Mary Oghomena Ayideji – Assessments

As a Man Thinketh

Assessment by Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

The author deployed an argumentative approach to establish his case; that the developmental capacity and character growth dimensions of man are centered on the self-governmental power of thoughts. He can become empowered to improve lives; but first his very own.

Every of his action is subject to the law of cause and effect and he is not a victim. The average man is as an undiscovered knowledge in existence. Circumstances are instrumental to the quest of self-discovery. Through concerted efforts of reflection, self – analysis and introspection, he proves the law of his being: he finds the idea he thrives on.

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. Develop and maintain good character for success.

Character defines a person: The nature of his attitudinal response to issues, people, what he believes and values; and his personality traits. That is knowledge of a person’s extremes of thoughts and acts. And being in possession of any graded level of character is result of an acquired mindset from evolving thoughts. With issues bothering on service at the family, school and worship circles; I get easily entrusted with responsibilities. This is has resulted from my personality: I have a sense of self -worth. I remembered clearly that, as at the age of fourteen; my mummy had brought me into the operations of her business. She could give me quite a large sum of money to keep, pending when she needs with fear or distrust. This experience extended even to the worship circle.

ii. Lessons gained from life experiences should be a basis for growth.

In fulfilling the law of lifetime growth man; must of necessity pass through diverse experiences; spiritual or otherwise be it severe or mild. In reading the second chapter, I started thinking back to many experiences, to distill from them practicable spiritual lessons. My first attempt at WASSCE (West African Senior School Examination) was not a success. This was because my preparation efforts did not match the technicalities. Before the second attempt, I had come to an understanding, I followed my reading timetable, discovered the expectation for a particular subject. I learnt that for me to pass chemistry, I must master the art of writing and balancing chemical equations correctly. Till today, I still practice organizing my weekly engagements within timeframes, such as when to go for shopping, do laundry and to study. This helps me to secure a time of rest while discharging my duties to family.

iii. Practice good thinking, maintain peace of mind.

Man, to know himself and to be known; must of necessity apply the skills of critical reflection, introspection, self-analysis to break the cycle of self-limitation while using research techniques to access knowledge. He becomes empowered to implement his own developmental design; learning, making correct growth adjustment until his full potential is reached. The conception and maintenance of good thoughts produces healing of the mind. A habit that can be developed; therein sets him free from every bondage and limitation associated with bad thoughts then grow in life of peace. Back casting, I asked a friend if could to stay her, her final refusal surfaced after initial agreements. I was disappointed, and each time I set my eyes on her, I felt awkward and out of place until I decided after thorough thinking; I to forgave myself because in my thoughts, I reversed the situation and the role, and learnt not expect too much from people but from myself. I became free, while she seemed to withdraw from me and; then noticing my warm disposition, she drew close again. We are still friends today.

iv. With a winning mentality, fulfilling life’s purpose is possible.

Right thoughts projected as winning mentality, gallantly defeats thoughts of failure, fear of rejection, doubts and; is fundamental to the achievement of a life purpose. Needful of man, is a practical step of reaffirming his good thoughts; building positive mindset to obtain results of his invested efforts. I visited my supervisor to introduce myself and formally register with him. He expressed his displeasure of my late resumption. Of course that was true but I had good reasons; then he says” you are reporting late, you must be a very lazy student, I don’t work with lazy students” while he wrote on a piece of paper. Wrong. Because I said “Sir, I am a very serious student, you will see for yourself when we work together” Hmm! he says, stopped writing and looked at me. “Really” he said again. I got his attention. I performed well. Today, he is one of my mentors.

v. Ability to sacrifice makes any achievement attainable.

To make lasting success and any form of achievement, comes with the paid price of dedicated, un-waivered efforts and; sacrifice. He must stand up for his idea, overcome opposition, discouragement and persevere till the end. Man must consciously evolve his thoughts to this level of understanding and; with good disposition accept and bring into practice this dominating principle of prosperity. When I transferred to Food science program, I took my project in an area with a bit of calculations. My colleagues would say “Mary why accept that topic, it’s too new and advanced, will you cope?” To be sincere, there were a hundred of times I felt that way during the experiment because of preliminary studies, diverting almost all my money into it, devoted much study time into it. But the results were outstanding. After the final presentation, I got recognition in whole of the department. What if I had I given up? Someone else would have taken it up.

vi. Visions are realized through determined efforts to accomplish set objectives.

Development of oneself to reach the realization of his vision demands ambitious thoughts. Having translated goals into specific and measurable objectives, armed with a positive attitude and focused energy on the accomplishment; the pursuit becomes untiring as the vision becomes clearer. Of course, on this journey of self-discovery: He must learn life principles to earn a worthy ideal, fulfilling the laws of his being. During my quiet times, I have always told myself that, I will be a great woman at position of influence. But I had no ideas of what, when and how that was going to happen. But overtime and till now, I have engaged myself in profiting activities. I have passed through different experiences. When I discovered what really makes my heart beat fast; I embarked on a career change. As awareness increased with the realization of a particular objective, my goals and activities become redefined and restructured. I am keep moving closer.

vii. Personal development produces power of influence.

With a mastery of his thoughts and calculated acts; he can successfully overcome any limitation by wielding his mental powers. He makes better judgments and quick decisions by recognizing repeating pattern within the intricacies, complexities, and nuances of events and circumstances. He is empowered to become a problem solver, a leader that inspires; with influence to carry along all grades of people; gradually impacting transformation. He thrives in the power of calmness in chaotic conditions because he has found the secret – the serenity of the inside is in total control of the excesses of the outside environment. I have a younger sibling who in the process of self – discovery misplaced a few priorities. By way of summary, he was not in the university at the expected time of the supposed sponsor- my elder brother. So when the younger man finally found his purpose, he realized the necessity of the basic university education towards the accomplishment of that dream. His sponsor refused his plea for support on the ground that, he would fail him and everybody. But I intervened, persuaded him to sustain the support, which he did. Today the younger man is in the university; and each time we talk, he says” Sister, were it not for your concern, I will not be where I am presently”. I was able to influence this decision because; I saw and understood the young man efforts to fulfill destiny but others perceived it as a wasted time which it was not. I also knew by experience and knowledge that the self – discovery journey varies with individual in terms of timing, awareness and direction. Another reason was the character I have maintained over the years.

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 sources of consciousness re-awakening to possibilities. They are roadmap to a destination. These lessons will help me apply my thoughts to better judgments, informed decision making and develop a character worthy of emulation. I will change my mindset to impact my family, and then my family can change another family. When the institutional capacities of community are empowered; our world stands the opportunities of changing for the better. A transformed society should have lesser problems.

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

“Man is a growth by law and not an artifice by creation.”

Man has the characteristic of increase; that is self – initiated. The powers of his thought are self- regenerative. Man growth is a plan; it is not by chance.

“Circumstance does not make a man; it reveals him to himself.”

The meaning of the above quote carries cross-cutting theme of the whole book. Depending on what is being judged and the judgment criteria; be it personality traits, achievement, the mindset and may be a claim or man. The worth or effort a thing is only when tested and found to be true or become known as it is. Circumstance, reveals either the weakness or strength of both his mental or material power. It exposes the level of a man’s preparation to meet with an opportunity. It tells the state of his mind, the value of his efforts. It is just the way he is at that particular time. This is the operation of cause and effect of his thought. The general knowledge applies to tracking of the origin of problems at a primary level or physical level, where the mind and its thought process can be held accountable. This is important to me, because I have learnt not make assumptions about issues, relationship and peoples’ character without credible evidence, proof or test; but by sound judgment make decisions of my life.

“A man may be honest certain directions, yet suffer privations.”

Concerning the justice of the law of cause and effect of his being, it tracks the origin of problem in specificity. This drive moves beyond factual knowledge to the understanding, the judgment criteria is accuracy and sensitivity; and conclusion can be drawn which normally a spiritual perspective, the unerring nature of the law. This is important to me because it has made me to understand why bad things still happen to “good people.”

“Circumstance is complicated yet deeply rooted.”

This means a particular time, it may not reveal the totality of a man’s worth. Even when a person is changed; and he is really filled with good thoughts, because he has not attained unto supreme perfection. So a person, who has always been known to be very calm in almost all circumstances, may on a very rare occasion lose his self-control. The law is a dominating force in the universe. With deeper knowledge and experience comes the understanding that the dishonest man has some admirable virtue which the other does not possess. One cannot assume that the he is totally honest, so bad result cannot manifest in his life. Circumstance, be it good or bad cannot make a man, it reveals him to himself.

“Every man is where his by the law of his being.but all is the result of the law which cannot err.”

Another lesson here is that making conclusion from a superficial judgment is not so correct. For man to learn a spiritual lesson from an event, he must judge the operation of the law at his being level, and then examine the justice of the law itself. It is only by doing this, that he can grow to the next phase.

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?

No.

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. They were helpful. I was given access to the book “Acres of Diamond” and other e books. I was also given the opportunity to make referrals of “As a Man Thinketh” to other people.

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.

No.

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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

 

 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Assessment by Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

With a narrative approach, the author highlights the steps to pursue and realize one’s ambition of making success in any field. Endowed with the freedom of thoughts; he can break the vicious cycles of mediocrity, self- limitation, fear, doubt, discouragement, ignorance, fulfillment, dependence and successfully embrace change with the application of his mental powers.

Freedom in its totality is actually the conscious ability of the mind to objectively express or communicate its thought processes; through demonstrable action and activities that culminate in positive and sustainable changes at the individual level and, finally at the social level. Communication of thoughts conveyed in this book include nonviolent, verbal and/or nonverbal. The changes are adaptive, physical or/and spiritual, socio- cultural, developmental, political, governmental, behavioral. These changes presented are progressive, immediate, intermediate, long term.

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. Continuous learning is fundamental to life’s growth

In order to improve our lives; we must be disciplined to learn from people and personal experiences of several mistakes, setbacks, challenges. This is a principle of developmental growth. We can prove we have learnt only after we have ventured and conquered the enemies of self – limitation, fear of failures and have made the necessary adjustment of lifting ourselves out of ignorance into knowledge. The extent to which we learn and practice will be measure of our success. The achievements we gained in a particular level of life, prepares us for the next opportunity life offers us. My personal experience of learning how to ride a bicycle is a good illustration of this principle. In the very first week, I would hold the two handles, roll forward slightly and then climb onto the left pedal before putting my other leg on the right pedal; with someone holding the carrier at the back to stop me from falling, shouting instructions. After a while, my coach said for me to try the procedure with his support and the real challenge began. With successive trials, I fell off, ran into roadside flowers, because I was still learning the art of riding. And while I rode, I looked down at the pedals and not forward to my destination. And the result was failure enforce control of my mind and the bicycle. I learnt the technique of multitasking with focus. Although, I got quite a number of bruises, I continued practicing as determination built up. Later on, I rode perfectly well, all by myself having learnt the tricks; a carrier-loaded bicycle.

ii. Discovery of self and purpose reveals life’s true meaning.

For man to grow progressively, the responsibility of making discoveries of himself and what he is created to do is compulsory. He must engage his thoughts, curiosity and have an ambition. The feeling of dissatisfaction with the state of his life; and questioning himself for answers would always trigger the process. This is an indication of personal readiness grow to another level. Until he finds the reason for his existence and demonstrates it, he is not happy. What does everybody wants in life? Happiness! How? By doing those things that are exciting to you; from your areas of interest. When self has been discovered, he finds new sights, new thoughts and new questions. During periods of quietness, I have reflected on opportunities missed due to ignorance. When I started my school training, my mentality was that of graduation, finding a good job. But I later became disappointed at myself when it did not turn that way – the experience of job hunting and cut allowances. It triggered questions such as; what I really wanted out of life and where do I want to see myself? (vision). I have also learnt that it is not too late to start again. Inspired with this thought, I started the personal and career change process. I discovered that basic education is necessary but life is more about what can be done with all the opportunities. I discovered links that should take me to where I want to be. I discovered need for capacity development. Every action taken so far has been unfolding new perspectives, and clearer vision of what a fulfilled life will be.

iii. The practice of goal setting, gives a sense of direction in the pursuit of one’s dream.

“The subject was speed, and in a week’s practice he learned more about speed than the fastest gull alive.” Achieving a particular goal requires a schedule of planned objectives. The capacity to gradually achieve these set objectives finally sum up to an accomplished goal.

iv. Out of the opposition to new ideas and results; comes the avenue to be distinguished.

When the application of thoughts; bring new developmental changes. It is very prone to criticism, opposition, and resistance. Many times, perceived as threat or challenge to society or cultural existence is change. This demands that a man’s character should persevere in the face of opposition in order to be distinguished, his purpose must be greater than the confrontation. He must stand for a belief, chart a new course. He cannot afford to yield to the ordinary and remain bound. He must free himself by his thoughts and actions. The results; in respect of human development cannot be compared to the light afflictions of the moment. It is what sets a man apart from the ordinary. It is what he will be remembered for. During my secondary school days came the period of growth into young adolescent and the role of peer pressure. With a level of awareness of; where I was coming from and where I planned to go to. I made a personal decision to be myself. I did not waste my time in strolling around town. I would rather read a novel than engage in gossip, and to help at the shop. I did visit occasionally. Then my friends felt, I was not spending enough time for myself and in their fun. They could not understand my stand – that there is time for everything depending on its priority. One said “do not mind her. She has been circumcised; so she cannot go out for now.” She is going to heaven and leaving us behind. I wanted them to know that, I could stand for myself and not to be controlled by anyone one them. Also, I showed them that our friendship was important but I had no need to please or pretend to in order keep my friends. Many of them still respect me for that till today. One will always say “you are too sensible but I like you because you always tell the truth to my face.

v. Dimensions of a man’s success is a measure of his sacrificial capability.

With every achievement comes a prize that was paid. Be it physical and/or spiritual. Things are made to happen. It could be a man’s time, relationship, family and even society. Sacrifice calls on man’s determination to do what must be done to produce the desired outcome. Sacrifice is total commitment without second thoughts, hesitancy. The depth, breadth, the height; and sustenance of man’s success depends on sacrifice. For me, getting married was about leaving my family to another. During pregnancy, I could only lie down on my side; coupled with the serious commitment to maintenance of the drug and supplement regime in order to sustain myself and the baby. The time, patience, and care that goes into a child’s raising and training are none but sacrifice. It can go on and on. Yet fulfilling this responsibility was a form of success.

vi. Leaders are made not born.

Through the mastery of a skill sets or gaining a form of independence is journey travelled individually. Because men make efforts, follow their aspirations for achievement and become successful. With empowerment, comes the avenue to change people. People will naturally look up to a successful man, they are admired for character. They see them as role models. They seek form identification, by wanting to associate themselves with their success stories. These ordinary men were once far from being anything success. But when they committed themselves to an idea, learnt principles, discovered themselves, made sacrifices, fought for their dreams to come; the system orchestrates mentors or experienced leaders to connect with these emerging ones to guide and steer them to position of influence. There preparation journey met with opportunity of a lifetime. Providence rewards their focused efforts. Once a man can influence people, he has become a leader. A leader can change others; these become change agent for society. In getting t leadership positions, I had taken the initiative to be part of team or group with a shared vision. I became distinguished by way of service, character and preparation. The decision to lead my class academically, necessitated the devotion of myself to the rigorous and thorough study of my courses, laid out targets; and searched for more information. They were days of personal commitment, delayed gratification, and toil. All the way, I took bold steps to consult lecturers within and without the department. In the process connected with senior colleagues and vice versa.

vii. Success is for service

When men become leaders; they are meant to serve others. Service is nothing but giving back to society in ways they deemed fit; so long it is of positive influence. They empower men to break out of ignorance, bondage and limitations. They make life a better place to live in. they manage the affairs of the public, providing newer ways of doing things, growing them to their potential. They leave legacies behind. They have withered storms, so they can understand the views of people and through non-violence means rule over them. They have let go of the past – a reformation. They have also forgiven the system and its failures. They are ready to help it develop. They can now show love and kindness. They never forget that, some other people had shown them kindness, supported them during their moves to success. With awareness, I volunteered to give back to society. I was trained. Thereafter I was deployed to rural community to serve because that was where my service could make a reasonable impact. I worked with the youths, many I may never see again. I brought them enlightenment on the issues that bothered on HIV/AIDS prevention, societal implications while inspiring them to dream of an exciting future.

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?

Practically keeping and sharing these lessons in my daily personal life makes in charge of my life. I will be ready to face every new day; pursuing my purpose with a winning attitude. People associated with winners. So they will do what winner do, think and act like them. And of course change 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.

“Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight – how to get from shore to food and back. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight.”

Self-limiting thoughts is a captive force that keep people bound. Engaging in free thinking makes one see farther, sees before others and do extra ordinary things.

“I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.”

Ambition not only provides the will power to overcome opposition; especially from our loved ones but also to pursue one’s dream, happily doing those very interesting things.

“More than anything else, Jonathan Livingston Seagull loved to fly.”

In doing things we love, we discover our talent.

“Short wings? A falcon’s short wings! That’s the answer! What a fool I’ve been! All I need is a tiny little wing, all I need is to fold most of my wings and fly on just the tips alone! Short wings!”

The answer to every challenge we encounter on our way to destiny lies within us. That sparks of small idea, which does not seem to count, could be the solution.

“But the speed was power, and the speed was joy, and the speed was pure beauty.”

The key to personal empowerment; is to know what skills and learned competencies are necessary to secure one’s future. It gives power to succeed, creates happiness and an admirable life.

“We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!”

We become everything want to be. There are no limitations, only, if we believe.

“It’s strange. The gulls who scorn perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly. Those who put aside travel for the sake of perfection go anywhere, instantly. Remember, Jonathan, heaven isn’t a place or a time, because place and time are so very meaningless. Heaven is.”

Those who forsake their ambition for the sake of maintaining their status can never make a mark but those that change their mindset and question their status make progress all round.

“Why is it, Jonathan puzzled, that the hardest thing in the world is to convince a bird that he is free, and that he can prove it for himself if he’d just spend a little time practicing? Why should that be so hard?”

Many people think and understand freedom only in the physical or spiritual manifestation. Only few people know that mental freedom gives form to the others.

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?

No.

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?

Exercises were not given.

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.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

 

 

Success through Positive Mental Attitude

Assessment by Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

The author conveyed the idea that an aspiring leader with a success goal ought to learn and employ the art of motivation through PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) just as the successful men who preceded us in history have all done. He summarized the essence of leadership in this statement, “direct your thoughts (be the leader, pioneer, visionary, master, the director) – control your emotions (lead and motivate your body, family, team, company, citizen, country, world) – ordain your destiny,” (fulfill the will of God, deliver success goals).

PMA is a personal development framework that empowers the both conscious and subconscious mind to generate limitless: strategy options, implementation capabilities (motivation of decisive action) and execution abilities (operation and completion of action) in solving problems of life changes – a range of personal, family, business and society problems. It enforces the success consciousness. Negative Mental attitude (NMA) is the reverse of PMA in – effects, causes, results as well an incompetent leadership.

He emphasized the personal development task of eliminating real limitations when the art of motivation with PMA is learned and applied with PMA.

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. Developing motivational approaches to problem solving.

Motivation is that forceful strength of hope which provides an inner urge within an individual to start an action in attempt to produce specific results. These urges include moods, instincts, feelings, emotions, desires, thoughts habit and action. The author stated based on comprehensive review that nobody does anything without being motivated to do it.

Positive mental attitude encompasses a variety of motivating factors: the PMA’s plus characteristics of hope, faith, charity, optimism, cheer, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindliness, honesty, good finding, personal initiative, truthfulness, straightforwardness and good common sense. That is if an individual can develop and maintain PMA as part of his personality; he invariably possesses the capability to function with these motivating factors in pursuit of his definite purpose in life.

There basically four types of motivation in which a man takes part: child/parent, salesman/ buyer, teacher/ student, and master/servant. In these roles we communicate. And if one knows what motivates him he can motivate others. Negative Mental Attitude is in continuous conflict with reason, leading to failure and fulfilled dreams.

Emotions of fear in times when in times of emergency can serve positive role. But as one develops, reason helps human to know that some shades of fear are unwarranted and should be substituted with positive emotions so as to save and direct the associated energy into productive goals. Fear of failure and the unknown, self-doubt, timidity arising from lack of confidence in individual capabilities can permanently keep people from achieving worthwhile goals. Yet PMA helps a person to attract and motivate person efforts and support of other people towards the achievement his life goals with an advantageous certainty, such that his encounters of/with unintended outcomes, challenges and risks can be converted to success.

Depending on the personality traits, history and environment, and what motivates a person, people can be motivated to varying degrees of motivation. According to the author, a written letter asking for a reply, reading of inspirational books including the Bible, motivating by example, knowing what motivates a person and applying it; the use of word symbols expressed in the form of challenge, endearment are all ways of motivating people. Some situations require a continual motivation of people while once in a life meeting with an influential person can permanently stamp success consciousness into a person, which is strong enough to prompt him at will to action.

The benefits of motivation are manifested in character development, job performance, building stable relationships and also for thought expression.

My father will always inculcate in his children the value of self-improvement. He will say, “Life is a competition” that we should prepare for the opportunity. My mother would say, “in any where you live in this world find something meaningful to do, never sit idle.”

ii. Communication strategy development

Being alive as a human is an effective communication process. We communicate for the purpose of understanding ourselves better. As consistently emphasized in this book, a man is mind and a body and he possesses the tool of thought: words. Words are symbols. The subconscious mind instantaneously communicates to the conscious mind through symbols. Through one word a sum total of combined meaning – of innumerable ideas, concepts and experiences are communicated. Semantics is a science that is committed to the discovery of new word meaning and the communicating of ideas through words. Through one word people can be motivated to act. Through verbal and non-verbal communication of one’s mental attitude, one exercises the power to attract and repel opportunities, situations and personalities that will favor the success principles that work out goals. To live, one speaks, writes, reads, and listens to words. How does one evaluate effective communication strategy? By reading the meaning of received response from symbols sent to the receiver. Facial expression, intonation and body language can easily reveal the thoughts of a person.

In fulfilling one’s goal, one must solve problems- personal, family and business – to achieve specific results. When one employs the mechanism of suggestion to teach children, the children will in a lifetime maintain moral standards at home and in the outside society. At times of right decision making or emergency, the subconscious communicates flashes of inspiration or ideas of what do. This is because the conscious mind has been feed with through repetition courageous word, Godly and positive words at home. Imagine the motivational effects of words such as you can do it! You are best! When spoken with emotions and feelings to children and even adults at the workplace, one would have unleashed and channeled their energies into productive performance because it could mean confidence and trust. The voice, like music is also a reflection of the mood attitude, and hidden thoughts of the mind. Writing of letters is also way of motivating people. In marriages, when couples continue to communicate their true feelings of affection, understanding, and love to each other the sparkle in their eyes will not become dulled by changes in life situations – they unfailingly employ PMA’s pleasing personality.

Now as an aspiring leader, if I begin to practice effective communication through PMA, overtime I will form a habit of it since experience should have taught me to steer clear of NMA as it could stimulate undesirable reactions from people to me. I also remember applying for scholarship once, and the instruction stipulated writing about leadership role I have played in life and also write a motivational letter, and that getting the scholarship on my ability to motivate the committee among other requirement. I wanted to try, but writing the motivational letter was a challenge because I did not really have a detailed understanding of motivation but now I do. I will do better next time.

iii. Develop strategies for problem solving.

Everyone has problems. This is because you and everything in the universe is in a constant process of change. Change is an inexorable law. What is important to an aspiring leader is that his success or failure to meet the challenges of change is depended on his mental attitude.

A man who seizes upon his problems as opportunities in disguise and scrutinizes them for the good element that is going to be there is the man who understands the very core of PMA. When a man has PMA, the problems of his world tend to bow before him. You develop and maintain PMA by making it your responsibility to adopt and employ the seventeen (17) principles in your daily living. When one reads inspirational books with case histories of success, he absorbs PMA unconsciously.

Life never leaves one stranded with problems, it hands also the ability to solve it; only our abilities vary, of course as we are motivated to use them. Your first victory was worn at conception where you fought your life’s most decisive battle and received from your vast reservoir of the past all the potential abilities and powers you need to achieve objectives. Victories are the rung on the ladder to success. With every victory won one grows in wisdom, stature and experience. One is better, bigger and more successful. Victory is built into every human being but it only asserts itself one is ready – has decided to tackle problems, difficulties and fight battles. History chronicled successful men adapted to challenges of change in the following ways: with a determination to fight for victory in battles PMA becomes courage and moral strength which they fought fear, they made their world by become right in their mental attitudes, they identified with successful images such slogan, picture of a loved and respected one from which they draw inspiration for problem solving.

When a problem is a case of personal failure, start by taking up the responsibility for oneself as the cause, due to NMA. When the cause of a problem is known you can often find your own solution. When the problem is an unattained financial goal, start by listing all the problems and then make workable answers for each. When faced with problem that involves the misunderstanding between other persons one must examine himself, taking up the customer is always right attitude in the approach. You would end up changing the reaction of the other person through your attitude. To solve problems founded on arguments, communication principles and logic will come to play.

An aspiring leader, it is necessary to learn, develop and maintain logical reasoning and creativity skills. There is a value in solving problems or developing desirable habits by asking questions. Write them down, and then, in your thinking time, strive to find the proper solutions to obtain the results you desire.

iv. Strategic planning

Hence inspirational dissatisfaction accompanied with action leads to successive discoveries. Once a person discovers himself as a champion created with ability to think, choose and act; and also sees the obligation that in realizing purpose, he fulfills the highest ideal which is the will of God. Inspirational dissatisfaction makes one see the necessity of making his in – victory to assert itself, he makes a decisive action to develop PMA regarding his abilities and opportunities as well as choose a definite goal and aim higher. He is now ready take the responsibility of shaping his destiny. This repeated quote by the author is in support of this process “direct your thoughts control your emotions, ordain your destiny.”

Then he must prepare himself to take on this journey of life. And is there a man who wants to embark on a journey without knowing where he is starting from and where his is going to? No! Therefore he must follow a self – influenced leadership of his conscious and subconscious mind to direct him (vision) in the mission to fulfill his goal – definiteness of purpose. A step to goal setting.

This particular skill can be developed in person with PMA for constructive use. This brought my back the memories of my school mottos: knowledge is power (secondary school). For tertiary institution: To restore the dignity of man. School programs made us recite them but as at then without understanding. In fact, by reading this book, I have gained quicker and deeper understanding of other materials I have read before now. I have suddenly picked an in interest in appreciating the logos of companies, their colors and the design of their building structures, pledges, emblems, monuments, anthems and national flags. My attitude before now was to casually scan through mission and vision statements especially at the banks where they are so openly displayed. Now they mean something very special to me.

v. Business development strategies

This book showcased the ability of successful men to create economic value from whatever profession they engaged. They made fast decisions subject to immediate action – mental and/or physical. They made business collaborations guided with PMA consciousness. Every man’s ability to maintain and transmute PMA to overall business objectives is his competitive advantage – it pulls a business ideas and himself forward, so far out in front of his nearest competitor that it takes years for them to catch up. Another point noted was the fact that, the quickest way to be rich is to sell a product or service that repeats.

Life thrives on business. To make a living, an economic value has to be created through marketing/selling of activities among others time, sell your skills, produce/product services, ideas and plans. Everybody is in the game of business either as an employee or and an employer.

One of the techniques is the ability to sell a product in a brand name. The lead enquiry systems of sales reflect leadership philosophy and motivation. A highlighted relationship between advertising and motivation -The frequency of a message can also motivate customers to make quick buying decision because an impression is made at each time of communication. Any aspiring person aiming for the leadership roles in corporate organization must learn the moves, consciously develop the personality and mindset of a sales person, understand the business cycle, form and manage a mastermind alliance.

Likewise, being able to market ones selling points on a curriculum requires matching personality traits with achievements along the employer’s expectations /motivation – the mission and vision of an organization. This has always being a challenge to me before now. With the understanding I have gained from this book, I will perform better at this task.

Money saving habits can also lead to wealth. Back then and till present, my mother’s business has found advantage in small microfinance cooperatives.

vi. Personnel development Management

The author emphasized the fact that achievement of any worthwhile goal requires a corresponding personal development tasks. There is a price to pay – preparedness to face and overcome mental and moral conflicts while energy is still sustained.

Every personality possesses tendencies and habits by reason of biological and psychological development. This produces a uniqueness in individuals in their behaviors that may not all be desirable. Also he is subject to change. Natural law of change affects every individual in the fashion of personal, family, business and society problems. An understanding of individual differences and how to cope with or manage them would go a long way in solving parts of the problem emanating from change be it internal and/or external.

The author noted the fact that the forces that influence personalities can be likened to the powers of a magnet. When people do not behave you perhaps expect it is because of the effect of this forces. Knowledge of the fact children differ in their ambitions, energies and traits will create a happy co-existence. This also applies to business teams and society. Opposite personality traits attract each other because of the probability they complement, strengthen, and inspire each other.

The book revealed this ability of Andrew Carnegie, to understand the Napoleon Hill’s personality traits as follows: aggressive extrovert with high energy, initiative and personal drive. He also perceived the strength of his communication skills during the interview. He saw a balanced mind – reasoning and emotions. He inspired Napoleon Hill with success stories, directed his thoughts, shortened his decision making process with a challenge. Andrew Carnegie whose philosophy was: anything worth having is worth working for; had an understanding of expected response: That Napoleon Hill would accept a challenge that matches common motive. He channeled his energy to the right career in Journalism. Andrew Carnegie functioned as his a human resource manager, business partner and mentor. Aspiring leaders should use be able to set direction for themselves and at their work place, the use of motivation to manage himself and his team towards the actualization of set goals.

vii. Emotional intelligence for stress management

Lifetime periods: self – discovery, achievement and fulfillment. The lives of successful men examined in this book reflected a growth pattern of ‘‘self – discovery, achievement and fulfillment’’ with PMA as the connecting links. With this consciousness, they focused on their goals, set ethical standards with PMA in order measure success and knew when to retire into self-fulfillment while their achievements labored on. Successful men were motivated to seek happiness, peace and morals as means of work life balance and to ease off stress. In an attempt to gain success, people do not just gather for only themselves only but share with others. They did not have to wear themselves out, they relaxed and lived healthily.

Napoleon Hill’s real achievement journey began when he encountered Andrew Carnegie’s challenge “How is there in this climate of this great nation that I, a foreigner, can build a business and acquire wealth? How is that anyone here can achieve success? I challenge you to devote 20 years of your life to the study of the philosophy of American achievement and come up with an answer will you accept?”

Helen Keller wrote, “the joy of surmounting obstacles which once seemed unremovable and pushing the frontier of accomplishment further – what joy is there like unto it.’’ if those who seek happiness would stop one little minute and think they would see the delights they already experience are as countless as the grasses at their feet, or the dewdrops sparkling upon the morning flowers.

This principle of lifetime growth is worthy of emulation by people with PMA and should be a source of motivation for anyone who desires success; enhancing time and resource management while supplying efforts to the selected opportunities.

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

It has given me a comprehensive approach to develop basic career skills. This book has improved my employability skills. Knowledge from this book will help achieve success also motivate others to do so. I will commit reading motivational and inspirational books including the bible; and also leave a part of me for the next generation.

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.

“Motivation is like a fire: unless you continue to fuel, it will go.”

Consciously build your energies to achieve consistently

“The art of record- breaking is the ability to take more out of yourself than you have got. You punish yourself more and more and rest between spells.”

Making breakthrough achievement requires a great deal of going the extra mile.

“Failure uses up as much energy at failing as a successful person uses in winning.”

Success and failure are equivalent in opposite end just the results are different.

“Top coaches in their search for methods that will give their champions just that little bit extra over and above their regular scientifically dense training program, are finding a new inspiration in the doctrines of the great American expert.”

“They are adopting Napoleon Hill’s technique of mental approach to what is, essentially a physical problem. Some have taken PMA science of success course so that they can apply the course correctly.”

The brain thinking power is the greatest asset if one can put it to constructive and creative uses – dignifying humanity with enlightened education

“There were things said that I should have known as a college student. During and after the lecture I began to recognize some of them. My education had omitted many of the things that were important such as ways of seeking the unknown. I began to see the faults of the educational system of the day.”

The school does not teach a person everything; so make up for the gap through continuous learning

“When you engage in activities that do not come to you naturally, and that you are inwardly repellent, a square peg in a round hole, you square the hole, you can round the peg.”

Develop flexibility in character to meet tasks associated with problemsolving

“Character is the cornerstone in building and maintaining success- that the highest and the best achievement are noble manhood and womanhood, the achievement of true integrity and well-rounded character is in itself success.”

Greatest success is the intangible values that ageless and timeless.

“A philosophy is motivator. The world will be a better place if each person leave as an inheritance to posterity, the philosophy and know – how that brought him success, happiness, physical mental, and spiritual health and wealth.”

A good man ought to live inheritance for everybody through his biography

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?

No.

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. They were helpful, especially the Success Quotient Analysis.

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.

No

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

 

 

Keys to Success

Assessment by Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

The author conveyed the logic underlying personal achievement: any worthless, superfluous, or harmful habit that confers weakness to the character and life plan of an individual; can be broken and replaced with more desirable ones that strengthen a personality to attract cooperative efforts, increase opportunity and influence.

To fulfill destiny, people with aspirations will be forced to consciously and painstakingly acquire the personal and social competence to able to deal with people. An individual will develop necessary strengths by assuming self – leadership and management responsibilities.

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. Build and coordinate the power of self-leadership.

Occupying a position does not necessarily mean one possess power of leadership. The power of leadership comes from the mind and the body of an individual. A leader is the person who through self- discipline has attained a mastery of thoughts and actions habits. He has incorporated success consciousness in his mental environment. He has made all the mind faculties subject to will power. An aspiring leader should develop mental tools – controlled attention, learning from defeat, accurate thinking , self – discipline , personal initiative and going the extra mile, to build and release organized power of his attractive personality so that he will be able to influence himself and his world. By thinking before acting; adapting to infinite intelligence, and developing the rational faculties to engage cosmic habit force. In seeking for a role sometime early part of this year I did not succeed because I lacked a particular skill. So my mind was fixed on the how to acquire it. There is this still inner voice that that just urges me to take a step and not long I found a means of conveniently taking a course on the subject. It just occurred at the time I really I had the desire.

ii. Develop an attractive personality.

To make a personality attractive through acquisition of skills, habits, qualities, dispositions: is a conscious development task. Both the mind and body must be developed basically to communicate an effective showmanship, clean sportsmanship, personal magnetism, positive mental attitude and ethical standards. Flexibility skill and personal initiative are key strengths of any successful and a will besuccessful individual in this present world. An aspiring leader’s words and lifestyle must align; reflect his values and the unique image of his vision in other to command influence and respect. In making an application for a volunteering opportunity, I was able to craft a CV that blended my personality traits to achievements effortlessly. This made it possible for me to secure a placement position.

iii. Coordinate the cooperation of cross functional teams.

Competent leadership is actually a transfer of personal power to the roles we perform and the associated responsibilities discharged. Being able to inspire the faithfulness and loyalty of team members to support a vision requires the self – confidence, success consciousness and a shared enthusiasm of a leader. He can frankly communicate his personality with an understanding of people’s needs and motives, demonstrated by courage and strict ethical standards. An aspiring leader will learn and use the art of powerful communication to impress the value of his vision to achieve enduring cooperation. He must be committed to developing his team members by using inspiring illustrations of success stories to drive their efficiency as well share power through delegation of responsibilities. My early church has this structure that allows leadership experience to be shared. The founder’s vision manifested through his inspiring hope messages. Through the cell structure his presence is connected to every member. Regular meetings, weekly reports ensured bottom – up communication channels. The giving potentials are motivated with praise, recognition and honorary awards.

iv. Develop the capacity to manage risks

Self-mastery of fear and anxiety will permit an individual to employ experiential knowledge to advance steadily into a matured being. Sustain PMA into his life affairs, and using his willpower not to accept defeat as a permanent event. Successful people are able to manage change; seeing every encountered setback as stepping stone or as a project to introduce change into their life routine. I remember the very first time I engaged in retailing, I just started with the right feeling that it will work. It did work to certain level, because later on people started telling me what they specifically desired and it was good lesson I learnt at that stage.

v. Time management

Successful people manage their time by doing the most important things; that drive towards realizing their definiteness of purpose. They are able to do this by prioritizing their tasks to be found wanting. They will through self–discipline do the right thing and at the right time. They use their time to engage inn productive activities such as community services, associate with like minds, directing their thoughts towards the objects of their desire; yet maintain the hours accorded to sleep – work – spare time. They use PMA and personal initiative to see work as an opportunity and a route to independence and security. Part of using my time during this parenting period led me to find IIGL. Also engaging in volunteering activities has helped in widening experience as well as gaining a self- fulfillment.

vi. Financial management

Strict financial management is also another ethical standard of successful people. They create and implement budget for regular and emergency spending to cover all stages of the life cycle as well as leaving a part for charity and their generation. Personal financial policy should allow increased savings with increased income; making it a standard to pay off debts in accordance to established agreement. My father was somebody that greatly influenced my life in terms of meeting his basic financial obligations. Even when he passed on, there were key things he set in place that gave us a covering and one outstanding value he taught and practiced was to have a good image associated with one’s name. I am also working towards doing the same but better for children and their generation.

vii. Implement a work/life balance program

Successful people also have ethical standards for maintaining sound health. They learnt to adapt to the highs and lows of their lifetime. It is important to emulate good habits that reflect a health consciousness of the physical and mental health. More foods geared towards body repair should be eaten alongside physical relaxation and sleep routine. Using a good part of this year to engage in various self – improvement tasks; it becomes necessary to find relaxation time. In the evenings I discuss national issues and possible trends they might take with my spouse. I also take the weekends off any demanding mental exercise such that when I go back to a previous task, recognition of patterns or inter-relatedness to other scenarios will be brought to remembrance.

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?

Many of the ideas spelt out in this book are truths. This book has helped to be become very aware of myself and the ways of people generally. I know that the effective way to build the life of people around me is to find a way of influencing them to have a personal desire of their own. It has also reinforced my desire to create something that shares my personality with the world.

“Nature frowns at any attempt to get something for nothing.”

This means that there is nothing really free because somehow one will have to make exchanges.

“The value of wealth that comes with success is that it carries with it the lessons you have learnt in acquiring it.”

This means that we acquire wisdom and experience to live and manage enduring success as refined, culture and civilized human beings.

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?

No.

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.

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.

No

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

 

 

Psycho-Cybernetics
Assessment by Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

The author conveys this idea that finding self- fulfillment is a possibility but it is only by personal resolve to steer ourselves to reach productive goals; while standing up to and rising above all forms of human imperfections, uncertainties of a changing world and moving on to share the intangible values acquired with humanity. The technique to develop one’s personality is to use sequential goals in achieving successful living.

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. Goals translation and achievement

Endowed with the forebrain, a desire grows from our imaginative thoughts through goals into motives into reality when pursued and accomplished. An accomplished goal leads to self – fulfillment. To live a successful life, we translate man’s major goal – to live and be happy into various forms in order to reach this major goal. To succeed, an individual must set build his tangible goals on intangible goals. Then learn the techniques, launch into the outer world with a determination to survive and succeed the uncertainties with clear thinking, constant reflection and reappraisal of strategies and the continual reinforcement of the self- image and success imagery and visualization. A good leader must add to his qualities forgiveness, self- acceptance and compassion in order to rise to his full stature of fulfillment

ii. Build an identity for self- image

The self–image is the opinion of one’s worth or value as human embedded in the operating mechanism of the conscience. To succeed – to encounter undesirable experiences and continually rise above them is strength of the values that is built around success. Values are those goals that hold very important meaning to an individual. To live successfully, a leader begins early to institute a value system acquire humility from life lessons revealed through experiences; then grows his basic personality to a mature one. Humility being a composite of: sincerity, understanding, knowledge, capacity, integrity, contentment, yearning and maturity. Then he constructs for himself a self-reliant image that is healthy, strong and big that he is always proud of. Then he constructs for himself a self-reliant image that is healthy, strong and big that he is always proud of. A leader possess a confident image that conforms to the basic rules civilization without losing the uniqueness of his self – image with a right to succeed while learning from his inner and outer world exploration.

iii. Crises management and recovery

The basic personality suffers from internal and external crises. When an individual is crushed under frustration and yields to the successive effects. There as aspiring leaders we must utilize the understanding of human psychology to live creatively and constructively through periods of weakness as a base grow into the place of strength. Every day we can use self – image tool to heal emotional wounds while using the scars to build humility; until this learned response becomes a habit that is executed in the subconscious. Learning how to forgive ourselves and others, root out of his mind self-pity, and stop blaming people, world and God but grow into a place of accepting himself an imperfect yet perfect at times of successful undertakings. He rather focuses on making the inner world aright and at peace; using this to produce a repeatable experience outside. An individual must do this to care for his mental health and conscience and express self – respect.

iv. Stress management

Stress that produced tensions- we must learn to overcome by standing up to them and rising above them because they constitute the process of living. We choose and practice the art of relaxation to build our mental and spiritual energies. It is imperative to take up the personal responsibility of partaking of happiness with an acceptance of the reality that – problems and tensions are there to surmount in other to enhance our integrity as humans, giving muscle to our spiritual and intellectual fibres appreciating success to be the capacity to rise above any for confrontation. Anxieties and calculated risks must be checked with decision making and negotiation with fear using clear thinking and never giving up, confronting an oppressive conscience all its accompanying negative effects on human dignity.

v. Conflict management

People have failed to reach their full stature of dignity due the poor management of success instincts versus conscience. This basically because they feel they cannot succeed and then believe by reason of mind conditioning and lack of value system. The stage of development of one’s capacity aligns with supportive and cooperative roles that an individual’s conscience has been trained to assume in the journey of life. Leaders must empower the valued opinion of themselves while giving credit to conscience in order to achieve enduring success. A leader must confront, win or resolve within him the warring members – conscience, emotions, reason, memory, and instincts of his mind – in order to carry within the qualifications of a mature, creative mind watcher.

vi. Emotional intelligence

Having no goals implies abundant negative feelings occupying one’s image. Only positive feelings and success instincts must drive us towards accomplishment; knowing fully well that ones’ self – respect is at stake. An emotionally intelligent person is creative mind watcher who through practice has acquired a mastery of use self – discipline; to reorganize energies of unhelpful emotions into productive goals that contribute to satisfaction upon accomplishment. A leader grows up to where hurt feelings can no longer dictate his happiness but rather sharing happiness and friendship with humanity. He focuses on what matters, discovers through exploration his worth underneath his asset, chooses happiness and knows where to find human satisfaction. With creative mind watching, a matured and refined leader with a calm poise is made.

vii. Change management

Many people have failed to fulfill themselves because they could not make the necessary mental adjustments to fit into a changing world and a changing personality arising from different roles they play throughout life. The core of changing personality lies in the changing of self- image not the outside circumstance. Growth and development be it within an individual or an organization is in reality a change process that started with a desire to change. A leader must do more than having this knowledge must continually seek self–improvement, reaching out for new experiences, making mistakes and resolving to adjust to new opportunities and letting go the past failures. A good accepts himself and ultimately possess self–esteem, confidence, and courage He must subject himself to reformation and transformation.

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

The lessons from this book have strengthened my resolution to be myself whether at home or outside; and I am passing it on to people around me. This has changed my understanding of the New Testament to deeper and practical experience especially the epistles of Paul.

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.

“Life is long lesson in humility. There is no humiliation in humility.”

The word humility carries within it the totality of one’s character. It is the balanced measure of maturity that comes not necessarily by age but experience and practice.

“There is one thing greater than all the armies of in the world put together and that is an idea whose time has come.”

“A timely translation of an idea into a real and productive goal is carries power to win all battles of life. The strongest army in the outside world is in reality the brainchild of an individual that disciplined himself to give birth to probably just one of his mental images.
The misfortunes hardest to bear are those that never come.”

To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.

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?

No

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?

None.

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.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from one to ten. 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 New Dynamics of Winning

Assessment by Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

The author conveys the idea that it takes the mastery and refinement of breakthrough techniques – physical and mental – to win the game of life. That the only sure method to achieve personal and careers goals is by creating contingency plan within your strategy and tactics while using committed bite sized efforts to execute.

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. Persistent drive to win

Just as the growth process must have a beginning. Aspiring champions use self- reflection to define the goals that will lead them to becoming the ideal person they visualize. The only proven method of fuelling the desire of achievement is by setting incremental goals with which to stair step their way into competitive greatness. This ability of an individual to define broad goals, outline mini-goals with timeframes of quarters, or season or 90 days project and claim them directly refine the qualities self – management, motivational, and organizational skills of the person.

ii. Ability to prepare thoroughly

How do champions prepare? With set goals, the competition with self- respect begins within the amateur performer be in business or athletics. A game plan must account for the short, mid and long goals as well as contingency as the test of the game plan will be revealed by the quality of performance. Every amateur must seek physical and mental training under the authority of a coach with a proven track record. He must also be able to formulate from all his preparatory experiences, strategy and tactics that will not only get him into the arena but also help him win with flawless execution of skills by hitting set targets. This stage improves his common sense, self-reliance and acquisition of specialist knowledge.

iii. Physical training for speed, strength and stamina

All champion, business and athletes possess these trio abilities of speed, strength and stamina. Amateur will derive them by subjecting himself to training workouts, routines, schedules, exercise, healthy eating in other to build and sustain the agility critical for surviving both field and corporate lanes. He develops flexibility. Speed to adapt to dynamics of a game. Strength to perform and stamina to survive outlast and win the competition. Only a selected uphill task can forge stamina into the mindset of an individual who is willing to pay the price for success.

iv. Mental training

Through psychological trainings- victory visualization, relaxation and positive internal dialogue, found on self-esteem forms the winning mindset of the champions. This mental training combined with physical training forges with the performer mental toughness. The ability to win in face of adversity and unpredictable changes distinguish champions. The aspirant will perfect the art of conserving energy by defying emotional and intellectual weakness in order to hit his target. He also gains a mastery of defusing stress by definitive actions and knowledge. It is his opportunity to access all his internal resources in the heat of competition to achieve his tangible goal. He takes calculated risks because champions are disciplined thinkers. An aspirant must seek advice, cross train, read educative books related to his line of profession. An employee should attend seminars and courses.

v. Winning the competition

His begins with his set of internal values of the performer, he believed in himself – he has self – esteem; becomes adaptable by in order to transition into a coachable champion. He attains to a height of emotional and intellectual endurance in order to outlast the competition outside and inside. With this foundation, is able to use incremental goals to get into the arena. Here in the arena, the wealth of preparatory experience is brought to bear. He takes up the role and acts the game as he pre-played it in his mind taking charge of his body to permit easy execution of the moves. The winning champion should be able to formulate his own strategy and tactics tailored to the changes of the game without breaking rules. He exercises automatic programming of reflexes, hunches and intuitions that permit him to execute his refined skills is shown by how he can quickly adapt the mix of speed, strength and stamina to every different game and associated surprises.

vi. Coach – the professional champion

The achievement of any particular minigoals gradually moves the performer from the grandstand into the positions of fame. For him to maintain his integrity, the onus falls on the professionals and business Executives to all times displayed consistency of character. This will help them get to the peak of their careers; where they can begin to lead teams to win. He becomes an exceptional team player who puts the needs for the member before his own. He gives the shinning spot where the winning experience helps build their confidence. They are approachable because they have also experienced losses and what being a beginner in a new team means. They lead by focusing on teaching habits and skills one which is the fact that winning is the result of efforts much more than ability.

vii. Mentoring

A successful career gradually takes any individual to the highest level of professionalism. He becomes a mentor and an influencer. He builds both champions and winning teams. He offers selfless services to his community not for money but for love and happiness that comes with it. He does this by listening to the individuals and then sparks the internal values in others to gain decisive moment towards achieving common goals. This is because mentors have a passion for living, real love for their life’s work of creating beauty, goodness and truth. Mentors play even beyond the arena. They have competed and won all games they had dreamt of winning. They have become positive thinkers. They just keep winning through their mentees. And of course they are teachers utilize the fundamentals of coaching: explanation, demonstration, correction and repetition to train performers.

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

The ideas in this book has helped fast track my knowledge and awareness about how the real world works. It is helping to dig deeper into what I should not do to save time and speed up my career plans. It has increased my drive towards the concept of competition. Healthy competition is a way of life. And I will pass this on to my friends and family.

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.

“Bend with the wind, and you‘ll still be around when the hurricane passes and the good weather returns.”

We develop a defensive approach towards opposition using patience, pacing and persistence during training and practice.

“Expect the best, plan for worst, be prepared for surprises.”

We should set SMART goals with our limits. Put in a place an alternative plan or options to meet with unpredictable changes as well as developing a strong emotional and intellectual foundation to deal with setbacks

“Never rest on your laurels.”

We should not let the comfort of short term rewards makes us become complacent

“Play ball! Not work ball.”

We ought to have a positive attitude towards work coming from the knowledge that we are doing our best to become successful at the end. And not see work as unrewarding due to external situations.

“Life is not a treasure hunt. Life itself is the treasure.”

The game of life is not searching endlessly for just unknown or undiscovered rewards. Rather it is joy that comes from the little rewards of our effort throughout the while life process.

“Life is never just being. It is becoming and creating.”

A life of fulfillment comes from breaking out of status quo, developing skills to becoming the very person you have always wanted to become and then adding value to lives of people in the world.

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?

No.

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?

They were very helpful. It made the principles very practical.

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.

No.

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 Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)

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

“To change the world is to change the viewpoints of people with the power of persuasion.” It is the path to leadership influence and cooperative culture among humans.

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. Display a long lasting empathic character

Empathic leaders can touch souls because when found in position of wrong doing, they talk about their faults first, gain the respect of the other person. And when in involved in role of changing viewpoints; gradually use interviewing skills to uncover the pain points of a matter, associate with the other person and build trust, seizes this avenue to break defenses while helping their fellows retain dignity in the face their weaknesses. Finally, make suggestions that guide other people to make informed decision resulting to a change of attitude. Upon reflection, I found that people easily confide in me not because I had intention of prying. We could just be conversing and then the topic and the tone changes. I have realized it is because of my empathic nature to listen, understand and encourage.

ii. Perfect diplomatic skills

By reason of being human, you will interact with people to survive. You will find through progressive ventures, situations that are conflicting or threatening will surface. Part of effective leadership is the ability to step in and turn around the insurmountable issues. You will use words to show humility and submissiveness when communicating with controversial people. You will use praises, and storytelling to calm the mood and ego of people; then move ahead to touch slightly their weakness and elaborate on the strength of character. You will not only get what you want but also win friends who do not feel your luring them into doing something. Sometime ago, we had an issue over water with our landlord. Egos clashed as no one wanted to agree he was wrong. I went ahead to call the man and told him that he has been very nice to us, and that people makes sometimes. Then he says, for showing this initiative I have changed my mind, let us forget about our differences.

iii. Command a persuasive flair.

Persuading someone to a new cause of action is a benefit of successful negotiation. This is only way to win people over to join your cause because if you go along you fail. But first, think carefully about what’s in for them before making the move. The secret here is to give or offer them what they want in a manner that they cannot reject it. You know what their needs are, then transform it into a common goal with mutual benefits. When you engage with this knowledge, very early in the conversation will you not only win their interest, but will also permanently dissolve all doubts and in a smooth flow get their consensus over a matter. This is because humans do not want hassle and if you can go through hassle and bring them a solution and benefit; then the world is yours.

Leaders and speakers practically achieve this feat by winning souls, win new party members, selling services and changing the behaviors of families, because the appeal nobler motives, surpassing the heart’s expectations unto the point of satisfaction.

Speaking is one communication that has made exciting for man to live purposefully. It is an endowed capacity to make the intents and thoughts of your hearts audible to another person. You are able to say what the mean and receive expected response. Beyond this primary benefit, is the ability of a leader to speak in a manner to bring about change in hopeless situations. You will know why you want to be heard, and then identify your audience. Think clearly through the reaction you are planning to build in listeners. Words to be used for children and adults vary. The context will also affect the word choice. To lead, you should speak to inform, inspire, and provoke people to take decisive action both in voice inflections and body movement. For the introverts, who shy away from public speaking; you as a leader will rise and speak to save this category of people and inspire hope and followership. Part of my project was to do a 15 minute before my department. With this understanding, I spoke in an informative manner; going directly to present my result, because the audience was not looking for humor or stories less I bore them and go home with poor scores.

v. Grow progressive problem solving capacity

You know that without problems, there will be no change in society. As a leader, you will grow when you able to solve as much as possible problems around you. You will see you can do this, but try to understand the situation and people involved. Some could result from assumed perception and being judgmental towards a person. When approach a matter in attempt to gain understanding, only then will you be able to see beyond the surface to root cause of problems. Once, I had a friend who had issues with her spouse over which church to attend and this was almost tearing their home apart. After much listening, I encouraged her to go as often as she can, after all this meeting meant a lot to her spouse. And therefore, for peace to reign, go with him to encourage him and go to yours the other time. That was the end of all the months of cold war. An influential person solves problems permanently; building relationships from them.

vi. Possess social skills

You will stand out faster in any community when you practice social skills on your fellow humans. It is very simple when you understand live with the personality attitude that everyone counts and people desire to receive their feeling of importance from others. Become genuinely interested in people because everyone is only interested in himself. Show this skills when you remember people’s name and greet and respond to them warmly and as often as possible with a smile. Nobody can resist a bright smile. You will call on birthdays show up for neighborhood meetings. You will volunteer time and energy in the church. You will also show appreciation with saying thank you and well done.

vii. Understand influence of human nature on behavior

The rules of human nature manifest daily. You want to be remembered. You want a sense of belonging. You want to be appreciated. You want to be seen as important. You want all your problems to just go away. You want to be heard. You never want your ego to be deflated. Influential people read, test and validate the facts of most form of knowledge and translate acquired insights into everyday real exploration and experiences. Whatever skills leaders have, they harness them with an understanding of human behavior. They always want to understand as quickly as possible what the character needs of the other person are. And if he out to please, win or correct the person he knows what approach of communications to apply.

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 growth processes. These are the standard abilities that employers look for. This book is source of career path and business insight. The lesson learnt by reading this book aids how I promote myself in relationships. And I will pass this knowledge on.

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

“A man without a smiling face must not open a shop.”

“He who treads softly go far.”

“First arouse in the other person an eager want. He who can do this has the whole world with him. He who cannot walks a lonely way.”

“Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him.”

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?

No.

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

Yes. That we should spend a little time in day to think about what other people want. This process is keeps nudging me, to think about different age groups searching their needs, interests with a possibility of translating them to solutions.

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.

No. The beauty of how the author connected to everyday life challenges. The little things unsaid or not well said that could trigger great conflicts and, the wisdom of correcting them. It is guide to a peaceful and joyful world within, and without.

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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10