Recommended Read

This book explains comprehensively on managing money matters. It also goes on to explain about loans, debts and investing in stocks and shares. Definitely a recommended read. A few copies can be found in our National Library collection. Though the book is written base in UK context, the basis can be applied here to in Singapore. Easy to read goes along well on MRT rides to and fro school, especially love the summary section at the end of each chapter.

I've recently recovered from a bad fever/flu attack, in recovery mode now but haven't really gotten back on my toes. Sinus still comes every night, need my health back. Appreciate what you've got before it's gone :)

Ramadhan is coming :)

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern
Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early
sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quraan. His grandson
wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he
could.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa, I try to read the Quraan just
like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I
forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the
Quraan do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the
stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and
bring me back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he
got back to the house.
The grandfather laughed and said, “You'll have to move a little
faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before
he returned home.
Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to
carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket
of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the
door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to
show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the
water would leak out before he got back to the house.

The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when
he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the
basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that
the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old
coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Quraan.
You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read
it, you will be changed, inside and out.

That is the work of Allah s.w.t in our lives."

p/s: Read Quran then read the tafsir too, pick up a new habit this Ramadhan.

That's all we've got

The new term has start, the first lecture was a killer with a long timeline history on Globalisation. To think i'm already in my second last term is really scary, scary thoughts coming into my head. Clearly time has always been the enemy, so tonight i'll be sharing some time management tips i've got off a website.

That's all we've got in the end, time.

"Seven Suggestions for Effectively Managing Your Time

1. Be Organized

- Use time saving tools: appointment calendars, "to do" lists, e-mail, answering machines, file folders, etc.
- Have an organized workplace (don't waste time constantly looking for your work).
- Use your appointment calendar for everything, including listing study time.
- Use "to do" lists for both long-term and for each day/week.

2. Plan Ahead (Schedule it and it will happen!)

- Determine how long your tasks will take (do this before agreeing to take on a task!)
- Consider whether any activities can be combined.
- Determine if big tasks can be broken down into smaller tasks that may be easier to schedule (such as studying for exams and visiting the library as part of an assignment to write a term paper).

3. Prioritize Your Tasks

- Use an A-B-C rating system for items on your "to do" lists with A items being highest priority.
- Set goals for both the short term and long term as to what you want to accomplish.
- Look at all of your "to do"s to gauge the time requirement and whether additional resources will be needed to accomplish them (if yes, schedule time to obtain those resources). Don't postpone the small tasks (a sense of accomplishment is good and overlooked small tasks can become larger tasks.)

4. Avoid Overload

- Include time for rest, relaxation, sleep, eating, exercise, and socializing in your schedule.
- Take short breaks during study and work periods.
- Don't put everything off until the last minute (for example, don't cram for exams).
- Learn to say "no" when appropriate and to negotiate better deadlines when appropriate.

5. Practice Effective Study Techniques

- Have an appropriate study environment.
- Split large tasks into more manageable tasks.
- Read for comprehension, rather than just to get to the end of the chapter.
- Be prepared to ask questions as they come up during study, rather than waiting until just before an exam.
- Do the most difficult work first, perhaps breaking it up with some easier tasks.
- Don't wait until the last minute to complete your projects.
- Read the syllabus as soon as you get it and note all due dates on your calendar.
- Be a model student! (be attentive and participative in class, and punctual, prepared, and eager to learn)

6. Be Able to be Flexible

- The unexpected happens (sickness, etc.)you need to be able to fit it into your schedule.
- Know how to rearrange your schedule when necessary (so it doesn't manage you - you manage it).
- Know who to ask for help when needed.

7. Have a Vision (why are you doing all of this?)

- Don't forget the "big picture" - why are you doing the task - is it important to your long-term personal goals?
- Have and follow a personal mission statement (personal and career).
- Know what is important to you. (What do you value most?)
- Have a positive attitude!"

In the end:

{By time, Verily, man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds and exhort one another to Truth and exhort one another to patience}
Surah Al-Asr.