Benefit By Sharing What You Readily Have Available – Your Knowledge!

January 2, 2019A Muslimah's MusingsEdit

Possessing knowledge is akin to having an infinite spring that flows endlessly, allowing you to give and retain simultaneously. Consider the biblical tale of the widow who, with only a scant amount of oil, managed to settle her late husband’s debts. Following the counsel of a sage, she collected jars to contain the oil, which miraculously continued to flow until she ran out of vessels to fill. This narrative underscores the principle that as long as there’s an outlet to share knowledge, its abundance remains unabated. Much like the widow’s newfound prosperity, sharing knowledge can elevate one’s life and prospects.

question-and-person

However trivial you may perceive your knowledge, its true value often eludes you until you share it. Moreover, if you harbor reservations about monetizing your knowledge, consider this: every morsel of knowledge you possess has been acquired through an investment of sorts. Whether it was through financial transactions for books and educational courses, or the emotional toil endured to grasp a concept, you’ve paid a price for your knowledge. Thus, it’s perfectly reasonable to reap benefits from it.

In today’s digital age, myriad platforms exist to disseminate knowledge, rendering excuses obsolete. Whether you’re introverted and prefer written communication, or tech-savvy and inclined towards video content, there’s a channel suited to your preferences. The crucial point is to take action and share your knowledge in some capacity.

Paradoxically, knowledge tends to seek its own release if not channeled appropriately. Consequently, sharing knowledge becomes imperative for one’s mental well-being and personal growth. Just as every skill you unearth necessitates a corresponding responsibility, knowledge demands expression to prevent stagnation. Failure to share insights can lead to mental entanglement and, eventually, erratic behavior.

Recognize that withholding knowledge contradicts its intrinsic purpose, which is to benefit others. Embrace the notion that sharing knowledge is not only fulfilling your duty but also aligning with the essence of knowledge itself. So, why not release it in a manner that serves your own interests?

Start the biz, Sis! If you need help, I’d love to explore if working together is beneficial. Please follow up by visiting my site at www.imagineyouconsulting.com

Yes, We Should All Be In Business, But…

January 31, 2019A Muslimah's MusingsEdit

 

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The pervasive message surrounding us incessantly beckons: “Join me for this webinar, this seminar, or read this book for the X number of steps it takes to start a business.” Yet, what strikes me as remarkable is the absence of what I consider the most crucial step: identifying precisely which business you should start. While business ownership may be suitable for everyone, not every business is for YOU.I firmly believe that each of us possesses innate abilities waiting to be unearthed and cultivated into income-generating endeavors. Therefore, I wholeheartedly advocate for starting a business—it’s a venture everyone should undertake.

As far back as 2001, I began asserting that entrepreneurship would soon become an indispensable skill. Bill Gates famously remarked, “The 20th Century was the century for global corporations; the 21st Century will be the age of sales, marketing, and the entrepreneur.” These predictions have undeniably come to fruition. In today’s world, every individual should aspire to be an entrepreneur.

However, the days of trial and error, where you start something and abandon it if it doesn’t work, are long gone. Time is a precious commodity, slipping away faster than ever before. We must acknowledge the urgency of our time and ensure that every endeavor we pursue is worthwhile.

For believers, every facet of our lives is an extension of our faith. We cannot afford to approach anything haphazardly. Throughout the Qur’an and Sunnah, we’re reminded to be deliberate in our choices and actions.

One narrated instance attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged believers to perform good deeds proactively, lest they encounter various trials and tribulations that could hinder their ability to do so effectively.

Note: the following is a weak hadith, but it speaks to the point I am trying to make so I will use it here. Allahu Aalim.

It was said that Prophet Muhammad (salalla alahi wasalaam), used to admonish Believers to do good deeds before any obstacles arose. “Lose no time to do good deeds before you are caught up by one of seven calamities awaiting you: starvation which may impair your wisdom; prosperity which may mislead you; an ailment which may damage your health; old age which may harm your senses; sudden death; the Dajjal; or Yamil Qiyam, which is indeed the hardest and most bitter.” (At-Tirmidhi) 


Benefit By Sharing What You Readily Have Available – Your Knowledge!

January 2, 201A Muslimah's MusingsEdit

Possessing knowledge is akin to having an infinite spring that flows endlessly, allowing you to give and retain simultaneously. Consider the biblical tale of the widow who, with only a scant amount of oil, managed to settle her late husband’s debts. Following the counsel of a sage, she collected jars to contain the oil, which miraculously continued to flow until she ran out of vessels to fill. This narrative underscores the principle that as long as there’s an outlet to share knowledge, its abundance remains unabated. Much like the widow’s newfound prosperity, sharing knowledge can elevate one’s life and prospects.

question-and-person

However trivial you may perceive your knowledge, its true value often eludes you until you share it. Moreover, if you harbor reservations about monetizing your knowledge, consider this: every morsel of knowledge you possess has been acquired through an investment of sorts. Whether it was through financial transactions for books and educational courses, or the emotional toil endured to grasp a concept, you’ve paid a price for your knowledge. Thus, it’s perfectly reasonable to reap benefits from it.

In today’s digital age, myriad platforms exist to disseminate knowledge, rendering excuses obsolete. Whether you’re introverted and prefer written communication, or tech-savvy and inclined towards video content, there’s a channel suited to your preferences. The crucial point is to take action and share your knowledge in some capacity.

Paradoxically, knowledge tends to seek its own release if not channeled appropriately. Consequently, sharing knowledge becomes imperative for one’s mental well-being and personal growth. Just as every skill you unearth necessitates a corresponding responsibility, knowledge demands expression to prevent stagnation. Failure to share insights can lead to mental entanglement and, eventually, erratic behavior.

Recognize that withholding knowledge contradicts its intrinsic purpose, which is to benefit others. Embrace the notion that sharing knowledge is not only fulfilling your duty but also aligning with the essence of knowledge itself. So, why not release it in a manner that serves your own interests?

Start the biz, Sis! If you need help, I’d love to explore if working together is beneficial. Please follow up by visiting my site at www.imagineyouconsulting.com

The High School Dance and Entrepreneurship Dance

Many of us approach entrepreneurship with the same mentality we did our high school dances and parties. There was always excitement at the prospect of showing up, but once there we would stand by idly watching impressively at those on the dance floor moving with confidence and ‘doing the darn thang’. The same with entrepreneurship for us now. We are at all the events – attending the live, virtual and one-on-one events – but ultimately only watching others confidently move forward successfully. In either scenario, YOU could be the one others are watching because both, dancing and entrepreneurship, are skills and any skill can be learned and mastered. Read more here http://bit.ly/2ArU5hM





Boats Are Created To Sail On Water

Image Credit: Rob Greenbon
Thomas Edison – “ If we did everything we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.”

As popular saying goes ‘a boat is safest when it is docked at the harbor’. This may in fact be true, but choosing safety is denying its purpose. Boats are created to sail on water for a myriad of reasons, of which I am sure you are aware. Thinking about this saying reminds of something in reference to people. ALLAH meticulously created each one of us with a specific purpose in mind. This purpose is identified and fueled by dreams and visions, yet most of us fail to fulfill the purpose. Why? Undoubtedly it is because we ‘harbor’ the visions and dreams in our hearts in an effort to protect them, instead of speaking them into the universe and then acting on them.

Just like the boat that is created for innumerous purposes, the visions and dreams you see about yourself are meant to help you fulfill your ultimate purpose – worshipping ALLAH (God). According to the sacred text I follow, the Holy Qur’an, in Surah 51:56 ‘I created…humankind only that they might worship Me.’ Worshipping our Creator is directly related to living out our fullest potential and that is what the visions of the heart details.

A piece of advice from biblical text says “write the vision and make it plain…” Habakkuk 2:2. In the world of business this is an exercise known as charting goals. Random polling on goal setting by a Professor at Virginia Tech revealed that only 1% of those polled said they write and review their vision/dreams regularly and all of this 1% are among the elite and most successful business persons of their generations and (at least) millionaires. Without going too far off point, I will say that I personally do not believe that success is ONLY manifested in high dollar bottom line, but I do believe that financial security is a big part of SUCCESS. According to the poll, writing your vision in the form of a goal that can be visually pursued and charted is the way to success. So I encourage you to do that today. Take a clean sheet of paper and write the vision you have been daydreaming about. Take baby steps if you need to. For now write it in general terms, but when you go back to that piece of paper tomorrow, correct something about the vision that is somewhat vague and determine to turn it into a crystal clear point. For instance, if today write “I am going to start a business”, tomorrow change that by either adding a specific date you intend to ‘launch’ your business or by including what type of business activity you will start. The next day focus on another element, i.e. the how-to part of it – online, popup, etc., and do something like this every day. As you do this the motivation will build itself in compelling you to take some action in building your business or actualizing your legacy-building activity and move towards fulfilling your purpose, God willing.

Becoming That Person – No Holds Barred

Take time to dream, then go about filling the gaps. Start your journey today.

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                                                                                                                          Image Credit: Erica Dolnackova

Everyday we see examples of what we would like to do, be or have. These examples are so close we could reach out and touch them. They drive by us on the road in their flashy vehicles. They sit next to us on the train dressed to the nines, iced down, looking ‘rich’. We take part in the projects and programs they introduce and wonder why them and not me! Ironically enough, the only person who can truthfully answer this question is you.

Why them and not you?  What are you doing or not doing that is prohibiting you from ‘becoming that person’ – the person you want to be and have the things you want to have?I can’t answer because I am not there with you during the private, non-public moments of your life. The private you is who or what makes the public you. Even if you have a family or co-habitate with others, there are still those private moments, actions and habits that combine to make you the person you are. What kind of person are you? What is done in the dark, will be brought to light – to refer to the old proverb. And, this doesn’t only apply to negative things. The things you do in private & secrecy are the elements that, combined with your public self, create your nature, habits, your actions and influence the kind of decisions you make. All of these combined ingredients working together are what make you the person you are! Having an idea of some of the elements, or determinate factors, that produce personality – or the make the person, so to speak, – you can now take this information and use it to ‘become the kind of person you want to be’.

My suggested first step. Spend a little time dreaming about the ideal you. Next step, make it happen, inshaa ALLAH (God willing).