As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Odoji Oluwafemi Stephen (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The book As a Man Thinketh is a master piece that will continue to stay relevant throughout the years. It corrects a lot of misconceptions we have about happenings around us by exposing undeniable truths on the reasons for failure and success. It is a piece that holds a mirror to our face by taking the focus from the results which everyone seems to focus on to the seeds of that result which very few people consider. We always tend to focus on the result, what we like and dislike about it and we immediately want to make the results fit our expectations. But James Allen wants us to take our focus away from that result and focus on changing the seeds of it if we really desire a change in the end product. That seed is our thoughts.
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.
There are lot ideas that are personal to me in the book and I shall list some of them and explain briefly.
i. A man’s circumstance is as a result of his thoughts
This is the most striking for me because it is one I have personally struggled to believe for a very long but James Allen outs forward a very convincing argument. The book maintains that circumstances are not due to outside creations but instead man has the creative power and when he commands the soil and seeds of his being out of which circumstances grow, he the becomes the rightful master of himself and situations around him. The law of attraction comes to mind.
ii. Thoughts and Character are one
This is easier to believe, but I have personally never viewed it from the writer’s point of view till I read the book. In my own words, the actions everyman displays are simply his thoughts being visible.
iii. Thoughts can be controlled
The author uses a garden as a compelling case study. If you do not plant flowers, weeds will grow. So one must deliberately tend to his heart like a gardener tends to his gardens and keeps it free from weeds.
iv. Thoughts have an effect health
Another one I have struggled with and tried to come to terms with it. Bur one thing is for sure, a happy and youthful body is as a result of a healthy, positive mind.
v. Thoughts must be linked to purpose
We all have that dream and to achieve it, we must streamline our thoughts towards it and guard it like a gardener protecting its flowers weeds. When our thoughts is linked to our purpose, we will deliberately take actions to ensure we achieve said purpose.
vi. Real change comes from within
If we want change, we should not focus on changing the circumstances around us, but changing ourselves instead. This brings self-improvement to mind.
vii. There is no element of chance
Just as there is absolutely no chance a pear seed will grow an orange tree, there is absolutely no chance bad thoughts will yield good results. Circumstances do not make a man; they reveal what he is to him. So everything we encounter and everything actions we take is really who we are deep down within.
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?
Truth is, we all live in a depressing world (especially Nigeria). And the more we think of the negative, the more it takes root in our hearts because we are the gardeners of our heart. These thoughts develop into actions and situations around us. It takes absolutely nothing to have positive thoughts as they yield better result. It is for the same reason the Bible says, “when there is a casting down, we say there is lifting up.” This lifting up,” will might not be visible to us at the very moment, but that positive mindset will take its roots in the garden of our hearts and start yielding positive results soon after. Personally, I have made a decision to focus less on results and more on seeds. I have decided to focus less on situations around me and more on my thoughts because they hold the key to changing those results around me. Also, thinking positive will only make me a happier and healthier being.
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.
There is only one quote in the entire book that strikes me every time I read it.
“There is no element of chance but all is a result of a law that cannot err.”
This makes so much sense I wonder why it has never crossed my mind. Why do we believe this for physical occurrence but not for that of the mind? If the law “Whatever you sow, you reap” is applicable in every situation and I have believed it all these years that it cannot err, then why have I never applied it to my thoughts in the process of trying to change my result? That quote makes suddenly made me realize how much power I have.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
Nothing I can think of.
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.
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 further comments.
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? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Odoji Oluwafemi Stephen (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea that the author is trying to convey in this book: is the fact that we should not limit ourselves as an individual, the fact that people are not thriving does not mean that you won’t thrive in your endeavors. It’s just about where you see yourself not about where you are right now. Irrespective of our environment or situation never limit yourself because there is nothing like impossible and always believe you can be perfect, so many people believe perfection is impossible and as a result they remain where they are, that is why the gulls in the story were comfortable with just eaten whereas there is more to their ability
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. Try not to stick with the norms
In life one thing I have noticed is that some people don’t want to break out of the box, because they are born poor and the environment is full of poor people they believe that’s how it should be, so they settle for less, people that settle for less never go beyond average because they are comfortable the way they are not knowing that there is more to life even when they know they accept and remain in their comfort zone. Jonathan Seagul was born in the midst of gulls that only see eating as their purpose but he did not stick to that, He aimed for something greater which was above the normal thing. When I was seeking admission, I was told that the normal thing to do was to sort but because I knew where I was going to I did not follow that path, even though I stayed at home for 4 years but I later gained admission after a while.
ii. Don’t let what people say or do affect you
People will not always see what you see as an individual, they will talk you down, complain and doubt you but it is left for you to raise your head up high and not listen to them because you run with the end in mind. What I have noticed is that people don’t celebrate Success until it yields result. For example, have once been told by my parents that I can’t amount to anything in life but I take that as their opinion but I chose the path of success irrespective of their opinion.
iii. Success does not always come easy
Looking at the book a lot of things had to be done before Jonathan Seagull could attain mastery in his vision, he had to receive insult from parents and his kind, he was also banished and also he failed and fall so many times but he was determined never to give up and he was able to overcome. Trials will come, failure will surface but what you do with it will determine if you will be successful or not. During school days there were times I could not afford to eat or pay transport but that did not stop me from going and today I am a graduate.
iv. Have a vision of where you want to be and what you want
Jonathan Seagull knew where he was going to that was why he was not really discouraged, As an individual Map out where you are going to and where you see yourself. “If purpose is not known abuse is inevitable” Always have a purpose before setting out on a journey, an individual that lacks direction will get lost an as a result he will waste resources, time and also mislead people. Something I never knew while I was much younger was purpose, it made me run aimlessly but when I started knowing what I want I was able to make sound decisions for myself, a man without a vision is a man without destination.
v. Set the pace and others will follow
Most times we need to lead by example because another man’s destiny is tied to ours and if we don’t take that step a lot of people won’t break free from there place of comfort, when the example is been set by an individual and it yields result others that are afraid are now convinced to take the step and they follow suit, people are moved by what they see, if you want people to follow you will have to lead by example ,show them how to get their hands dirty. I have taken the step to increase my capacity and self-worth as an individual through various learning platforms, I am setting the pace for my younger ones and my unborn children so that they can have a template to work with.
vi. Always try out new ideas don’t be monotonous
When you fail in life or in a particular assignment tend to go back to your drawing board and try a new approach ,never stop trying because a strategy you used failed . Every failure is a propelling step to learn a new thing, Albert Einstein discovered a lot of things from failing and he tried new ways that was how he was able to get result. I have always tried out things the same way before and I keep on getting the same result especially in terms of career just to follow the same lane but until I opened a new chapter I started getting results.
vii. Mentor people and lead them through the path of success you have attained
An individual might have what it takes to be successful but might not have the knowledge of the path he is his going through. A mentor can help with direction and also help avoid pitfalls and ways where the individual can succeed and move faster .Because the mentor has gone through the lane, he knows the steps needed to be taken to avoid problems and he already knows what can be mentored, a mentor can help make a man by teach and impacting. Wherever we get to in life lets tend to look back and see people we can help to grow because freely we receive freely we should also give to help make the word a better place.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These ideas will help me in a practical way, both in my daily personal life and in helping me to create a better world: Putting these ideas into practice will help me see the world in another way. Putting these ideas into practice in my daily life and by also reaching out to people and teaching them some of these principles. It illuminates the world because when people know what they are expected to do success becomes easy and with that it can be passed from generation to 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.
“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now and nothing can stand in your way.”
This quote is important to me because it tells me that I am the only one that can limit myself and I can do anything so far I believe I can.
“See the good in everyone and help them to see it in themselves.”
No matter how bad a person may look always tend to give the person a benefit of doubt and also make the person see that he can be better and he can also make other people better.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
These comments: “Is there no such place as heaven?” “No, Jonathan, there is no such place. Heaven is not a place, and it is not a time. Heaven is being perfect.” To me I believe heaven exists and it’s a place.
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?
Not that I know of the book was self-explanatory and was well summarized, the point was clearly made
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.
On that was not covered in the previous questions? I would just say always learn to love people, irrespective of what they may do to you and also learn not to blame people for their ignorance, they might not see the big picture that’s why they behave the way they do, and also persistence is a very key ingredient to success, we must learn to push through the storm against all odds. In summary never settle for less or limit yourself because there is nothing like impossible, so far you can think it you can also do it irrespective of the situation surrounding you just be focused and you will be celebrated at the end.
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? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
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