As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Nouini Elhafed (Morocco)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The central and unwavering thesis of James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh is that your thoughts are the primary creative force in your life. You are the architect of your character, circumstances, and destiny. The outer world is a perfect reflection of your inner world.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. The Garden of the Mind
The mind is like a garden, and we must actively remove negative thoughts and plant positive ones to shape our lives. For example: Once, I wanted to choose an entrance exam for my PhD, but beforehand, I thought the committee was biased, that I wouldn’t be accepted, and that there was cheating involved. These thoughts affected my answers during the interview, and I didn’t succeed because I had a negative mindset
ii. Circumstance Reveals Character
Our circumstances don’t make us who we are; they reveal the thoughts and attitudes we hold within. I don’t recall an personal illustration of this point.
iii. We Attract What We Are
We don’t get what we merely want; we attract experiences that match the person we become internally. I believe in the Law of Attraction, and when I think about something, it is attracted to me.
iv. The Body Reflects the Mind
Our physical health is closely linked to our mental state, as negative thoughts often show up in the body. Often, when I’m under pressure, I go for a walk to relieve stress and clear my mind.
v. The Power of a Central Purpose
Clear purpose gives direction to our thoughts and actions, making our efforts focused and effective. For example: What helped me complete my PhD was that I was focused on my goal from the moment I entered university.
vi. Achievement Comes from Directed Thought
Success is not luck; it is the result of disciplined, focused thinking paired with consistent effort. In my experience; achievement comes from focused thinking.
vii. Serenity as Strength
True calmness is a sign of inner mastery, allowing us to face challenges with clarity and confidence. We have a prophetic saying that the strong person is the one who controls him self or her self when angry, and this is my approach to life.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
In my daily life, these ideas help me stay mentally disciplined, focused, and calm, which improves both my work and family life. As a researcher, they remind me to think clearly, stay purposeful, and direct my effort instead of waiting for inspiration. As a father, they help me model patience, positivity, and emotional stability for my children. By cultivating a strong inner life, I’m better able to act with integrity and compassion—small daily actions that contribute to creating a more thoughtful, responsible, and peaceful world.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”
“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.”
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?
Allen’s cause-and-effect principle is powerful, but real life shows it isn’t always absolute; good people can suffer and corrupt people can prosper due to factors beyond personal thought. While thoughts strongly shape character and long-term outcomes, they don’t explain every circumstance, such as systemic forces, other people’s actions, and random events also play a role.
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?
As a Man Thinketh does not contain explicit, numbered exercises or a workbook format.
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.
The book’s emphasis on slow, patient “ripening” reminded me that real change grows quietly over time, making perseverance just as important as immediate effort.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Nouini Elhafed (Morocco)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of Jonathan Livingston Seagull is that life’s true purpose is to rise above limitations and conformity in order to discover our highest potential and then use that growth to help others do the same.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. The Pursuit of Passion Over Conformity.
For me, passion is the driver of creativity and diligence. Without my passion for academia, I wouldn’t have completed my studies and achieved what I have so far. And that’s what makes me try to improve my English whenever the opportunity arises.
ii. Perseverance Through Failure.
One of my life’s dreams and goals is to become a university professor. This requires a tremendous deal of patience and hard work. My application is among the top 10 in the country, and I’ve failed five times so far, but I’m still persevering and improving my skills. I hope to achieve this goal in the future.
iii. Breaking Mental Limitations.
The first step to success is breaking free from negative and stereotypical thinking and believing in it. Only then can you achieve it in reality.
iv. Right Learning Requires to Be Brave.
Yes, you must be courageous to learn something new properly. For example, I used to attend English classes with children twenty years younger than me, and they were better than me. This required courage on my part.
v. Because the joy lies in the journey, not the destination.
Perfection is a Journey, Not a Destination.
vi. The Highest Purpose is to Give Back.
In my religion, I learned to give without expecting anything in return, and this is one of the reasons I wanted to teach at the university level to share the knowledge and understanding I’ve accumulated with future generations.
vii. For me, love is about focusing on the best in people and letting go of the negative.
Love is Seeing the Perfect Self in Others.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These lessons will help me stay passionate, resilient, and open-minded in my daily life, making me a better researcher and father. They encourage me to grow beyond my limits, face challenges with patience, and pursue meaningful work. On a larger scale, they guide me to challenge unhelpful norms, support others with empathy, and share what I learn helping build a more kind, innovative, and supportive 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.
“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”
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?
Chiang’s teaching about “already arriving” challenged me because it stretches visualization into a metaphysical realm that’s hard to apply practically. I also felt the story’s “one-in-a-million” language could seem elitist, even though I believe the potential for Jonathan’s level of growth exists in everyone, not just a chosen few.
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?
No formal exercises were included.
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 found the cyclical mentorship powerful: the story ends with Fletcher beginning his own teaching journey, showing that true leadership is about creating new leaders. It also realistically portrays the challenge of translating profound lessons, highlighting the distinct but connected paths of mastery and teaching.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9