One Idea: A Powerful 4-Step Method To Finally Start Being Consistent With Your Plans

Why is it that whenever you start a plan with others—whether it's Muraaja'ah with a friend or reading to the the kids, it just never lasts? | January 16, 2025| #13|

I. The Idea

Has this ever happened to you before? You agree with a friend to revise together every day. Day one, it works. Day two, it works. Day three, it works. But two months later, you can’t explain why— the whole Muraaja'ah arrangement just no longer exists.

Why is it that whenever you start a plan with others—whether it's Muraaja'ah with a friend, studying with the kids, or reading with your wife—it often doesn't last? One thing leads to another, and before you know it, the plans have completely stopped!

Well, there’s a special principle that can help you stick consistently to the plans you make with others. It's called the F-F-F-T (and no, you won’t find it anywhere else).

F-F-F-T stands for Fix-Few-Flexible-Target, and here’s how it works to keep your plans on track:

1. Fix:

Whenever you plan with others—whether it’s your kids, spouse, or a friend—ensure you fix a specific time for it. Leaving your plans disconnected from time is one of the biggest reasons they fail.

So, planning to read to your child daily? FIX A TIME! A vague plan like "I'll do it sometime today" often ends in not doing it at all.

2. Few:

The "Few" principle applies when you're too busy, tired, or distracted to complete the full plan. Instead of skipping entirely, do a few—a few pages, a few minutes, a few lines.

If your plan is to read to your child for 30 minutes, and you're exhausted, read for just 2 minutes—yes, that ridiculously little!

Why? Because those 2 minutes reinforce the mindset that this is so important, I can’t afford to miss it.

3. Flexible:

Sometimes, even doing "a few" isn't possible. That's where flexibility comes in.

If you're too occupied at 5 pm to read with your child, shift the time. Do it at 8 pm instead.

If your friend can’t meet in person for Muraaja'ah, do it virtually.

Flexibility means adapting the plan to the situation instead of abandoning it.

4. Target:

A target keeps you accountable. It can be positive (a reward for consistency) or negative (a consequence for missing sessions).

For example, before starting a Muraaja'ah class with a friend, you both could agree:

• If we miss two classes in a month, we pay a fine.

• If we miss three classes, we stop altogether, as it means we're not taking it seriously.

Having a defined target makes every missed session weigh heavily on your mind, pushing you to avoid repeated slips.

II. Action Step

Imagine you and a friend agree to revise 20 pages of the Qur’an daily.

Step 1: Fix a time and place.

Now, after four days of consistency, your friend calls to say they have a meeting and can't make it.

Step 2: Propose doing just a few.

"How about we do just 5 pages? Just show up, and we can add the rest to tomorrow’s portion."

If they still can't, lower it further: "How about just two pages?"

Step 3: Be Flexible.

If they refuse, adjust the plan:

"What if we do it later tonight when you're back? Or virtually over a call?"

Step 4: Target.

If all else fails, remind them:

"That's one day missed. If we miss two more, the plan ends—or there will be a fine."

The F-F-F-T principle keeps your plans strong by making them realistic, adaptable, and accountable. Try it, with dua, and see how quickly it transforms your plans.