{"id":5754,"date":"2025-02-03T09:24:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T09:24:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/?page_id=5754"},"modified":"2025-05-02T10:04:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T10:04:33","slug":"kisilu-kalu-assessments","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/kisilu-kalu-assessments\/","title":{"rendered":"Kisilu Kalu – Assessments"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a Man Thinketh<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Kisilu Kalu (Kenya)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the author is stating is (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written-upon subject of the power of thought. It is suggestive rather than explanatory, its object being to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that 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 now weave in enlightenment and happiness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThought is the fount of action, life, and manifestation; make the fountain pure, and all will be pure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuch is the conscious master, and man can only thus become by discovering within himself the laws of thought; which discovery is totally a matter of application, self analysis, and experience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying that nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but nettles. Men understand this law in the natural world, and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world (though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating), and they, therefore, do not co-operate with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Thoughts as Seeds<\/span><\/p>\n

Our thoughts are seeds that create our world and determine the quality of our lives. Many people believe their inner thoughts are secret and powerless. James Allen holds the opposite view; he says our thoughts shape us in more powerful ways than we expect. Our ways of thinking are a subtle force that slowly bends the course of our lives in a certain direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, he says that thoughts are the primary cause in our lives, rather than our circumstances. This means the more we encourage thoughts of strength, courage and perseverance, the more our actions will be bold and the greater our chance for success.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. Character and Circumstances<\/span><\/p>\n

The nature of our character influences the life situations we encounter. Today society (especially politicians) encourages us to view ourselves as helpless victims. Maybe this view can give one psychological relief, but in the end it is a fruitless activity; to see oneself as a victim can only lead to hatred and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. Desires Have Power<\/span><\/p>\n

What we deeply want shapes the reality around us, in ways we don\u2019t expect.<\/span>
\nIn the Bible, the book of Matthew says, \u201cFor every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.\u201d That\u2019s is a great summary of how our desires shape the direction that we point our attention and then our focus of attention shapes our actions and then our lives. Desire leads to attention, attention leads to action, actions lead to our circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. Work, Don\u2019t Just Wish:<\/span><\/p>\n

Hard work and effort are necessary to achieve our goals. Modern self help gurus often twist this idea that our thoughts influence our life into the irrational belief that we will get anything we wish for.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. Thoughts and Health<\/span><\/p>\n

Positive or negative thoughts can impact our well-being and physical health<\/span>
\nToday neuroscientists can actually measure the effects of anxiety or stress in our bodies. When we get stressed, chemicals called glucocorticoids are released in our bodies. Modern people are often chronically stressed, because our problems are things we cannot run away from like mortgages and bills. This means the stress chemicals stay in our bodies for a long time, and this is very damaging.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. Weakness and Fear<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPurpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe who has conquered weakness, and has put away all selfish thoughts, belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed. He is free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. Visions and Ideals<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cThe Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart\u2014this you will build your life by, this you will become.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all, heavenly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This is a mindset book and it will help me develop my brain and thinking capacity, it will increase my IQ.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state…Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of the hidden powers and possibilities within himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCherish your visions. Cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts. For out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment, of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book is well covered.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book contains a lot of exercise which is a mental brain development which is a life time exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It is a nice book and well stated<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Jonathan Livingston Seagull<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Kisilu Kalu (Kenya)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jonathan Seagull is different from the other birds in his Flock. Most gulls only know the \u201csimplest facts of flight,\u201d and use flight as a means or mode of transportation and as a way to get food. Jonathan, however, loves practicing airborne acrobatics and testing the limits of his speed and form. He struggles with being different\u2014he is sad to disappoint his parents, and he briefly considers trying hard to be just another member of the Flock. After he experiences a breakthrough in flight, though, and successfully executes a complicated dive from a height of five thousand feet, he is more determined than ever to devote his life to studying flight.<\/span><\/p>\n

That night, when Jonathan rejoins his Flock up on the beach, he is called into the center of a Council meeting and singled out for Shame by the Elder Gull before being Outcast and banished to the distant Far Cliffs. Jonathan had hoped to share his new flight methods with the Flock, and show them how different methods of flight would make it even easier to find fruitful food sources in the ocean, but resignedly accepts that he will be a loner for the rest of his life. After many years pass, Jonathan has lived a long but solitary life. He is flanked in flight one evening by two gleaming gulls who invite him to ascend with them to a higher plane of existence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJonathan Livingston Seagull\u201d serves as a reminder that our lives are not defined by societal norms, and we can break free from limitations to pursue our passions and dreams. It encourages us to embrace our individuality, practice resilience, and recognize the boundless potential within us. Ultimately, it inspires us to seek personal growth, self-discovery, and a life driven by purpose and passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Pursue Your Passion Relentlessly<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan, the seagull, embodies the spirit of a true leader by relentlessly pursuing his passion for flying, even when it means going against the flock. His journey highlights the importance of following one\u2019s passion and vision, regardless of external pressures or societal norms. This is a reminder for business leaders to pursue innovation and excellence, even if it means challenging the established way of doing things.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. The Power of Belonging and Acceptance<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite being initially shunned by his flock, Jonathan ultimately finds acceptance and belonging among other like-minded seagulls who share his passion for flight. This illustrates the importance of creating an inclusive environment where unique talents and diverse perspectives are valued. Leaders should build a culture of acceptance and belonging, ensuring every team member feels appreciated and supported, fostering collaboration and innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. Inspire Others Through Your Example<\/span><\/p>\n

As Jonathan masters the art of flying, he doesn\u2019t keep his knowledge to himself. Instead, he shares it with other seagulls, helping them realize their own potential. This act of mentorship is a key takeaway for leaders. Leading by example and empowering others to achieve their best can create a ripple effect, driving collective success within the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. Resilience and Perseverance<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite facing rejection and ridicule from his flock, Jonathan remains determined to improve his flying abilities. This underscores the importance of resilience and persistence in pursuing our goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. Limitless Potential<\/span><\/p>\n

The book suggests that our potential is boundless if we dare to challenge our limits and strive for self-improvement. It encourages us to recognize that we can always learn and grow, no matter our age or circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. Risk-Taking<\/span><\/p>\n

The story emphasizes the importance of taking risks to achieve our dreams. It encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and take a leap of faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. Spiritual and Philosophical Reflection<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJonathan Livingston Seagull\u201d delves into spiritual and philosophical themes, making readers contemplate deeper questions about life\u2019s purpose and the pursuit of meaning.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

These ideas will make me understand that nothing is impossible when I believe in myself, I do not need anyone approval to do what I like doing<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you\u2019ll see the way to fly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe only true law is that which leads to freedom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOvercome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn\u2019t flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn\u2019t have limits.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour whole body, from wingtip to wingtip,” Jonathan would say, other times, “is nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It is an excellent book and good for reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Determination resilience and self believe will make you achieve your hearts desire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book is well presented and easy to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PsychoCybernetics<\/strong><\/span>
\nAssessment by Kisilu Kalu (Kenya)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?<\/span><\/strong><\/em>
\nPsycho Cybernetics utilizes a mechanical perspective of your brain and body\u2019s activity to create a new system of thinking and behaving. The book was originally written by a plastic surgeon turned self-help author, Dr. Maxwell Maltz. This book is a cornerstone of the self-help genre and is chock-full of big ideas that can empower you to create a happier, more successful life.<\/span><\/p>\n

How your self-image and patterns of thinking impact everything you do<\/span>
\nHow to improve your life by changing your habits and thoughts<\/span>
\nHow to turn setbacks and failure into progress and success<\/span>
\n\u201dThe science of Cybernetics does not tell us that \u201cman\u201d is a machine but that man has and uses a machine. Moreover, it tells us how that machine functions and how it can be used.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201dCreative striving for a goal that is important to you as a result of your own deep-felt needs, aspirations and talents (and not symbols which the \u201cJoneses\u201d expect you to display) brings happiness as well as success because you will be functioning as you were meant to function. Man is by nature a goal-striving being. And because man is \u201cbuilt that way\u201d he is not happy unless he is functioning as he was made to function \u2013 as a goal-striver. Thus true success and true happiness not only go together but each enhances the other.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201dWhatever your definition of happiness may be, you will experience happiness only as you experience more life. More living means among other things more accomplishment, the attainment of worthwhile goals, more love experienced and given, more health and enjoyment, more happiness for both yourself and others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

i. Experience Is Important<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuman beings always act and feel and perform in accordance with what they imagine to be true about themselves and their environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Maltz begins with a preface describing a bit of the background behind his book. As a plastic surgeon, he saw example after example of patients who would have their outward appearance transformed (via plastic surgery), but wouldn\u2019t end up any happier as a result of having had their surgeries. In short: their outward appearance would change, but their internal feelings and attitudes would remain the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his investigations he discovered cybernetics; the actions and requirements of machines in accomplishing tasks. This field of cybernetics was then applied to people, resulting in an application of how people achieve success, or failure.<\/span>
\nPeople\u2019s experiences are similar to a machine\u2019s programming. Both lead to certain outcomes, and both can be changed. As the field of psychology developed, it became clear that even in a controlled laboratory, people could use experiences \u201cimagined vividly and in detail\u201d to change outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The book Psycho Cybernetics was written to be experienced. Each chapter should be read actively, making notes about the points that appeal to you, and creating your own summaries and analysis. There are practice exercises to complete throughout the book. As you take action, remember this point; \u201cIt usually requires a minimum of about 21 days to effect any perceptible change in a mental image.\u201d So keep practicing the exercises, and working through the knowledge you\u2019re gaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

ii. You Can Change Your Self-Image And Success Mechanism<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhether we realize it or not, each of us carries about with us a mental blueprint or picture of ourselves\u2026It has been built up from our own beliefs about ourselves. But most of these beliefs about ourselves have unconsciously been formed from our past experiences, our success and failures, our humiliations, our triumphs, and the way other people have reacted to us, especially in early childhood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although you are not conscious of it, your self-image has developed as a result of your past experiences. You tend to believe this self-image, and live your life based on this belief of yourself. This explains how some people seem to always be successful, and others constantly fail. Their subsequent experiences will support the self-image they have of themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people\u2019s attempts at changing their self-image are external as witnessed by Dr. Maltz in his plastic surgery practice. Some have tried positive thinking about the future, without actually addressing their beliefs about their self-image. This is where Dr. Maltz discovered the great potential for change in directing activity at your self-image. He discovered that true happiness and satisfaction in life comes from \u201can adequate and realistic self-image that you can live with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The secret, Maltz tells us, is this: \u201cTo really live, that is to find life reasonably satisfying, you must have an adequate and realistic self-image that you can live with. You must find your self acceptable to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Maltz sees the subconscious as a mechanism that the mind controls. He calls this our Creative Mechanism. It will function based on the goals it is given. These goals are based on your self-image. This self-image dictates the limits of your accomplishments\u2014what you believe you can do. The Creative Mechanism uses past memories as structure for solving current problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within all of us is also a Success Mechanism. This is the structure and function designed for any \u201cactivity which is intimately tied in to your \u201cliving\u201d or makes for a fuller life.\u201d<\/span>
\nThere are many ways that your brain and nervous system operate as a machine. Although Dr. Maltz is clear in that you are NOT a machine, he makes numerous analyses that show how the brain and nervous system are machine-like in their operation. He calls these \u201cservo-mechanisms\u201d. The field of Psycho Cybernetics seeks to understand how the brain works in these machine\/mind terms.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to your brain\u2019s amazing capabilities, there is support to the concept that your brain can access subconscious knowledge outside of its own experiences. This access to universal knowledge is acquired through analysis, contemplation, and striving for answers. \u201cScience has now confirmed what philosophers, mystics, and other intuitive people have long declared: every human being has been literally \u201cengineered for success\u201d by his Creator. Every human being has access to a power greater than himself.\u201d<\/span>
\nThe first practical applications involve internalizing the following five concepts:<\/span>
\nYour success mechanism must have a goal or target that you believe already exists (it can exist in actuality, or in potential).<\/span>
\nYour mechanism focuses on the End, Not the Means. When you supply the goal, your mechanism finds a way.<\/span>
\nMaking mistakes helps to direct you toward your goal. It provides an autocorrect that helps you redirect towards your goal.<\/span>
\nYou gain skill by redirecting your errors until you are heading in the right direction. Then, you must Forget the past (the errors), and focus on the final successful choice that led you in the right direction.<\/span>
\nTrust in the process without worrying about it or trying to adjust it. \u201cYou must \u201clet it\u201d work, rather than \u201cmake it\u201d work.\u201d Your success comes as you act, and the proof of your success follows, so you can\u2019t look for success before actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. The Importance Of Imagination<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor imagination sets the goal \u201cpicture\u201d which our automatic mechanism works on. We act or fail to act, not because of \u201cwill,\u201d as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Your thoughts and actions are based on what you imagine as truth. Hypnosis is an excellent example of this in action. \u201cYour nervous system reacts appropriately to what \u201cyou\u201d think or imagine to be true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

You often react automatically to your environment. Seeing a bear will make you feel fear and run. It\u2019s not something you need to think about first. You automatically react to the environment based on what your nervous system tells you, regardless of whether this information is true or not. It is what you believe to be true that causes the reaction. Numerous studies have shown that mental practice improves actual performance. The key is to practice the correct mental image of the actual action.<\/span>
\nRemember that \u201cyour physical brain and body functions as a machine which \u201cYOU\u201d operate.\u201d When you practice something in your mind, you are establishing the goal to aim for. This activity is far more successful than employing will power, or \u2018trying harder\u2019. You are able to relax, picture the process, and enjoy the journey.<\/span>
\nYou can also use this method to develop an excellent self-image. Seeing yourself differently will lead to acting differently, and improving yourself. Some have called this self-image \u201cthe strongest force within you.\u201d Although this is only achieved when you create an honest picture of yourself (not arrogant or egotistic), many people underrate themselves, so seek the best in yourself, and aim high!<\/span>
\nYou\u2019ve already build a self-image based on past experiences. \u201cNow you are to use the same method to build an adequate self-image that you previously used to build an inadequate one.\u201d Use 30 minutes a day to relax, close your eyes, and imagine you are watching a movie of you. Get detailed. This is your mental practice for life. View positive interactions, opportunities, responses and dreams. Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t believe it\u2014that will come. Think about how each of your senses will experience what you are imagining. Imagine positive feelings that you will experience. And remember that it may take you at least 21 days of practicing this before you notice changes. Practice will lead to new, automatic responses based on the self-image you are developing.<\/span>
\nWhen you are successfully hypnotized, it is because you believe what the hypnotist is saying. In this sense, you have been hypnotized throughout your life. You believe what someone has said to you or about you, and this belief has led to certain actions. Perhaps you\u2019ve been told you are dumb, ugly, or bad at math. You have accepted these statements and then felt obligated to act them out in order to \u2018be yourself\u2019.<\/span>
\nThe reverse of being hypnotized into negative beliefs is also possible. People have been hypnotized and behaved far beyond what their conscious restrictions would allow them. In a sense they were dehypnotized so that they could achieve what they were truly capable of. As Maltz tells us: \u201cWithin you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Inferiority comes when we measure ourselves against someone else\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019 rather than our own. We believe we should be what they are, and determine that we are unworthy. NOT true. \u201cWe have allowed ourselves to be hypnotized by the entirely erroneous idea that \u201cI should be like so-and-so.\u201d This leads to more striving, more inferiority, and a miserable life.<\/span><\/p>\n

The solution lies in knowing that you are uniquely you, and will never be someone else. You\u2019re not supposed to be. Your uniqueness is valuable, and only yours to have.<\/span>
\nSo how do you undo these types of negative beliefs about yourself if you\u2019re holding onto them?<\/span><\/p>\n

In order to undo a negative belief or behavior, we need to begin by relaxing.<\/span>
\nThis leads to Dr. Maltz\u2019 second practice exercise in the book using imagination to relax. Get comfortable, and consciously relax each muscle group in your body. Don\u2019t let this be work just do what you can easily do. Move through mental images of relaxation.<\/span>
\nPractice going through all of these mental images over and over again. You will develop stronger connections between mental images and how you feel physically, and become better at relaxation.<\/span><\/p>\n

iv. Using Rational Thinking and Relaxation<\/span>
\n\u201cScientific experiments have shown that it is absolutely impossible to feel fear, anger, anxiety, or negative emotions of any kind while the muscles of the body are kept perfectly relaxed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rational thinking works for changing beliefs and behaviors. You do not have to unbury every negative unconscious thought in order to change. Focusing on a mistake or guilty feelings can make the mistake the actual goal. Instead, remember that negative experiences helped you orient towards your goals, and then can be forgotten as you practice traveling in the right direction towards your goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

It has been theorized that those who are successfully hypnotized to do amazing things have simply had negative memories purged so they could achieve greatness. It follows that you can consciously purge negative memories and unlock your own innate success. When you begin to feel negative, look for the cause, and dismiss this cause as absurd. Determine that the irrational will not control you. Repeat this practice whenever negative thoughts and memories start to surface. Look for new, rational, positive beliefs that resonate with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identify a belief about not being able to do something. Evaluate it using the following questions: 1. \u201cIs there any rational reason for such a belief?\u201d 2. \u201cCould it be that I am mistaken in this belief?\u201d 3. \u201cWould I come to the same conclusion about some other person in a similar situation?\u201d 4. \u201cWhy should I continue to act and feel as if this were true if there is no good reason to believe it?\u201d Really evaluate your responses. Get mad about beliefs that have interfered with your success and happiness. Allow this anger to spur you on to new beliefs and great success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rational thoughts must be joined by feelings and desires. Long for who you want to be, and what you want to have. Get excited about these desires. This process is exactly like worrying, except that now you are dwelling on positive, desirable things instead of negative things. As you change your goal picture and engage your positive emotions the possibilities will become more real.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the job of conscious rational thought to decide what you want, select the goals you wish to achieve and concentrate upon these rather than upon what you do not want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on the current task. Do everything you can under the best of assumptions, and then let the results happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a limit to rational thought. If you focus on achieving results with rational thought, you begin to develop anxiety and feelings of stress. Instead, once you have determined your goals and you are taking action towards them, let go of making success happen. You can see how that works when examining the lives of very creative individuals. Their creative breakthroughs come from spontaneity when their rational mind has relaxed. They have a goal, a question, or a need for a solution that they have consciously examined. But once they have done what they can, they \u2018let go\u2019 and inspiration comes. We are all creative, and too much \u201cconscious effort inhibits and \u201cjams\u201d the automatic creative mechanism.\u201d Releasing this inhibition of your creative mechanism can lead to creativity, spontaneity, and truly being yourself.<\/span>
\nTake the time to research, prepare, and make good decisions. And then, once the wheels are in motion, relax. You\u2019ve done what you can. Give your attention now to this moment you are in. Live in today without worrying about the future, or mulling over the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your attention to this moment allows your creative mechanism to respond at its best. Allow your senses to absorb the experiences of this moment. Avoid multitasking, as this takes the focus away from the moment. Do one thing at a time. \u201cEven on the busiest day the crowded hours come to use one moment at a time.\u201d Taking this approach relieves worry, stress, and feeling overwhelmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let problems go at the end of the day. Sleep on it, and allow your creative mechanism time to work without your conscious getting in the way. Dreams often lead to amazing breakthroughs. Write down what you need to do the next day, make a plan, or identify your problem, and then go to sleep. Have a pen and paper ready beside your bed to record your morning insights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use your relaxing practice to \u2018remember\u2019 how to achieve a feeling of relaxation in the middle of your day. Just take a moment, and recall the details and sensations of your relaxation practice. This reduces fatigue and increases coping skills and creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n

v. Making Happy Habits and Having A Successful View<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHappiness is not something that is earned or deserved. Happiness is not a moral issue, any more than the circulation of the blood is a moral issue\u2026Happiness is simply a \u201cstate of mind in which our thinking is pleasant a good share of the time.\u201d If you wait until you \u201cdeserve\u201d to think pleasant thoughts, you are likely to think unpleasant thoughts concerning your own unworthiness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Happiness is not selfish, wrong, or something to be earned. Being happy leads to unselfishness, creativity and helpfulness naturally. Unhappiness leads to terrible, even criminal behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

Happiness is learned behavior and thoughts. It must be practiced in the present moment, and cannot \u201cbe made contingent upon solving some external problem.\u201d Learning to be happy means being free from the habit of responding negatively to the external things around us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Part of being happy involves separating facts from opinions. Losing your savings in the stock market is a fact, being embarrassed and destroyed by it is an opinion\u2014an unhelpful opinion that you, yourself choose to accept. Many things that are seen as impossible are opinions, not facts. The key here, is to recognize when to separate one from the other.<\/span>
\nWorking towards goals often leads to feeling happy. It is your thoughts about events that lead to your feelings. If bad things happen, see them as challenges; then, get yourself a goal and start working towards it. As Maltz tells us, \u201cForm the habit of reacting aggressively and positively toward threats and problems. Form the habit of keeping goal-oriented all the time, regardless of what happens.\u201d Use your imagination to picture yourself handling challenges in positive, smart ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Happiness is something you do and something you choose. Consciously choose to think pleasant thoughts. Perform surgery on your negative thoughts cut them out and replace them with beautiful thoughts. Changing your self-image will impact your habits, and changing your habits will impact your self-image. \u201cWhen we consciously and deliberately develop new and better habits, our self-image tends to outgrow the old habits and grow into the new pattern.\u201d Most of your actions, feelings, and responses are habit. That means they can be changed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following practice exercise starts at your feet. Put your shoes on opposite to usual, and tie them differently. Use this as a reminder for change, saying \u201cI am beginning the day in a new and better way.\u201d In your day, choose to be cheerful, more friendly, less critical, more tolerant, focused on success, separating opinions and facts, smiling, reacting calmly and practice for 21 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

In order to be successful you need to be clear about what success looks like. Use this acronym:<\/span>
\nS-ense of direction<\/span>
\nU-nderstanding<\/span>
\nC-ourage<\/span>
\nC-harity<\/span>
\nE-steem<\/span>
\nS-elf-Confidence<\/span>
\nS-elf-Acceptance<\/span>
\nSense of direction is about maintaining your own personal focus and goals, rather than trying to go where other people think you should. It\u2019s also about always having a goal you are working for.<\/span>
\nUnderstanding comes when you can separate fact from opinion. This often means taking a step back, and seeing a situation\/memory\/feeling for what it really is, rather than from a biased viewpoint. \u201cAdmit your mistakes and errors but don\u2019t cry over them. Correct them and go forward.\u201d<\/span>
\nHaving courage to act on your goals and beliefs can make them reality. You can practice courage by taking small steps every day in little things, like striking up a random, friendly conversation with a stranger.<\/span>
\nCharity can start with treating other people with more kindness. This leads to treating yourself with more kindness. Charity recognizes that people are valuable and important. Appreciate others, care about them, and treat them with care.<\/span>
\nEsteem involves having a healthy, good mental picture of yourself and treating the people around you with appreciation.<\/span>
\nSelf-confidence grows as successful experiences increase. You can develop this by \u201cremembering past successes, and forgetting failures.\u201d<\/span>
\nSelf-acceptance is accepting yourself right now for who you are, and remembering that, \u201cCreating a better self-image does not create new abilities, talents, powers \u2013 it releases and utilizes them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. Get An Emotional Face Lift And Unlock Your Real Personality<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone with a good self-image will not easily become emotionally damaged. The same for someone with a self-reliant attitude. \u201cAssume responsibility for your own life and emotional needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It is your response to experiences that can leave emotional scars. Practice relaxation, and focusing on peaceful images. This will help prevent these scars.<\/span><\/p>\n

In order to lose emotional scars, they have to be removed. \u201cForgiveness, when it is real and genuine and complete, and forgotten \u2013 is the scalpel which can remove the pus from old emotional wounds, heal them, and eliminate scar tissue.\u201d This means forgiving, and forgetting. Forgiveness happens when you recognize that the \u2018debt\u2019 (the purpose for the unforgiveness) is invalid. Condemnation and hatred should not have been given any place in your life. \u201cWe ourselves err when we hate a person because of his mistakes, or when we condemn him, or classify him as a certain type of person, confusing his person with his behavior.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

You must also forgive yourself. You\u2019ve made mistakes, but hating yourself for them is futile. \u201cSo remember \u201cYou\u201d make mistakes. Mistakes don\u2019t make \u201cYou\u201d \u2013 anything.\u201d You may have failed at something, but you are not a failure. Carrying judgment and living with scars happens when you live in the past. Instead, relax, practice forgiveness, have flexible but strong \u2018skin\u2019, be creative, and let yourself be a little vulnerable.<\/span>
\nUnlocking your real personality is about showing outwardly your \u201cunique and creative self\u201d. When people are inhibited they keep their real personality locked up. Often this is because they are over-experiencing negative feedback. Instead of using negative feedback to correct course, they over-correct, or cease taking any action at all. It can also occur when people are excessively careful. A solution is to practice relaxation. This enables you to be freer, less tense, and less inhibited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Self-consciousness can also lead to inhibition. Being self-conscious is really about being too conscious of others. You monitor everything you do and say because you are concerned with how others might see you. You can begin to deal with self-consciousness by (again!) relaxing. Remember a time and place when you were with people who made you feel comfortable and supported. Recreate this feeling when you are with others, and your self-consciousness will begin to fade. Practice dis-inhibition \u201cbeing less careful, less concerned, less conscientious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. Self Tranquilizing<\/span><\/p>\n

Often your responses to stimuli are conditioned things you have learned to do, and now do automatically. An example is picking up your phone whenever you hear a notification. You can undo this condition. If you can\u2019t ignore the stimulus, start by delaying your response to it. As you learn to not respond, you are actually practicing relaxation. This state of relaxation encourages positive feelings, which is a natural form of tranquilizer. Remember the relaxation exercises at the beginning of the book. \u201cProtect yourself from disturbing stimuli by maintaining the relaxed attitude.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mentally create a quiet room a place of total relaxation in your mind. Go to this mental place to rest, have a break from stimulus, and renew yourself. Practice going to this room before sleep, and before tackling challenges. You will begin to carry this calmness to other parts of your life \u2013 with positive benefits. Another calming practice is to refuse to respond to all of the negative possibilities you might think of during the day. Instead, focus on your goals, and dismiss \u2018what ifs\u2019 as unreasonable and not worthy of a response.<\/span><\/p>\n

vii. Finding The Good In Crisis And Feelings<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA \u201ccrisis\u201d is a situation which can either make you or break you. If you react properly to the situation, a \u201ccrisis\u201d can give you strength, power, wisdom you do not ordinarily possess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn to turn crisis into opportunity, you first need to practice reacting to challenges without the pressure of a crisis situation. This is similar to practicing fire drills before a fire. You learn the actions without stress so you can take those same actions when the pressure is on. You also carry over an attitude of calmness and competence. Learn to react to crisis with an active (rather than a passive) response. Finally, evaluate \u2018crisis\u2019 situations so you can identify the true ones from ones that are not true crises.<\/span>
\nWhen you face a crisis, be confident and assertive. \u201cThis means maintaining an aggressive, a goal-directed attitude, rather than a defensive, evasive, negative one: \u201cNo matter what happens, I can handle it, or I can see it through,\u201d rather than, \u201cI hope nothing happens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are times when your greatest challenge may be making a goal you can get excited about. Since your brain can\u2019t tell the difference between real and vividly imagined experiences, you brain will coordinate negative feelings if you are focusing on the failures that might come of goal setting.<\/span>
\nBring to mind feelings of success by focusing on positive things. These feelings lead to successful actions and outcomes. You can also take time to recall successes in your past.<\/span><\/p>\n

The imprinting in the brain is strong for these, and becomes stronger with recall. The winning feeling accompanying those past successes will carry over into your current goal seeking activity. If you haven\u2019t experienced a great deal of success, begin with small measures you are successful at, and build on these, both with repeats of the success, and growing memories. Gradually increase the challenges and successes, as if you are weight-training. You will become accustomed to success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Negative feelings (\u201cfear, anxiety, lack of self-confidence\u201d) are \u201cindicative only of attitudes of mind within you \u2013 not of external facts which are rigged against you. They mean only that you are underestimating your own abilities, overestimating and exaggerating the nature of the difficulty before you, and that you are reactivating memories of past failures rather than memories of past successes.\u201d You can counteract these feelings by directly confronting them, or by substituting them with positive feelings. If you tend to be a worrier, your solution is to practice \u201cimmediately substituting pleasant, wholesome, mental images, for unpleasant \u201cworry images.\u201d\u201d You replace the habit of worry with a habit of wholesome positive thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can change your thinking from negative to positive. It takes a great deal of practice to create this new habit. Using vivid mental images in your replacements will increase your success. Instead of focusing on will power, focus on positive images that generate great feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

ix. Better Days, Better Life<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that there is One Life, one ultimate source, but that this ONE LIFE has many channels of expression and manifests itself in many forms. If we are to \u201cGet More Living out of Life,\u201d we should not limit the channels through which life may come to us. We must accept it, whether it comes in the form of science, religion, psychology, or what not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Living with a failure mechanism in place can slow healing, and lead to overall poor health. Resentment and hatred are also bad for your health. Dr. Maltz found that his patients that recovered faster were optimistic, positive thinkers who had a reason to get better \u2013 some goal, or something good in their future. \u201cMental attitudes can influence the body\u2019s healing mechanisms.\u201d This is even obvious with the success of placebo treatments. People who believe they are receiving healing medication improve.<\/span><\/p>\n

What you believe works in your life will very often work for you. Even your views of aging will impact how you age. There are seven needs that, when fulfilled, lead to a better life. These needs are for love, security, creative expression, recognition, new experiences, self-esteem, and the need for \u201cmore life; the need to look forward to tomorrow and to the future with gladness and anticipation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This desire for more life leads to more life. \u201cI believe that we establish this need by looking forward to the future with joy and anticipation, when we expect to enjoy tomorrow, and above all, when we have something important (to us) to do and somewhere to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Creativity also leads to a longer life. Many creative people produce their greatest works after eighty. It may also explain why some men die soon after they retire. They no longer have a creative\/productive outlet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

These ideas will help me to put more effort in my life and be focused<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is no exaggeration to say that every human being is hypnotized to some extent either by ideas he has uncritically accepted from others or ideas he has repeated to himself or convinced himself are true. These negative ideas have exactly the same effect upon our behavior as the negative ideas implanted into the mind of a hypnotized subject by a professional hypnotist.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSkill in any performance whether it be in sports in playing the piano in conversation or in selling merchandise consists not in painfully and consciously thinking out each action as it is performed but in relaxing and letting the job do itself through you. Creative performance is spontaneous and \u2018natural\u2019 as opposed to self-conscious and studied.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHappiness is a mental habit, a mental attitude, and if it is not learned and practiced in the present it is never experienced. It cannot be made contingent upon solving some external problem. When one problem is solved, another appears to take its place. Life is a series of problems. If you are to be happy at all, you must be happy – period! Not happy “because of”.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have a burning desire to solve the problem. But after he has defined the problem sees in his imagination the desired end result secured all the information and facts that he can then additional struggling fretting and worrying over it does not help but seems to hinder the solution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe important thing for you to remember is that it does not matter in the least how you got the idea or where it came from. You may never have met a professional hypnotist. You may never have been formally hypnotized. But if you have accepted an idea – from yourself, your teachers, your parents, friends, advertisements, from any other source – and further, if you are firmly convinced that idea is true, it has the same power over you as the hypnotist’s words have over the hypnotized subject.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur errors, mistakes, failures, and sometimes even our humiliations, were necessary steps in the learning process. However, they were meant to be means to an end – and not an end in themselves. When they have served their purpose, they should be forgotten. If we consciously dwell on the error, or consciously feel guilty about the error and keep berating ourselves because of it, then – unwittingly – the error or failure itself becomes the<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoal that is consciously held in imagination and memory.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe self-image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment. It defines what you can and cannot do. Expand the self-image and you expand the \u201carea of the possible.\u201d The development of an adequate, realistic self-image will seem to imbue the individual with new capabilities, new talents, and literally turn failure into success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This is a nice book and easy to understand direct to the point<\/span><\/p>\n

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?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book contains exercises that are in our lifetime to be focused no<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The book is well articulated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.<\/span><\/strong>
\nA. How interesting was it to read? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nB. How helpful were the contents? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nC. How easy was it to understand? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nD. Would you recommend it to others? 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nE. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9<\/strong><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a Man Thinketh Assessment by Kisilu Kalu (Kenya) 1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book? \u201cWhat the author is stating is (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5754","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5754"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5844,"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5754\/revisions\/5844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-leadership.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}