Quintin Berestford Small – Assessments – International Institute for Global Leadership

As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Quintin Berestford Small (Sierra Leon)

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

As a man thinketh so is he. Every facets of a man is fashioned, created and determined by his thought life. As a matter of fact, the mind of man is the weaver of his life, both inwardly and outwardly. Man is dressed and clothed by the garments – the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstances – the mind weaves. Man’s character, circumstances, health and soundness, dreams and purposes in life, greatest achievements, vision and worldview, and his best of life, prosperity and peace he will ever live, achieve, and attained is determined by both the attitude and altitude of his thought life, what he is thinking, his value system, and his worldview. As a man thinketh, in his heart, his mind, his soul, so is he.

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 idea that “a man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” – James Allen.

The thought and character union is inseparable. If a man would not eat, then he would not grow; but if he wants to grow, eating becomes compulsory. There are however different types of growth. You have fast growth and slow growth, healthy growth, and poor growth, strong growth and weak growth; and these all depend on the kind of food one takes. If I must grow fast, healthy and strong, it is required that I live on balance diet, and take more of vitamins, and proteins. On the other hand, a man that lives more on carbohydrate and fewer vitamins and the necessary minerals that necessitate healthy and strong growth will grow, but poorly and he will have certain growth deficiencies. In like manner, a noble and godlike character is never by chance, it is the result and outcome of my thoughts. If I therefore desire to live properly, exhibiting noble and godly characters, I must fix my thoughts on things that are noble and godly.

ii. The second idea is that “Thought and character are one, and as character can only manifest and discover itself through environment and circumstance, the outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state.” J. Allen

We do not attract that which we want, but that which we are by reason of our thoughts. My thought is the maker of my character, and it is my character that positively or negatively influence and attract my environment to me. By my character, I am known, and by what I am known would either attract respect or disgrace to me.

iii. The third idea is that of the body being a servant to the mind.

Can I agree less? I really wonder, because it is evidenced on a daily basis. It is what the mind wants that the body does. The state of my body is a reflection of my mind at any given point in time. It should therefore be a discipline that if I want my body to look good and healthy, I need to beautify my mind with good thoughts.

iv. The fourth is the idea that thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplished anything, and never can.

No man by worry, doubt or fear will add anything to his life, nor have I ever done or achieved anything by doubting or fear. Doubt and fear is an enemy to my mental faculty; it limits me from achieving anything. At a point in my life, the idea of going back to school was of great doubt and grave fear. As long as I tolerated that doubt and fear over nothing, I hindered myself from progressing. Alas, I broke through and the sky is now my limit.

v. The fifth is the idea that all that I will ever attain to or would never reach would be a direct result of how I put my mind to use.

If I must achieve anything in life at all, or make any significant contribution to my environment, my thought life has to be elevated above mundane level. This calls for sacrifice, and I am purposed to pay the price, because I cannot be privilege to these materials and afford to be nobody, impossible. James Allen cleverly put it that: “Achievement, of whatever kind, is the crown of effort, the diadem of thought. By the aid of self-control, resolution, purity, righteousness, and well-directed thought a man ascends.”

vi. The sixth most important idea is the fact that dream are the seedlings of realities.

As beautifully put, “the oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a walking angel stirs.” (James Allen) so true it is that the best of vision executed today was once in the cocoon of man’s mind. The greatest idea that the world has ever seen is locked up in someone’s mind, maybe mine. A conscious responsibility then is to start tailoring my thoughts, while exerting it to maximum capacity to the best of my ability. The best though will dependant on the seed I sow therein.

vii. The seventh most important idea to me is the calmness of the mind being the beautiful jewels of wisdom.

In calmness and serenity of the soul come the greatest of all wisdom. Sure, a man is know of wisdom not by how much he talks, but how reasonably he talks, and mostly in few words. The more tranquil I become, the better it is for me, and the greater will my success be. A quiet and tranquil mind hears from a thousand miles away and can access the deep, and most priced and intelligent thoughts locked up in the mind.

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?

Man is the master of thoughts, the molder of character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny. If I will adhere to all of these beautiful lessons learnt from this piece, I will not only change my life, the way I live, my worldview, and my thought habit and pattern; but also my society will feel the effect of the change happening to me as I can only exhibit, implement, radiate, and live out these change in my community. My goal is to be a major contribution to humanity starting from my immediate environment.

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.

So many statements caught my attention as I read this classic piece. I will limit it to the most striking ones as there are many statements I underlined during the course of my reading.

“They themselves are makers of themselves by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage; that mind is the master-weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain they may weave in enlightenment and happiness.” – James Allen

This statement to me is the summary of this piece; the hammer was hit at the head of the nail and it is driven deep. This statement called to mind and equally provides answers to many questions I had in my head and also have this short time tailored the way I think and what I spend my time on. Do I want to dress my life – both my character and circumstances – in an impressive manner, then I should, and as a matter of fact, must provide the right material to my master-weaver.

“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 put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.” – James Allen

Man is a product of his faculties, which are his five senses and his thoughts. What we attract into our lives through the instrumentality of the eyes, ears, tongue, nose, body sensation, and the brain we become. I cannot agree with the author more in liken the human mind to a garden. I better start cultivating, keeping, and dressing it with the right kind of seeds if I desire to see it fruitful. It is said if you fail to deploy yourself into what you desire and want, someone else will employ you into doing what he wants, and not what you want. What I allow myself to see, hear, smell, taste, feel, and think are the seeds that are available for planting in the garden of my mind. If they are good, I will be sure to harvest good fruits, but if they are bad, woe unto me. I have no choice; I have to constantly feed my mind with the right kind of stuff of else the world will.

“Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance… impure thoughts of every kind crystallize into enervating and confusing habits, which solidify into distracting and adverse circumstances:… lazy thoughts crystallize into habits of uncleanliness and dishonesty, which solidify into circumstances of foulness and beggary:… selfish thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits of self-seeking, which solidify into circumstances more or less distressing.” – James Allen

I have always thought so that my thoughts are non-consequential and are ever remain in secret, but I was wrong. The author made me to see that it is thought that becomes habit, and sure habits solidify into circumstances of either good or evil depending on the intent and content of one’s thought. To act right is to think right, and if my thinking is wrong, certainly my actions will be wrong and negative. This is a road-map to healthy and happy living.

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 do not think so. The writing was a down to earth one full of thoughtful inspiration, and it was such simple to read. I did understand all that I read except if I had been deceived to think so. As a man thinketh, so is he. My thought is that I understood every part of the book, and nothing was in any form of ambiguity. As touching whether I disagree with any of the thoughts expressed in this piece, from a social and humanistic point of view, the author was in perfect balance. And this, in my opinion, is what the book is all about and thus addressing. However, if I microscopically view it with a spiritual lens, I being a very poise and passionate spiritual being, I will say some ideas were over flogged and taken extreme leaving no room for God, the maker and creator of all things. Removing my spiritual lens, I have however read and understood the book, capturing the heart bits and intent of the author, and to that I will say the book is perfect and it was well understood.

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?

Practically, there were no exercises required, rather immediate exercises; but imbedded in the book are life long exercises that I may required to engage in until I see the reality of these thoughts in my person. One thing I choose to do is to read and re-read this book as often as I can until every life changing and life transforming thoughts expressed in there become crystallize in me. I cannot afford to fail with this material in my hand. Beside I have given a mandate to not only help and liberate myself from the cocoon of wrong and depraved thinking, but to also untangle others from the web of devastating worldview and mind set, and thinking life style.

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.

In the entire book, I saw a very strong law at work, the law of cause and effect. The author did say: “Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things.” – James Allen. That is so true. Nothing is by chance in this cosmos we live in. To every effect, there is a cause. If we do not want the effect of life on us, and what we generally get or receive be it from people or the circumstances around us, we must change what we do and put into it. We cannot keep forging and fabricating bad weapons in the armory of our thoughts and expect to receive up-lifting experiences of bliss and ecstasy. If in our minds we keep forging weapons of destructions, all we will get and experience is destructions and calamities. Conversely, if we labour to make, in the armory of our thoughts, the right weapons of peace, and love, certainly we will harvest bountifully the fruits of our labour. Change is the watch word, we want to live right, we must change the way we think. Let our thoughts make us and not destroy us. Therefore I say, “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – The Bible

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

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

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Quintin Berestford Small (Sierra Leon)

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

The main idea in this classic work is “breaking through limitations.” The author brilliantly juxtaposes his thoughts in the normal life of the seagull family, and how one Jonathan Livingston Seagull discovered a higher purpose in life and decided to explore it. As he explored this new found meaning to life, his eyes beginning to open and he began sowing high above the normal life and routine of the rest of the seagull family. All of us can breakthrough our natural limitation in life. Nobody say we must die poor, unachieved and underachieved, uncelebrated, and unfulfilled in life just like others or the rest of our circles or family. Nobody say we must be like others wallowing in the routine of normal life and following the foot steps and limitations of our unattainable fathers. We can dare to break out of the norm and sow high into a higher purpose of life fulfilling and maximizing our true potential in life. Jonathan Livingston Seagull is in all of us, that unlimited idea of freedom, an image of greatness, and as he broke through the cocoon of his normal life unto a greater and higher dimension of life, so we, all of us, can do likewise, breaking through every and whatever life limitations we face.

i. The very first idea I learnt from the reading of this piece is the idea to have time apart to be alone.

It was in his stepping aside from the rest of the flock of seagulls, from the daily routine of dodging and fighting for bits of food, that he cultivated the idea of flying. We can dare to be different and that starts by spending time meditating and thinking. Meditation is the mother of inventions. The greatest inventions and ideas that have turn the world around for good were born out of thinking, and meditation. One man, one woman, chose to step aside and be alone all by him/herself. This also account for the great invention and success of Bill Gate.

ii. The second thing I learnt is the courage to dare against all odds.

Had Jonathan Seagull not dare to fly, he would never have realized that he could fly. The very first thing in every achievement or success in life is to TRY. There is no harm in trying, and as we are often told in school that to try and fail is no disgrace. A man who would not attempt or try anything would not amount to anything in life. Try I will try. The fear not to when it ought to be is gone by reading this piece. He who observes the cloud will not sow, and he who does not sow will have nothing to reap.

iii. The idea of not being ashamed.

Being ashamed of shame is a very strong enemy of invention and discovery. This is the foremost thing Jonathan dealt with. He put aside shame, and he achieved the unthinkable. I have been struggling with shame, but I can say it is now thing of the past. I see myself doing things that ordinarily before now I won’t do. All presumptions and assumptions are cast away, I now face reality and face things squarely, especially things that I don’t know.

iv. The other Gulls refused to open their eyes and see.

There are opportunities all around us, except we open our eyes to see, we will die of hunger and thirst on a stone covering a well. If only I my eyes see, many would have been my success story. Ever than before, my eyes are wide open, looking for the good in every thing I see. My bad eye have robbed me of many things, but I choose to see no more bad but good, even in the life of the most wicked person I meet. If only I can see the good in what they say, in what they are doing, and in their person, the sky will be my limit, and then I will be walking on the path of love leading unto perfection.

v. Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short.

The fear of survival, the fear of not being outrun by others, holding of grudge, and angry over the success of others, and the unnecessary boredom and monotony we subject ourselves to are the causes for our failures and limitations in life. Jonathan cast them out of his thoughts and he enjoyed true happiness, fulfilled life, and longevity in life. Do I want to stay and look healthy? Overcome limitations? I should be ready to lay aside those weights that are besetting me.

vi. We eat to live, and not live to eat. There is more to life than eating, or fighting among ourselves.

Live to eat and fight, and eat and fight to live is the mark different between Jonathan Seagull and the other Gulls. This is also the big different between achievers and commoners or losers. We should eat and fight to survival, and not the reverse. He who lives for his belly will amount to nothing significant in society. Life is not about fighting among ourselves, or fighting each other, but fighting for the good of ourselves and others.

vii. The gull sees farthest who flies highest.

Your standpoint in life will determine how far you see, and the farthest you see will determine how far you go. When we seek higher things, we will attain higher things, but if we see mundane things, it is mundane things we will get. Aim high and it will be no lost if you fall on average. If I must amount to anything in life, then I must be discipline to breakthrough odds and limitations, and learn to sow high.

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?

Breaking through or overcoming one’s limitation in life is purposefully meant for two reasons. The first is to elevate oneself from the realm of commoners and be equipped to dispense the acquired skills, lessons, and experiences. The other reason is to help others overcoming their limitations just as you did. Realizing one’s purpose in life is a possibility, and through meditation, trying, not being ashamed, and the exertion of the mind into higher realities, a great door is open into the unknown, or rather forbidden. As I breakthrough, I will be able to sow high and also be in all readiness to instruct others to do likewise, sharing with then the ABC of getting it done.

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 following are among the few statements that got my attention:

“There is a reason to 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!” – Richard Bach

Man’s greatest enemy in life is ignorance. It is our lack of knowledge that often plagues us. What we don’t know stand the greatest chance to destroy us than what we know. Knowledge is power, strength, and life. We are lost in what we do not know. To find ourselves is to embrace knowledge. The more we know, the better it is for us. Knowledge is the key to open the prison doors of life we are kept in bondage behind. The principal thing therefore is knowledge, and in all my getting, I will seek, and acquire knowledge.

“Keep working on Love.” – Richard Bach

Love is the optimum epitome of life that we all crave for. It has no limitations, and it is beyond bounds. Although hard to do, it remains the best thing a man can have or attain to. There are no room for grudge, malice, hatred, revenge, and all the negative trait imbedded man. If there is one thing I will keep working on, it will be LOVE.

“and precision flying is a step towards expressing our real nature. Everything that limits us we have to put aside” – Richard Bach

There are so many things and conditions that limit us and prevent us from expressing and fulfilling our real nature in life. The exerting of one’s mind in creative reality thinking and usefulness is what is connoted as flying is a step towards expressing our real nature. The more we put our brain/mind to work, the closer we get to realize our true purpose in life, and the more we realize, the better and more meaningful life becomes for 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?

I wouldn’t say so, though at first I find it very difficult to comprehend what the author was hypothesizing, but as I read on, I came to understanding of his postulations. This is a creative and an imaginary piece projecting a hard life long lesson and challenges that faces all of humanity be it small or great, poor or rich. I got his ideas and thus learnt great lessons from his work.

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

There are no exercises to complete in the book, but the postulated thoughts in the book are so challenging that one can dare to breakthrough and begin to do the unthinkable. It takes courage; involve time, and great sacrifice. As the idea is conceived, and stride being taken to dare to breakout of the commoners’ world into the world of achievers, I will see to it that consistency and self-discipline is maintained, as it is only this deliberate effort that I will said to attain or amount to anything, more so fulfilling one’s purpose in 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.

Yes, in the conversation between Chiang and Jonathan, Jonathan at a point in their conversation asked Chiang: “Is there no such place as heaven?” to my amazement, Chiang gave a startle answer: “No, Jonathan, there is no such place, Heaven is not a place, and it is not a time. Heaven is being perfect.”… Remember, Jonathan, heaven isn’t a place or a time, because place and time are so very meaningless.” (Richard Bach) At first I thought I was reading a Bible commentary, but the idea of heaven, being a thought I have been looking at closely, became much clearer to me. This perfectly agrees with the many scriptures in the Holy Bible about heaven. Heaven is a state, a realm of existence a man can attain to outside the reality of place and time, which are limited in themselves. The concept of a divine being called God, who is eternal, invisible, cannot possibly live in any place or time, as that will contradict His very nature and person being eternal, Spirit, and invisible. The idea that God is in heaven is evidenced of His perfection, timelessness, and unlimited presence and nature. That is the best we can attain to, and to it in itself, there is no limit, as you will never arrive. Heaven is being there, outside the limitation of place and time. The real me is locked up in a container call body, the moment I begin to express my real life outside this body of limitation for the good of my environment and humanity at large, then I will have well positioned in path of perfection leading to heaven. There are therefore uncountable limitations and barriers within the faculties of my mind that I will have to deal with and overcome.

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

Success through a Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Quintin Berestford Small (Sierra Leon)

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

Motivation! Motivation! Motivation! Motivating oneself and others with a positive mental attitude; and borrowing the very words of the authors: “And something more… Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude tells you specifically how to use the most magnificent machine ever conceived, a machine so awesome that only God Himself could create it. This machine is your brain and nervous system – a human computer – from which the electronic computer was designed, as to function, but which it can never equal.” (Hill and Stone (1987)

This mind is a creation of a supreme Intelligent Design who by searching, the mind itself cannot fathom His mysteries. The intricacies, minutiae, and niceties of this complex mind is yet to be fully comprehend, thus the allusion that no man has put to use 10% of its aptitude. In any case, with a positive mental attitude, whether in its 10% usage or it’s fullest, a man is said to metamorphose from one degree of glory to another, from grass to grace, from poverty to riches and affluence, from nonentity to an idol and celebrity, and from timidity to gallantry and bravery. And what a position would that be to motivate the life of many as true success is not determine by the amount of life and wealth one has but by the extent to which one positively influence and motivate others unto achieving their dreams and destinies in life. As a matter of fact, true prosperity and success can be defined as the unusual empathy and ability to empty oneself for others.

The world, life and all its applications are dynamic and never static, and the human mind has to be evolving in use and exertion so as to live up to times and positively impact its surrounding. This success will only be possible when the mind is engaged in a positive way through the instrumentality of motivators and motivational books such as Success through a Positive Mental Attitude.

* Definiteness of Purpose: “The starting point of all achievement is definiteness of purpose with positive mental attitude.” (Hill and Stone (1987) When there is no destination, prepare to land anywhere; but with a clear cut purpose and goal in life, life then becomes meaningful and worth living. Achieving this goal require a positive mental attitude. We are what we think, we pursue what we think, and we are consciously and unconsciously attracted and drawn to what we think. Do we have it written, a purpose that worth its weight in gold? Think about it in our going out and our coming in; in our sitting down and rising up, eating and drinking, meditate on it and it will become ours, a reality.

* Clearing the Cobwebs from my Thinking: When I am faced with challenges and difficulties that involve misunderstanding with others, I must first start with myself. The best place to ever put this virtue to practice is in the home. I did, instructed myself that as from now on I will no more have it tough and bitter with my wife. I chose to be defrauded and make out excuses for every of her mistakes; and you know what? It works! I see myself not reacting to things anymore. Life is smoother and happier. And because life in the home replicates itself out in public and offices, I see myself not being offended anymore. In the event of misunderstanding with others, instead of blaming, nagging and castigating, I look inward and chose to take the blame. My watch word then becomes: As much as it depends on me, I will live peaceably with all men.

* I am what I think. My thoughts are evaluated by whether my attitude is positive or negative. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. Certainly true! My thought is a direct reflection of me. I don’t think anyone can be more lucid in this matter than James Allen who argues that:

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,

“not only embraces the whole of a man’s being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them.” (James Allen)

In his classic “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he” he challenged that:

“Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought.

Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of people just as surely though less rapidly. (James Allen)

With a positive mental attitude, I would have and attract none of the trouble life has to offer, and if peradventure I become captive of my own imagination and prisoner of my negativity, a positive mental attitude will work out a release from the prison yard of negativity.

* And something more – going the extra mile. A negative mental attitude encourages mediocrity and compares it position with and against others at per. It is recorded that Thomas Alva Edison tried more than ten thousand experiments before he develops a successful incandescent lamp. Just a little more effort will make the different. Just another certification will put you above. Just an added smile and courtesy will gain you more customers. Something more, what is it? A positive mental attitude always look for something more.

“Many inventors came exceedingly close to inventing the airplane before the Wright brothers.” The different was that after using the same principles and methods available to the others, they added something more. Just a little more trying and adding something more will catapult me from the threshold into the reality realm of success and breakthrough. After I have done my best, I am cultivating the habit of asking: “What else can I add to it?” This is because there is always something to add such as there is no end to learning and discovery.

* I’ve got a problem! That is good. The elasticity of a rubber band is not known until it is stretched. And do you believe that all things work together for good to them that work uprightly according to divine principles? Oh yes, with a positive mental attitude, there is great pearl, a precious gem in every trouble and challenge. And is it not said that necessity is the mother of inventions? In every adversity, there is a seed of an equivalent or greater benefit, only a positive mental attitude will cultivate it and harvest its fruits thereof. As a principle I look out for the good in every challenge or problem and if I look with a positive mental attitude long enough I will certainly lay hold of it. Life and all its trouble then becomes a recipe for success.

* The secret of getting things done. Although I am skeptical about secrets because I believe that the secret of success is that there is no secret at all. Employing the principles of grazing in the field of master farmers, we will discover that the secret of getting things done is by habit. Put forth by the great psychologist and philosopher William James, “Sow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” As riches develop wings and fly away if not put into use or reinvest, so success is never attained and maintained without the habit of continual hard work be it mental or physical. The crystallization of a thing, virtue, character and principles come through habitual practice and use. My destiny is locked up in my character and my character is formed by habitual practices.

* I am the product of my: heredity, environment, physical body, conscious and subconscious mind, experience, and particular position and direction in time and space, and something more, including power known and unknown. A positive mental attitude will make all the different. If my heredity, environment and the rest are bad, a positive mental attitude makes it right. There is no divination and act of sorcery against a positive mental attitude. The instrument employ to unleash trouble is a negative mental attitude and a positive one will always counter it and straighten the path thereof.

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?

Motivation, being that which induces action or determines choice develops an inner faith and strength in me; and when I am strong and built up within, it then become possible and easy to help others and by helping others, I express faith and confidence in them and they are motivated in the event thus making the world around me a better place for living.

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 book is full of meaningful and stupefying quotations that can revolutionize one’s life for good. Because of space, I will cite few of the most appropriate and challenging that I am using to presently motivate myself and others.

“We are poor – not because of God. We are poor because father has never developed a desire to become rich. No one in our family has ever developed a desire to be anything else.” (Hill and Stone (1987) How we often blame God and people for our conditions! In the African setting many have been beaten down by the myth of fate and traditional customs and beliefs. S. B. Fuller would have none of that. Through the instrumentality of his mother who dear to think differently from her husband and relatives, S. B Fuller grew to become the man he wanted to be. He employed the principle of positive mental attitude, an attitude different from that of his father who desired nothing above average. From a humble background, he chose to set big goals for himself and headed for it through hard work and positive mental attitude. It is God’s desire we be rich, and we must never be confused and mix up the love for money, which is the root of all kind of evil with the sincere making of wealth through the positive use of the mind and God given abilities.

“You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying. Success is achieved and maintained by those who keep trying with positive mental attitude.” (Hill and Stone (1987) Nothing is impossible in life. A man can achieve whatsoever he desire as long as he thinks right and work hard. Insistence and hard work pays as in every labor there is profit and much more for a persistence man. Approaches and principles are and may be authentic, but they are never automatic. Have you been trying and you are at the verge of quitting? A lesson from Thomas Alva Edison will keep you trying. Where many like Sir Humphrey Davy, Warren De la Rue, James Bowman Lindsay, James Prescott Joule, Frederick de Moleyns and Heinrich Göbel failed, Edison resiliently kept trying until he cracked the nut of making the incandescent electric lamp. Whatever we give undivided attention to with a positive mental attitude will open up for us no matter how hard it may be.

“Man’s greatest power lies in the power of prayer.” (Hill and Stone (1987) To those who are the sole architecture of their lives, this may not mean anything to them, much more to those who are god in themselves and have no regards for divine intelligent. On the contrary, the power I exert and the manner of life I live is accrued to God. It is He that giveth me power to make wealth. In collaboration with Him, through the instrumentality of prayer I seek His kingdom (godly principles and values) to be established on earth as it is in Heaven, first in me and in others.

“If a man is right, his world will be right.” (Hill and Stone (1987) We are the world and we are the people, our state of being at anytime is a perfect reflection of the condition of the world around us and at large. If we must change the world, it has to start from us. When things does not get better, when government does not get better, and when the world does not get better, we have to get better through a positive mental attitude and by so doing things, government and the world will get better. The fighting, quarrelling and tainting in the inside of us shape the conditions of our environment in a negative way; and in the same way the serenity and calm and good adventure of our heart will make a better and loveable environment.

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind of man can achieve with positive mental attitude.” (Hill and Stone (1987) Out of intimacy comes conception. This is vital because our environment has a way of making us or marring us. If we will ever conceive anything whatsoever, it often emanate from our intimate environment. When we rub minds with great men and sleep with kings whether in real terms or through the pages of books, we will be sure to be on the path of greatness. For our conception to be a fruitful reality, believing becomes a necessary ingredient. What we believe we attract! What we believe we become! What we believe we achieve! This is a fact of life. Conceive it and believe it and keep believing it with a positive mental attitude, then you will achieve it.

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?

It was an easy read with all intelligibility and comprehension. I would say there was nothing in the book that was weary of understanding and cumbersome to the mind. Down to earth, with a good sense of the global audience; and did I disagree with any of the ideas presented in the book? I would mention if there was one. It was a great read.

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

There was much exercise to complete spanning from memorization, implementation, and confession, goal writing, and assessing and testing my own success quotient. Did I complete any of these; not one was left out and I found it very helpful. I came to realize in the result of the success quotient that I am an average person, and that is totally unacceptable, it has to change and it thus means that I have to change and evolve in my mental attitude. To this effect, timetable has been outlined in order to move over and out of the average range within the next four years.

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.

Oh yes, it is thrilling thinking about it. It set me thinking, planning, projecting, daydreaming, and documenting. That is the power of OPM. It was shocking, revealing and at the same time inspiring to learn that over 70% if not more of all the great achievers and successful people of time and generations got to the top of the ladder with Other People Money (OPM). Huge discovery! This set my mind thinking and racing across the land on how the top guns in the economic pyramid got to where they are. OPM, credit institutions, bankers is the answer. What stops me then from making it to the top? As a matter of fact, with my collateral reaching completion, the sky is my limit. I use to be afraid of loan and so I have never taken one, but I am of a different opinion now.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10.

Keys to Success

Assessment by Quintin Berestford Small (Sierra Leon)

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

A1.The main idea of Napoleon Hill’s keys to success is change and the process thereof. The author forces me to examine imbedded habits that have not been productive enough to take me to my desired goal in life; and to learn and develop new habits that when apply will bring the desired change in life. In order to attain this, I must seek to understand and apply the key principles of success that provoke and warrant change.

Walking through the corridor of history, and the sea of successful men who made indelible prints on the skin of the world, there are libraries of blueprint of successes that I can be readily put to use and share in the same success they enjoyed. As a matter of principle, this had been Hill’s philosophy that “You can benefit from the experience of others, which will save you time and help you avoid errors that others have made. You can learn the principles of success and how to apply them.” (Hill (2007)

A path once explored, trod and climaxed to the end should be less hazardous to new explorers who will chose to learn from the mistakes and experiences of those who once explored and trod the same path. That put us, this generation, in a privilege position to succeed at all cost. The galore of experiences of victors and great achievers in yester years and in contemporary time are being put in black and white, making knowledge the stability of the time, leaving little or no room for failure to all who will chose to search out these recipes of success with a positive mental attitude.

Hill approach in this classic work was to take the experiences and lessons of great achievers of all times and split them into seventeen great philosophies which he calls “the 17 principles of personal achievement”. Drifting through life without a definiteness of purpose is the first course of failure, Hill said; but with a defined definiteness of purpose, understanding and applying the rest of the principles outlined in this book will undoubtedly take me to my desired goal in life and the sky will me my limit.

i. “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, your mind can achieve” (W. Clement Stone – Hill (2007)

Whatever we set our heart on to change will change, more so when we believe it and pursue it with a positive mental attitude. Nothing is said to be difficult or impossible when it is given undivided attention with positive mental attitude. There is no bringing forth without conception, and at the point of delivery, one must believe that he or she can and will be up to the task to deliver. This expressed faith in ones mental ability to break forth takes care of all external and conditional circumstances that may surface in delivery. If you can conceive it, believing is paramount, and achieving becomes much easier.

ii. “Your personality is your greatest asset or greatest liability, for it embraces everything that you control: mind, body, and soul. A person personality is the person.” (Hill (2007)

A man with an attractive personality dictate the pace and others follows; he places a call and others are obliged to perform it to the letter. This is because impressive personality attracts royalties. Overstepping our bounds and trampling on others’ right, emotion, and feeling do not make a good resume to our personality. The pleasant aroma of our personality unlocks doors into palaces and queens’ courts. The subject of our personality is as vital as our investment cash, and as vital as our after-tax dividend.

Hill, outlined a long list of qualities, traits, and abilities that may sum up an attractive personality; and these we should in greater percentages exhibit if we must make it to the top. The list include: Positive mental attitude, flexibility, sincerity of purpose, courtesy (a vital principle of respect for other people), tact, tone of voice, the habit of smiling (we may not know how important is this, but in Hill own words, he said: “A smiling face defeats the cruelest of antagonists, for it is difficult to argue with someone who smiles while speaking”), facial expression, tolerance, frankness of manner of speech, a keen sense of humor, faith in infinite intelligence, a keen sense of justice, the appropriate use of words, effective speech, emotional control, alertness of interest ( listening well, they say is an even greater accomplishment than speaking well, so attentiveness is a great virtue and it attracts great rewards.), fondness for people, humility (a virtue that must not be compromise if we want to climb the ladder of greatness), effective showmanship, a good sportsmanship, and much more.

iii. “Q1 + Q2 +MA + C” Given that Q1 is the quality of service rendered; Q2 is the quantity of service rendered; MA is the mental attitude in which it is rendered; and C is your compensation. The law of compensation simply state that we get what we give. Therefore, if we want to get more we must be willing to give more. Few ways we can get more are by increasing our value by deliberate and exotic reading and studying; filling our mind with positive mental attitude; and going the extra mile, that is, doing more that what we are paid for. If we want a positive effect in life we must trigger the cause. To every effect, there is a cause; and to every action there is reaction.

Emmet Fox, commenting on this said, “If the average man understood for a single moment the meaning of these words and really believed them to be true, he would immediately revolutionize his whole life from top to bottom, turn his everyday conduct inside out, and he would be so changed that his closest friends would hardly know him.”

This law of compensation can be seen as a perfect law of justice and it permeates the activities of humankind whether we know it or not, whether we see it or not. Every day of our lives is a day of reaping what we have sown in time past, whether good or bad. And the law guarantees that in the long run every virtue is rewarded, every wrong is redressed – in silence, in certainty, in Divine order. The quality and quantity of the extra service we render will come back to us greatly multiplying. Greater result than this will be when we render extra things or services with a positive mental attitude; as employees, it makes us indispensable to our bosses; and as employers we become indispensable to our clients and customers, and stand unequal among competitors and in the market at large.

iv. From the mouth of Andrew Carnegie, reiterated by Hill, “There are two types of people who never amount to anything. There are those who never do anything except what they are told to do. And there are those who cannot even do what they are told to do. The people who get ahead do things that should be done without being told. And they don’t stop there. They go the extra mile and do much more than is expected of them.” (Hill 2007)

Seeing things that should be done and doing them before you are told is what make us succeed where others failed. The attitude of one with personal initiative is winning and winning; and so he is full of imagination, intuition and the ability to see what others are not seeing. This kind of personal initiative creates work and opportunity, and it ultimately creates the future.

v. My thoughts are powerful, and must be guided because they can either make me or dent me. I realize that whenever I involve in public speaking, I say things that are sometimes strange and new to my hearing, but whenever I give it a close thought, my memory would jack back to either a movie I once watched, a book I read or a statement I heard long time ago. My thoughts are often informed by the things I see, hear, or allow to occupy my mind due to my immediate surrounding and circumstances. This is so crucial because every thought I have, every word I speak are stored in my memory. Therefore, if I want my thought to be productive, I should seek to rebuff every negative thoughts, and fight hard to concentrate my mind on what worth thinking. My thought must be controlled, and my association must also be selective and highly informed. The forever bestselling book, the Bible puts it this way: “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8) I have complete right to control my thoughts, and that I will do, by indulging only in what is worth thinking.

vi. The author’s suggestion on how to increase my flow of idea is quite helpful. My mind is my greatest gift I possessed and it has the ability to create vision and execute it. Visions however are born out of much positive thinking; thus Hill wrote: “One of the ways to increase your flow of ideas is by developing the habit of taking study time, thinking time, and planning time. Be quiet and motionless, and listen for that small, still voice that speaks from within as you contemplate the way in which you can achieve your objectives.” (Hill 2007)

vii. Lessons from adversity and defeat with positive mental attitude was another great idea learnt from this book. Defeat should be view as stepping-stone to catapult one into a higher height in life; and notwithstanding, it can also be a stumbling block if not view with a positive mental attitude. In it all, I learn that the worst thing that happens to me may be the best thing that can happen to me if I don’t let it get the best of me. The Bible verse, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28), stands to be true although it’s hard to apply. With this reminder, and further ingredient of positive mental attitude, I refuse to let adverse or bad circumstances get the best of me. From now on, I chose to see seeming impossibilities and adversities in a positive light.

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?

A3. What you don’t share you do not have. Until I am willing to and can share, I do not have anything. For me to have and to share, I must first of all seek out and apply. Everybody desire success, and if there are anything worth given people I think these principles, after being tested and proven can be invaluable gift/idea to share. As I always say, Motivation, being that which induces action or determines choice develops an inner faith and strength in me; and when I am strong and built up within, it then become possible and easy to help others and by helping others, I express faith and confidence in them and they are motivated in the event thus making the world around me a better place for living.

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 best way to receive love is to give it.” (Hill 2007) This is a universal law, and many call it the law of cause and effect, and/or the law of compensation. Whatever it is called, the best way to get a thing is to first give it out. Give and you shall receive. It is likes that beget likes, so if I want money, be it in profit, dividend, or interest, the little I have must leave my hand. Give love and you will get love; give care and concern, and you will get it back in return, speak well of others and express appreciation for them, you will no longer be upset by the indifferent and resentment of others because there will be none. Always look for the good in others and do much more, and there will be peace and calmness around you. This is a virtue worthy practicing, and that I will endeavor to do.

“To maintain a health consciousness, think in terms of good physical health, not in terms of illness or disease. Remember, what your mind focuses upon, your mind brings into existence, whether it is financial success or physical health.” (Hill 2007) I cannot agree less to this statement because I am a benefactor of it. My thoughts of sound health and sickness free have kept me from seeing a doctor for years. The awareness now is that if it worked for sound health, it can work for whatever good I set my mind on to achieve. My feelings at any point in time are complete reflection of the state of my mind. Do I want to feel good, feel happy, feel healthy, feel wealthy, and feel terrific? The answer is I must think good, think happy, think healthy, think wealthy, and think terrific.

“The “free advice” you will get on every hand from colleagues and friends will be worth exactly what it cost you: nothing.” (Hill 2007) Anything that cost nothing, it worth’s nothing, and whatever that worth fortune, worth spending something on. A good lesson to always go for the best, seek the right and best professional and expertise and spend what worth spending. A good advice must be as good as the source, and if the source is not as good as the advice, and in most cases an embodiment of it, it is not worth taken. For clarity purpose, if a man said he has a formula for getting riches and it is applicable to all while he is fighting with poverty and barely making ends meet, if you’re on foot then run fast from such a man.

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

The book is explicit enough, down to earth and easy to read. The principles shared are universal, and they are persuasive enough for anyone to easily believe. I do understand all that I read, and do hope to read it again, as I have read couple of pages more than once.

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

There were lots of challenges and inspirational statements to set me on one thing or the other. Those I have paid close attention to, and in a very short time I am reaping the fruit already. Also at the close of the book, I was challenge to make commitment to put to use the seventeen principles discussed in the book. The commitments were not only made, but practical steps are being taking to ensure these principles work in my life. This book was read at the right time when I needed to make decision on what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. In the process, I came up with a venture I am already preparing for and walking towards.

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.

A7. One thing that become so clear to me in the course of reading this book is my ability to change my life or habit to want I want it to be. Hill said: “Any worthless, superfluous, or harmful habit can be broken and replace with a more desirable one if you want it to be so.” (Hill 2007) I can change whatever I don’t like about my life! Yes I can! I conceive it; I believe it and I can do it and will do it. I will henceforth tolerate no bad habit in my life.

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

The New Dynamics of Winning

Assessment by Quintin Berestford Small (Sierra Leon)

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

The book, in the introductory pages, begins with two questions which I will reprint as follows: “What does it takes to be a winner? What must you know to be a true champion – in athletics, in business, and in life?” (Denis Waitley (1993).

The entire book is an attempt to answer these questions; getting the readers to know what it takes to be a winner, and what must they know to be a champion. Scores of ideas are highlighted throughout the book and are intended to set its readers thinking like champions and victors. The first principle emphasized in the book is the principle of thinking right. If a man will be or become a champion, his thought pattern must be like that of a champion. Thus Waitley wrote: “Being a champion means thinking like a champion” (Denis Waitley (1993).

The general ideas of what it takes to succeed are hard work, careful decision making, technical expertise, and often the support of friends and family. As true as these are, Waitley said they are only part of the whole, and in it all, he emphasized that the most important thing to know is one’s ability to access the inner resources of strength and commitment that are the defining characteristics of a champion in any field. All that we need to succeed and win all the time are locked up in the inside of us; the technique in accessing them and rightly appropriating them to work for us is dealt with extensively in this book. Going through this book has help to trigger the champion in me to arise and win and keep winning.

i. It is good to be talented and highly skilled; it makes a whole lot of different in the know-how dexterity of getting things done, but making things happen is another matter entirely. Waitley puts it this way that: “It is 10 percent talent and 90 percent guts and determination” (Denis Waitley (1993). Zest and determination are crucial ingredients in getting things done. Recently, I took a challenge to serve in a demanding capacity that I have never served before. I really did not have the know-how and the required skills, but I was determined to cope and never be found wanting. That inner drive and determination to put in my best get the work done and going. As I put in my all, I am becoming capacitated to do the work with proficiency and alacrity. That is the fruit of gut and determination. One of my favorite sayings is “whatever you give undivided attention and devotion to opens up to you no matter how hard or difficult it may be.” So I wholly agree with Waitley that is 10% talent and 90% guts and determination required to win and become a champion.

ii. We all get what we pay for, if we want more, we must be ready and willing to pay more. It is said no pain, no gain; no price , no goods; if we want our store house to abound, we must pay the price, pay the cost, go the extra miles, and be willing to do what others would ordinarily not do. The choice to win is a choice to make, and when the decision is reached, there is an absolute price to pay. The willingness to pay the price is what count for winners and champions. External voices may counsel us to quit because it is a difficult task; probably no man has attained it, so they say we cannot make it. We may at times need to forget the advice of the experts because the commitment to paying the price, or succeed where others have failed would be the key to break-even.

iii. Self-affirming beliefs are keys to help bolster our self-acceptance, self-trust, and self-confidence. We have to first of all believe in ourselves for us to impact our environment or make vital input and contribution in our businesses and work places. The things we believe about ourselves have a long way to go in determining our performance and productivity. Our thought must be filled with thoughts and ideas of what we can do, and an inspiration of what we are capable of doing. The more we are inspired that we can do all things we give attention to, the greater our strength and vitality. When we believe and constantly say to ourselves that we are good, valuable and worthy person, backed by the appropriate actions, we cannot, but always be good, feel valuable and worthy. Self-affirming belief dispel doubt, and that leaves us with the choice to be fully cable in achieving our set goals, be responsible for the life we live, build up our strength, mingle freely, take risk and be happy at all time. The great counsel given to us by the greatest book ever is that whatever things are true, whatever things have honor, whatever things are upright, whatever things are holy, whatever things are beautiful, whatever things are of value, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, give thought to these things.

iv. People around us, whether our kids, subordinates, or neighbors tend to believe our consistence way of doing things rather than our multitude of words. Action speaks louder than ten thousand words, because we make more impact by the things we do and not much by what we say especially when they contravene our actions. Waitley call it “Silent Approval” To impact people, we must give them example to follow and imitate. My daughter is little less than three years, and I started teaching her simple courtesy on how to say Good Morning, Thank you, and I am sorry. Every attempt to get her to say Good morning by way of instructions failed. I resolved to teaching by example, and to get her to say Good morning, I go to her room every morning and say Good Morning to her, and she would respond by saying good morning Daddy. Giving her instruction to say these words proved abortive, but as I used the phrases on her, she learnt it and now she greets, and say thank you for whatever she receive. Hence, we should not just tell people what to do, but show them by doing it ourselves.

v. The idea to follow through our words and particularly promises is a vitreous principle worth emulating if we would say to be men of integrity. As a practice, I hardly make promises, and when I make one, I give no rest to myself until I meet it, and often I do with immediately alacrity. “Promises should not be lightly given unless you want them lightly received.” (Denis Waitley (1993. Our integrity is mostly measure by the oneness of our words and the things we do. Saying things is cheap, and you can get almost everybody to say anything, but the doing of it is mostly costly and it requires integrity to build and maintain people trust.

vi. The ream of the ordinary is “seeing is believing”, but the thinking of winners is “Believing is seeing” That is to say, before you can see it, you have to believe it. That’s what makes champions, inventors, and visionaries. Those who wait to see it before they believe hardly break new grounds. Winners are ground breakers, inventors of ideas, and achievers of accomplishment. The belief that a thing is or can be done is a step towards the right direction in seeing it happening. Whatever we give repeated attention and thought to, we tend to believe, and what we come to believe, we are committed to execute and bring to reality. Those who believe a thing before they see it are miles ahead those who wait to see before they believe. Often, what we see with our mind’s eyes is what we get. Coincidence is a bonus and luck, and it accounts for less than 1% of all successes. Deliberate thinking and effort is what account for great success and achievements.

vii. Towards the close of the book, the author beautifully stated that “Success is a journey, not a destination” This is a powerful saying. If only I can imprint this in my mind that success is a process and not a place I come to, and that it’s by degrees, and highly relative, there will be no room for unhealthy competition; and because there is no end to the road of success the motivation to always press on to achieve more and be more successful would be the case. This is the spirit of winners, and successful folks, they always want more, want to break new grounds, and move to higher heights. This tends to be the driving force of high achievers and champions. With this mentality, the sky then becomes my limit.

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?

Winning and becoming successful in what I do is key to imparting others with winning attitude. Imagine a poor man, who hardly feed well, boasting of principle or idea that can produce fortune; hardly will anyone listen to him least considering him to be serious. The knowledge that talent is not enough to be successful motivates me into studiousness in converting my talent and good ideas through hard work into reality. When my limitations are knock off, courtesy of the New Dynamics of Winning, I become better placed to encourage and lead others through their hurdles and breaking them forth into winning. Life is all about winning, and winners set the pace for others to follow. Gaining the mind of a champion for unlimited success in life through the reading of this book places me in a better position to succeed and meaningfully contribute to the growth and development of my neighborhood and environment, hence making the world a better place.

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 are no mistakes or failures, only lessons. Growth is a process of gaining knowledge, of trial and error, and of courageous experimentation.” (Denis Waitley (1993). This is a true motivational statement. Fear of failure is a huge enemy of progress, and mistakes have a way of damping my spirit because I often want to do things right; doing it otherwise often damping me. I now see mistake as a lesson on how not to do a thing rather than failure. In every mistake, there is knowledge to learn, and better equip me to handle similar task better in future. A road once trod with hardness and difficulties is never tread with the same resistance and difficulties as before. My eyes are now open to learn from my mistakes; and as much as I will not settle to make reckless mistakes, I will not be ashamed of any if it does occur.

“Champions don’t shrink from risk. Champions know that the greatest risk is doing nothing, and that real security derives from constantly testing your potential.” (Denis Waitley (1993). Winners are made by their ability to take risk. The life we live is a risky one, because every step we take is a step of risk, an actual leap into the dark. We take risk in our decisions and choices; we take risk by the things we say and do, especially those things we say and do in secrete, and against our will or interest. The very idea of not willing to take risk is a risky thing in itself. When we chose not to venture into the unknown, or attempt new idea we risk being normal, ordinary and even poor. I am not talking of being rash in our decision, but the ability and gut to take calculated and ground-breaking risk.

We grow in taking risks, so if we chose otherwise, we are risking our growth and development. Aiming at the sky is a very risky thing to do, but staying at the edge is better than taking up too much room. The ability to take risk and venturing into uncharted waters is the different among equals. Allowing the odds, challenges, and limitations to prevent us from reaching our goal might be the greatest risk we may ever take. Mark Twain once wrote that: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover.” (Mark Twain) If we are not willing to fail greatly, we may never become or amount to anything. Who has eating an egg without breaking the shell? There is a shell over every treasure, investment, success, and winning, we must be willing to break through to become champions.

“Most of our hurdles in life are self-imposed limitations that can be overcome if we never, ever give up on ourselves.” (Denis Waitley (1993). This is absolutely true. We can do whatever we tell ourselves to do, and whatever we think we cannot do we may never achieve it. There is hardly any mountain anywhere, often our ignorance, lack of determination, and self-imposed hurdles are what turn out to be mountains to us. Winning, victory, and every accomplishment has to begin in the inside, because a man sense of value determines the quality of his performance. If we are not winning inside, we can certainly not win outside. We must see ourselves winning and succeeding even when things seem not to be working; just one more push with a positive winning attitude will make a whole lot of different. Real hurdles and challenges in life are meant to spur us to higher heights and accomplishments. Given up should be the last consideration when all options have been thoroughly explored.

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?

This is an easy to read book. It contents are plain and informative. The numerous case studies and examples given made it easy to comprehend its principles. I wouldn’t think of anything in the book that is unclear and could not be understood. Do I disagree with any thought in the book? Even if I want to, I may have to first of all seek to know the author’s perspective, and from which vantage point he was, or on which worldview or premise he was coming from. Often we make much ado of nothing because of lack of understanding and failure to see from which viewpoint the idea flow from. A point, idea or a thought is often justified by the whole. I had it easy to read and understand, and there was nothing ambiguous 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?

Yes, it contains exercises to complete, but I haven’t completed it. It is a twenty one day plan that is challenging for me to complete now within twenty-one days. It is worth doing, but my present work schedule would not permit me to do justice to it. The idea is gotten, and I think it will do me good if I span it beyond the twenty-one days stipulated for the exercise. When it is done sincerely and thoroughly, it will certainly improve my productivity in my place of work. The other motivational and spontaneous exercises have been duly responded to and they had been helpful.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

Yes, I will like to comment on the principles of leadership outline by the author in his book. Worth noting is the fact that real leaders come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. These are never so big that they cannot bend down to help others. They are never so wise that they do not remember their teachers. They are never so gifted that they would not share their skills with others. They are never so fearless that they do not play by the rules and live by the law. They are never such big winners that they forget what it feels to be a looser.

Good leadership is not to convince or get people to think about their leaders, on the contrary, authentic leadership is to cause people to think more of themselves. A real leader appreciates the differences among their followers, and seeks to enhance them through their differences. That is why leadership is not based on technique, but by interaction and mutual respect. For a man to effectively lead others, he ought to have been a follower himself. Often, most of the principles in leadership are learnt in followership. A real leader is full of courage, man of few words and promises in particular, and one who is not afraid to share, listen, learn, and lavishes praises. Making others feel happy, fulfilled, loved, peaceful, honored, secured, successful, belonged, etc. is what leadership is all about.

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