It is too easy to get distracted

 Bismillah

As the end of Ramadan is coming closer, I am trying to find lessons and reflections that hopefully will serve me better for the next eleven months. One of the signs that your Ramadan is accepted by God is that you continue some of the habits you gained in the month of Ramadan. In addition to fasting from food and water from dawn to sunset, Muslims try to increase their prayers and charity this month. 

I hope to continue the practice of getting up early before dawn and saying a few prayers and hope to also fast at least once a week this upcoming year.

It is too easy to get distracted and fall into the routine of wasting precious time. In Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about a habits scorecard. Basically, it is the idea of identifying/documenting your habits and evaluating if each is an effective habit. 

One of my goals is to write something on this blog every day. I hope by the end of April, I am getting closer to being consistent on this. 

Reflecting on the importance of your identity and how this influences your habits

 Bismillah

I just read through James Clear's Atomic Habits Chapter Two, "How your habits shape your identity and vice versa."

My main takeaway from this was the importance of reflecting on your identity to help you establish habits. James Clear advises 'not to have a goal of reading a book, instead, the goal is to become a reader.' The goal is not to run a marathon; the goal is to become a runner."

He gives a two-step process to create a new identity for yourself.

1.  Decide the type of person you want to be.
2. Prove it yourself with small wins.

Chapter Summary (pg 41 from Atomic Habits, written by James Clear) 

• There are three levels of change: outcome change, process change, and identity change
• The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, by on who you wish to become.
• Your identity emerges out of your habits. Every action is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. 
• Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs and upgrade and expand your identity.
• The real habits matter is not because they can get you better results (although they can do that), but because they can change your beliefs about yourself. 

So, who do you want to become? Who do I want to become?

I want to be a sophisticated, consistent investor.

I want to be a philanthropist who is consistently giving back and supporting worthy intitiaves

I want to be an athlete who consistently lifts and runs 5-6 times a week.

I want to be the best leader who serves and helps his team be the best version of themselves

I want to best son, father, brother, and community member.

I want to be a reader that applies knowledge in creative methods.

I want to be a writer who consistently generates content that uplifts and inspires people

Step One of the two-step person written down. Now, I need to work on creating small wins to support these goals.

Hope you figure out who you are trying to be!

Make the most of the rest of Ramadan and establish good systems (James Clear's Atomic Habits)

Bismillah.

Almost half of Ramadan is finished, and I'm trying to understand how much I have grown spiritually and/or updated my habits. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for 29-30 days consecutively during the month of Ramadan. Beyond not drinking and fasting, Muslims are supposed to become more God-conscious and give back more to their community during this month.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink."

The Prophet is emphasizing the importance of good manners in life and not neglecting this as we are trying to be more God-conscious through actions such as fasting. I'm not sure if I have developed stronger habits during these past 15 days, but I hope I can make the most of these next 15 days. Ultimately, the hope is that Ramadan prepares you for the rest of the year. 

In Atomic Habits, James Clear discusses the importance of setting up systems rather than setting goals to achieve better results. He says, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." 

I believe there is a lot of merit in this philosophy. It is too easy to get caught up in not "seeing" the incremental progress in day-to-day life and getting disheartened about our own goals/objectives. Trusting in systems and staying consistent on "good" habits are strong principles to live by.

Wishing you all success in establishing strong systems in your life.