Week 4: Tales for Tots 3.0

This was the final week (21 November 2025, Thursday), and I approached it without the expectation that things would become easier. If anything, I anticipated continued challenges. Still, I was unprepared for how demanding it would be. Instead of one assignment, we were given two.

The reason for having two assignments was clear: we were required to create two different videos using different Generative AI tools. For the first video, we used Gemini AI. For the second, we were required to use Grok together with CapCut.

To be honest, as of today [30 December 2025 (Tuesday)], I have yet to complete the second video. The first video alone was already challenging, but the second felt like an entirely different level of difficulty. The editing process in CapCut was far more intricate and time-consuming, and I found myself struggling to keep up with the technicalities.

Nevertheless, I remind myself that learning any new skill is much like learning how to ride a bicycle. Falling is part of the process. What matters is the willingness to get back up and keep trying. Despite the frustrations, I know that each attempt brings me closer to mastery.

Week 3: Tales for Tots 3.0

In Week 3, I had an afternoon class that ended slightly late, close to 7:00 p.m. Since Maghrib was early that day, I waited to perform the prayer before heading home. By the time I arrived, it was already Isya’. I quickly changed out of my work clothes, took a short shower, and prepared for Isya’ prayer. Before praying, I placed a few frozen chicken drummets into the air fryer, which took about 20 minutes to cook.

At 8:30 p.m., the session began.

This week, we learned how to create a short storybook of at least 24 pages. The process involved generating images, developing a story outline, and assembling everything into a complete storybook. Compared to the previous week, this task was considerably more challenging, as it required both creative thinking and technical execution. In total, I spent two days completing the storybook.

Some may wonder how this learning experience would support my work. In reality, whether I like it or not, the shift toward Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and micro-credential courses is inevitable. In such courses, learning materials are no longer limited to text; videos have become one of the core instructional components.

Recognizing this, I challenged myself to learn video creation and editing as a way to future-proof my teaching practice and remain responsive to evolving educational demands. It is not easy. It is.

Here is the homework for this week: Flipped children story book

Week 2: Tales for Tots 3.0

Prof Karim: Let’s use this prompt: Create character image of different styles. I put the prompt in the chat box, so you can copy-paste it in your device. I want you to create 20 images using different styles. That’s your homework for this week.

Everybody including me: (typing in silent)

I ended up with this adorable image of a chubby orange cat sharing an umbrella with a tiny bird on a rainy da, a scene so unexpectedly sweet that it melted my heart on the spot.

But here’s the thing: I don’t even have an orange cat. So as cute as it was, a part of me wished the image looked a little more like one of my five actual cats. After all, if I’m going to create storybook magic, it might as well feature the real stars of my household!

AI tool: Google AI Studio

AI tool: DALLE (ChatGPT)

AI tool: ImageFx

Using ImageFx, I created another image using a different prompt: Crete an inspired Van Gogh image of a black and white British short hair cat building a city of colorful blocks or black and white blocks.

How cute is that, right?

So… where is my homework, you ask?
Well, this is my Homework Version 4.0, freshly updated, slightly polished, and proudly presentable.

There are many versions, but let’s just say it was created before I discovered the importance of having a proper “theme.” It’s a little too raw (and a little too random!) for public viewing, so I think I’ll keep that one safely tucked away for my eyes only.

Week 1: Tales for Tots 3.0

We learned how to create a storybook using Gemini, and for the first time, I truly felt the magic of turning ideas into something visual and alive. With just a few prompts and a little imagination, I managed to create a book.

It’s not perfect and far from it. But as a beginning, it feels incredibly worthwhile. There’s something meaningful about seeing your thoughts take shape, even if they wobble a little at first. It reminded me that creativity isn’t about producing flawless work; it’s about daring to start, learning along the way, and allowing yourself to grow with each attempt.

And for that, I’m grateful.

Tales for Tots 3.0 (ToTs 3.0)

I stumbled upon the advertisement on Facebook and casually checked the facilitator’s name. The moment I saw a name that I am so familiar with, Prof Dr Abdul Karim Alias. Prof Karim! I thought, “Okay, that’s it. I’m joining.” So I “happily” committed myself to four Thursdays in a row, 8:30 PM sharp, from 31 October to 21 November 2025.

Here’s the catch though: I have an afternoon class every Thursday. Even if I end at 6:30 PM, there’s absolutely no guarantee I’ll reach home before 8 PM. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. By the time I pack up, entertain student questions, and crawl through traffic, the universe is already whispering, “Good luck.”

To avoid missing performing my Maghrib prayer, I usually wait at campus until Maghrib before heading back. Which means… I only have a few precious minutes at home to catch my breath, pray Isya’, have a lightning-fast air-fyer dinner, and then zoom into the session like a superhero who’s slightly out of breath but still determined.

It’s chaotic, it’s tiring, but it’s also strangely fulfilling. Maybe that’s how you know something is worth doing, when you’re running on adrenaline, quick bites, and sheer enthusiasm… and you still show up anyway.

Little did I know… there’s homework! Every single week! And it’s due within a week or two! If I had known, maybe I would have thought twice (well, maybe). Technically, there’s no accreditation or certificate or anything formal, so I shouldn’t take it too seriously…

But honestly, I’ve learned so much from Prof Karim. The vibes are great, and the support system is even better. Whenever anyone gets stuck, we just ask in the groupand like magic, someone (or even a few people!) pops up to help, including Prof himself. It’s like a little family of enthusiastic learners cheering each other on.

In short, I signed up for a casual session… and ended up with a whole community and a bunch of weekly homework. But I’m loving it!

Week 1: What is storybook? Why should I? Why not?

Week 2: Let’s your imagination run free! Relieving stress or adding more stress?

Week 3: Let’s get started with book creation

Week 4: Creating video using AI tools

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Universal equation of results

I can across this idea “Universal Equation of Results by Brian Tracy.

Brian Tracy’s Universal Equation of Results can be summarised as follows:

Results = (Desire × Belief × Action × Persistence)

This equation reflects the idea that success is not just about wanting something, but also believing in your ability to achieve it, taking consistent action, and persisting through challenges.

Key Components Explained:

  • Desire: A clear and strong goal or aspiration.
  • Belief: Confidence in your ability and the possibility of success.
  • Action: Taking steps toward your goal consistently.
  • Persistence: Continuing despite obstacles or failures.

Brian Tracy emphasizes that these elements must work together. If any one of them is zero (e.g., no belief or no action), the result will also be zero. His idea is similar to several motivation theories such as Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation, Locke and Latham’s Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation, and Interest theory.

The emphasize that goal clarity, belief, and effort are essential for achieving results. .

Comparison with Vroom’s expectancy theory

Both models suggest that results or motivation are multiplicative. It suggest if any component is zero, the outcome is zero. For example:

  • No belief → no motivation.
  • No desire → no action.
  • No persistence → no results.

Comparison with Locke and Latham’s Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation

Tracy’s model is more motivational and personal-development oriented, while Goal Theory is more empirical and widely used in organizational psychology and education.

Comparison with Interest Theory of Motivation

The similarities of Brian Tracy’s proposition with Interest Theory in motivation psychology is especially in how personal relevance and engagement drive effort and achievement.

If you look closely on the motivation theories and Brian Tracy’s Universal equation of results, it focuses on tangible, observable and measurable results. Their propositions are built on:

  • Observable outcomes: Success, achievement, satisfaction.
  • Cognitive-emotive-behavioral links: Thoughts and feelings lead to actions.
  • Feedback loops: Tangible results reinforce motivation.

How do these motivational theories and concepts related to us as Muslims?

The motivational theories work well in environments where results are measurable, such as education, business, or personal development and can be manifested behaviorally such as satisfaction (cognitive and emotional, it can manifest behaviorally through gratitude, generosity, or calmness). But In Islam, contentment (qana’ah) and inner peace (sakinah) are signs of spiritual success, even if worldly results are absent and only with Allah’s blessing that we can achieve qana’ah and sakinah.

Islamic motivation includes intangible rewards, unseen accountability, delayed gratification and faith-based belief.

  1. Intangible rewards: Jannah (Paradise), Allah’s pleasure, barakah (blessing).

Some verses:

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:25), Allah describes the rewards in a form of Paradise:

    “And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that for them are gardens in Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say, ‘This is what we were provided with before.’ And they will be given things in resemblance, and they will have therein purified companions, and they will abide therein eternally.” (2. 25)

    2. Unseen accountability: Actions are judged by intention (niyyah), sincerity (ikhlas), and obedience.

    Some verses related to this aspect:

    The Quran mentions in several verses that every individual will be held accountable for their deeds.

    “And every soul will be held accountable for what it has done.” (3: 182)

    3. Delayed gratification: resisting immediate temptation for a greater long-term reward is deeply embedded in the Quran, especially in verses that emphasize patience (ṣabr), self-restraint (taqwā), and the pursuit of the Hereafter over worldly desires.

    Some verses related to this aspect:

    The Quran mentions in several verses that perseverance and endurance while remain fearful towards Allah is essential for success.

    “O you have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed (or steadfast) and fear Allah that you may be successful” (3: 200)

    4. Faith-based belief: Total reliance of our trust in Allah’s wisdom, blessing and justice, even without worldly validation.

    Some verses related to this aspect:

    “Say, ‘Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (9: 51)

    As human being, it is challenging to hope for intangible rewards and totally in reliance and subservience towards Allah because our senses have to be convinced with the worldly rewards and wonder. However, Allah does not stop us from seeking worldly pleasure as long as we acknowledge, understand and accept what we possess and have are based on His Blessing and it is never ours on a first place.

    Keeping myself motivated to complete “dreadful tasks”

    This is just my personal reflection. It is not meant to be used as a definitive suggestion or advice. It is far from that. Writing (nonsense rambling? reflection?) is one way that I find therapeutic when things become overwhelming and I need to “pause”, take a breather before continue doing what I need to do.

    When I discussed with my friend about certain conundrum that I am having, one of the things that I will try to manage is the way I reframe my mindset. It is not easy to change my mindset but at least to manage it to certain extent is what I can do at any given time. This is what psychologists called as “break the dread“. This is when instead of thinking “I hate this,” try to reframe it into “This is challenging, but I’ll feel great/ relief once it’s done.” Reframing also involves focusing on the purpose. In this case, I would remind myself why the task matters. Is it part of a bigger goal? Will it relieve stress once done? Is it worth doing?

    Another thing that I (religiously do) is to break the tasks down into manageable chunk or divide the task into small, manageable steps. I will use a checklist to track progress and personally, it gives me a sense of accomplishment with each tick. If ad hoc matters arise while I am working on a task, regardless of how urgent or important they may seem to others, I set them aside unless I personally perceive them as both urgent and important, in which case I add them to the checklist.

    I also try to condition myself on using Time-Based Techniques such as Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. I use stop watch for this matter but setting a timer and to commit is not easy. Indeed. Often, starting is the hardest part. But I have to force myself to set a timer for the tasks that I do. For example, in writing this blog, I set a timer of 30 minutes without distraction. With distraction (e.g. answering a call etc.) I gave myself an additional 15 to 20 minutes to complete one post.

    Another thing that I will do is to tell others about my goal or task. This is to inform them so that I can minimise the distractions (aka a gentle reminder to remind them that “Buzz off for a while. Don’t disturb me. I am on something at the moment“) and also to create a sense of accountability which can boost my motivation. I know it would be better to have some to work alongside me to “create” a sense of shared effort but I do not want to impose anyone on my “personal journey”.

    Finally, there is nothing wrong to reward myself after completing each task. Normally, I will set mini goals and big goals. For big goals, the reward is also bigger (uhuk uhuk expensive). What is the most expensive reward that I ever gave to myself? Well, there are many. The most common rewards that I give to myself are quite simple: a cup of tea, a short walk, or watching a favorite show on Netflix aka documentaries.

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