecting. Instead of expecting the worst I learn to simply expect the best. The best out of myself, people and circumstances.

iii. Fear.

The author says in the book the only thing to fear is fear! I totally agree. Fear paralyzes action. The man who rids himself of fear is free. When you are not fearful of the unknown you see the world differently. You no longer see the obstacles but the solutions. Worry is the child of fear. When we transmute worry and fear into desire, interest is then awakened. Fear keeps us from imagining great things. Fear and worry makes us believe that those things are impossible. Once we have mastery over our fears we can accomplish success in all areas of our lives. After a drastic change in my life I had the fear of voicing my new views and walking in my purpose thinking that others would judge me because of where I came from. After pushing through this fear I found that people were actually inspired from my story and found inspiration in my transformation.

iv. Have courage.

Courage is the emotion that masters fear. It takes courage to overcome obstacles. Fear should not be the factor that causes any of us to quit. We should just lean on courage to get us through. It was refreshing to learn that some of the most successful performers still feel nervous before they go out on stage. The feeling of fear is in us all but it’s ultimately how you confront fear that makes the world of difference. Only a foolish man thinks about troubles to come.

v. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

The trick is to master concentration. We must master the skill of direction and holding our thoughts on positive outcomes. The mind can only think one thing at a time. When you find yourself thinking negatively you have the power to change your thought to something completely different. After doing this exercise repeatedly you will train your thoughts to the positive one for good. The only reason our negative thoughts become so loud in our minds is because we give them so much airtime. Instead of controlling our thoughts we allow them to control us. I have found it to be helpful to speak out loud to the thoughts that try to discourage me. When I say out loud with authority “you have to cease” they usually do. I know now that I have control.

vi. Begin to live instead of just existing.

The world needs live men and women. Most of us are in survival mode. Just thinking about how to make it through the day. We tend to accept our environment and submit to circumstance without even the thought that things can and will be better. We believe the labels the world impose unto us and never think our way out of the boxes we have been placed in. For a long time I was in survival mode. Doing things and making decisions only to take care of other people. Just recently I had to ask myself what I wanted. Who was I without the influence of any other factors outside of myself. Answering those questions proved to be one of the hardest things in my entire life. It was hard for me to define what living looked like to me. After dropping all of my labels I felt naked. Over time I slowly started to give myself permission to be inspired from within. To remember the days when I was a child and to pick those dreams back up again and to believe that they were possible for me.

vii. We practice positive thinking by maintaining a positive mental attitude, the law of attraction will help us with the momentum.

I spoke earlier in the assessment about airtime. I learned that it is impossible to think positive thoughts 100 percent of the time. I also learned that always being in a good mood can be difficult. I did find peace in learning that as long as you have positive thoughts most of the time the law of attraction will bring more into your awareness like thoughts. Where you are most of the time in your mind is where the law of attraction meets you. It works like a magnet. The things that you most believe and most think about the law will bring about. Magnetize good things into your life instead of the unwanted. Thinking about the unwanted and having a negative outlook on life, the law of attraction will match that. So as you can see the law of attraction is not biased and gives us exactly what we are asking for. Be in the right state of mind to experience the best out of life. You are the director.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way both in your daily personal life and in helping you create a better world. If so, how?

I think that learning the power of the law of attraction helps me in many ways in my life. The most important way this law has helped me is to realize that I am the ruler of my own destiny. Learning that nothing and no one has the power to rule my life is life changing. Knowing this causes you to stop blaming others for your shortcomings. It allows you to take responsibility for everything in your outerworld, and gives you the authority to change it if you don’t like what you see. It is powerful to learn the abilities of my mind. If everyone learned and accepted the fact that they alone are responsible for all things related to them. That no one else has power over them, that they had total control on what they created in this world. The world would shine like new. Everyone would be happy with themselves and unbothered by others. This world would be united by individuals and sustained by love. Me knowing who I really am is a step closer and a contribution to a world that looks like this.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got you attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

One statement I like that the author used was “Love masters hate.” It’s a simple statement but it says so much. It is proof that if we just change our minds to the good thing, the bad thing will just fall away. When negativity creeps up on us we can loudly and boldly call on positivity and it will win!

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 is nothing in the book that I disagree with or misunderstand.

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, the book contained several exercises. I did complete them and they were very helpful.

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 have no further comments for this book.

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