We continue today with the results from the participants of the ProductiveMuslim Time Tracking experiment. Today we have sister Faiza, Sister Sana'a and Sister Yumna share their key lessons learnt: 

Sister Faiza

I began on Saturday, the 24th of January. Out of the 21 tasks that I had to set for 7 days, to my utter disappointment, I was able to complete only 9.

These tasks were my academic assignments, studying for exams and some work related stuff. I found out that those tasks that I was able to complete were the ones which had reached their deadlines and were due the next day. I was able to concentrate better while doing these tasks and I think I was mostly focused until 45 minutes to over an hour after I'd begun working on them. 

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed with my performance on the rest of the tasks. I was easily distracted and I would lose focus in the first 30 minutes itself and keep trying to get back after almost every 10 minutes thereafter. So needless to say, I wasn't able to complete them in the time blocked for them but sometimes, I did overtime which I didn't like very much.

But yeah, I'm gonna use the Taskinator for a long time to come! I may not have completed many of my tasks but by blocking time for them, I at least started work on them!

Sister Sana’a,

At the end of 6 days with the Time Tracking Experiment, here are the lessons I’ve learnt.

Before I mention how my experiment went, here are the approximate Salah timings in my area, so that it’s easier to comprehend the hours I’m discussing inshaAllah.

Fajr: 5:05 am   Dhuhr: 11:55 am   Asr: 3:00 pm   Maghrib: 5:20 pm   Isha: 6:50 pm

1. Work started with a duaa and Bismillah is more productive inshaAllah. And we should seek the pleasure of Allah in whatever it is we are working on.
2. When making a To-Do list, it’s not sufficient to just list the tasks that need to be accomplished. Time slots need to blocked out so that one doesn’t plan to do more than can be handled in 24 hours.
3. Besides the major tasks that need to be done, a little list of alternative tasks should also be kept handy to be turned to in the event of any disruptions -- computers may break down, there may be some minor incident around the home/workplace that doesn’t permit the task at hand to be carried out completely.
4. Certain time slots should be left empty, as standby, so that we’re not in too much of a mess if something unexpected turns up - phone call, guests, family emergency etc. That way socializing and interacting with people who matter doesn’t turn into a pain, it’s sad when people start to feel that family and friends are a hindrance to work. A productive muslim is one who balances his/her personal tasks with the huqooq-ul-ibaad.
5. If we know we’re going to have a tough day out, then it’s better to keep not-so-tough tasks to deal with in the evening at home. BAD idea to try to get something HUGE done as soon as you get back home. We might think we’ll be able to handle it and maybe we will be, but to actually be tired is quite different from imagining it! I missed doing an entire task because I slept off in the afternoon and had expected to be fresh enough to handle it!
6. Certain “interesting” tasks should be kept for being done in the mornings, after Fajr, to avoid the temptation of going back to sleep -- this one is for people on holiday or those who work/study from home.
7. The time after Fajr is great for getting things done, primarily because there are so many hours until the next Salah -- atleast in my part of the world! J -- so things that take up more time might be taken care of during these hours, inshaAllah.
8. These morning hours are better suited to tasks that require mental exertion, once you get the hang of it.
9. Tasks after Dhuhr tend to get interrupted, thanks to lunch, so time should be blocked out accordingly.
10. BAD idea to try to fit in a huge task between two Salah times that follow each other quickly. It’s easy to think that we would get part of it done after say, Maghrib, and the rest after Isha (1.5 hour between the two). But what actually happens is one could get so engrossed in the task that Isha gets delayed!
11. The time after Isha is again great for getting things done but it should be previously decided when bed time is going to be, else waking up for Fajr becomes a major task in itself!
12. Having meals BEFORE a Salah helps to be able to work uninterrupted after Salah.
13. Having lots of time before the deadline was probably one of the causes why I wasn’t able to complete some tasks. So if I put these down to be done a slightly later date I could handle some lighter tasks now, like reading, crafting etc.
14. It seems to be a good idea to block out some slots for hobbies because if we have a heavy work schedule, then these other talents become latent since we don’t ever seem to find any time for them.
15. Doing tasks after Salah might not be a suitable option for those who have too many people around who need attention. Unless of course all these people are aware that the time after Salah is your personal time and you will not be available for them. Such people would be more comfortable working when others are otherwise occupied; kids are asleep, family members are out etc.

Sister Yumna

I am a stay at home mum. We just recently moved to  Saudi Arabia. I spend most of my time in front of the pc. Things would get done in the house. but I always got side tracked, and ended up in front of the pc. I lacked focus.

My assignment was to schedule tasks for after salaah. I used to rush through salaah so I could do things, which inevitably led me to the pc, to check a message or FB… anything to keep me from doing my tasks. Since I started this experiment, I am more aware of my time, and how I use it. How little of my time I actually dedicated to Allah Ta’ala and my family.

I gave myself time limits to do tasks, and masha-allah I finished way before the time elapsed. I spent less time idling around.

Fajr time: I used to rush through salaah so I could help the kids get ready for school.
Now, I plan my time, and sort most of the kids stuff at night, so mornings are more free, less stressful and also I can read some Quraan.

Duhur: This is my time that I dedicated to Allah Ta’ala.I could read more dhikr, and more quraan

Asr: Kids are home, so this time was dedicated to spending time with them.

Magrib: I have to work more on this time, but I want to eventually free up more time so I can read nafl salaah and also read some quraan

Esha: This time is dedicated to cleaning up after supper. Also spend more time with my kids bedtime.

Well, that's all folks. Five great participants with five great results. A lot for us to think over, and a lot for us to learn from. If you were doing the experiment, how would you do it differently? What obstacles would you face? And how would you overcome them? Let us know in the comments section below and let's really learn from each other.