As A Man Thinketh challenges us to raise the level of our thoughts. James Allen describes some of our thoughts as “animal thoughts.” These are thoughts centered on survival and centered on momentary wants and comforts. Allen suggest that we raise the level of our thoughts and sacrifice many of these animal thoughts. A certain level of these animal thoughts are necessary for survival but other than that our thoughts should be turned to higher things. The Thought Factor In Achievement describes how raising the level of our thoughts will lead us to success.

You have responsibility for every aspect of your life. Circumstance may have contributed but you alone have the responsibility for where you are and certainly on how you will change things.

All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts

Allen discusses those who do not understand the process but only see the result and call it luck. Most people allow things to happen not aware that they can and should take the helm of the ship of life – these people settle for only these lower, survival thoughts. A ship may be tossed by the sea – and certainly there are bigger forces in life than ourselves but a good captain can navigate life’s storms and make the journey successfully.

There can be no progress, no achievement without sacrifice, and a
man’s worldly success will be in the measure that he sacrifices his
confused animal thoughts, and fixes his mind on the development of
his plans, and the strengthening of his resolution and
self-reliance. And the higher he lifts his thoughts, the more manly,
upright, and righteous he becomes, the greater will be his success,
the more blessed and enduring will be his achievements.

If you sacrifice some of your self-centered “animal thoughts” in favor of science, theology, sports, medicine, engineering, or anything of a higher purpose you will achieve in that area. The mind is a great goal seeking mechanism but a mind focused only on survival and the needs of the moment will not accomplish outside of that small area.

Look for achievement and you will find it. As A Man Thinketh is always talking about the quality of your thoughts. The Thought Factor in Achievement leads you to higher ground if you want to do great things in life.