1. The Basics of Time Management

“O you who believe!  Seek help in steadfastness (patience) and prayer.  Surely Allah is with those who are steadfast (patient).” (2:153)

While there are many ways to manage your time, the smartest approach to time management is a two-step approach.  Step one is to set priorities and reconcile them with the limited number of hours in your life.  The second step involves establishing an organization strategy that syncs with your personality.

Here are five basic steps to proper time management:

1. Get Clear About Your Goals:

Choose to spend time on activities that move you closer toward your goals.  Carve out time for what is most important to you, let go of the things that are low on your list of priorities.   Remember there are lots of “good” things you can do with your time, but the merely “good” is very often the enemy of the best.  Put the best first, and you’ll not only get more high value things done, you’ll feel better about doing them.

2. Schedule Planning Time:

The best way to connect your priorities with your to-do list is to establish some type of regular scheduling practice.  This means setting aside twenty minutes at the beginning of the week to review the major tasks you need and wish to accomplish.  Then decide on three or four realistic, must-do tasks for each day and relegate all the others to a separate “perhaps” list.

If something does not get done on the day you’ve designated or produces some additional to-dos, take stock.  Decide whether the remaining tasks can be delegated, schedule for later, or whether they’ll involve reprioritizing the tasks you have allotted for the rest of the week.

3. Exercise Self Control:

Life is full of distractions disguised as pressing momentary necessities.  Sometimes you need the sense of accomplishment that comes from ticking five easy, no brain-power-needed items on your list.

Above all, stay true to your priorities.  A nice phrase to keep in mind if your plans are regularly hijacked by other less organized than you: Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.

4. Organize Everything:

The type of system you prefer, whether paper or electronic, will depend on your personality and the way you naturally process information.  Avoid keeping notes on random scraps of paper.  The quicker you get those details out of your system, the less likely you are to lose or forget them.

5. Keep your list of top goals visible and near your calendar.

This ensures that you’ll be more mindful of how you schedule your time.  You’ll generally be more efficient too, if you have access to contact information and your to-do list at all times.

Whatever your personality type, what ever tools you choose to track your time and to-dos, keep in mind; A little time spent managing your hours and days is essential to enjoying a lifetime of accomplishments.

Experience Life Magazine

2. Qualities of a Mu’min

“Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, who avoid vain talk,  And who practice the system of Zakat; And who guard their modesty except from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess for then they are not blameworthy” (23:1-7) 

The PTC Buzz would love to hear from you.  Please e-mail us at dilnazw@comcast.net

3. Teacher Profiles

PTC BUZZ Student interviewers Nadeem Nizamuddin and Angela Ali interviewed Mrs. K. and Ms. Aqueel.

1. Do you feel there is enough time during the school day to cover all the material? 
Mrs. K.: No, there never seems to be enough time to do all of the fun things I’d like to do.
Ms. Aqueel: I feel if you organize yourself you’re able to get through everything you planned for the day.

2. What are your thoughts about all year round school?  Instead of a long summer vacation, have regular breaks through out the year.
Mrs. K.: I think year round schools are an excellent idea.  Perhaps someday it will be the way all schools arrange their calendars.
Ms. Aqueel: I am not in favor of year round school because the summer offers excellent summer classes for students.  Many people underestimate the benefits of summer vacation.

4. Brainteaser of the Month

A customer at a 7-11 store selected four items to buy, and was told that the cost was $7.11. He was curious that the cost was the same as the store name, so he enquired as to how the figure was derived. The clerk said that he had simply multiplied the prices of the four individual items. The customer protested that the four prices should have been ADDED, not MULTIPLIED. The clerk said that that was OK with him, but, the result was still the same: exactly $7.11. What were the four prices?

Look for the answer within the Buzz.

5. PTC Family Secret Corner

The Waraich Family (second grade):  We have homework in the backpacks, lunch prepared in the fridge, clothes for the next day laid out all before we go to sleep.  This helps us begin the next morning stress free and on time for school.

Mohammed Family (1 and 3 grade):  We plan the lunch menu for the week on Sunday.  We go grocery shopping for the week and know exactly what everyone is having for lunch by Sunday.  Our family also organizes the uniform for the week.  On Sunday the vests, pants, shirts are all ironed and ready for school.  The PE uniform is also washed and ready.

Answer to the Brainteaser:
$1.20, $1.25, $1.50, and $3.16.