Barakah

Saving time has two components: one is to reduce the time of doing stuff by cutting down on time-wasting activities, which contributes to our efficiency. The second is to increase the Barakah in our time. Barakah is a blessing from Allah (SWT), which makes a lot happen in a short period, something that can’t be scientifically pinned down.

Barakah contributes to our effectiveness. When you make 20 sales calls instead of 10 in 2 hours, this is efficiency. And when the revenue of the month is achieved from only four sales calls, it is effectiveness. You would notice that usually, it is unexpected, you couldn’t have planned for it, and it was a coincidence that all four people that you called happened to know you. One was a CEO who you used to give physics tuition in high school; the other CEO was a junior executive who you had taken to the hospital when he had fainted on a railway station, and the third… and you can complete the rest of the stories. This is Barakah!

Here are three time-saving tips and three ideas for getting Barakah to be both efficient and effective. Time Saving Tips (Efficiency):

1. Set up a home office and start working one day a week from home. You will save time from the daily commute, finding parking and other hassles that come from being in office with a lot of people around.
2. Shower, dress-up and complete your to-do list before Fajr. You should hit your work immediately after Fajr.
3. Switch to liquid soaps from bar soaps.

Activities for Barakah (Effectiveness):

1. Many of us give a monthly allowance to our parents. Immediately double it if you can afford, and if not, then increase it to whatever you can even if the parents insist that they don’t need the amount.
2. Determine how many homes would be considered as your close neighbors. Every two weeks send them some gifts; it could be flowers, some fruits, home-cooked food, etc.
3. Ensure that all of the prayers are offered in the mosque with congregation.