Be Productive

A productive you is a productive Pakistan. Some blogs on how we can become more productive and deliver more with less.

5 Ways to Effectively Remember What You Read

| Be Productive, Reading & Writingby

Let us talk about a common problem that most readers face. How to remember what they read?

1. Pick the Book that you are most curious about.

I always have hundreds of books on my ‘To Read’ list. But my next book is always the one that intrigues me the most. When you are curious you have many questions you want answered, which means your brain is prepared to accept and store related information.  This active, unforced participation of the brain cells results in enhanced comprehension and retention.  

2. Read the table of contents and the Preface before you start the book

The preface of a book would help you form an idea of the author’s writing style and most importantly how he plans to explore the topic. Additionally, it might also give you an idea of his worldview.

From the table of contents, you can find the list of sub-topics included in the book and their arrangement. This helps to create a map of the book in your brain and at any point in time you would know where you are, where you have been, and where you are headed. This sense of awareness will give you added focus helping you to retain more information than otherwise.

3. Do Not Speed Read

Rather than develop their understanding most people prefer speed reading. Research, meanwhile, has shown that the faster you read the less you understand.

So quit speed reading. You can be very selective when choosing a book to read. But once you have selected a book, prepare yourself to spend time with it. Give pauses and take breaks to let passages synch into your brain. Think about what you are reading. Question. Argue. Agree. Disagree.  Relate. All of this would increase your retention. Re-read any passages you find unclear.

The only times that I would suggest speed reading or even skipping portions is when you feel that the author is being repetitive.  

4. Summarize in Your Own Words

Summarize each chapter in your own words. Highlighting is great, but it’s even better when you add your notes explaining why the highlighted section is important to you. At the end of each chapter and the book, try writing a summary that includes both the author’s views and your thoughts. Which parts do you agree or disagree with the author? Which parts do you relate to the most? This active engagement helps you remember the content long after you’ve finished the book.

5. Compile The Notes.

Compile your notes on a single page. I prefer OneNote but you can use any tool that works for you. While compiling you may want to add more text to an existing note. Edit them if needed. Arrange them. Include the chapter and book summaries as well. This revision will help to reinforce the notes in your memory. Plus, these notes will help you whenever you need a refresher. You can quickly glance at your notes and jog your memory.

I hope you list this short checklist. If there are some tips that you follow to remember the information, do share in the comments below.

Khushoo and Khuzu

| A Better Muslim, Be Productive, Faith & Life, Personal Insights, The Pakistan Dreamby

Khushu and Khuzu are the essential states during Salah/Namaz. Some scholars have even called it obligatory. However, the most common view that most scholars have taken is that the benefits of Salah will start if it is offered with Khushu and Khuzu.

Khushu means to be in a state where your heart and mind are empty of all thoughts and you are fully focused on what you are reading in Salah. And Khuzu is a state in which the body stays still and avoids any type of extra motion e.g. scratching, yawning, flinching, or moving needlessly.

A Salah offered with Khushu and Khuzu has many benefits. The benefits can be felt more than they can be explained.

Khushu and Khuzu can be obtained in many different ways. Khuzu, the stillness of the body can be easily achieved by trying and making an effort.

Khushu, however, requires more inner work. Khushu that is the emptying of mind and heart from all thoughts, can be achieved by

  1. Moving your mind from the thoughts that are generated in your mind to the words that you or the Imam are reciting.
  2. Memorizing new Surahs or portions of Surahs with meaning and reciting them during Salah.
  3. Telling yourself that Allah is much bigger than the thoughts being generated in your mind.
  4. Imagine that you are meeting Allah or that one day you will meet Allah.

Salah is the connection between us and Allah and the stronger that connection is, the more beneficial it would be for us. If we want to realize The Pakistan Dream we need to make an effort to offer Daily Salah with Khushu and Khuzu.

The Long Road Ahead

| Be Productive, Insights, The Pakistan Dreamby

The long road ahead is not covered by hard work or perseverance, but by breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks. Make the chunks so small that moving from one to another will seem effortless. Putting effort into something requires too much effort (duh), so why put so much strain on your body and mind? Just be consistent and keep making smaller strides toward your destination. Once you reach the destination, people will admire your stamina, perseverance, and hard work, while you will be looking for the next long road…

What is the Purpose of Life?

| A Better Muslim, Be Productive, Insights, Personal Growth, The Pakistan Dreamby

Why we need to know the answer

Imagine you are on a train, but you don’t know where it’s going. You don’t know why you are on it, or what you’re supposed to do when the train stops. You are sitting there, watching the scenery pass by, wondering what’s next. That’s what it feels like to live a life without purpose.

You might be traveling on a luxury train and have pleasant company and great food. Even the scenes might be breathtaking. But every few minutes you would be reminded of the fact that you don’t know why you are on the train. Who put you on it, where are you headed, and what you are going to do when the train stops? These questions would constantly bother you and beg you to answer them, no matter how luxurious your ride is.

Now imagine, you have the answer to all these questions, but the train ride is not very comfortable. The AC is not working, the food is not good, and unpleasant people surround you. But deep inside you would have peace because you know that the train would eventually stop bringing you to a destination of your choosing.

In the first instance, even with all the comforts you would feel uneasy, while in the second case with all the hardships you will have warmth and comfort in your heart, and you would be at peace. That is why it is so important to find the answer to the question of the purpose of our life; why we are alive?

Man’s Pursuit for Answers 

This is the reason why man has always tried to answer the question; who gave us life and why? In their pursuit, different men took different paths. Some tried to create the answers and ended up creating man-made religions and philosophies that had varying degrees of popularity and acceptance. But such philosophies, religions, or ways of life, had a severe disadvantage. They were restricted by the capacity of the human mind and intellect. As a result, they were easily challenged, modified, or rejected by humans with a higher intellect or information.  

The other path was to find rather than create the answers. This path started with the understanding that ‘someone’ put us on this earth and gave us life for a purpose. That the thing we call ‘nature’ is also a creation just like us. Created to ensure life. These people found answers to their questions in ‘Abrahamic Religions’ like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. All of these religions provide not abstract but concrete answers to these questions i.e. ‘Life has been given by God’ for ‘Gaining HIS proximity and acceptance’. Humans do not create these answers but rather are told by God HIMSELF through HIS Prophets (messengers) and Holy Books.

How Islam Defines the Purpose of Life 

Islam has not only given these answers in the Quran and Sunnah but has also taken many steps further. It has told us who God is and what are HIS traits. It has told us that the purpose of our creation is to ‘gain HIS proximity by worshipping HIM’. And the reason that HE created ‘life and death’ was to judge who performs the most noble deeds. Islam has also listed the acts of Worship and clearly defined how they are to be performed. It also classifies deeds into Good and Bad.

We are not left at the mercy of ‘Abstractions’ and ‘Interpretations’. What has been defined is to be followed. What has not been defined has been deemed not important to the ultimate purpose of life. So it can be interpreted in whatever way we see fit and fruitful.

Impact on my life

For me, knowing the answer to the question of the Purpose of Life through Islam is not only comforting but also keeps me focused. I understand why I worship Allah and recite the Quran. Why I got married and have children, why do I need to work and earn for my family, and also focus on the upbringing of my children? Why I need to be as productive as I can be and why I need to focus on my health and fitness. Why do I also need to go out and enjoy the various experiences that this world has to offer with my family and friends? The answer to all these questions is that Islam has categorized them as acts of ‘Worship’. And I need to perform them to gain proximity to Allah my creator.

Knowing these answers also insulates me from hardships and suffering. Islam tells me that hardships and suffering are also created to gain proximity to Allah. This journey of life on earth has to end one day. So it does not matter how luxurious or not the journey is. Eventually, when my life ends, based on how successful I have been in fulfilling the ultimate purpose, I shall enter a life full of luxuries that will never end. That life, the destination, is much more important.

Conclusion

The biggest question about life can be answered in a single sentence:

‘We are created by Allah, for HIS worship, so that our deeds become noble and worthy of acceptance by HIM, earning us HIS proximity and acceptance’.

How you, as a teenager, can choose a career

| Be Productive, The Pakistan Dreamby

If you are in your mid-teens, you would currently be facing the daunting task of choosing a career. The task is indeed difficult considering that is going to impact the next 30-40 years of your life. In this blog, I will give some suggestions on how you can arrive at a sound decision.

Dream Big

While choosing a career and hence your future, the best thing you can do is to dream and dream big. Recently I wrote a blog on ‘Why Must We Dream’, you can read it here.

In one line, dreaming big would mean making a choice that will have the most profound and positive impact on your society. Base your decision on ‘impact caused’ rather than on ‘money earned’ or ‘fame gained’.

Think about leaving behind a legacy rather than assets.  

Do not follow your passion.

The most common advice given to teenagers is to follow their passion. This is the most stupid advice that can be given to someone who is just discovering life and everything within. Knowing what you are passionate about and whether it will last for a lifetime is unrealistic. No one can do it, even in their 40s or 50s.  Many researchers like Carl Newport have busted this advice here.

Choose a career and then get passionate and serious about the work that you do.

Choose a field that would be in the future.

Selecting a career that’s not only in demand today but will also remain sought after in the future is crucial for your long-term success. Do online searches and ask for insights from professionals. Take some time on this step and don’t be in a hurry.

At this point, your goal is not to identify a job title or job description but rather to identify an area e.g. I would like to do something in Artificial Intelligence and its applications OR I would like to do something Mining Engineering.

Consider the Opportunities in your immediate surroundings.

One effective way to discover promising career paths is by closely examining your surroundings. Consider finding out the specific challenges or opportunities that exist nearby. For instance, if there’s a shortage of medical professionals within a 100-kilometer radius of your location, pursuing a career in medicine could be a valuable option.

If your region is rich in mineral resources, exploring the field of mining engineering may be a good strategic choice. Or, if your family operates a restaurant, envision yourself as a chef, crafting innovative recipes to enhance the culinary experience.

Furthermore, if your family runs a business, explore how you can contribute to its growth and take it to new heights. Perhaps you have access to fertile land, making Agricultural Sciences a fitting pursuit.

In essence, by harnessing the opportunities within your immediate surroundings, you can accelerate your progress with minimal barriers to overcome.

Understand your limitations.

An essential part of deciding your career is to understand your limitations. You must have a clear understanding of your constraints in terms of time, energy, and finances. Some education and career paths will place a high demand on your time and energy. Some will require less time but more expertise.

Some education paths will be very expensive, in which case you would need to look towards scholarship and financial assistance programs. Some would require you to study 14 hours a day, just to pass, while some would not place such a high demand on time spent, but would require a higher degree of understanding of complex topics. Are you up for it? Can you handle them? Now would be a good time to understand, rather than finding out halfway through your degree program or career.

Prepare yourself for multiple responsibilities.

In the future, you will be required to balance multiple responsibilities, so you might not have as much time as you have today. You would become a father, mother, husband, wife, son, employee, manager, etc. To lead a complete and fulfilling life you would need to cater to your spiritual, familial, career, and personal needs. Sacrificing any one of these facets can lead to feelings of unhappiness, discontent, and unfulfillment.  Understand the future roles coming towards you and whether you would be able to balance them with the career you chose.

Understand the corporate culture.

Corporations are not charities, who will hire and pay you without any expectations. Corporations have cut-throat competition with other corporations. And they ensure that the employees they hire will help them beat the competition. So within an organization things are both competitive and political. The only way that you can be successful in such environments is when you have the ability to continuously provide value. That you are so good that they cannot operate without you. In order to be that good at that time, you have to start from now.

Take advice from your parents.

In your bid to carve out a successful future for yourself, you cannot ignore the advice of your parents. They are the only people in the world who know the most about you and have your best interest in their hearts. They also know, while you don’t, some of the challenges you will be facing in the future.

In conclusion, dream big, research, seek advice, decide, and prepare to work hard.

Why Must We Dream?

| A Better Muslim, Be Productive, Personal Growth, The Pakistan Dreamby

The dreams we have at night may be random and fleeting, but the dreams we have while awake are the ones that matter most. They are the embodiment of our deepest aspirations and desires, and they are what make us human giving us a sense of purpose and driving us forward, even when things get tough.

Dreams can be noble or vile. Noble dreams chase equality and brotherhood bringing people together. Vile dreams chase money and fame driving people away from each other. Noble dreams cause the progress and development of humanity. Vile dreams cause their destruction through wars and famine.

For many people, the dream is to make money. But they fail to realize that beyond a certain amount, money would stop providing any additional value to the quality of their life. That is why making money should never be the sole objective of our lives, rather, it should be treated as a tool that would help us to realize loftier and bigger dreams.

Humans have been given a mind to think and a heart to feel. Using both together can help us craft bigger and nobler dreams.

Dreams and their impact

Noble dreams have the power to unite people. Consider Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream which positively impacted the lives of countless Americans and continues to do so.

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood”

Martin Luther King Jr.

His dream centered on equality and brotherhood and not money or fame.

In our own history, Allama Iqbal presented a vision for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

I would like to see the Punjab, Northwest Frontier Province, Sind, and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single state. Self-government within the British Empire or without the British Empire, the formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim state appears to be the final destiny of the Muslims, at least of North-West India

Allama Muhammad Iqbal

This dream, too, was not driven by financial gain or fame but rather by the aspiration to grant Muslims in the subcontinent the freedom to practice their religion and way of life without fear of persecution and hatred.

Dreams as tools to fight adversities.

Bigger dreams often come with greater challenges and hardships, yet they also give greater strength. The struggles of the black community in America, and the millions of lives lost during the partition of the subcontinent tell us that while the adversities were high, so was the willingness to sacrifice. When these communities compared the hardships required for the potential future, the sacrifices needed seemed inconsequential.

Nelson Mandela was given life imprisonment in 1964. During his trial he said

“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Nelson Mandela

Dreams and their everlasting impact

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 and Allama Iqbal died in 1938, well before they could witness the realization of their dreams. Both these examples are proof that when one’s dream is driven by a purpose greater than personal wealth or fame, the dream stays alive long after their physical presence has departed.

Dreams give us a bigger purpose.

Dreams give purpose and meaning to our lives and stop us from being influenced by petty emotions.

Nelson Mandela’s remarkable journey serves as a clear example. After spending 27 years in prison, one might have anticipated a thirst for revenge upon his release. Yet he writes in his book ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Mandela chose to forgive, recognizing that his dream of a democratic South Africa where everyone enjoyed equal rights transcended personal emotions of hatred or revenge. Four years later, South Africa witnessed its first multiracial elections, which wouldn’t have been possible if Mandela’s actions were driven by hatred or revenge.

Conclusion

We might not be Allama Iqbal or Nelson Mandela, but we too can envision a future that we want to see. Maybe our names would remain unknown, but deep inside we would be satisfied that we lived a life of greater significance and provided more than we took.

“We all dream while we sleep, it is about time that we have a dream that will not let us sleep.”

Dr. Abdul Bari

This blog borrows a lot from the lectures on Strategic Visions delivered by Mr. Suleiman Ahmar, which are freely available on YouTube.

What Time Is

| Be Productive, Insightsby

You can tell people what is the time, but it is very difficult to tell them what time is!

Recently, I was teaching my kids what time is. And I was at a loss for words. How do you explain what time is? You can teach people how to tell time. You can tell them how to manage time. But how do you define time?

So I did some research to understand what time is, only to find out that time is the scariest thing in this world.

Dictionaries define time as

Time is the continued sequence of events that occurs in an irreversible succession from the past through the present and into the future.

I read it several times to understand and then several times more just to figure out how to explain what time actually is. I ended up breaking the definition of time into smaller parts and that is when things turned scary.

  1. Time is the continued sequence of events, which means that time is continuous and that it never stops. It keeps moving.
  2. Time is a sequence of events, which means ‘something is always happening’ and they are happening in a ‘sequence’ i.e. one after the other. At any point of time an event is thrown at us and we are expected to respond to it.
  3. The events occur in an irreversible succession. You cannot go back in time. So time does not give you the chance to go back and fix your mistakes.
  4. And the final part is, since time never stops and it never moves backward, then it means that time always move forward bringing us from the past, through the present and taking us into the future.

At the end of my explanation, my kids were yawning but my eyes were fully lit up! I guess I never put a lot of time into understanding what time actually is. And now that I had studied it carefully I realized that time is the scariest thing in this world. Why? Because time is going to continuously move forward and throw an event at you asking for a response from your side. And if you are not prepared for it, you lose and time wins. Whatever the result of your previous battle you can’t stop to celebrate or sulk, as time never stops, it just moves forward and throws another event at you. You don’t get time to recover, you don’t get time to celebrate. Whether you want it or not time will move forward. Whether you like it or not, it will throw an event at you. And you have to respond. You can’t quit, you can’t hide because in essence time is always with you.

But all is not gloom and doom. One common thing that you would find in successful people from any walk of life, is that they have embedded this definition of time deep within themselves. At any point of time, they seem to be ready to respond to the event thrown at them. And when they fail, like all humans do, they just get up and get ready for the next event. They keep riding the wave of time as an expert swimmer would. Not stopping, not resting, not sulking about this wave or that. They know, like the swimmer knows, that if they stop they will drown or might never reach the shore. They have to, and they do, keep moving forward. They are prepared for all possible outcomes. They know that their responding action will dictate the next event that time throws at them. So they design their responses accordingly. e.g. They know that they might fall sick, so they adopt healthy habits, they know that one day they would retire, so they save and invest, they know that one day they would die, so they prepare for the hereafter.

And the final scary part. Time is continuous and all continuous things will eventually stop. Time too, at one point, will stop…

********

I would appreciate if you can follow my blog so that you get reminders, whenever I post something new. You can also follow me on twitter (@amaduddin)

I would really love to hear your feedback. So drop a comment