I caught a snippet from an interview conducted recently with Jack Layton – he’s a Canadian political leader, head of the NDP – the New Democratic Party. I haven’t gone all political on you (although a girl can have varied interests, yes?), but for background information, the NDP is sort of the 3rd string party that doesn’t really wield much power.
In the interview, he was talking about the accomplishments of his party over the years and how they’d made some major strides and breakthroughs in the realm of getting political power. the interviewer then said to Jack Layton “you’re not ever expecting to be the prime minister of Canada, are you?”
Mr. Layton admitted honestly that no, he didn’t expect it to happen in his lifetime, but he had some work to do to finish his goals which were to explicitly build the foundation for those who would come after him. He said that he imagined that one of his successors would lead the NDP to be the ruling party in Canada.
I mention this now as an example for the value of time perspective. And what is time perspective? It’s based on the work of Dr. Banfield of Harvard University in the 1950′s and 60′s which maintains that the most successful people in any society are those who take the longest time period into consideration when making their day-to-day decisions. They are the ones who plant trees under which they will never sit. Like Mr. Layton, who may never be the Prime Minister of Canada, but who is working hard to plant the tree so that one of his successors might.
People with short time perspectives are those that focus on immediate gratification – that don’t look at the big picture and are just concerned about the now. Their self-discipline is low and when it gets really bad – they don’t see purpose in their lives and actions.
For the aspiring queen of Sheba, living in the moment and enjoying the moment is so important – but when it comes to the future for herself, for her family and for her society, having a long time perspective is such a blessed thing.
Her ability to practice self-mastery, self-control, and to sacrifice in the short term so she can enjoy greater rewards in the long term, is the starting point of developing a long time perspective. It’s an attitude that is so important to achievement of any kind.
It’s like the doctors who spend so long getting their degrees – we appreciate their work and effort and the idea that they have paid the price in years and grit and determination – and it’s a noble thing and as Allah SWT, the creator of all, and all time perspective says,
“…and whoever saves a life (from death), it is as if he had saved mankind as a whole…” (Surah Al-Maidah, verse 32)
Here’s an exercise to help you start thinking in terms of long time perspectives in every area of your life, your family and your health. Think of where you would ideally like to be in five years and begin today to take steps in that direction. Work backwards and always keep your eye on the tree even if you may never sit under it. May Allah SWT put much barakah in your time and all that you do 
thank you for making us think sister – I’m enjoying reading past articles too – and will be buying the book right now.
JazakAllahu Khayraan for the kind words
Hope you find great benefit in the book too.
salaam my lovely sister Heba.hope you are well, just wanted to say I listened to your webinar on mama loves me and mashallah it was VERY inspirational. I’m so ultra happy that we have a sister like you in our ummah to give advice and a direction to women who feel lost and weak in the trials and challenges in life, and even more good is the fact you put every advice in the light of Islam.
I made loads of notes in my book and inshallah will go back and read and inshallah when i feel ready to implement it into my life as I’m in need of it so much right now. I’m a mother and I work and I am studying for a degree too , so it really touched home everything you said. mashallah keep up the good work and you are always in my duas.
salaams from UK , Amber x
Excellent post Heba. It’s time I planted some seeds of my own.
Hmmm…an excellent article…Heba….i loved it…it gave me a sense of hope that all efforts especially the struggle with daily self-discipline to reap future…sometimes a wayyy distant future… benefit is not in vain…alghamdulilah. Take lotsa care. hugs n kisses