Salaam friends,

I'm easily distracted. I would start a task, like writing a story, and then find myself looking up how to spell a word and end up on YouTube. Sometimes, I would go on Instagram to reply to a message, but end up getting lost in meaningless Reels. This affects the quality of my work, whether it's an email or a story. So recently, I have started sitting down to write with my phone a few feet away from me. I also resist the temptation to look up synonyms for words in fear of never returning to the page. What I realized is that to complete tasks with quality, or what we call "Ihsan" in Arabic, I need to:

Schedule a specific time block on my calendar and hold myself accountable for showing up. For example, I have a recurring appointment on my calendar from 7am to 8am every day to write.  So when I remember the batteries I need to order, I don’t pick up my phone and go on Amazon. I’m there to write, so writing I will do!

During the scheduled time, I either write or do nothing. This means no social media, doodling, checking emails, or doing other tasks. In most cases, writing ends up being much more interesting than doing nothing.

What's more dangerous than procrastination is when procrastination disguises itself as productivity. This happens when you should be writing, but choose to work on something else that seems equally as important-- if not more. When we sit down to write, all the other tasks we need to do come rushing to the forefront of our minds. They nag at us, demanding to be done, pressuring us with all the possible "what-ifs" if we choose not to do them. Most of these tasks are indeed important, but they can wait for another hour. So when I'm faced with the decision to write or do something else, I ask myself, "What do I need to do now?"

The answer is almost always write, read, spend time with my daughter, or whatever I have committed to do during that period of time.

Writing is hard, and it's important to balance forgiveness and accountability.

Stay Creative!

MM

📖 Books I’m reading?

I’m reading 99 Nights in Logar: A Novel by Jamil Jan Kochai. Jamil is one of the most talented Muslim writers I know. His writing is unapologetic, moving, and elegant. It’s one of my long term goals to have him on the podcast.

🎧 What am I listening to?

I’m listening to Joe Rogan’s conversation with Naval Ravikant from three years ago. Their conversation revolved around the meaning of life, politics, happiness, and our innate desire for money.

🏗️ Project I’m working

I’m back working on my children’s book. I’m looking to finish the draft I’m working on in the next few weeks before I start submitting for publication.

💎 New From Me

A new Hazawi Podcast episode if out now. In this episode I speak to Zainab Iqbal about her experience as a Muslim journalist, and how she uses her words to tell stories that get overlooked by the mainstream media. Zainab is a powerful voice, who puts her Muslim Identity before every word she writes.

We spoke about the challenges she faces as a Muslim journalist, including Islamophobia and women's rights. We also spoke about representation, and how it is important for people to see themselves reflected in the media. Zainab is an inspiration to us all, and she is a reminder that words have the power to change the world.

Links: YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify

🔖 Quote I’m pondering

“What I love most about writing is competent matters more than credentials.”

— James Clear

📸 Through My Lens

Please give me feedback on the newsletter by replying to this email. What do you want more or less of? Or other suggestions?

Thank you for reading. Stay Creative!

Mohamed