Wrong Subway

“Arriving at Islington station,” I hear from the loudspeakers.

Realization. I got on the opposite train and arrived at the “West End”. Add 1-hour to the train ride because I was going the wrong direction for 30minutes.

Crap! was my initial reaction, but then it turned into a smile, then a light chuckle as I looked back at the paperback book in my hand; Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly

Obviously, I had to now run out and get over to the other train…

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Flow is about that feeling you get when you’re totally “into” something, and you have almost no sense of your surroundings. Like a NASCAR racer going 200MPH is hyper-focus because one mistake can smash his car, having one of those “super- salahs” (probably during Ramadan) where you’re listening for the meaning of verses, etc. or even when you’re researching online and keep at it for hours without notice.

We’ve all experienced it, but mostly out of fluke rather than consciously putting all our focus in and keeping distractions out.

Dr. Csikszentmihaly (pronounce that name) says, “the mark of a person who is in control of consciousness is the ability to focus attention at will, to be oblivious to distractions, to concentrate as long as it takes to achieve a goal, and not longer. And that person who can do this usually enjoys the normal course of everyday life”

“The ability to focus attention at will” – that’s talking about a skill you can develop, not random moments of inspiration.

Few other factors that come into play, in a nutshell, are: Challenge and Practice. There has to be some challenge in completing the task, it’s not happening while you wash 3 dishes. For the salah example, it’s way different if you’re just going through the motions for Isha by yourself than praying at the masjid and the imam starts reciting a surah you’re currently trying to memorize. As for practice, “It is not enough to know how to do it; one must do it”.

Why it Amused Me

It was very interesting to me that I entered the flow state while reading the book Flow. See there’s a lot of noise and movement on the subway, but I’ve been waiting to finally read this book and tuned it out. I was also practicing to increase my reading speed, trying to break the 400wpm (words per minute) block.

On top of that, the announcements went out for all 14 stops (twice for each one actually), I didn’t realize anything until it felt like my stop (Warden Station, opposite end that train).

In any case, the extra hour did help me finish like a quarter of the book.

Results

I recently visited my notes on the book and put some of it to use.

Mainly, picking out a task that needs focus for at least an hour straight and is interesting enough that clock-checking isn’t needed. It resulted in finally editing and restarting on making videos. (Of course, also writing a blog post after a year…)

Click here to watch on YouTube

Did the part about Flow make sense?

It’s kind of an abstract concept…

Pumpkin or Umpa-Lumpa

So I was sick for the middle week of Ramadan, and thought “hey, why don’t I learn from this and share that”

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Link: Kid’s Health

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Narrated Jabir: “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited Umm as-Sa’ib while she was sighing. He asked, ‘What is wrong with you?’ ‘The fever,’ she replied, “May Allah debase it!’ The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Gently! Do not curse it. It removes the sins of the believer as the fire removes the impurities of iron.’” Muslim

Narrated ‘Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) Allah’s Apostle said, “No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his/her sins because of it, even though it were the prick of a thorn.” Bukhari

Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” Bukhari

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Bismillah.

It’s about time to get back in the groove…Ramadan being the month to make changes in our lives.

Check out the 1st of my Ramadan Adventures series, inshaAllah it is of benefit.

…wow that thumbnail picture looks like I haven’t slept for days

Links Mentioned:

Worth A Read - Resource to get a big picture on Fasting and Ramadan = MasteringRamadan.com, compiled by Sh. Waleed AbdulHakeem

FaceBook: www.TimeManagementPage.com

2 Uncles

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Comment: Have you ever been in a situation when you thought afterwards “mayybe I should’ve said something…”

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]]> http://www.nahyaninc.com/08/ramadan-adventures-2-uncles/feed/ 9 http://www.nahyaninc.com/07/nichehero-warm-up-for-whats-coming-next/ http://www.nahyaninc.com/07/nichehero-warm-up-for-whats-coming-next/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:52:52 +0000 Nahyan http://www.nahyaninc.com/?p=822 Assalaam alaikum,

I’ve been like in my corner for the past 2 months, but this is a quick update on things…from Muhammad Alshareef’s NicheHero program

So ya…like I said, it’d be wonderful if you make a 5 second du’a for your brother in Islam.

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Comment: Have you heard about this “NicheHero” Program?

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I am pumped up at a new level

I’m looking forward to all your successes.

ps. There are few things pending in terms of videos and tasks I said I would do, that’s gonna get done too inshaAllah

• little lesson from Thomas Edison
• Busy VS. Accomplishment
• Canadian Winter example
• What you should do next…

FaceBook: www.TimeManagementPage.com << Join me here

Be Brave

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Comment: What did you accomplish YESTERDAY?

Plus, did you ever hear of this concept before.
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Overview: 3 Investments are: Time, Patience, and Life into Life

Invest with Time

It’s paradoxical; you’ll need to put in time (loss) so you can increase the value of time in your future (gain).

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Flyyy

2 Examples:

Walking - progress is linear (it’s in small bits and doesn’t get bigger or anything)

Catapult – Like flying there in 3 days vs walking for 3 months)

The hard part with a catapult is the set up.

For walking, it is easier and within the comfort zone…that’s why it’s the easier choice as well.

BUT here’s the thing, struggles and hardships will ALWAYS exist…when aren’t they there? You can either work hard once and reap the rewards than work hard throughout and reap (lesser and more delayed) rewards

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Here’s what I did recently; it was during assignment times and I still took 2 hrs out to attend an interview. My justification was that it’ll give me a boost and increase motivation to finish the assignments so then I can move on to other stuff…and alhamdulillah it was the smarter decision

Part of my personal game-plan is to continuously feed my mind to keep it ripe n fresh – that’s something any student, professional, home-maker can adapt.

This could mean a bunch of things for you :

• If you’re tired all the time then maybe you’re not tired, you’re just BORED
• Sometimes when the progress in life is next to nothing, read a new book, research something you’re interested in, enroll in a class, spend quality time with important people, help somebody else etc.
• Start hitting the gym or pick up an old sport you used to love to keep physical shape

One way or another, create that zest for life and a love for living - not like an attachment to dunya love, rather excellence towards the akhira.

Invest with Patience

Y’know that interview I mentioned, it was of Lisa Gabriele (Canadian author and executive producer of the show “Dragon’s Den”) held at University of Toronto. One of the points about writing stood out to me, “most aren’t willing to just sit and wait…and then start.”

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of patience and you’ll get yourself through the project, exam, bumps in a relationship, writing an article on time management

Be patient with yourself, and be confident in the fruits of that patience

Here’s an excerpt from Don’t Be Sad by Sh. ‘Aidh al-Qarni: [one of the best books out there. period.]

Those who meet hardship with a strong bearing and a patient countenance are in the minority. Consider this: if you or I will not be patient, then what else is there for us to do?

…Those that achieve greatness have to surmount an ocean of difficulties and hardships before finally achieving success. Know that each time you escape a difficulty you will have to face another. Through this constant conflict, you must arm yourself with patience and a strong trust in Allah

Invest Life into Life

One of the most incredible things is to impact another person’s life through your actions and words.

A challenge of personal development is becoming more than mediocre, setting yourself apart from the masses. But psychologically and socially there’s a downward pull, kinda like gravity of human minds. It’s human nature to want to fit in with the crowd and NOT stand out. A lot of “head games” since we are social beings versus being isolated.

So it becomes challenging because you’re at crossroads with 2 options: get magnetic or get magnet-ed (obviously not a word )

You have to (consciously decide and) pull those around you towards better living (regarding deen, character, education, etc) or you’ll get pulled down…back to mediocrity.

2 Ahadith, sayings of Prophet Muhammad sallAllahu alayhi wasallam, relate to this point:

“Man models himself after his companions; so let each one of you see who he chooses for a companion” (At-Tirmidhi).

“He who calls others to follow the Right Guidance, will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without diminishing their reward in any way” [Muslim]

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YOUR TURN

Which 1 “hit” you?

Share any ideas on how to apply one of these points, I’d love to know. Comment Below.

Of course, if you don’t have much to say BUT you liked this article, just say“MORE” and I’ll get that your way inshaAllah

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ps. I donno what you thought of the article, but putting this together was refreshing for me. It’s been a while since I sat down to just think, write, and revise.

InshaAllah if the benefit comes across, I’d appreciate you sharing this with just 1 person or doing a FaceBook share so they may benefit.

Jazakallahukhair (May Allah reward you) for reading/commenting/sharing.

Few things in the video:
- How I did the “spiderman”
- Energy Sources = ___, ___, ____ & ____
- Natural vs Artificial Energy (ie. coffee)

Sr.Zainab’s Comment:

I have something interesting to add… there are some parts of the month when you’re feeling really really really really down… you know what I mean? But from a woman’s point of view, I recently read a book called “The Venus Week” (it’s for women, but if you’re a guy and you’re married or will be, you should read it 

… the way our body works is so… hmm.. subhanallah. There’s always one week of the month, due to hormonal changes, you’re a total piss off. You don’t feel like doing anything but resting and you get emotional at the drop of a hat. Worst time ever to work (your body assumes ur pregnant, even if you’re not). Then there’s one to two weeks, again, due to hormonal changes… when you feel happier and better and more confident… that’s the BEST time to put your energy into something useful.

All you have to do is figure out when your good week (Venus Week) is and when your low energy days are (Minerva Phase)… And I swear, if you have it figured out, LIFE BECOMES EASIER!!! And maximizes your productivity. lol… Oh and this only applies to women.

If you have anything to add or wanna comment…write em below

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Here’s the original video, T4T: Are You High?

]]> http://www.nahyaninc.com/04/re-are-you-high/feed/ 3 http://www.nahyaninc.com/04/t4t-are-you-high/ http://www.nahyaninc.com/04/t4t-are-you-high/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:26:15 +0000 Nahyan http://www.nahyaninc.com/?p=751 T4T = Tools for Time Management

• What’s Superbowl gotta do with YOU?
• Learn about “Highs” and “Lows”
• Watch me go Spiderman in my room
• The Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVhT7P0lDfI

T4T: Talk vs Text

<< Watch Previous Video

T4T: Talk vs Text

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Comment - Did you know about ENERGY High & Low?

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T4T

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Watch Original Video: T4T Talk vs. Text

ProductiveMuslim: Website and FaceBook

UntangleYourTime.com – Free Mini-Series

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Lessons:

- Use the good stuff in your phone; ie. calender
- Making it an ajr avenue
- Resource for learning
- How to escape “that” guy from wasting your time?
- The problem this creates…
- my mutant chair

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Abdullah KidShow – new “killer” kid show; check it out + share + enjoy some more   — Made by Leechon Films and EgyptianGumbo

Kalimaat - Board Game by Baba Ali

Edu-tainment Article – 3 Ways for Time Well “Wasted”

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• Enjoy the little puppet and  cat song
• “Edu-tainment”, things that blend education and entertainment
• 2 Resources

If you have questions and comments on Abdullah KidShow or Kalimaat, post em below.