Being a truly productive Muslim entails understanding yourself well so that you can manage your weaknesses and leverage your strengths for maximum benefit in the dunya (this life) as well as the akhira (the Hereafter).
This level of self-management does not always come naturally. In many cases, it requires another person who can take an objective look at you, combine it with their experience and wisdom, and show you how to build a roadmap to success. You do the building while they give you insight. This is life coaching at the core.
So what do you do if you don’t have access to a certified Muslim life coach? The solution comes in the form of a practical handbook by Sayeda Habib titled Discover the Best in You*.
When I first pulled this book out of its shipping cover, I was overcome with awe. The book itself is a work of art in the way it is presented. In addition, the content is laid out well, with appropriate icons and coloured sections, making it easy to understand the logical flow of the message.
Sr. Sayeda begins with an introduction on the concept of life coaching – a MUST read if you’re wary of the notion and think it’s something akin to counselling or therapy. Rather, she makes it clear that coaching is about empowering you to make key decisions and steer your life intelligently.
A special section titled “Can Muslims use coaching?” helps put you at ease. Furthermore, every chapter begins with appropriate references from the Qur’an and hadith, defining the Islamic context quite lucidly.
The chapters cover areas from creating hope and allowing abundance to enhancing self-esteem, your relationship with others and of course, time management.
The book is peppered with case studies from Sr. Sayeda’s own coaching practice, showing you the positive impact that proactive effort to understand yourself can have on your life. The author also makes it a point to ask a lot of questions about yourself – maintaining the focus on introspection and “noticing your uniqueness”.
Every chapter contains an exercise, enabling you to put into immediate action what you have learnt. This is where you begin to feel the power of a coaching relationship.
If you’re undecided about whether to invest in a life coach, then I highly recommend you read Discover the Best in You!
The book provides hundreds, if not thousands, of Dollars’ worth of life coaching value at your fingertips. It is a handbook for Muslims who are serious about overcoming psychological barriers and tapping into their potential to become their most productive self.
*To learn more about Sayeda Habib and her book, visit www.makelifehappen.com.
**All images courtesy of Kube Publishing Ltd.
About the Author:
Fathima Nafla is an independent technical writer and editor. Find out more at www.believuh.com
