Learnings in Life - Personal Leadership

At every stage in my life, I am confronted with a lot of learnings. Some minor and some major.

The thing is this... whether I realise it or not and whether I like it or not, the learning is coming my way. Some come like "a small tap on the shoulder" and some come like "a huge truck hitting me".

This time my learning is huge. I am confronted and I am slow in recognising it. I have to adapt and change fast or it will eat me alive. :) Like a master trainer once told me "change or loose".

My major learning now are to be assertive and firm. I always follow my heart and I get it done the way I think will achieve results. I will continue following my heart but I need to change the way I do things.

I can achieve results by using diplomacy and also by being dominant. Typically I would choose the earlier method. I find it tiring to be a dominant guy.

What I recognised now by me being in this critical leadership position, I need to shift my way of being. I want to be assertive and firm. There too many people in my close circles saw glaringly that I will be a great leader by me adjusting this one area of my life NOW.

I have to move out from being seen and labelled a nice guy, likable, work from the background and a laid back person. I am too comfortable with my current way of being. I am adjusting from being too dominant at times and too nice at other times. This is a good learning and an acceptable process.

I focus on deliverable and results only in the past. It is a good thing. There are three areas which are important in delivering result - Strategy, Process and People. I like the strategy part. I am ok with the process part. When it comes to communication with people, I need to change my style of leadership.

I remembered in a training seminar which I attended. It state that the best kind of leadership is the leadership practices by Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

This is a new beginning for me in this phase of my life. It is uncomfortable and I am taking it head on. This is my commitment now and for 2010.

My teachers in this area of my life at the moment are my goodfriends Reza Ali and Ken Chee. They show the kind of assertiveness which I want to emulate.

My questions to you are:

What are your challenges now in being the best you?

What stopping you to be at the next level of your personal power?

Are you happy where you are at?

What kind of self permission do you need to ensure personal change?

2010 is coming - what personal change are you committed to, to take you to the next level of personal power? Choose.

Ciao.

Izam

Assisting someone... when will I quit

I received a text message from a friend that her uncle passed away. She felt blessed that her uncle was able to performed Hajj last year and thank me for assisting.

When I got the message... I was silent for a moment and tears came out of my eyes. I reflected on what happenned.

I remembered everyone assisted to get him to be candidated to go for Hajj 3 years ago but failed. We tried again 2 years ago and still he was not candidated. With our doa and Allah blessing, he was candidated last year and alhamdulillah, he performed his Hajj last year.

I am wondering and it is a good thing to wonder...

What if I stop assisting him in the first year or the second year, would he be able to go? I don't know.

I got these questions in my mind:

When do I stop assisting someone after I begin? I am grateful that I persisted to assist the gentleman with Allah blessing.

What about when I am with other people especially when I am coaching?

Is my judgement correct when I decide to stop assisting someone?

What rational do I give for not assisting someone?

Do I assist out of convinience and when it is comfortable?

I reflected on the life I had been living and the life I am living into...

how many souls I have assisted out of convinience when the person need my assistance?

how many times I gave all I have got to assist someone?

I am blessed that I got a realisation after reading the text message sent by the friend. Thank you AD.

I acknowledge that I am here in this world to add value to others in any way I can.

I will continue living my mission statement - "I touch, move and inspire people using my honesty and contribution to achieve human transformation and to be closer to the Almighty"

ciao
Izam

Prosperity Consciousness - the art of creating wealth

I am wondering and it is a good thing to wonder.

Many times I pray to the Almighty to bless me with financial prosperity in this world and keep working hard for wealth.

In the process, I ponder:

1. my mindset relating to money.

a) what is my personal belief about money;
b) what is my limiting belief about money;
c) how is my relationship with money; and
d) how is money being used now.

I found this great book about how to increase wealth and it makes reference to Al Quran.

I want to share with you the relevant ayat from the Quran about wealth creation.

2. To understand WEALTH in general, the relevant surah are:

Surah al–Dhariyat 56 – 58
Surah TaHa 130 – 132
Surah al-Taubah 28
Surah Al-Imran 27
Surah Al-Shura 19
Surah Fatir 3
Surah Hud 6

The purpose of every creation is to worship Allah. One primary distraction of worshiping is seeking sustenance. Therefore Allah assures rizq. When we faithful and worship Allah, He will provide sustenance and wealth with ease and blessings.


a) the blessing of wealth

Surah Al-Baqarah 60
Surah al-Anfal 26
Surah Al-Baqarah 22
Surah Al-Baqarah 172
Surah Al-Isra’ 70
Surah Al-Nisa’ 5

It is not a sin to wish for more money as long as the intention is pure.

Prophet sabda “ there is no harm in richness, for he who has taqwa, but good health is better than being rich, for he who has taqwa.” Ibn Majah #2141

The purpose of money

Surah al-layl 17-18

Sirah Rasulullah - Money will never decrease because of charity

b) The trial of wealth

Surah al-taghabun 15
Surah al-anfal 28
Surah Al-Imran 14
Surah Al-Taubah 24
Surah Al-Humazah 1-3
Surah Al-Maryam 77
Surah Al-Mudhathir 11-15
Surah A-Masad 2
Surah al-taubah 55
Surah Al-Imran 178
Surah Al-fajr 15 -20


c) Halal & Haram Sustenance and the consequences

Surah Al-Rum 39
Surah Al-Nisa 160-161
Surah Al-Nisa 10

d) The true richness

Surah al-Kahf 46
Surah Saba 37
Surah Hadid 20

e) The wisdom of disparity

Surah al-Isra’ 30
Surah Al-Zukhruf 32
Surah Al-Nahl 71
Surah Al-Shura 27

3. The Ways to increase Wealth

a) The Taqwa of Allah

Surah al-talaq 2-3
Surah Al-A’raf 96
Surah Al-Maidah 66
Surah Albaqarah 268

b) Seeking Forgiveness and repentance

Surah Nuh 10-12
Surah Hud 52
Surah Hud 3

c) Putting one’s trust in Allah or strengthening one’s faith…

Surah Al-Furqan 58
Surah Al-Talaq 3
Surah Al-Taubah 28
Surah Al-taubah 59

d) Constantly worshiping Allah

e) Thanking Allah

Surah Ibrahim 7
Surah Al-Naml 19
Surah Al- Ahqaf 15

f) Frequently performing Hajj and Umrah

g) Establishing the ties of Kinship

h) Spending in the way of Allah

i) Emigrating for the sake of Allah

j) Marriage

Surah Al- Nur 32

k) Supporting students of Islamic Knowledge

l) Showing kindness to the Poor

m) Being honest in one’s dealings

n) Making hereafter One’s main concern

o) Striving to achieve the goal

Surah Al-Mulk 15
Surah Al-Muzzammil 20
Surah Al-Nahl 5-7
Surah Al-Isra ‘ 12
Surah Al- Qasas 73
Surah A- Rum 23
Surah Al-Nahl 14
Surah Al-Jathiyah 12
Surah Al-Quraish 1-4
Surh Al Baqarah 198
Surah Al-Ghafir 60
Surah Al-Nisa 32
Surah Al-Baqarah 126
Surah Ibrahim 37
Surah Al-Jumu’ah 10

Then I asked myself after reading the book:

Am I serious in wanting to create wealth?

When will I read the tafsir of the above ayat?

Would I seek guidance in interpreting the ayat?

Would would I do with what I know?

How different will I be before and after knowing what I know now?

What am I willing to give up?

What would I do on a consistent basis?

Do I really want to be wealthty?

Do I deserve to be wealthy?

What am I willing to do now?

With every gifts form Allah, comes along great responsibilities.

What are your thoughts?

Where are you now?

Ciao
Izam

Hijrah - the journey

I am working in a foreign land for a few months leaving my family and all the daily routines back home.

Somehow 2 nights ago I felt homesick. I could not really sleep, tossing from left to right. I count my breathing and zikir. I manage to get some sleep at the end.

The next morning, when I was at Masjidil Haram, I saw the foreign workers and expatriates.

Then I am thinking...

They leave what they have back home to hijrah to a new country to earn a living. Some of them left everything they got back home. I respect them.

How do we see the foreign maids working our homes?

How do we see the foreign workers at the construction sites?

How do we see the foreign cleaners in the shopping malls?

How do we see the expats in our country?

How do we see our fellow country mates working as maids / construction workers / cleaners / cooks / professionals in other countries?

All of them have courage. They take action even when they have doubt and fear.

There are many succcessful business people who originate from a different country.

I read a book - 15 ways to incease earnings. One of them is Hijrah in the name of the Almighty. After what I experienced, I value this section of the book.

Hijrah does not just mean geographically. It could mean the inner journey too. Hijrah from one way of being to another way of being. All in the name of the Almighty.

I really got this conversation.

AND...

I was also into another conversation. What would I feel when I die?

I pray to Allah that I will not feel 'worldly homesick' when I have to leave this world, leaving all the people I love and the wealth accummulated. Instead I want to feel calm and feel welcome to the next phase of my journey to Akhirat.

This is only the first week.

Ciao
Izam

Are we focusing on the right thing... NOW

I have been working on myself and many people.

I am wondering and it is a good thing to wonder.

How many of us have a 5 year or some date in the future 'dream'/plan?

How many of us have a day by day, week by week, month by month, quarter by quarter, half year by half year and year by year execution plan?

I have met one person who follow his plan and his heart. I blessed to know him.

Over the last 18 months, I analysed the people I coached and trained. At the end of every session, I asked them about their goals.

Before I share what their feedbacks are, let me share with you what I did.

I asked everyone to write down what he/she wants to achieve in 5 years in the area of relationship, finance, health, spirituality, career etc.

It was easy for some of us while some others struggled as that time was the first time they did the exercise.

Then I asked them to write what they want to achieve in 24 months having in mind the 5 year plan they have written.

Once they completed that, I asked them to write what they want to achieve in 12 months having in mind the 24 months goals and 5 year written goals.

Then I asked for their 3 to 6 months plan relating to the 12 months, 24 months and 5 year written goals.

Lastly, I would always ask, "what would you do on Monday morning to realise the goals".

This exercise is simple and yet many struggle including me.

Some of the feedbacks are:

"We are so used to setting long term goals and when you ask us to plan in that detailed manner, we struggled.

Our minds are stuck to work on the details.

Numb...

Many thoughts came to mind. Thoughts like do we really want these goals.

Wow... there are so much work need to be done now.

I do plan every year and have long term plan, however I do not have a detailed execution plan. Even if I do have an execution plan, I seldom review and make the necessary changes and commit to the plan.

AND lastly some of them asked whether the plans are align to their higher purpose or values."

Do you have a short term, medium term and long term plan? You can define the period yourself.

Do you have an execution plan? Or you are following the flow allowing things to happen when it happens.

AND are whatever you have planned and executing now... are these plans the right plans for you?

One thing I learned in the last Ramadhan...

I was focused in improving my 'kusyuk' in solat - especially in my beingness and concentration. In order to do that, I focused in improving in my 'doingness' (Feqah). I ensure that I was prepared for solat, recited the surah slowly, making sure that I understood what I recited and also ensure that my mind did not stray too much in the prayer.

Then I was taught that to improve my solat, I need to work on my Tawhid too. Tawhid will give me the strength to be 'kusyuk' in my solat.

Now I want to deepen my understanding of Tawhid while I continue with my Feqah studies/practices.

It is almost the end of September 2009 and we are moving towards the last quarter of 2009.

It is a good time to pump up the engine to achieve my goals which I set at the beginning of 2009 and to start thinking of the 2010 plan.

I doa and pray that 2010 will be an exciting year for you, you are blessed with what you have NOW and you are working to achieve your 2009 goals. Amin.

Ciao

Izam

In a split second...

I am wondering and it is a good thing to wonder.

Was there a time in your life that you feel you are wandering and not really present to life?

Everything seemed to just passed by and it was already the end of the day, the end of the week and the end of the month. And still you are wondering what you had achieved or done in those days, week or month.

In these last few days before the month of Ramadhan, I noticed that the month of Rejab and Syaaban passed by like in a split second. Time flies really fast. I cannot get it back.

There are a few things which happened in these last 2 months which got to me.

1. The death of a lady at her peak of her career in the movie industry. She collapsed in a meeting and died a few days later.

2. The death of an established singer. He died while recording a program at a tv studio.

3. The death of a 6 year of boy. He was sick on Monday with breathing difficulty and died on Thursday.

4. A friend had a chest pain, went to the hospital and the gallbladder was removed.

5. Out of the blue, within 6 hours someone received a promotion.

A friend told me a few day ago, when The Almighty want to give, HE can give in a blink of the eye and if HE wanted to take it away, HE could do it instantly too.

What the friend said made me reflect on the things that happened as written above and the nikmat I have gotten from HIS GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL.

It felt as if I was awaken again from the daze. I was so consumed by my 'things to do' on the daily basis that I forget to take time and be grateful for the life I am living.

I felt that the last blog which I wrote has more meaning now. I am more present in the moment rather than being in the past or in the future.

Because of "in a split second", anything can happen, I realise how important to always remember the Almighty, appreciate everyone around me, have good intention, complete all agreements and broken agreements and add value in everything I do.

How have your last two months been?

How have your last 2 weeks been?

How have your last 2 days been?

How have your last 2 hours been?

How does it make you be a better person today?

Are you prepared to go?

Are you well packed?

I pray that for the nikmat we received from the Almighty, we praise HIM and be grateful and when we are challenged, we be patient.

ciao

Izam

Top 100 things I am thankful for in 2009

There are top 100 songs for the year, top 100 best seller books of the year, top 100 atheletes for the year and many more.

I thought of doing my own 'top 100' list. So I begin to list down the top 100 things I am thankful for in 2009.

This looks easy when I started.

After having written 30 things which I am thankful for, I had to think harder to really write what I am thankful for and mean them.

I tend to be very general in writing them down.

The easiest was when I wrote I am thankful for the life I have now.

Then the inner voice asked - what about your life you are thankful for...? Really...? In what way...?

Doing this simple list also, the mind provoke in ensuring there is essence.

I am wondering and it is a good thing to wonder...

What are your top 100 things you are thankful for?

I pray to the Almighty that all us are thankful for the many blessings that we are enjoying in our lives.

ciao

Izam