I always believe 2 things will shape you to who you become in life. 1) The People Whom You Spend Most Time With Everyday 2) The Books You Read
Alhamdulillah. All Praises to Allah S.W.T. 🙂
A few days ago, I finished reading a New York Times bestseller book: Tools of Titans.
This 700-page book was written by Tim Ferriss who also wrote other successful books such as The 4-Hour Work Week.
I was attracted to Tools of Titans because it has nuggets of wisdom from over 113 world-class performers.
Billionaires.
Global icons.
High-achievers of the world.
My take is that if you want to be successful in whatever you do.
You have to model successful people.
People who have already achieved the results you desire.
And this book offers just that!!! 🙂
I like Tools of Titans because it is generously peppered with simple-to-copy actionable habits & routines done by these world-class achievers.
They are so simple that we can incorporate their habits into our lives – today. 🙂
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For most of you whom have been following my blog posts dilligently.
You would have known that I am a financial consultant that specialise in helping Muslim families plan their finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
As a practising financial consultant, I actively look out and find ways how to combine traditional, conventional business concepts.
And synthesize them together with shariah compliant best practices in the Islamic World.
In accordance to our glorious Quran and Hadith.
So here I present to you….
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5 Shariah Compliant Hacks I Learn While Reading ‘Tools of Titans’ Book…
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1. Taking Action is What Matters
There is a saying which goes: ‘Ideas are nothing. Doing is EVERYTHING.’
We can get any information we want using Google. Or borrow books from library.
Ask experts in their own field.
Or perhaps brainstorm them ourselves! 🙂
Yet, what is more IMPORTANT is what we do with the information. Taking action is what matters!
Jim Rohn, a motivational guru, mentioned in this book: “If you let your learning lead to ACTION, you become wealthy.” 🙂
Personally, I like attending seminars and I’ve been attending seminars since 10 years ago.
These seminars are not cheap – some cost thousands of dollars. When I’m at a seminar, I will give my 100% focus and implement strategies on the spot.
If I’m unclear about something, I will raise my hands and even speak into a mic in front of a large audience – just to clarify my doubt.
What happens after the seminar ends?
I apply the strategies ASAP and turn all my new knowledge into ACTION.
My actions have to lead to great results at work.
I will ensure that if I invest $1000 in a seminar, my results will DOUBLE, TRIPLE or QUADRUPLE the $1000 I spent.
In this book, Benjamin Disraeli’s quote: “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action” rings true for me. 🙂
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During my “Your Financial M.A.P.” session program, I share with my prospects on how they can clear their consumer loans FAST.
And at the same time, save their 3-6 months emergency expenses FAST.
I share with them.
Today, you come to me with money problems. Allah S.W.T. move your heart to meet me.
I never reach out to you. You are the one who come to me. The fact you meet me is a Qadr from Illahi.
I am just the asbab. The intermediary to share with you how you can solve your money problems.
If Allah S.W.T. shows you the way how you can solve your money problems, and you dont take action, you are the one who lose out.
Allah will not change the people, unless the people change what is in themselves.
Doa. Usaha( Action).And Tawakkal.
From an Islamic point of view, knowledge (ilmu) and action (amal) work hand in hand together.
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…….. 2. The best investment is….in yourself.
According to Anthony Robbins, paying $35 for a 3-hour seminar (when he was 17 years old) was the turning point in his life.
He was reluctant to spend that money at first. Why?
Because he was a cleaner earning $40 a week at that time!
But he got clarity and direction with that $35 – which was priceless.
For me, although I am a finance degree holder, and considered fairly experience in my line of duty,
I continue to invest in myself.
I bought books. I took more Islamic Finance certifications.
Undergo more business development courses. More personal development seminars.
I travelled regularly.
To Kuala Lumpur.
To gulf countries like Oman, Dubai. To all parts of the world.
To seek fresh new ideas.
And to seek mentors and learn from the best in the industries.
To me, once you stop learning, you stop earning.
The best investment you can do is… investing in yourself.
Even Warren Buffett took a public speaking course when he was 20 years old.
Warren Buffett may be a legend in the investment field, but he is still a firm believer of investing in himself.
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The idea of continually upgrading ourselves with ilm (knowledge) is synonymous with Islam.
We educate ourselves to what is right. And what it wrong.
How do we know what is right (Amar) and what is wrong (Maaruf)?
Through guidance from the right mentors and acquiring ilm (knowledge) by reading.
When our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira’ through the angel Jibril (Gabriel), he was asked to read (Iqra’).
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The first words that were revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
were ‘Iqra’ (Read).
and then, Alhamdulillah, our beautiful Deen, Islam was established.
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I pray to Allah (SWT) to help us all develop a love for reading beneficial booksand increase us in beneficial knowledge. Amin… Amin… Insya’Allah! 🙂
‘Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka ‘ilman naafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan.’
(O Allaah, I ask You for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision, and deeds that will be accepted)
(Recite in Arabic upon rising in the morning)
3. ‘Put the big stones in first’
This quote is from Kaskade, a five-time Grammy-nominated musician.
This quote means: to give time and attention to the important things in our lives first.
For example, my ‘big stones’ (or important things in my life) are my family and my work.
(One of the most important things in life. My family.)
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Imagine holding a glass jar in your hand.
And you have sand, small stones and big rocks on a table next to you.
When we put the small stones and sand in the jar first, the big rocks can’t get in it.
But when we fill the jar with the big rocks first, the smaller rocks and sand can find little corners and spaces to fit in.
Everything fits in the end!
This metaphor means: to block out time every day for the important things (the ‘big rocks’), first.
The little less-important tasks will be scheduled around the ‘big rocks’.
For work, the ‘big rocks’ should be tasks which bring you closer to a big work-related goal.
Prioritise what matters 🙂
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4. Conquer Your Fear with 4 Simple Yet Powerful Questions
Most people will choose unhappiness over uncertainty – according to Tim Ferriss.
Many of us are scared of uncertainty and failure.
If you want to try something very much.
Yet, you are too scared to do so.
You can CONQUER that fearusing these 4 simple yet POWERFUL questions.
They are…
• What is the absolute worst thing that could happen if you did what you are considering?
• What steps can you take to repair this damage and get everything under control?
• What is costing you – financially, emotionally and physically – to postpone this action?
• Do you know anyone who is less qualified than you who has done this before and pulled it off?
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When I am confronted with “challenges” in life.
OR when I am presented with an opportunity that sends butterflies to my stomach,
I recalled this ayah.
Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 286 in our holy Quran. “Allah does not burden a soul, beyond that it can bear.”
And then, I do my level best to CONQUER that fear using these 4 simple yet POWERFUL questions.
• What is the absolute worst thing that could happen if you did what you are considering?
• What steps can you take to repair this damage and get everything under control?
• What is costing you – financially, emotionally and physically – to postpone this action?
• Do you know anyone who is less qualified than you who has done this before and pulled it off?
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After answering those questions, usually I will feel good.
More confident. MORE focused. And MORE EXCITED!
And I start to draft out my plan. Because I know that 80% of success in any endeavour boils down to preparation!
And that is how I overcome challnges and prepare myself 101% to succeed in whatever opportunities presented to me! Insya’Allah! 🙂
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5. Long term goals need long term focus
When we are going after our long-term goals, frustrations will crop up along the journey.
Some people thought, successful people have it easy.
Chicken feet for them. Everything goes as planned. No challenges.
Easy peasy!
haha! Not true!
Let me give you a real life example that happened earlier this morning! 🙂
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For the past few months, I have been studying brands worldwide and was inspired to have my own uniform. Takaful.sg set of uniform! 🙂
I want to look good, carry my brand proudly and appear well-dressed in front of my clients.
Thus I spent hours shopping for some good quality shirts.
And sent them to have my logo printed at a printing shop.
Was told that the whole process will take 3 weeks. I waited for over a month.
No calls. No SMS. No whatsapp msges.
Then I decided to pay them a visit.
To my disappointment, when I came down to collect my shirts, the logo was not printed as expected!
It looks amateurish, like plastic stickers pasted on the shirts!
I felt disheartened. Angry. Sad.
Disillusioned.
Takaful.sg is my baby. Is my brand!
It’s what I have been working so hard, day and night to build it to what it is today!
How can they haphazardly smack my brand???!
Then, I recalled what entrepreneur and renowned gymnastics coach,Christopher Sommer (Coach Summer) said in the book, “Impatience in dealing with frustration is the primary reason that most people fail to achieve their goals.”
Facing frustrations is part of the path towards excellence! 🙂
I told myself, we have to stay focused for the long-term if we want to achieve our long-term goal.
We can’t be beating ourselves up for small bumps along the journey.
The path to success is never straight! 🙂
“Learn and appreciate the process,”mentioned Coach Sommer.
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There you have it 🙂
5 Shariah Compliant Hacks Found in ‘Tools of Titans’ Book which not many peeople are aware of! 🙂
I have learnt much, much more than just 5 Hacks from this book.
Every time I open this 700-page book, I will come across a nugget of valuable advice which I did not notice before.
Which other self-help book would you recommend? 🙂
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If you like to integrate more POWERFUL STRATEGIES in your life.
If you will also like to discover aspects on how you can GROW YOUR WEALTH, the shariah compliant way in Singapore, you can always whatsapp/sms me at 96520134to schedule a FREE consultation.
Or perhaps click here to schedule an appointment.
I make myself available for 5 consultations per week.
Alhamdulillah. I just finished my 2-week army reservist. 🙂
Being in vegetation for a while with combat rations as my food supply, I was deprived of good food.
Many types of food ran into my mind.
Nasi Campur Sinar Cahaya at Pasar Geylang Serai
Roti John Steak Mama Power @ Old Woodlands
Epok Epok Ganja @ 1 Bedok Road
Everything seems so delicious at that point of time! … and then comes, this Nasi Lemak Burger by Macdonalds… 🙂
Okay lah. This is something unique.
Malay food combined with Western Food.
Nasi Lemak combined with burger.
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Never tried before.
So the first thing I did after I outpro and relaxed at home, was to chill at Macdonalds with my wife, sharing a Nasi Lemak Burger.
As I unwrapped my burger… a nice hint of the smell of santan greeted me….
and then out came the coconut flavoured chicken thigh patty, fried egg, caramelised onions, two slices of cucumber and a smear of sambal.
Those who have tried this burger definitely would agree with me, what makes this burger special is the sambal.
The sambal is amazing!
The sweet, spicy cameralised onion sambal is so refreshing, tantalised my tastebuds, and reminded me of the RM1.50 roadside Makcik Nasi Lemak at Johor Bahru.
Sweet, yummy sambal wrapped together with Nasi Lemak in banana leaves and Utusan Malaysia newspaper.
Difficult to find in Singapore, this kind of Nasi Lemak.
Overall, I will give Macdonald Nasi Lemak burger 5/5.
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This Nasi Lemak Burger also serves as a learning lesson for Islamic Finance Practitioners in Singapore.
Nasi Lemak Burger combines the BEST of Malay food – Nasi Lemak – and the BEST of Western food – burgers.
Islamic Finance Practioners can combine the BEST practices in Islamic Financial Planning and Conventional Financial Planning.
Let me explain and give practical examples.
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For Islamic Financial Planning, we save our contingency/emergency funds in Al Wadiah Savings Account.
Alhamdulillah, we know it is shariah compliant because it gives Hibah instead of Interest.
How much to save as contingency funds?
Best practices in conventional finance is to adopt a basic liquidity ratio of 3-6 months.
It means you can have 3-6 months of your monthly expenses in your Al Wadiah Savings account.
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In Islamic Financial Planning, we know in order to buy a house, the shariah compliant way is to use Murabahah, Diminishing Musharakah or Ijarah Wa Iqtina financing facilities.
In the future, once shariah compliant home financing is available in Singapore, we don’t overleverage and immediately
buy properties worth millions of dollars.
Take millions of dollars of shariah compliant financing because it is shariah compliant.
No. We dont do that.
We follow the best practices in conventional finance which is to follow closely this ratio known as, Total Debt Service Ratio (TDSR).
TDSR= Total Debt Yearly Repayment/Annualised Take Home Pay
This ratio measures the proportion of take home income, used to make regular payment of debts.
If it is lower than 35%, means HEALTHY.
It means that there is sufficient take home pay available to service debt repayments.
A ratio of 45% or above for this ratio is generally considered unhealthy and may risk of not being able to service these regular debt repayments.
Follow the recommended TDSR guidelines, even though if the financing facilities are shariah compliant.
Dont overleverage.
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When you invest your money the shariah compliant way for your retirement, you can follow certain personal financial ratio guidelines.
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Savings Ratio = Savings/Gross Income
This ratio calculate the proportion of your income, you set up for savings. You need to save at least minimum 10% of your gross income.
Investment Assets To Net Worth Ratio = Invested Assets/Networth
This ratio compares the value of invested assets with networth.
An individual should have clear targets on accumulating capital for the longer term, excluding investment in the house that you are staying in.
The target is to have sufficient assets accumulated for retirement and other financial purposes.
If it is more than 50%, means HEALTHY.
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Above are just some best practices in conventional finance that I personally adopt to my Islamic Financial Planning services.
If you are looking on the practical aspects on how you can save, accumulate and grow your money the shariah compliant way in Singapore,
you can always whatsapp/sms me at 96520134 to schedule a FREE consultation.
Or perhaps click here to schedule an appointment.
You will want to schedule it asap because I can only accomodate 5 slots per week.
And next week, I will be heading for my long holiday to Oman and Dubai. Insya’Allah.
Alhamdulillah. Ramadan is a blessed guest that comes once a year.
In this beautiful month, we Muslims are encouraged to increase our worship
and to be more charitable.
It’s a month filled with barakah, where your deeds are multiplied.
And your sins will be forgiven if you are sincere.
When we abstain from food and drink, it’s a reminder to be mindful of those around us who are less fortunate.
We also have to watch our words and temper. Ramadan helps us to develop our better self.
So don’t be surprise some of our best practices in Ramadan are also useful principles in managing your personal finances.
I termed the concept with the acronym R.A.M.A.D.A.N. so that it is easier to remember. 🙂
Reflect
Ramadan is a time of reflection.
It is a time for introspection.
It is a time where we should take stock of ourselves.
And have an honest assessment of our shortcomings.
It is the time of the year in which we recharge our iman.
And prepare for the challenges facing us over the next 334 days.
Challenges that will test us in the next 8016 hours.
Getting ourselves prepared every single moment.Every single 480,960 minutes to come!
This can only be done if we muhasabah…. pause, reflect on our own faults,
introduce feedforward controls
and implement solutions during this important month.
(Beautiful side view of Sultan Mosque)
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Similar to managing our personal finance, we should reflect and ask ourselves these questions.
Do I have 3-6 months of emergency expenses in my bank account? (Basic Liquidity Ratio)
Have I been saving 20% of my monthly income? (Savings Ratio)
Is my debt service ratio above the recommended rate? Am I highly leverage?
And most importantly, from a perspective of a Muslim, we need to reflect on this.
Have I been paying zakat for my cooperative insurance policies
and shariah compliant investable assets when it hits the nisab value and reach the haul of 1 year?
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(The kadar nisab as of today, 11th June 2017)
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These are important questions that you have to ask yourself.
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The reason why I am bringing this up is because I just received a call from one of my blog readers.
She told me, she paid for zakat fitrah all along. BUT she has OVERLOOKED paying her zakat harta for her cooperative insurance policies and shariah compliant investable assets for the past 20 years!
Paying zakat is one of the pillars of Islam.
She is clueless and seeked my advice on what she could do.
Of course, now is the best time for us to reflect on ourselves too! 🙂
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Absolute Patience
Ramadan is about overcoming base instincts and have patience.
(My newborn baby daughter, Yaslyn Inara relaxing by the sea.)
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It’s not easy to withhold hunger and thirst, and to watch your behavior and grab at any opportunity you can to do good.
We are so used to eating and drinking whenever we want.
And also we rarely watch the things we say.
And we tend to be lazy or procrastinate.
So Ramadan forces us to hold back and in doing so, it requires patience on our part. Absolute patience. No two ways about that! 🙂
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Managing your finances is also about overcoming a basic instinct and have patience.
Humans are naturally inclined to instant gratification.
We want things NOW!
We hardly blink an eye eating out everyday or splurging on staycation / new bag / new gadget.
But the moment we need to set aside money for the future, most of us start coming up with all sorts of excuses.
The reason why we are adverse in saving up is because we don’t see its immediate benefit.
Although logically we know it’s to help us in the future, our base instinct is to enjoy things now.
So understand that in financial planning, you need to have absolute patience.
Be stronger than your basic instinct and commit yourself to save up or invest every month.
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Moderation
Ramadan is about moderation.
Everyday, after Azan Maghrib, I listened to the radio ads on Warna 94.2FM by Health Promotion Board.
It states that 1 out 6 Singaporean Malays from age 18-69 have diabetes.
This is a trend that is unhealthy and worrying.
As someone who loves to eat delicious food, enjoy sumptious buffets with beautiful, tantalising arrays of food,
I find Ramadan not only an opportunity for me to increase my Ibadah.
It is opportunity for me to watch my diet and eat moderately.
We eat heartily for suhoor, as we need energy to get on with the day.
And when we break for iftaar, the food we consume should be in moderation, enough for us to sustain our energy levels for the taraweeh prayers.
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Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Please And Blessings Be Upon Him) has taught us the formula for moderation when we eat our food. We should fill our stomachs with 1/3 of food, 1/3 of drink and leave 1/3 for breath.
Prophet Muhammad (Please And Blessings Be Upon Him) said: “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.”
[Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah – Hadith sahih]
(Myself Iftar with my family near Changi)
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Similarly, in managing our finances, we have to practice moderation.
Usually when I encounter very ambitious prospects who wants to start a shariah compliant investment plan with a big monthly contribution,
as a finanial planner, I will dig deep in their finance first.
How much are you earning?
What is your monthly expenses like? After deducting your monthly expenses, how much are you left with?
Do you have 3-6 months of emergency expenses set aside in your bank account?
You mentioned to me that you want to save $XXXX/month. Have you been saving $XXXX/mth for the last 6 months?
Yes? No? Why No?
If they are not ready, usually I would decline them as my client first and share with them strategies on how to accumulate money fast, over the short term period.
Of course, do it the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
Once they are financially stable, meet me again, and I share simple yet powerful financial strategies that I personally use to grow my wealth the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
My role, my relationship with them as a financial consultant is to help grow their investable assets and networth the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
And moderation is key.
Slow and steady always win the race. 🙂
(You can download a free report of me sharing how you can create your own personal networth statement and cashflow statement in less than 10 minutes even if you have no financial background. Click here. )
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Act On Opportunities
Ramadan is about taking advantage of opportunities.
As mentioned, it’s a month where your deeds are doubled in reward and you’ll be forgiven for your sins if you’re sincere in your taubah. Let’s not be fools like the ones mentioned in the following hadith:
Abu Huraira (r.a.) related that Rasulullah (s.a.w) said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).
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Similarly, effective financial planning is about taking advantage of opportunities. You’re not going to be young forever.
For example, if you’re taking up a shariah compliant insurance plan, you pay less in terms of mortality charges if you’re in your early thirties as compared to when you’re in your forties. So instead of paying more in the future, why not start early and pay lesser yet still accumulate much more?
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Talking about opportunities, a lot of you might be aware that in the year 2008 (subprime mortgage crisis)
which leads to global economic crisis (year 2009), I help a lot of my clients make money. They make a lot of money. Yet, I dont make much money.
(Myself and my fellow colleagues doing roadshows 10 years ago)
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At that time, I was 21 years old, just completed my 2 years army, and new to my job as a financial consultant.
In army, we only received about $500/mth, thus naturally I dont have much opportunity funds.
Nevertheless, I have financial knowledge (Diploma in Accountancy), and I managed to convince a lot of people to invest with me.
Yet, I dont have much to invest.
I remembered that Abang who came to me.
“Helmi…. Thank you so much lah for helping Abang make so much money via investment. Very good!
Btw, just want to check with you lah, how much percentage in terms of share of my profit, do you get??”
I answered, “Not a single cent”.
I was disappointed. I was sad for myself, yet happy for my clients.
I consoled myself by telling myself,
“Its okay Helmi. Now you are young. Start saving as much opportunity funds as possible. In investment, there are market cycles. In the future, when there is a market downturn, make sure you have a lot of money to capitalise on the OPPORTUNITY.”
Yes! Prepare and grab opportunities as it comes by! 🙂
Discipline and awesome time management
Ramadan teaches us to be disciplined. It’s not easy to go hungry and thirsty, and on top of that be on our best behavior.
This is only achieved through discipline, which comes from the taqwa (consciousness) of Allah.
In addition to that, Ramadan nurtures us to be discipline in how we manage our time.
We have to wake up earlier than usual to do our suhoor, then at night, our time is spent at taraweeh prayers.
So it’s very important for us to plan our day right, and this is where being discipline in managing our time well comes in. Otherwise, you’ll end up sleeping late and missing suhoor, or you’ll be too tired to do taraweeh because you were doing way too much during the day.
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(What I had for suhoor earlier, my protein shake and a drink)
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Managing your personal finances is also about discipline.
A lot of people thought if someone earns a lot, he automatically becomes rich.
That is a myth. My experiences as a financial consultant tells me otherwise.
I have met someone who earns >$10,000/mth who cannot afford to get savings plan from me (always lapsing his policy and I have to chase for payment).
And at the same time, someone just earning $1,500 who has a few policies with me.
In fact, if you look at that same person, who earns >$10,000/mth facebook, you will be thinking,
“Woah! He is so lucky! So rich! Driving flashy cars and always travelling on expensive holidays all over the world”.
The beautiful part of being a financial consultant is that we dont look at you on the surface.
Expensive cars, branded goods to showcase etc2.
Those are good to have but superficial.
We look directly at your personal financial statements.
Anybody can start a savings or investment plan, but it takes character and utmost discipline to maintain it.
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Abstinence from haram stuffs
Similarly, when running a business or making money through investments, we have to ensure that it is Halal.
It is shariah compliant. Free from Riba. Maysir. And Gharar.
On the day of judgement, five basic queries that will be made to every being as per the following Saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
“The son of Adam will not pass away from Allah until he is asked about five things: how he lived his life, and how he utilized his youth, with what means did he earn his wealth, how did he spend his wealth, and what did he do with his knowledge.” (Tirmidhi)
Thus when a lot of people meet me, they realised I am a financial consultant that is different compared to majority of the other financial consultants in Singapore.
I have a different set of philosophies and principles .
When others advice their clients to take as much loans as possible as a form of leverage (as long as fulfil DSR), I advice my clients not to take interest bearing loans. Even if the interest rate is super low. It is because interest is riba. If you have it, clear it asap.
When others advice their clients on financial instruments that involved maysir and gharar, I advice my clients against that. No short selling of stocks. No speculative financial instruments.
And I advice my clients on how they can scrutinise their portfolio of investments via various shariah compliant screening methodologies like Dow Jones Islamic Markets, Securities Commission Malaysia etc2.
This is important because at the end of the day, we not only want to make money. We want the baraqah and Allah’s blessing together with it.
Amin. Insya’Allah.
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Night Of Destiny
A Malay proverb says, “Kita hanya merancang, tuhan menentukan”.
I always share with my clients. In life, we can only plan.
Allah S.W.T. is the Master of Destiny.
As we are approaching the last 10 nights of Ramadan, we Muslims believe there is this one night known as Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr).
On this special night the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant, sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and that the annual decree is revealed to the angels who also descend to earth.
Make Tahajud prayers. Make Hajat prayers.
And when making doa to Allah S.W.T., I share with my clients, family and friends.
Dont make doa like,
“Ya Allah. Make me rich. Give me long life…. and the list continues”
Add these words. “Ya Allah. If this is good for me, good for my parents, good for my religion, grant me (what you wish)”
Put your trust in Allah S.W.T.
Biiznillah your doa will be maqbul. And if not, Allah S.W.T will replace with something better.
Insya’Allah. 🙂
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From a spiritual level, the Night Of Destiny is extremely powerful.
From the Imam of Makkah, he said for the last 10 nights of Ramadan,
1) If you donate $1 every night, and it falls under the night of destiny, it means as if you have donated every day for 84 years.
2) 2 rakaat of prayers every night, and it falls under the night of destiny, it means we pray every day for 84 years.
3) Read Surah Al-Ikhlas 3 times per night, and it falls under the night of destiny, it means we have read the entire Al-Quran everyday for 84 years.
(Translated from Ustazah Siti Nor Bahyah Mahamood facebook’s sharing, 18th June)
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So that sums up my R.A.M.A.D.A.N formula.
And how you can learn the good principles of this beautiful month and apply it when managing your personal finance, the shariah compliant way in Singapore.
May Allah S.W.T accept our ibadah and good deeds that we performed in Ramadan. Insya’Allah! 🙂
p.s. By the way, if you wish to discover a simple & halal way to create a positive monthly cashflow and calculate your net worth for FREE, then pleaseclick here…
One of my personal goals for year 2017 is to hit my first MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), the shariah compliant way.
By reaching out to Muslim families in Singapore who like to plan their finance, the halal way. The shariah compliant way.
That is my personal goal. To achieve your own personal goals, you need strategies.
Here are 3 important questions you have to ask yourself first to uncover proven, confirm to work strategies that can help you achieve your goals.
1) What new knowledge/skills do you need?
2) Who can help you achieve your goals?
3) How do you achieve your goals faster?
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1. WHAT new knowledge/skills do you need?
There is a saying, “INSANITY is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Which means you cannot just rely on whatever knowledge and skills you have now.
Life is a constant learning journey: the arrogant is he who thinks he knows or has everything he needs to succeed.
Once you start to seriously move towards your goals, you’ll realize you’ll need new knowledge or skill.
Sit down for a moment and really think through this question.
What new knowledge/skills do you need? 🙂
Personally for me to achieve my MDRT, these are the new knowledge and skills that I need.
I need to acquire knowledge on how to attract qualified leads. It can be online or offline strategies.
I need to upgrade my knowledge on Islamic Finance. Sure, I took an Islamic Finance module during my degree
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And Islamic Finance Certification with Australia Centre For Islamic Finance few years back.
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. . It is time to refresh and upgrade myself with a new Islamic Finance certification for year 2017! The industry is changing rapidly, and getting an additional certification will bolster my knowledge and effort to advice my clients better.
2. WHO can help you achieve your goals?
There’s a famous saying: No man is an island.
We cannot possibly do things on our own.
Our knowledge, skill and understanding of the world is limited. We will need help. With the example of saving up, who do you think can best help you achieve your goals?
Maybe you can approach a financial planner (or me! hehehe).
And together we work out the best plan to to achieve your goal. 🙂
Or perhaps your spouse can help keep you accountable. If you know you can’t be disciplined to save, then she can be the ‘unofficial’ banker.
This might mean going to her every month and asking her to help hold on to the money you plan to save.
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For me personally, to achieve my MDRT, I look for qualified people that can help me achieve my goals too. I surround myself with these people.
– This year itself, I have signed up for Ethica’s Certified Islamic Finance Executive™ (CIFE™) course.
Ethica’s Certified Islamic Finance Executive™ (CIFE™) is a globally recognized certificate accredited by scholars to fully comply with AAOIFI, the world’s leading Islamic finance standard.
Till date, I do not know of any practicing financial planner in Singapore who are trained AAOIFI compliant certifications. AAOIFI compliant is the de facto standard in over 90% of the world’s jurisdictions. Let me be the FIRST amongst the 20,000 financial planners in Singapore! Insya’Allah… 🙂
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– I have also signed up, for an online marketing 2 days practical workshop, where I will learn more on facebook marketing. Many of you today, my blog readers are already my clients.
You get to know me over the internet after reading my blog posts or viewing my youtube videos.
Insya’Allah, I will find qualified people to help me, in my mission to spread the goodness of Islamic Finance to our fellow Singaporeans.
Let us make every single step to find rezeki in the world, an ibadah. May our efforts benefit us in this world, and hereafter. Insya’Allah…
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– Next week, I am meeting my lawyers to discuss further on trademarks, that I will register for my signature programs, “Unlock Your Money” session and “Your Financial M.A.P.” session.
I first learnt about trademarks and copyrights, when I was a full time student in Ngee Ann Polytechnic many years back.
I took Business Law as one of the modules, while undertaking Diploma In Accountancy.
Little did I know, many years later, I would be liaising with lawyers to register my own personal trademarks. Exciting!!! 🙂
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– I have also reached out to my Arab teacher in Egypt, where I will continue back learning Arabic Language via Skype with him every Monday, after Subuh prayers.
In my opinion, the best time time to learn or memorise something, is before you sleep, and after you wake up.
Learning Arabic Language has been very tough for me.
It is no easy feat. :/
Pray for me that I will istiqamah in my journey to learn how to read, understand and speak Arabic Language with confidence. Insya’Allah! 🙂
3. HOW do you achieve your goals faster?
Alright, you’re almost ready to make your goals come true.
So the 3rd question you should ask yourself is how do you achieve your goals faster?
I like to add some buffer, whenever I set my goals.
So even though, I target to achieve MDRT for year 2017….. I shall target to achieve my MDRT by 31st October 2017, which happens to be my birthday! 🙂
But how? Easier said than done! 🙂
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I remembered, one of the quotes of wisdom, by a Singaporean entrepreneur, Sant Qiu, “Whatever you can do, you can do it bigger, better, faster…… with the right team. So assemble the right team as early as you can and achieve bigger, better results faster.”
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You might have heard about Robo Advisor.
I am in the process of creating my own personal shariah compliant Robo Advisor.
I will also be engaging para planners.
They will work hand in hand with me to assist me in developing comprehensive, powerful shariah compliant financial planning strategies for my clients in Singapore.
My team will comprise of robots and humans.
We will alter the history of the financial planning industry in Singapore, the way financial planners run our financial practice in Singapore.
By introducing my personal, revolutionary financial planning practice hybrid model- that combines the best of high-tech and high-touch.
It never happen before, and change is inevitable.
In fact, the process has already begun. You might have heard about Takaful.sg
That is one of my fintech intiatives, which is already “live” in Singapore.
Many, many, more exciting things to come! 🙂
So, there I cover 3 important questions you have to ask yourself first to uncover proven, confirm to work strategies that can help you achieve your goals.
1) What new knowledge/skills do you need?
2) Who can help you achieve your goals?
3) How do you achieve your goals faster?
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If you like to receive undivided attention from me as a financial planner, to help you plan your finance the shariah compliant way in Singapore, you can schedule an appointment with me here. Or just whatsapp/SMS me direct at 96520134.
Because of my busy schedule, I can only accommodate additional 5 slots every week, so do click the link, and schedule an appointment with me now.
A certified financial consultant, Helmi Hakim has won praise for his patience, perseverance and practicality when solving his clients’ financial concerns. For more information on how you can manage your finances better, contact Helmi Hakim at 96520134.
