Click here for Prioritising for Productivity (Part 1)

OK, so now you’ve looked through your life and at all the things that you need to be doing to achieve your mission and long term goals, and you’ve eliminated all the activities that were wasting your time or don’t serve your goals. So what should you do with the rest of that long to-do list? Where do you start?

Create a Timeline

The first step is to look at the timeline of what you need to do to progress towards your long-term goals to work out your priorities in terms of time.

Break your goals down into smaller steps, so you know what you need to achieve in a year, then a month and then the current week. Doing this will put your activities in perspective and remove many of them from your focus for the time being, so you can just concentrate on what needs to be done now.

When you get down to the level of what you need to do this week, there will be some things that have to be done on specific days, such as appointments and regular meetings, which will already be blocked out on your calendar. There may also be some tasks that you can only do on certain days, due to the need for them to coincide with a particular event, so you can mark them as tasks for those specific days.

Prioritise Your Daily Tasks

Now that you’ve pared down your task list massively to the things that you want to or need to do this week, you need to prioritise them, but how? There are several different systems that can be used, most of them based on numerical or alphabetical systems.

You could just list the tasks for today as 1, 2, 3, etc. in the order that you’ll do them or you could mark each task alphabetically, with A being the most important, B the next most important, etc. But how do you decide which they are?

The ABCDE System

The system I like best for daily activities is the ABCDE system recommended by Brian Tracy. With this system you check over your list of tasks the night before and mark each of them with one of the following letters:

A: Tasks that you must do tomorrow, because if they aren’t done there will be serious consequences. These are often your Quadrant I tasks, but if you’re more organised, they could be Quadrant II tasks, i.e. the tasks that will yield most benefit in moving you towards your goal. Your A tasks could include getting that report finished, writing that article for Productive Muslim, doing the grocery shopping or taking your mother to the hospital.

If you have several tasks in this group, break them down further by listing them as A1, A2, A3, etc.

B: Tasks that you should do tomorrow, but if you don’t there will only be mild consequences. They may cause disappointment if not done or be tasks that could be done another day.

It may be that some tasks that are B tasks now could turn into A tasks if not completed soon, but they should never be done ahead of A tasks. B tasks could include contacting a potential new client, replying to a non-urgent e-mail, reading the latest edition of your professional journal or cleaning the bathroom.

C: Tasks that would be nice to do if you have time, but for which there will be no consequences if you don’t get around to them. These C tasks could include phoning a friend for a chat, going clothes shopping, reading your Facebook page or checking out that new gym.

D: Tasks you could delegate to someone else; that you don’t have to do yourself. If you can delegate these tasks to someone else, it will free you up to do more valuable work that either only you should do or that will move you towards your goals. These could include filing, data entry, gardening or carpooling for the school run.

E: Tasks that you should eliminate. If you’ve already evaluated all your activities on the matrix, you won’t have many tasks in this category, but there may be a few that have been carried over from the previous week that you didn’t get around to and are no longer relevant.

Once you have done this, it will be easy to apply the Pareto Principle to work out which ones are the top 20% of your A tasks that you should concentrate on first to get your 80% result for the day.

It is generally recommended to do these first thing in the morning when you start work, while you’re still fresh. This will ensure that you do get your most important tasks for the day done, so if one of life’s little emergencies does crop up, you won’t have to think about staying up late to complete them.

It takes some discipline to get into the habit of following the ABCDE system, as it’s very easy to start the day off slowly by checking your e-mail or doing less important jobs first. But force yourself to do it and once you get into the routine of prioritising your tasks and getting those most important ones done first, you’ll see your productivity soaring. It’ll also increase your motivation and self-esteem as you rise to higher levels of accomplishment.

Amal Stapley, a life coach for Muslim women, founded the SuperMuslimah project atwww.coachamal.com to support, motivate and encourage Muslim women to step forward in their lives with confidence. After accepting Islam in 1992, she graduated from the International Islamic University of Malaysia with a degree in Psychology and Islamic studies, and then went on to work with Islamic organizations in the USA, Egypt and now works in her home country, the UK.

Pareto Principle

**FEATURE ARTICLE OF THE MONTH**

The depths to which we can explore, and the limitless things we can do leave us spending hours on end surfing the net, playing games, and updating our Facebook statuses! We are failing to use this great development to educate ourselves and to become more productive. Rather than benefiting from it, we have allowed it to become our biggest distraction and productivity killer of all time.

Many distractions are often a route towards haram from the use of the Internet; social networking sites, games, public forums, chat-rooms, and even pornography, A’oodhubillah.

With a world of fitna before our very eyes, Shaytan is always ready to attack. Be aware that it is his trick and his plan to distract the believer and even the best of us can become lured into these distractions.

Focussing on the Task at Hand

When you sit at your computer with a mental to-do list, you are very vulnerable to becoming distracted. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, we lose track of what we have come to do and find ourselves doing something else, or often in the case of computers – many other things!

Before you begin, ask yourself – What have I come here to do? Write it down.

As basic as this may sound, it is very important to always set one’s intentions clearly before doing anything. Islam places much emphasis on making intention, and there is always wisdom behind the teachings of our deen.

“Actions are by their intentions” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Start in the Name of Allah

As with anything, we should begin every task with the name of Allah. As you switch on your computer, say “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” (In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.) As a reminder to myself, I often have the Basmalah written on the desktop wallpaper of my computer.

Be Aware of Allah

Remember that Allah is watching everything you do. Your every action is being recorded, and one day you will be questioned for all of your actions. I mention this because many computer related distractions we face today fall within the haram category.

We are all prone to falling off track, so we should always seek protection from Shaytan with the Ta’awwudh, “Aoozu Billahi Min Ashshaytanir Rajim” (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan).

More Practical Tips to Avoid Distraction

You switch on your PC and, as you’re searching for your ‘work’ folder, you come across a sea of distraction. You notice your favorite song on your playlist, MSN has just automatically signed you in, and notifications begin to pop up.. All before you have even begun your work!

Practical Tips

1. Make all distracting avenues most difficult to access.
2. Nothing with little urgency should be set to ‘automatic sign-in’.
3. Nothing haram or distracting should be ‘readily available’.

How often do we see a friend update their Facebook status with “So much to do, so little time”? Not only does this ironic statement puncture negativity into your approach, it also leaves you distracted, less productive and it does not at all lift your workload! In fact, this is a huge distraction as it triggers the urge to return often and check for updates.

Try to:

1. Discuss less, and do more.
2. Only do what you know is beneficial and makes you more productive.
3. Close every application, website and file, other than what you are working on.
4. If you don’t need the Internet, just switch it off! Use Freedom software to block off the internet. Prevention is better than cure.
5. Check that you have a pop-up blocker installed.
6. Use the Internet in a safe, or child-protection mode to reduce inappropriate search results.
7. Take time to just disconnect every hour.
8. Do not become hypnotic to the computer – regular breaks are a must.
9. Use beneficial computer programmes, like ‘salah reminders’ that call out the adhan when it is time to pray.

We are most productive when we do things in moderation. If your day’s to-do list is work, work, work, then you are more likely to be distracted throughout your day.

To organise your time online try the following:

1. Create a work timetable.
2. Don’t set yourself up for ‘all work, no play’, because that’s when distraction will kick in most.
3. Balancing your workload with some in-between activities will help you focus better when working.
4. Set time-limits for your relaxing time, and time-slots for your workload.

External things, other than the computer, can also often cause distraction from work. The way we sit to do our work, the work-setting, and the things around us, all affect the quality of work that we produce, and our surroundings can become a distraction to us.

Try this:

1. Create a work-space with relevant resources.
2. Stay clutter-free.
3. Remove any distractions from your work-desk.

Finally, remember that Allah (Subhanahu wa’Tala) is Al-Basir (All Seeing), and Ar-Raqib (The Watchful).

There are many things that we do on the computer which we would be ashamed and embarrassed to do before others. We should never forget our adab towards Allah, even when we are engrossed in the virtual world. Sometimes we can become so engrossed in our workload that we forget to eat, sleep and pray! Our work itself becomes a distraction from our duty towards Allah, and our attentiveness towards ourselves and those around us. If you are tired, hungry and have forgotten Allah, then the work you are doing is not going to be as productive as it can be.

Do you have any distraction-busting tips to share? Share your tips in the comments section below!

Sitting in my usual comfy chair at home, as I’d done for the past so many years, I opened up the Internet page and the same old heartrending stories kept re-emerging;‘Ongoing protests against the regime ends in violence’, ‘War and natural disasters leaves millions displaced from their homes’, ‘National obesity levels and crime rates highest in years’, ‘A veto has been passed against the Palestinians as Israeli oppression continues’, ‘Poverty soars as thousands in need of food and water’, ‘Conflict within the region causes disunity amongst the people’. I closed the page. That was enough heartache for the evening. I felt frustrated, so far detached from these global and local affairs, as well as helpless, unsure of what impact I could make from my enclosed dwelling.

The thought re-played in my mind ‘What can I do to put a stop to all of these issues?’. An answer wasn’t coming, so I decided to go and ask my father. Drawing upon years of wisdom, he calmly replied:

“The foundations and roots of a society come from each collective family. Though you can try to change the current situation in society, the issues will still linger, as long as the next generation are not being raised with the strong tenets of a firm and holistic Islamic upbringing”.

The prevalence of Muslims in the West has soared over the past few decades, with the advent of increasing reverts to the religion as well as the rise in immigration, heralding the era of second generation Muslims. This highlights the matter in contention; ofraising children with the judicious Islamic morals and principles of faith as relayed to us by our beloved Messenger (Peace and blessings upon Him), whilst tackling the challenge of some of the social ills prevalent within society today.

Many parents are unfamiliar with the reality of their surroundings, whereas Muslim youth are victims to an upbringing between two realms; an Islamic world at home devoid of the true teachings of this enlightened way of life, and the Western world in society, full of affluence and prosperity but simultaneously tainted with depravity.

For our children today, growing up torn between the cultural traditions of their home life and the secular pull of society can culminate in spiritual emptiness and disaffection towards faith if a balance between the two isn’t found. This often results in problems between parents and children with the all too common end result of inter-family disunity and disaffected youth.

The consequences of not supporting and guiding children at the most definitive stage in their lives are dire, the effects of which can be felt in all areas of a child’s life, be it academic development or moral and spiritual fulfillment. A damning statistic reflective of this endemic problem is that children of South Asian descent are the lowest academic achievers in the UK, with one third of Muslim students leaving school with no qualifications (Source: National Statistics, Focus on Religion 2006).

One might ask, my parents didn’t need to be taught how to raise me and I turned out just fine. So why should we bother about learning parenting skills and the like?

It is an easily overlooked fact that the world children are growing up in today is far removed from the world a few decades ago. Advances in technology and communication mean that children are now subject to major influences from television, the Internet and public advertising. Children in the UK are less healthy than they have ever been and rather unfortunately, self-esteem and emotional well-being has been constantly deteriorating for decades.

We must make a decision, whether to remain content in giving our children comfort and success solely within this life, or to aim for a higher goal, a goal endowed for eternal comfort and success. Whilst an acknowledged career and a drug/STD-free lifestyle are provisions amongst others often set for success in this worldly life, what reasons do we have not to raise the bar to achieve ultimate success for our child’s status in the eternal hereafter?

Why not aim for the most propitious position in the akhira, let alone prepare them for a comfortable final abode at the least.

For every deadline we have; be it for an assignment, a job interview, or a family gathering, we always prepare ourselves fully in advance to ensure success and avoid failure. However, death comes unannounced and can occur at an unforeseen moment, the most ominous of deadlines; yet is a reality we can sometimes be most heedless of. The question is; how many of us are preparing our children for that moment, and for the inevitable akhirah?

Without Islamically guided parenting in the home, many youth are left to the norms of the external environment to shape their lives.

There lies a gap in understanding between parent and child which must be bridged, and without stringent guidance, a child will be left to their own accords to mature; at the risk of being engulfed by some of the prevailing bad habits of society and impulsive whispers of shaytaan.

It is important to acknowledge that a child should be encouraged to know and learn the world within which they live in, and to interact with multi-cultural societies. It is in this way that one can understand those around them and then begin to envisage a cure for some of the issues prevalent within global and local society. A secular education can supplement this in giving the child a platform to excel academically and embark upon proficient careers of their choice, a value important for Muslims.

Yet, a balance must be found when raising Muslim children, not to focus too much on one aspect whilst neglecting the others, not to exhaust a youth in achieving the best academic accolades whilst overlooking their health and psychological well-being, their manners and etiquette, Islamic morals and principles, and their ultimate destination.

It is our empirical responsibility to help our children realize their potential and guide them towards becoming pious, responsible and productive members of society.

Our Beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings upon Him) said; ”All of you are shepherds, and each one is responsible for his flock. A leader of people is a shepherd and responsible for them. A man is like a shepherd over his family, and he is responsible for his flock. A woman is like a shepherd over her husband’s house and children, and she is responsible for them. And a slave is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. So all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In addition to achieving our goal, insha Allah, our children will become a sadaqah jaariyyah (ongoing charity) for us, let alone being able to secure their own akhirah, by the mercy of Allah.

“When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him.” (Sahih Muslim)

This is the dichotomy that confronts us today: how do we raise a family and build a community firmly grounded in Islamic morals and values, excelling in education and social justice and acting as an example for others?

Your approach with your children, the example you set and the wisdom you depart to them will play a major role in shaping their personality and character. In addition to this, your child’s school, friends and what they see around their community all play a major role too. As with the Qur’anic example of Prophet Nuh (May peace be upon Him) and his son however, the influence of a parent is evidently limited, and so one should not feel pressurized into thinking they are completely responsible for a child’s outcome, with many factors taken into account, including the ultimate guidance of Allah.

Parents do make a difference however, and it is only through understanding how a child thinks and develops, and using tried and trusted techniques to raise and teach our children that we can, as a community, hope to yield a new generation of youth who are healthy, motivated and of upright character and morals, that will help them shape a better society for tomorrow.

“Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqoon (pious)” [Surah Furqaan v. 74]

We at Homegroup wish to equip parents with these skills in our unique 2 day parenting course, to be held in January. For more details visit: www.home-group.co.uk

A Muslim’s first source of guidance in life is the Qur’an, and so we turn to the Book of Allah for our initial inspiration in time management.

Surah Al-Asr

Most of us have committed to memory the beautiful, short surah: Al-Asr (Quran 103:1-3). Admittedly, we often choose to recite it in our salah because of its brevity rather than for its profound meanings. And yet Imam Shafi’i asserted that if Allah had revealed only this surah, it would have been enough for the guidance of all humanity!

Allah begins the surah by taking an oath – ’Wa al-‘Asr’ – which means ‘by time’. Anything that Allah the Most High swears by in the Qur’an is a tremendous matter – such as ‘Wa al-Fajr’ (by the dawn) or ‘Wa al-Shams’ (by the sun). In the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), beginning with an oath was a method to draw the attention of the listener. Time is a concept that fascinated and awed the Arabs then, and it still fascinates Muslims now.

Inna al-insaana la fi khusr (Verily man is in a state of loss). The second verse starts by describing the general state of humanity – a state of loss, failure and a life which is a waste of time. However, the third verse starts with a glorious exception: Illa-allathina aamanuw (Except those who believe). Here then, the Qur’anic paradigm gives us, as Muslims, immense hope. No matter how lazy, inefficient, unproductive, mediocre or powerless we may be as individuals or as a community – as long as we live and die as Muslims – our life will not be a complete waste of time.

Conversely, no matter how busy, productive, efficient, successful and powerful non-Muslims may appear to be in this world – as long as they die rejecting Islam – none of their work is accepted. This reminds us of the timeless principle of Islam: innama al-‘amaalu bi in-niyyat (Actions are judged by intentions); any work or skill, be it running a company, serving the community or time management in general, must be acceptable to Allah for it to have any lasting benefit. For example, if we intend to set up a soup kitchen for the homeless and the whole project flops, as long as we intended it for Allah, we will be rewarded as if the project was the stunning success we hoped it would be. Yet if we succeed in building a massive corporate empire, we will gain nothing but regret in the next life, if we intended other than Allah’s good pleasure.

Even outwardly pious actions such as building masjids or helping other people or praying could even be punished if our intentions are to show off. So the Muslim’s first rule of time management is seeking acceptance from Allah – checking our intentions – which Surah al-Asr so succinctly reminds us.

Of course a Muslim is never complacent, relying only on belief for success. There must be work. And no other community can equal the Muslim ummah in terms of striving for both dunya and akhira – not neglecting the rights of Allah or the needs of fellow man. The second half of the last ayah explains why: wa ‘amilu-saalihaati (and do righteous deeds). Such good deeds include all the great acts of worship in Islam which encompass every possible beneficial use of one’s time: prayer, supplication, pilgrimage, charity, helping the poor, defending the weak, excellence in dealings and so on.

The last words of the surah provide one of the most important examples of such good works – good counsel: watawaa saw bi al-haqq Watawaa saw bi is-sabri  (and enjoin upon one another truth [i.e. the beliefs and practices of Islam] and enjoin upon one another patience [from committing acts of disobedience]).

Hasan al-Basri, one of the greatest scholars in Islamic history from the blessed generation after the Sahaba (Taabi’een), is reported to have had the following inspiration about Surah al-‘Asr. On a sweltering hot day, on a street of Baghdad, he heard an ice-seller exclaim, ‘O people! Have mercy on one whose capital is melting away.’ Sheikh al-Hasan made an immediate connection with time. Just as the ice-seller would make a loss if his capital melted away, man in general will make a loss in the business of life, if we allow our capital to melt away. Our capital is time and Allah reminds us in Surah al-‘Asr that if we waste our capital (time) solely for the dunyathen we make al-khusr (tremendous loss).

It is not unusual for Allah to use the metaphor of business to describe the life of this world and our purpose in it. One of the most powerful verses of the Qur’an talks of Allah ‘purchasing’ our lives:

Indeed Allah has purchased from the believers their very lives and their wealth, promising them Paradise in return (Qur’an 9: 111)

What an excellent transaction this is! So I pray that the readers and this needy author may benefit from the meanings of Surah al-‘Asr; that we may recite it during salah with full concentration and that we live our lives according to it – thereby following a massive principle of Islamic time management: believe and do good deeds for Allah alone. Only then will we not waste our life.

Tushar Bhuiya is Assistant Director and teacher of Islamic and Qur’an Studies at Manara Academy, Leicester (www.manara-education.co.uk). He is a qualified secondary English teacher with an LLB in Law. A part-time student of knowledge, Tushar studied Islamic Sciences at the Ibn Jabal Institute (London), OSAIS (Manchester), Qasid (Jordan), Qibla, SeekersGuidance and the Shariah Programme (distance learning) as well as with several private tutors including Shaykh Ilyas Patel (Batley) and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani (Toronto). Currently he is continuing his study of Arabic and other Islamic sciences at Darul Arqam, Leicester, visit his courses here.