Life Plan Project

“The best of mankind are those who benefit others the most.”
~ Prophet Muhammad

Abrar Ahmed
April 2011
Professor Janet Kraus, Harvard Business School
 Agenda
1. Self Assessment

2. Direction Setting

3. Short and Long Term Planning

4. Plan Tracking
1. Self Assessment
 My Core Values

• Happiness

• Spirituality/Faith

• Generosity

• Family
Who Am I? – A Personal Reflection

Context • Born in India, raised in different parts of the world.

• Been in United States for 11 years.
• Finished my undergraduate studies at UCLA in Religious Studies.
• Currently pursing Master’s degree in Divinity with a focus on administration and
program development at Harvard Divinity School (HDS).
• Oldest of three brothers and one sister.
• Married with a new born son.
• Working with a faith-based TV organization since 2002 with travel all across the globe;
part of my field-education through HDS.
• Worked in Hong Kong over the summer 2010.
• Multilingual in several languages, namely: English, Urdu, Hindi, Kannada, Arabic, and
Spanish.

Capabilities • Loyal – Dedicated to work and family without any monetary or personal benefits
• Mentorship – As the oldest of the family, I have developed skill set to mentor and
counsel people.
• Leadership – Able to lead and guide others towards their a common goal.
• Empathy – Able to relate and understand other.
• Humble – Not looking for fame or opulent lifestyle
• Helpful – Always looking to benefit others
 Who Am I? A Personal Reflection

Development Needs • Attention – I easily get distracted, and lack strong concentration.
• Quick Judgment – I tend to make judgments very quickly without
giving thought
• Hasty decisions – I make decisions without accounting all the input.
• Commitments – Take a lot into my plate making it hard to keep up
with commitments.
• Time Management – I tend to loose track of time sometimes missing
deadlines
Personality • Risk Taker – Willing to take risks to receive big outputs
• Jovial – Love to have fun and make jokes—create an informal setting
• Extravert – Love to talk and be in settings with plenty conversations
• Social – Hang out with friends, and value enjoyment in congregation
• Energetic – Love to play sport and go out in nature
Emotions • Curious – Always willing to find an answer
• Persistent – I never like to give-up and do everything possible to make
things work.
• Guilt – Feeling of sadness and depression after a wrong is done.
 One Wild and Precious
Life
Plan with One Wild and Precious Life? - Use it for the benefit of others: Favorite
definition of success.

“The best of mankind are those who benefit others” – Prophet Muhammad
 
All my life I have pursued the gratification of money; however, once found it left
nothing more than further anxiety and worry.
I realized this perusal was usually at the expense of others: their sacrifices, their hard
work, their expenses; in the end, I reaped their rewards. I realized there was no
gratification or happiness in just having money.
Sure, it’s a means of quick entertainment, or the pleasure of experiencing expensive
endeavors; however, it passes, and once it does, we always want more. Kind of like a
movie-marathon until our eyes hurt.
 
Living a life to benefit others is a “high” that even the most intense drugs can’t give.
Knowing a hungry person filled his stomach because of you; a thirsty and dry tongue
now wet and well-nourished because you provided water. Given the privileged
standing I have, this is the gratification I plan to pursue with my wild life.
Self-Assessment Responses
Responses • Wife - Married over a year, Student at HES, Visionary,
Who Am I? involved with philanthropy
What do I have?
What am I capable of?
• Director of GuideUS Satellite TV
What are my • HDS Field-education Supervisor
Strengths and
Weakness? • Father-in-law –Industrialist and Entrepreneur in India
• Harvard University Colleague and friend
Strengths Weaknesses
• Easily Distracted
• Loyal
• Take too many things on my plate
• Kind and compassionate
• Can’t say ‘no’ easily
• Always looking at the good of others.
• Compromise short-term goals over long-term
• Generous and helpful
ones
• Sincerity with work, not looking for short-
• Unorganized many times
cuts • Need to be more articulate with executing
• Easy going, and able to rely on
projects.

Development Opportunities
• Develop skills in adapting to new technologies, and innovating management and administrative
skills
Be more progressive in issues, especially those that require projects for “traditional” faith-based
communities.
•Work on the ability and skills I have, rather than something I don’t.
•to structure and push off work.
• Continue to work with things I enjoy rather than take up projects with little interests.
Myer Briggs Results
Myer Briggs Results
Myer Briggs Results
 Myer Briggs Results -
Analysis
• It comes as no surprise the ESFP personality type explains my social
nature. In fact, much of my work—both with GuideUs TV and
MasjidTime—involves absolutely no individual work.
• I suppose a problem with such a personality type is that I may not
concretely focus on long-term plans as I do for short-term; in reality, a
personality such as mine is flickering, and changes rapidly over course –
a common complaint of my spouse and peers.
• Such a personality also ensures a lot of personal consultation before
making decisions; hence, the need for good peer support. As I reflect on
such a course, I see myself in the company of those who share similar
values and vision.
• I’m not sure about the entire accuracy of these results as I often tend to
do a lot more “thinking” than “feeling” about making a decision.
Perhaps, it may be so that only few of my answers led towards the
feeling side. I do, however, tend to reflect a lot on my thoughts with
other people’s reaction and feelings.
 Notes and Quotes from
Class/Cases Relating to Self-
Assessment
• Bill Gate says, “A leader can’t rest on its laurels because there’s always a
competitor coming up from behind.” In other words, we should not get too
comfy when we see business and financial success.

• Happiness is not incumbent on financial success, rather a process of

satisfied balance between work, family, self, and community.
• Life will always never result in the way we plan it. Planning, however,
helps us (from what I have developed from the course so far) identify the
direction we want to take in life and the reason for it.
• We don’t have control over our destiny as much as like to think we do;
however, the key lesson is how we desire our outcome to be, and how we
envision such an enterprise.

• Citizen Kane - Individual perception is an important tool in assessing what

is worth something. In the eyes of Mr. Foster, what was worth something is
seen as worthless, and what is worth a fortune becomes worthless.
 Role Model Interviews
Interviews: • Wife, philanthropist, student at HES
• HDS Field-ed supervisor, Director of the Islam 101 program
• Father-in-law, Entrepreneur and Indian industrialist, Coffee Exporting
Company

• “True success is getting up after on falls and not giving up”

• Balance family, and give this institute the most time and effort
Output: • Knowledge is power, never give up learning.
• Be sure to manage time properly.
• Don’t be sensitive to any issues.
•Keep up with commitments and honor contracts.
•Get more organized, and develop stronger time management skills

Key Lessons Continue

• I am a visionary, but need to set
• Never over look the power of
Conclusions: realistic goals – especially with
spirituality – a key ingredient to
time management and
happiness and peace of mind.
commitments.
• Make choices that are balanced.
• Get a comprehensive view of
• Lead a moderate lifestyle
success
• Don’t be too extravagant or stringent
• Keep family in mind when
with money.
making career choices.
• Always look for needs over wants
Defining Success
• Enjoy the journey, not the destination.
Happiness
• Always benefit others!

• Turn ideas to reality by consistently updating and executing

Achievemen them.
t • Measure goals (both long and short)with family and friends.
•Pick goals that are easy to achieve and don’t stress, esp. the family.

• F3 - Faith, family and friends – an integral factor for success.

• Every small act of good deed counts.
Significance •Don’t think anybody doesn’t deserves my time or resources.
Help in every way possible.

• Never forget those who helped you.

•Give back to the community, family, and others who were
Legacy integral in your achievements. Even for the smallest advices.
• Leave something behind that will continue to benefit others.
 What does all this mean?
 The only success I really enjoy is that of someone benefitting because of me.

 I realized I have skills and values that I never saw before in myself. This has
given me a new outlook to pursue careers and pathways that can further
help the projects and people I am involved with.
 I realize how many friends and family are out to share a similar outlook I
have, and how this has built a network to contribute to the values that are
important to me.
 I’m really privileged to blessed amongst millions of people by just having
some of the core values mentioned.
 There were many pursuit I had that really didn’t make me happy, and now
a reassessment of myself, my life, and those things that are important to me
has given an improved and polished direction in life.
2. Direction Setting
Direction Setting: An Informed Future

• Life Mission:
• Be a source of benefit to everyone around me with the
education and opportunities I am privileged to have.
• Be a good son, father, husband, brother, and friend.
• Utilize my talents to innovate, and leave a legacy of
ongoing charity.

• Role of Entrepreneurship:
• I have already initiated a company, MasjidTime Inc, and
the role and skills in entrepreneurship will be integral in its
success.
• Entrepreneurship will allow me to manage my own time,
and run my own affairs, sometimes even outside the
“system.”
 Direction Setting: An Informed Future

•Scenario Planning:
• Based on my current standing, I am presented with four scenarios in
terms of work and family, and my balance between core values – two
with an Entrepreneurship track .

1. Entrepreneurship Track (Scenario 1 & 2):

1. (Scenario 1) Finish Harvard Divinity School in two years, while

at the same time work on the MasjidTime (MT) project by
expanding the network within Muslim communities; also,
continue to work with Guide Us TV.

2. (Scenario 2) Apply to Harvard Business School (whether MT

project succeed or not) to further my entrepreneurial and
management skills, and work with my current HDS field-
education job, Guide Us TV.
 Direction Setting: An Informed Future

II. General Management Track (Scenario 3 & 4):

1. (Scenario 3) Work full-time with Guide Us TV after graduation.

2. (Scenario 4) Accept a Mdiv. degree level job either in the United

Sates, or overseas.

• If the United States – I primarily intend to work on youth

and outreach program.

• If Overseas – I intend to work with education and language

teaching programs.
Net-Worth Comparisons of
Entrepreneurship Scenarios

MasjidTime
MasjidTime + HBS
+ HBS Model
MasjidTime Model Model
Entrepreneur Scenario
Entrepreneur Scenario Entrepreneur Scenario
~24.8M
~ 24.8M ~ 42.4M
 Net-Worth Comparisons of
GM Track Scenarios

MasjidTime Model
Entrepreneur Scenario
~HDS
24.8Mdegree Overseas Guide Us TV
GM Track GM Track
~ 12.6M ~6.7M
Scenario 1- Entrepreneurship
Track
Masjid Time Project
Major Assumptions

• I don’t expect the initial life-style to be

frugal despite the Entrepreneurship
track.
• This is because more of the financial
and travel resources will be provided
by Guide Us TV to promote MT with
the local Muslim community.
• Hence, with the wagon of GUS TV,
expansion of MT will be eminent
without much personal investment.
• Further, any major expenses used for
the Masjid Time Project should not hurt
my pay from Guide Us TV.
• However, there may be at least two big
investments on my part, both within
the first five year. This will cover the
major overhead expense of consulting
and company management, and should
not exceed $75,000.
• An ideal Win-Win situation
Scenario 2- Entrepreneurship Track
HBS with MasjidTime and GUS TV

Major Assumptions

• Similar to scenario 1, except income is

higher due to HBS education.
• Another factor is the expenses during
my time at HBS such as tuition and
fees, and also lack of strong income
during my two years at HBS.
• The two big investments on my part,
will now fall behind by two
additional years; perhaps, increasing
the overhead cots of consulting and
company management, and this time
may reach $100,000.
• The sale of MT will still be estimated
at the same amount of $9M.
 Scenario 3 - GM Track
Full Time Work with Guide Us TV

Major Assumptions

• This scenario does not include the

entrepreneurial pursuit of Masjid
Time and simply reflects full-time
work with Guide Us TV.
• There is an assumption of inheritance
worth $50,000 from father’s property
investments in India.
• As stated with previous scenarios,
GUS TV will cover major living
expenses in addition to the yearly
income.
• With major expenses such as rent (or
owning a home), son’s education, and
transportation taken care of, I
presume to have enough monetary
funding for an above-average
lifestyle.
 Scenario 4 – GM Track
HDS Mdiv. Degree Related Work - Overseas

Major Assumptions

• This scenario is designed for the slim

change I don’t work with GUS TV,
and accepting regular Mdiv. Degree
related job – quite likely overseas.
• In this regard, the income is much
higher; however, so are the expenses
not covered by GUS TV.
• This scenario also suggests an
investment income not show with
previous GUS TV model, as an
alternate to cover major living
expenses after 65.
• It may be that I return to the United
States to settle, and take another
similar job with similar income.
• $50,000 inheritance at the age of 40 is
still assumed which may be put
towards a charity project.
All Scenarios, One Expense
 Net-Worth Comparison
Analysis
All entrepreneurial scenarios certainly have a bench mark of
at least 20M or higher. With an HBS education, the amount
doubles. Either way, my standard of living is medium, and
should have plenty of cash for charities I care.
Without a doubt the GM track is more stable; however,
yields less than half the entrepreneurial amount.
Nevertheless, with an inheritance, and most of the basic
expenses taken care of by Guide Us TV, the standard of
living is the same as the entrepreneurial track.
Regardless of income, expenses and lifestyle are the same –
mostly with a budget and medium living.
 Core Values – Success -
Directions
Relationship
Definition Which Direction
Core of Life adjusts
of Success
Value best?
•sHappiness • Enjoying the journey rather •(Four Scenarios)
1. Masjid Time
than destination Project (Entrepreneur
• Spiritualit Track) *
y/Faith • Achievement
• 2. HBS with MT and
• Generosit • Significance Guide Us Tv
y (Entrepreneur Track)
• Legacy
• Family • 3. Full Time work with
Guide Us Tv (GM
track)

• 4. HDS degree Job

(GM track)
*Scenario 1 fits the best: The Masjid Time Project fulfills all my core
values, which in turn fulfills my definition of success.
 Core Vision of Masjid Time, Inc

• A web and mobile application service to centralize the five daily prayer timings
in mosques all across the United Sates and Canada.
• A new venue to advertise the Mosques and its services on a personal platform.
• A service of collecting donations for the Mosques directly from the internet and
mobile from across the world.
• A GPS linked locator to the Mosques around the world, from where ever the
person is.
• A gadget in every single mosque that links to the mobile apps, for readied and
immediate prayer timings and other announcements.
• A ticker in Muslim channels showing the prayer timings of local communities.
• Provide several other resources that revolve around charity, community, and
faith.
3. Short and Long Term Goals
Primary Short Term Goals – According to the Primary Scenario,
number 1
(5 year plan)

• Launch Masjid Time Project with the co-founding

team.
Work • Keep it running for 4 to 5 years.
• Do advertisement for the company.
• Apply to HBS after graduating HDS in 2 years.
• Maintain family values.
• Eat out once a week, vacation every winter.
Family • Spend at least an hour with my son everyday
• Financial stability – pay of wife and my loans

• Maintain a daily routine of exercising.

Self • Join a basketball league
• Finish memorizing the Quran.

• Create a charity web application.

Community • Volunteer once a month with a youth initiated
community project.
 Primary Long Term Goals
(6 - 26 years)
• Sell most shares of MT project.
• Expand Guide Us T.V. Satellite Channel to Cable Network.
Work • Become a producer for several shows on Guide Us. T.V. channel.
• Produce a full-length documentary
• Set up Fundraisers in different cities for the ongoing channel.

• Take quarterly vacation.

Ensure kids are well educated.
Family
•
• Maintain family time every week.
• Perform Pilgrimage to Makkah.

• Active member in the community.

• Pursue higher theological education.
Self • Expand network of friends and keep in touch with the
Harvard University Alumni.

• Go out on a faith based retreat.

• Continue volunteer work with youth initiated community
Community projects.
• Join BOD for at least one charitable organization.
 Short-term Strategies
Goals
Launch Masjid Time Project with the co-
founding team.
Financial stability – pay off wife and my
loans
Maintain a daily routine of exercising.
Finish memorizing the Quran.
Volunteer once a month with a youth
initiated community project.
Strategies and Reasons
The Masjid Time Project has been a work in progress for nearly five years
now, but never had a chance to officially launch. I want to take the
opportunity of a school setting to sail this boat where risks are low, and I
have more free time on hand. Plus, I am lucky to have many other friends
with also free time to see this dream become a reality.
As I am looking into more scholarships and part-time pay with Guide Us
TV, I intend to pay off my wife’s and my loans over the course of the next
three years. Luckily for us, our loans are very minimal ($6600), and should
not adversely affect our lifestyle.
With a full time school and post-graduate work schedule, one can easily
loose track of health. I hope to consistently look into daily exercising,
especially playing basketball.
This is another on-going dream project. While I have only partially
memorized the holy text, I intend to finish it off in a 4-5 year phase. One
critical task is to find a set time everyday to overcome this great task.
I am greatly involved with the youth of our local community; however,
with many obligations, I am slowly moving away from this hobby. I intend
to come back, and this time make it more easy for myself by meeting with
the youth just once a month.
 Short-term Strategies (cont…)
Goals
Spend at least an hour with my son
everyday
Create a charity web application.
Start reading a book
Strategies and Reasons
Take out time after school, at least an hour from my busy schedule. Going on
family trips during the weekend is another strategy. It is important to ensure
I spend enough time with him, to watch him grow, to nurture him with good
values and family morals.
Create a web application– especially that involving around the basis of
charity– to make it easier for people to donate. This can be accomplished as
an activity on the side, meeting up with contacts and talking with them to
arrange this in order to develop this app would be a major strategy. The
application should aim to simplify donating money, with the click of a
button, this can be achieved.
Begin reading a book; those bookshelves have become to look rather dusty.
Pick up a book which will help cool off my mind to escape from scholastic
readings. A new book a month to start off would be helpful. Forming a book
club within my friends circle would be a good notion as I enjoy group
discussions.
Short-term Strategies (cont…)
Goal Strategies and Reasons

Having done this over one weekend, the experience has made me realize
volunteering for a youth initiated community project makes me feel
Volunteer once a month with a youth
accomplished. Being able to make a difference in the life of a child satisfies
initiated community project.
me, promotes the community’s welfare on the whole, and goes back to the
theme of generosity.

Working for this T.V. network has given me much experience in the
Continue working with Guide Us T.V. on a management of such foundations. Continuing to work on a part-time basis
part-time basis would broaden my experiences and approaches towards my main other
goals at a much larger scale.

After incorporating my above short-term goals, graduate HDS in two years

and soon apply to HBS. In two years, my life will have come to a term set
Apply to HBS after graduating HDS in 2
around the realizations through this project. It will help promote a way of
years.
life revolving around goals which, with the support of peers, family, and
colleagues, will eventually help achieve graduating HBS.
 Long-Term Strategies
Goal Strategies and Reasons
Always wanted to put a hat of a producer. As I am well acquainted with
Become a producer for several shows on
the T.V. network and have made many contacts, it would be a dream
Guide US T.V. channel.
come true to actually begin producing multiple shows for the channel.
Uplift the channel from Satellite to Cable Network. Do so within the
course of the growing channel, be it through acquiring funds or getting
Expand Guide US T.V. Satellite Channel
the word out. It would help promote the general welfare, reinstall the
to Cable Network
Muslim identity, and be an informative means of source for people of all
ages.
Do so by taking quarter yearly family vacations, ensure weekends are a
means of getting together, engaging in group activities. Keep in touch
Maintain a close-knitted family
with family members out of state and abroad. Always make sure I have
relationship
time for wife and son, to insure he is educated well with no
compromises.
Another goal which requires me to wear the hat of a producer once
more. A dream which has always been a part of my life– from childhood
Produce a full-length documentary
to now. It would be a delight to know my work has changed the lives of
thousands, whether it is to make a generalization or to be of some help.
Again, the satisfaction of being able to make a difference while reaching
Set up fundraisers in different cities for out to all persons is immeasurable. Setting up fundraisers for the Guide
the ongoing channel US T.V. channel would most definitely be a way I can reimburse to the
community.
 Long-Term Strategies (cont)
Goal
Pursue higher theological education
Continue volunteer work with youth
initiated community projects
Expand network of friends and keep in
touch with the Harvard University
Alumni
Join BOD for at least one charitable
organization
Ensure kids are well educated
Strategies and Reasons
Travel out of country (Medina) to pursue higher education in the way of
theological studies. This would shape my personality as a person, deepen
my understanding of the world, and most definitely help me gain a closer
relationship with God.
As it is a passion of mine, continuing in the way of working with youth
initiated community projects can help in further helping promote the
public good at a larger basis.
Keep in touch with Harvard University Alumni, UCLA Alumni, and
expand network of friends through the many mediums including: the
T.V. channel network and people I meet along through the years.
Join the Board Of Directors. Using my educational skills, expand in the
way of a charitable organization to get involved in addressing issues at a
large scale.
Send son to a reputable college such as Harvard College; manage him in
the line of good education.
 Pyramid of Priorities
Least
Important
S Reasons

e • Faith and spirituality helps

lf keep mind and body
content – hence, choosing to
Work revolve core values around
faith-based work.
• While faith feeds peace into
Family family, a content family
helps with productivity at
work.
• Happiness in all of these
Faith/Spirituality values gives power to self
and total contentment.
Most
Important
4. Plan Tracking
 Tracking my Performance
How Will I Measure My •
Talk over plan with my wife, Afshan, over an informal dinner annually. (Similar to what
Performance? Padraig O'Ceidigh does with his wife)
•
Also similar to Padraig, do a quarterly review of where I stand, especially with Masjid Time,
but also family, self, and community.
•
Meet with friends and faith-based community members to help assess my progress.
•
Also, consistent review from family members, especially those in the business world.

How will I adjust? •

Use the help of the network team I used to initiate project.
•
Review key goals with family and friends.
•
Go on retreat tours to step back from routine of life.

How will I challenge

•
Constantly test and verify my ideas and goals with a variety of folks – including, family,
my assumptions? friends, and professionals. Ask how I can go wrong, and which core values I will compromise.
•
Things change over time. Models today won't work tomorrow. Keep reassessing my
business and life models for every year and get a broad perspective on them, including all
the way from grandparents to kids - despite my reservations.

•
Spend enough time with each of the value important to me; if I find myself spending too
How will I achieve much time with one group, request the other to point that out.
holistic balance? •
Don't spend time on the small stuff – don't sweat the small things.
•
Don't engage in unnecessary and wasteful endeavors, such as eating out too much, lavish
spending, and staying up late.
 Key People to Rely On for
Keeping Track
•
To lead a productive life, I chose the following people to check my mistakes
and misgivings, and won't be shy to point them out.
•
The following folks will also be my well wishers linking my four core values—
faith, family, generosity, happiness—to the progress of my life plan.

Personal Advisors Professional Advisors

Wife Anjum Afshan Director of GuideUS Yusuf Estes

TV
Brother Irfan Ahmed
Managing Director of Mutahhir
GuideUS TV Sabree
Harvard Peer Mudi
Youth Coordinator, St. Yusha Evans
Good Friend Naqib Shifa Paul, Minneapolis
Masjid
 Plan Tracking
• Reflect over core values and look back to track any changes
developed over time.
• If changes are apparent, identify or change existing goals to improve myself.

• Keep a back-up plan for when my I’m not able to be

consistent with my goals.
• Ensure money is saved for when an emergency arises
• Keep a budget, overspending should be avoided.
• Have time, support, and contacts ready as to deal with ongoing changes in
life.

• Recognize my wife's goals and mine will change in time.

• Keep priorities straight as a family
• Make sure we discuss each other's goals,
• Willing to make adjustments for each other.
 Sum it all up…

This project has given an insight into a new outlook on life, and those
things that are important to us. As I reflect on concluding this massive
project, it is reassuring to see how satisfied, happy, and grateful I am to be
of such a privileged standing compared to those individuals around the
world. It doesn’t go by saying except reechoing the theme of this project:
benefiting others – whether it be family, friends, collogues, or even those I
don’t know. It is important to note, by helping others, I in fact, am
benefiting myself to a better life and peace of mind in the competitive and
unruly world.
It is no surprise that such an endeavor has led me back to the
importance and recognition of my core values in life; this project has
helped reaffirm my faith in them. Whatever my future holds, I am
confidant it will enable me to lead a better life than before.

Peace ~ for all who seek true guidance.