As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Nadia Echchikhi (Morocco)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of the book As a Man Thinketh is that our thoughts can greatly influence our personality. In fact, our mind is the best vehicle for success when we understand how to use it. However, once we lose control of it, we fail at everything we do. Hence, it’s better to keep controlling it through creative and innovative thoughts because they will definitely lead us to the light at the end of the tunnel.
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. A person is literally what she thinks, her character being the complete sum of all her thoughts.
I totally agree with this statement, as I was once that bad person in my own eyes just because I thought so. I constantly had negative thoughts about myself throughout the day. You may wonder how thoughts have this magical power. I realized it the very day I started replacing these ideas with kind and gentle thoughts about myself. Surely, it wasn’t that simple because, at first, I was only faking it. For instance, I wrote beautiful affirmations about myself that I found in Louise Hay’s and Wayne Dyer’s books and tried to read them daily. Step by step, I replaced bad thoughts with positive ones. In the end, we are what we think.
ii. A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favor or chance, but the natural result of continued effort in right thinking; the effect of long-cherished association with Godlike thoughts.
An example from my life for the first idea: I once thought that I was ugly, and everyone around me seemed to think the same; even telling me so. But the day I told myself that I was a beautiful princess, I never heard the word “ugly” again.
iii. A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are planted in it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will take root and continue to grow.
This is indeed continuous work; something you must do throughout your life to strengthen your mind and allow it to flourish with great ideas. For instance, I believe I have had this mindset for more than ten years. I remember the day I was fed up with my colleagues’ behavior and wanted to quit my job because of a conflict I had. But in the end, I stayed at the job for more than ten years.
One morning, I told myself that I would remove the thought that my colleagues hated me and instead, I would adopt affirmative beliefs. Every single morning, I started repeating to myself: I love my friends, and they love me. Certainly, there were times when I felt differently, but I kept up the good work until I made it.
Nowadays, I feel like everyone at my job appreciates something about me. Even when I hear through the grapevine that they are talking behind my back, I let it go and keep a big smile on my face. I still have a long way to go before I reach my milestone—my secret, beautiful garden with flowers in every spot. But I believe that, with all the effort I am putting in, those negative thoughts will eventually fade away.
iv. As a progressive and evolving being, man is where he is that he may learn that he may grow; and as he learns the spiritual lesson which any circumstance contains for him, it passes away and gives place to other circumstances explained to me this idea
I remember that I was renting a home that I hated as hell, and always tried to alter it, but in vain. Back then, I used to read a bunch of self-help books, where I found always the idea that you should always love your things, treat well even though they are without feeling behaving with them and especially thinking about them in a good way is essential to move to another step in your life. Indeed, I started to fake the feeling that I loved my home, and even tried to buy beautiful furniture for it, clean it and even I thought about painting it. I think that a few more months after I change my mindset and thinking about that place I moved to a better one, and to much better one, and nowadays I own my own stunning apartment that I cherish a lot.
v. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control.
Whenever I think about calm and a peaceful mind, meditation comes to my mind. I believe that the times I meditated or focused while praying were the moments when I could truly connect with myself. During these times, I could reflect on how connected I am to my ideas and decide how to approach the most difficult problems in my life. I began to see them as challenges or steps toward a better period in my life.
vi. The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.
Indeed, everything that comes across our mind can become a reality. I think about illness and how it reflects what we think about ourselves. I am no expert in science or medicine, but I have witnessed many cases where people attract sickness because of their thoughts. However, I can give an example from my own life. I remember when the Corona virus first appeared, it was all around the world, but only those who were constantly thinking about it; even though they took all the precautions got sick. I have no explanation, but talking about myself, I was like, “Yeah, the pandemic is here, so what? I will only wear my mask, wash my hands as recommended, and that’s all.” Trust me, I never had it, even though it was around me. This is not the only instance; I was near people with tuberculosis, hepatitis, and even respiratory illnesses but never got them. In my mind, I focus on the best, not the worst.
vii. Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.
This idea emphasizes how circumstances can teach us who we really are. That’s why sometimes we only know our true selves when we are nervous; it can be a test of all our past experiences. Patience cannot be tested on beautiful days, but it is revealed in harsh, tough moments. It shows us whether we have grown enough to survive or if we still need to work on ourselves and experience life’s lessons.
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 completely agree with the statement that we are what we think. In the future, I envision myself becoming the person I truly want to be by actively cultivating positive thoughts. I know that my mindset will be the key to achieving personal growth and success. Instead of letting self-doubt and negative thinking take over, I plan to nurture a mindset full of kindness, self-love, and optimism. With time, I believe I’ll notice that my inner transformation will directly impact how I see the world and how others perceive me as well.
As I reflect on the future, I see that developing a noble and Godlike character won’t happen by chance, but through consistent effort in thinking positively and aligning my thoughts with higher ideals. I anticipate that the more I consciously choose to think kindly and nobly, the more these qualities will naturally shape my character. It will be a continuous journey of refining my thoughts and building the person I aspire to become, not just through actions, but through the way I think and approach life’s challenges.
The idea of my mind being like a garden resonates with the future I’m aiming to create. I understand that cultivating positive thoughts is an ongoing process. In the future, I’ll be intentional about planting seeds of growth, self-improvement, and gratitude. I know that, just like any garden, my mind will require consistent care, attention, and effort. There will be moments when negative thoughts try to take root, but I’m determined to replace them with empowering beliefs that support my growth and vision for the future.
Looking ahead, I see challenges and circumstances as opportunities for learning and growth. Instead of resisting or resenting difficult situations, I aim to approach them with an open mind, ready to discover what lessons they have for me. Each experience, whether positive or negative, will help me evolve into a better version of myself. I believe that the more I learn from life’s lessons, the more resilient and adaptable I’ll become, ready to face new challenges with wisdom.
I also foresee that calmness of mind will be one of the treasures I continue to cultivate. I plan to integrate practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and reflection into my daily routine to maintain inner peace. These practices will help me stay focused, grounded, and clear-headed when facing future obstacles. I envision that by mastering the art of self-control and patience, I will be able to approach life with a calm and steady mind, no matter what comes my way.
The connection between the mind and body will continue to play a pivotal role in my health and well-being. I know that the thoughts I harbor can directly influence my physical state. In the future, I plan to keep my mind focused on health and vitality, visualizing myself as strong and capable. I believe that by maintaining a positive mindset, I will continue to enjoy good health and avoid unnecessary illness. The mind-body connection will be a powerful tool I’ll use to create the reality I desire.
Lastly, I am confident that I will always try to lead people to adopt the same mindset, at least those who believe in me, remembering that change starts with ourselves and spreads step by step.
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 soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears.”
I think this quote should be a motto for successful people. This quote is the most important to me because it represents a mindset that those who thrive in happiness, a good life, and beautiful things should adopt as it is. For instance, we only get what we think about. Thoughts are alive they circulate in our environment and create our best 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?
I totally agree with every single idea in the 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?
The book does not contain explicit exercises. However, you can draw inspiration from its ideas to create exercises that help change your thinking, monitor your thoughts, and meditate on key aspects to discover your inner self. From there, the whole transformation can begin.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
Nothing.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Nadia Echchikhi (Morocco)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The book emphasizes that everyone can be a leader, and that leaders create leaders, not followers. Every one of us can be a Jonathan. However, it is up to us to nurture the Jonathan within us and fly high in the sky or suppress it the day it is born. Flying high can represent a skill we dream of mastering, such as public speaking. For example, all of us started as babies; speechless creatures and we learned step by step. Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, continued to develop this skill until his voice became immortal. Even though he has passed away, his name resonates as strongly as when he was alive. Indeed, Jonathan sometimes faced weakness and nearly gave up on his dream, but he maintained his motivation until the end. Not only did he achieve his dream, but he also helped others follow his remarkable path. Hence, we can create the leaders within us and help others follow in our footsteps.
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. Livingston Seagull was highly practicing to fly
Practice is the key to success. No matter how difficult or tricky the skill you’re practicing, it becomes easier with time. The more you practice, the more familiar you become with it. This reminds me of the first day I decided to take the IELTS exam at Band 7. In the beginning, practice felt like a heavy burden, and I had to force myself to read an article from the New York Times or listen to an Easy English podcast for even five minutes. However, through persistence, I managed to pass the IELTS at Band 7. Along the way, I transitioned from a B2 intermediate to a C1 level. The icing on the cake was that I became addicted to English; now I can’t go a day without reading, writing, listening, and speaking it.
ii. Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight.
This idea implies the tendency to remain ordinary in order to stay within your comfort zone. I used to be happy sitting in front of the TV, scrolling through nonsense channels just to kill time, not realizing that I was actually killing my skills and becoming accustomed to laziness. Many people nowadays prefer simple tasks over innovative ones, so they don’t bother themselves with learning new skills or improving the ones they already have. Hence, if everyone among us thinks only about simple things, who’s going to get up and take action to boost our world?
iii. For the next few days he tried to behave like the other gulls.
Feeling depressed or demotivated can be a phase that you accept sometimes, but it’s not a problem as long as you keep going and motivate yourself. I remember that last year I was a little disappointed when the office decided not to upgrade me, even though I was doing a lot of work. As a result, I stopped learning and ended up doing the same mechanical job every day without enhancing my skills. In the end, I reminded myself that it was just a period of depression, and that I needed to get back on track and continue doing good work.
iv. Jonathan Livingston Seagull loved to fly
This emphasizes that we need to start doing the things we love. Jonathan loved flying, and that’s why he kept doing it and improving even at the price of being alone and isolated from others. However, in the end, he managed to bring other gulls to his side, inspiring them to follow his passion and become leaders themselves. As a result, choosing a goal that we love always leads to fruitful outcomes.
v. I Just Want to Know What I Can Do in the Air and What I Can’t
This point highlights how successful people use the SMART method to achieve their goals. Furthermore, I can give you an example from my own experience. Two months ago, I set a new professional goal to become a project manager. I decided to pursue a certification that would allow me to both learn project management from scratch and certify my knowledge. Instead of starting directly with the PMP certification, I chose to take the CAPM first and then work toward the PMP.
vi. We Can Lift Ourselves Out of Ignorance; We Can Discover Ourselves as Creatures of Excellence, Intelligence, and Skill
I recently discovered that I was criticizing people without limits, always thinking I was right. I realized that this behavior was pure ignorance, and thank God I am now working on changing it. Conversely, I try to focus on my own weaknesses, improve myself, and uplift my skills and knowledge.
vii. Fletcher, you lost forty miles an hour in the entry! You have to be smooth! Firm but smooth, remember?
I apply this approach at work because being smooth and at the same time firm means being objective and flexible. I also use the sandwich method to apply this approach: I start my conversation by complimenting the colleague, then I try to be strict about the instructions, and in the end I finish with nice words highlighting my confidence in the person to do the best they can. It indeed depends not only on the person but also on the situations.
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?
Indeed, we know many things theoretically, but when it comes to practice, we need regular reminders. This book served as a strong reminder for me, acting as a summary or takeaway from all the self-development books I’ve read so far. It taught me that no matter how distant my goal may seem, I can reach it through practice and by dividing it into small steps.
Furthermore, it highlights the drawbacks of getting too comfortable in our routine — merely eating, sleeping, and waiting. I also understood that depression and fatigue can be part of our success journey. While we need to accept them, we must ensure they don’t become parasites that make our dreams impossible.
The same applies to our loved ones. Yes, we must respect and teach them, but we should remain mindful if they unintentionally hinder our progress. We need to deal with such situations smartly. Loving our dreams, knowing exactly what they are, and being aware of our weaknesses can be vehicles for epic success. Finally, being both smooth and strict is key to leading a great and balanced 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.
“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”
This highlights the fact that we don’t have a stronger enemy than ourselves. If we want to improve our skills and achieve our personal goals, we can do it no matter what happens. However, if we limit ourselves to a small distance, no one can help us.
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?
Yeah, I was actually asking myself whether it was necessary for the author to explain the human path using an animal or a bird. However, he could simply give us a real story about many role models in life who had succeeded, even though their stories might be more epic than that of a gull. Imagination is a good thing, especially when explaining the impossible, but I think that humans are not comparable to any other creation. Furthermore, humans are smarter; hence, I ask myself, what is the wisdom behind choosing a gull to represent the human path?
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Nothing.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
Nothing.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 6
C. How easy was it to understand? 6
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7
PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by Nadia Echchikhi (Morocco)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Dr. Maxwell Maltz emphasizes in his book PsychoCybernetics that taking care of our self-image is a crucial step to holistic success. He also highlighted that we are neither superior nor inferior creatures; we are simply ourselves. Furthermore, he stated essential techniques to correct or reprogram our self-image through a success mechanism called PsychoCybernetics, similar to the one integrated into computers. He gave many stories as examples and provided detailed exercises to start succeeding effortlessly. In a nutshell, throughout the book, he helped us build a nostalgia for the future, not the past.
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. Our errors, mistakes, failures, and sometimes even our humiliations, were necessary steps in the learning process.
Impact on my life: This idea is the most relevant first step to any success because, contrary to what we used to think about failure and its synonyms mentioned in these two sentences, failure is not the opposite of success. In fact, they are friends; they complement each other. Failure is a step toward success if we use it as a learning process. No one was born a successful person. Well-known successful people built their amazing or epic success from scratch. For instance, in 2012, I was working with X organization, and the project I was working on was closed. However, the manager told us that we could still work with them even though we were laid off from that project. But in the end, they couldn’t do anything, and that’s when I found myself jobless. I refused to see it as a failure and tried to tell myself that this was a beginning for a better life project. What was awaiting me was far more than what I was expecting because I believed that losing a job can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. Indeed, my journey began with the UN.
ii. Remember the fairy story about the Shoemaker and the Elves? The shoemaker found that if he cut out the leather and laid out the patterns before retiring, little elves came and actually put the shoes together for him while he was sleeping.
I don’t know why this idea reminds me of the saying, “If the student is ready, the master appears.” Whenever we are prepared or let me borrow Doctor Maxwell’s words when our self-esteem is in its place, neither superior nor inferior, we keep reaching our goals. We only need to prepare our mind through visualization, relaxation, and self-awareness, then our subconscious will not make the difference between reality and imagination, just as the elves in the Shoemaker story. At the end of the day, we will fulfill our dreams easily.
iii. Consciously practice the habit of “taking no anxious thought for tomorrow,” by giving all your attention to the present moment.
This idea is reflected in how I’ve started living in the present. Instead of worrying about the future, I focus on doing now what I would do if I were already living my dream career. I only think about the future when I’m visualizing success or making concrete plans. Otherwise, I stay grounded in the now.
iv. Develop what one of the automobile manufacturers calls “the forward look. “Develop a nostalgia for the future instead of for the past.”
I’ve shifted my mindset from seeing past experiences as failures to viewing them as lessons that contribute to my future success. Rather than longing for the past, I’ve begun to feel excited about the future and use that motivation to move forward in both my personal and professional life.
v. An emotional scar to protect their ego. This scar tissue, however, not only “protects” them from the individual who originally hurt them; it “protects” them against all other human beings. An emotional wall is built through which neither friend nor foe can pass.
As I’ve read the book more deeply, I’ve begun recognizing old emotional scars that shaped my reactions and self-image. Instead of letting them build walls around me, I try to validate those feelings, give them meaning, and release them. This healing helps me stay open to others and frees me from letting past pain block my success.
vi. Being too big to feel threatened. One idea from PsychoCybernetics that I found valuable is “Being too big to feel threatened.” The book explains that people with low self-esteem are easily hurt by small social slights, while those with healthy self-worth don’t take things personally.
Impact on My Life: This idea made me reflect on how I handle feedback. Recently, I shared this paragraph with my friend and asked if he thought it described me. He strongly agreed. At first, I felt defensive and started thinking that maybe he was projecting his own traits onto me. However, I quickly realized that his opinion doesn’t define me. Instead of trying to prove or disprove his point, I reminded myself that I am actively working on self-improvement. This shift in perspective helped me not take his words personally and reinforced my commitment to growth.
vii. The mind as a goal-seeking mechanism.
I’ve started using my mind intentionally by setting clear, positive goals for both my personal and professional life. Instead of focusing on past mistakes or negative thoughts, I now visualize myself living a successful life and take daily actions toward that vision. This shift activates my mind as a goal-seeking tool; directing my thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to align with who I want to become. Whether it’s calming myself with exercises or reframing past failures as steps forward, I now train my mind to work for me, not against me.
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 think that the whole book shifted my personality. Let me explain what exactly happened. As Dr. Maxwell said, I found my real personality; the inner one. Indeed, it’s just the beginning of the journey, but so far, so good.
In my personal life, I stop myself whenever I start belittling myself or falling back into old habits. I use the exercises from the book to take a step back — either I count to ten, visualize myself at peace in the relaxation room I created, or I keep repeating that a bad idea about myself, born from a single mistake or someone else’s opinion, does not define me. Nadia is always her beautiful self-image. The scene or the event is simply there to teach me something; a step toward success, not failure.
In my professional life, I’ve started changing how I see any step I once considered a failure or meaningless in shaping my experience. Now, I redefine those moments to help me grow further in my professional projects. Whenever I think about the future, it’s either to visualize myself living a successful life or to plan for it; that’s all. I live in the present and already do what I wish I’d be doing if I were in that career.
In the end, I began to remember events that were awakened as I started deeply understanding the book; especially those emotional scars. I try to validate them, give them meaning that helps me offer forgiveness, and release them; to heal my past and prevent it from standing in the way of my success.
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 not a machine, but he does have a machine which he uses.”
I like this quote because it carries a subtle but powerful meaning; that we, as humans, are the most remarkable creatures on Earth and can never be compared to anything else. We can use the “machine” (our mind and body) to become more efficient and to understand our real value, but it can never replace who we truly are.
“Happiness is not something that is earned or deserved. It is simply a choice that must be made.”
Indeed, we should not determine whether we deserve to be happy based on who we are or the mistakes we’ve made. We are not machines or calculators; we are human beings. We just need to take that very first step; to choose happiness and that’s enough.
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?
“Is it fair for a child to adopt a certain attitude just because they are the child of a man or woman with low self-esteem? I’m also wondering why some nations remain trapped in poverty, war, or ignorance; sometimes the entire country. Is it just a coincidence, or could it be that many people within those nations subconsciously believe they don’t deserve peace, wealth, or happiness?”
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 contains several exercises such as visualization, relaxation techniques, and self-affirmations. I tried most of them and found them helpful. Visualization and mental rehearsal, in particular, have made a noticeable difference in how I prepare for new achievements in my life. One exercise that I try to apply every time I catch myself thinking negatively about myself or letting my mistakes define me is telling myself, “Cancel! this doesn’t define me.”
Other small but powerful exercise is going to bed without thinking about the future or making any plans. I just try to be at peace mentally, and then I visualize myself already doing the thing I’m dreaming about. I even added a personal touch by using AI-generated pictures that represent my goals, and I wrote powerful scenarios that describe literally every single step in my plan. I keep repeating the scenario out loud every single night while looking at those visualized pictures. Let me share a little secret: since I started these exercises, I’ve already seen huge results in 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’ve read many personal development books, but this one stands ahead of the curve because it was written by a doctor who acknowledged that beauty and peace start from the inside, not the outside. Not just any doctor—but one who helped people get new faces and hide visible scars. What if he could change everything without performing that very surgical operation? That’s exactly what he tried to prove in this book, and that’s what makes it so unique and powerful.
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
It was so interesting that I read it three times, listened to it twice, and still can’t get enough of it. I even suggested to myself to use it as a daily guide because it addresses almost every issue in life. I recommend it to every loved one I cross paths with. It’s the best book I’ve ever read so far.
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
It transformed my personality by 90°, shifted my behavior toward myself, and completely changed the way I see myself and the world.
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
It is definitely reader-friendly for adults like me. However, I would suggest a simplified version for teenagers and children. I tried sharing some helpful content with students, but I wish they could read it themselves or have it as part of a training program to fully benefit from it.
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
Definitely, yes! I have recommended it to almost 10 people so far. If there were a child-friendly version, I would buy it for my children and younger siblings.
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9.5