When you have your plate full, keeping focused isn’t always easy. And when we can’t give our full attention to a task, we can’t give it our best. This can start a cycle of demotivation and non-productivity, unless we pull in the reins and turn it around.
It takes a strong resolve to focus, good motivation, and working smartly to beat distractions. Here are some ways to hone your ability to focus and stay focused on the task at hand:
1. Planned productivity
Reserve time for daily tasks according to how your personal productivity and attention levels vary throughout the day. Continue reading →
![[Productivity Ninja] Your Second Brain - Productive Muslim](http://productivemuslim.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Second_brain.jpg "[Productivity Ninja] Your Second Brain - Productive Muslim")
A Productivity Ninja is not a superhero. None of us have superhero brains, either. We also know – usually from our own painful experience – that we’re all too capable of forgetting important things, making bad decisions because we’re swamped with other things to think about or just not finding the time to focus on the important stuff. It’s time to change all that.
We’re going to use the CORD model and the Organise and Review habits in particular here to develop a ‘second brain’. Your second brain is designed to replace your real brain when it comes to memory (our woeful short-term memory is a major driver of stress and unproductive behaviour). Your second brain is also designed to support the good decision-making – intelligence and intuition – that our real brain is really good at already, but which we perhaps aren’t currently using to its full potential or aren’t as able to do unless we’re in periods of proactive attention.
What Does a Second Brain Look Like?
The second brain is, of course, a metaphor! I’m not going to ask you to go out and kill someone and put their brain in a jar. The second brain is made up of the following basic elements: Continue reading →
I am concerned that in the age of eHow, wiki, evidence-based, best practice and performance management, some readers may interpret this article as a blueprint to raise productive children. It is not. Children are dynamic and unique individuals.
As such this article is about me sharing my experience. Although I cherish my children’s academic achievements and winning international awards for various science and innovation competitions, I love them unconditionally. Needless to say, my children are not geniuses. I just wish to see them happy and healthy, embracing Islam fully. Below are just some of the steps I have taken in raising them: Continue reading →
Gratitude! At the mention of this word, all of us think of many incidents in our life where we have been grateful to someone for their help or even their presence in our life. Gratitude is one of the main factors in the life of a Muslim. Islam speaks highly of practising gratitude. Gratitude to Allah (glorified and exalted be He) holds high in its pedestal. There are simple things we can do to show our gratitude to our Creator for all that He has given us and continues to give us. Subhan Allah!
1. Make a habit of saying “Alhamdulillah”(all praise be to Allah) at every ease and hardship:
Suhaib reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:
“Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks Allah, thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (endures into patiently), there is good for him in it.” [Sahih Muslim] Continue reading →
![[Productive Teens - Part 1] How to Deal Effectively with Peer Pressure and Bullying - Productive Muslim](http://productivemuslim.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/05-13-peerpressure-300px.png "[Productive Teens - Part 1] How to Deal Effectively with Peer Pressure and Bullying - Productive Muslim")
This is the first part of a series of three articles about how young Muslims can develop strength, courage and resilience in the face of peer pressure and bullying. In this part you will read about the impact of peer pressure and how you can stay firm.
“Everyone’s skipping class tomorrow, you’re such a nerd to go, and you’ll be the only one there anyway!”
Ever had to deal with pressure like that before?
Everywhere in this world people interact, and form groups and communities. Hence, wherever there are groups, small or big, there is pressure to conform to the accepted norm: whether it’s wearing skinny jeans, gossiping about your boss or teacher, asking for a mega dowry or being a silent Continue reading →
Visiting our site for the first time? Explore our A-Z guide to read, follow and watch.
