[Reader Discussion] Overcoming Indecision and Distractions

Every month, we host a ProductiveMuslim reader discussion where you can share ideas and tips to help each other become more productive. In our last discussion, readers shared tips and advice on what to pack for hajj.

The theme for this month’s discussion is overcoming indecision and distractions. 

Human beings have never been constantly bombarded with newer options, opportunities and opinions as much as they are being today. With ever-increasing forms of information technology and radically globalizing norms, markets and trends; every person now involuntarily deals with enormous amounts of information thrown at them daily as well as a daunting range of options to analyze and choose from in almost every aspect of their lives: from choosing the phone with the right specs, the right career path to pursue, the right university to enroll in, the correct religious opinion to subscribe to, the right cut of steak to order, the latest app versions to install, the fastest route to take, the easiest way to lose weight and the cheapest fare to book: we’re spending staggering amounts of time just trying to decide instead of actually doing anything.

We’re in a state of constant distraction and indecision: we’re barely there in our salah, our minds are always preoccupied with on-going virtual conversations when someone’s speaking to us in person, and we’re always thinking of other possibilities just because we can. As a result, we’re praying but never feel at peace, we have relationships but always feel alone and we’re having a great life but never enjoying it. 

Share your thoughts and ideas on what we can do practically to start:

• focusing better in our worship
• being present in our conversations and relationships
• making effective decisions without being distracted by choice
• living in the moment and appreciating it