Question: How can I balance my job, family, and prayers without feeling overwhelmed or neglecting any of them? I really struggle with managing my time and energy!
Answer: Balancing job responsibilities, family commitments, and praying in good time, while managing your energy and stress levels, can indeed be challenging. I can sympathise with the feeling of being pulled in all directions at the same time. Below are some strategies based on the FLY Framework that can help you manage these aspects and insha’Allah help stem feeling overwhelmed:
Find: Start by assessing your current situation. What are your key responsibilities and priorities? How do your job, family, and acts of worship align with your values and long-term goals? Shining a light on prioritisation will develop your understanding, helping you create a clearer picture of what’s truly important and where you need to allocate your energy.
Love: Nurture a positive attitude towards the challenges of balancing these aspects. Practice gratitude by recognising the blessings each area brings into your life. This can change your emotional response from stress to appreciation, which is more sustainable and fulfilling. Remember you get to not you have to!
Yield: Implement practical steps to manage your time and responsibilities:
Create a structured schedule: Allocate specific times for work, family, and prayers. Ensure your prayer times are respected in your daily schedule, perhaps by setting reminders.
Prioritise tasks: Use the SPIRIT Sequence to manage daily activities. Break your day into scenes, identify key tasks, understand your emotional responses to them, and plan your actions accordingly.
Communicate effectively: Ensure that those around you are aware of your prayer schedule and important commitments. This can help in setting realistic expectations and receiving support when needed.
Seek support: Whether it’s from colleagues to manage workloads or from family members to share household responsibilities, remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly review what is working and what isn’t. Be prepared to adjust your strategies as required. If certain aspects of your job are too time-consuming, consider discussing this with your employer or exploring ways to work more efficiently.
Attachment to Allah: Maintain a strong connection to Allah this will provide you with the strength and patience needed to manage your responsibilities. Remember, your prayers are not just another task on your to-do list; they are a source of renewal and tranquillity, giving them more time will help you focus and feel this insha’Allah.
By applying these strategies, you can create a more balanced approach that manages your time and energy whilst achieving your goals.
