Before New Goals, a New Paradigm: Renewal Begins in the Heart

– How muhasabah (self-examination, stocktaking) helps leaders uncover self-limiting patterns and renew direction for the year ahead

WHY RENEWAL REQUIRES A PARADIGM SHIFT

It is December. As the year draws to a close, or when the new year has set in, many leaders reflect on goals, plans and targets for the year ahead. We review strategies, budgets and calendars. Yet I don’t recommend renewal to begin with plans alone.

It should begin with a paradigm shift!

The word paradigm is commonly used in leadership and strategy. It refers to an assumption, mindset or perception about yourself, someone else or a situation. It is the mental model through which we see the world. A paradigm shapes what we notice, how we interpret events and what we believe is possible.

“…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves…” — Qur’an 13:11

In my work as a CEO coach, I’ve observed that when leaders struggle to create results, they think the issue is lack of skill or effort. But then, the skills and knowledge they already have, are they really using them? Their efforts, how sincere are they about them?

What I see as the issue is a paradigm unconsciously holding them where they are.

And that paradigm does not live in spreadsheets or frameworks. It lives in the heart.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “HEART”?

When we speak about heart here, we do not necessarily mean the physical organ pumping the seen red blood, although an “overhaul” through my triple bypass surgery early this year did help! But then, beyond just being a pump, scientific research and physiological evidence suggest the heart plays an active role in mental and emotional processes.

In this article, we use heart to signify the inner centre of perception, intention and meaning. It is the “place” where beliefs settle. The place where fear, hope, trust and hesitation reside.

In the Islamic tradition, the heart (qalb) is central in the conception of the soul, not just an emotional organ but the pivot of consciousness and moral orientation. It is where understanding truly happens. It is also where distortions quietly form if left unexamined.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Indeed, in the body there is a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the whole body is sound. If it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Truly, it is the heart.” — Hadith

This is why renewal for a new year must involve the heart. Without inner clarity, outer change becomes temporary or exhausting.

THE ROLE OF MUHASABAH IN PARADIGM SHIFTING

Muhasabah, or stocktaking, is the practice of honest self-examination. It includes truthful observation of pride (kibr), self-aggrandizement (ujub) or ostentation (riak), yet also without self-attack, guilt or shame.

It allows us to surface what is already shaping our actions, especially the patterns we have normalised.

For renewal to be real, muhasabah must go deeper than reviewing outcomes. It must address the question beneath performance:

CORE QUESTION: How do I limit myself and how can I stop?

If you can’t view the video above, click here.

This one question opens three important layers of examination.

LAYER 1: LIMITING BEHAVIOURS

Write down the answers. Draft and redraft them.

QUESTION: What Do I DO That Limits Me?

“It is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts within the chests that grow blind.” — Qur’an 22:46

Begin by identifying, uncovering areas of work and life where results fall short of potential. What do we do that slows us down, or prevents us, from getting what we want?

These areas include leadership presence, health, relationships, confidence, consistency or courage.

Then ask simply:

What do I repeatedly do or don’t do (or avoid doing) in this area?
Where do I hesitate, delay or retreat?
What patterns show up under pressure?

Write them using verbs: what you do, how you behave. These behaviours are often subtle, e.g.

“I avoid conversations.”
“I think too much.”
“I overwork and avoid reflection.”
“I stay busy instead of make decisions.”
“I seek approval even if I don’t get clear why…”

Limiting behaviours are visible signs. They point to something deeper.

LAYER 2: LIMITING EXPLANATIONS

Write down the answers. Draft and redraft.

QUESTION: What Do I Say to Myself to Justify These Behaviours?

“Rather, man will be a witness against himself, even if he presents his excuses.” — Qur’an 75:14–15

Behind every repeated behaviour is a story we tell ourselves. These stories are harder to uncover, but uncover we must, by being truthful to ourselves.

These stories are justification that often sound reasonable, e.g.

“This is just how I am.”
“Now is not the right time.”
“Others wouldn’t understand.”
“I need to be realistic.”

These explanations feel protective. They reduce discomfort and they preserve identity.

How did we get there? It may have to do with our upbringing, or the social environment, or the years, even decades of exposure and “programming” we have undergone.

In my coaching conversations, this is where insight often begins. Leaders realise that what feels like realism is sometimes fear dressed in logic.

These explanations form limiting beliefs.

LAYER 3: THE STRONGEST LIMITING PARADIGM

Write down the possible answers to get to the one answer. Draft and redraft.

QUESTION: What Is the Core Belief Holding All These Stories Together?

Umar al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account.”

When we look across multiple limiting beliefs, a pattern emerges.

Think hard enough and there is one dominant paradigm underneath, e.g.

“I must not disappoint others.”
“I am responsible for everything.”
“If I slow down, I will fall behind.”
“My worth comes from performance.”

Renewal requires surfacing this old paradigm with honesty and compassion.

DISCOVERING THE NEW PARADIGM

Write down the possible New Paradigm statements, towards crafting the one New Paradigm statement/sentence. Draft and redraft.

QUESTION: What Needs to Shift Inside the Heart?

We can’t straightaway force new behaviours. But we can shift inside, then outside actions become almost “automatic.”

Paradigm shifting begins by asking:

What would be more truthful?
What would align better with faith, trust and responsibility?
What would allow me to lead with steadiness rather than strain?

The New Paradigm is an empowering statement or sentence that is opposite of the now-undesired strongest limiting paradigm.

The New Paradigm is often simple yet profound:

From control to trust
From proving to serving
From fear-driven effort to intention-led action
From self-reliance to reliance on Allah with effort

This strongest limiting paradigm often governs decisions, energy and emotional tone, yet may be sabotaging us!

Perhaps it once served us. It helped us survive or succeed earlier in life, but what once protected us may now constrain us.

You may guess the strongest limiting paradigm of the following people.. I always enjoy it when each of them say aloud their (opposite) New Paradigm to me (often standing up), they “glow”! How deep and liberating the sentence meant to them:

“I have what it takes to give my ALL!”
“I am an orchestra conductor making beautiful music.”
“I am a passionate giver and Allah holds the key to all rizq.”
“I am focused and consistent towards achieving, through the will of Allah SWT.”
“I am water and bamboo – flowing and adapting.”

Indeed, New Paradigms often provides release; from control to trust, from strain to reliance:

“And whoever places their trust in Allah, then He is sufficient for him.” — Qur’an 65:3

This shift is internal. When it settles in the heart, behaviour naturally follows.

RENEWAL FOR THE NEW YEAR

As the new year approaches or when it begins, do not straightaway jump into setting new goals. Clearing space inside the heart first will make the goals you later set to be focused, internalised, owned and then worked on with gusto.

Muhasabah helps us see clearly. Paradigm shifting helps us move forward lightly. When the heart realigns, effort feels different, decisions feel calmer and leadership becomes more grounded.

This is renewal that lasts.

In summary, you may wish to sit with these questions either quietly alone or with a buddy:

Where in my life am I underachieving relative to my potential?
What behaviours show up there repeatedly?
What explanations do I give myself?
What core paradigm is operating beneath them?
What new paradigm would align better with trust, responsibility and faith?

I list similar-worded questions in my proposed New Year Paradigm-Stocktaking Card that you can download here (free, no email required).

A new year requires a clearer heart that that enlightens you and brings alive a new version of you!

When your paradigm shifts within, results will follow without force. Renewal will begin there.

Insha Allah.

Du‘a of the Prophet ﷺ:

“O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.”

Aamiin.

CLOSING INVITATION

If today’s reflection on paradigms and the heart interests you, I invite you to continue the conversation with other faith-conscious leaders.

1) (FREE) Online Meetup: Faith-Conscious Professionals

This is a one-hour online space where we reflect, share and learn together on aligning work practices with principles from our deen (comprehensive “way of life,” “religion,” or “path”).

Wednesday, 17 December 2025, 2:00pm – 3:00pm Malaysia time

LinkedIn Event registration: https://www.linkedin.com/events/faith-consciousprofessionals-3r7396464938862600192/

Looking forward to seeing you there, insha Allah.

2) (PAID) Hybrid Workshop (Physical + Online):

“PARADIGM SHIFTING FOR RENEWAL”

I am also opening registration for a full-day hybrid workshop where I facilitate us going deeper into new-year stocktaking and paradigm shifting for 2026.

Saturday, 10 January 2026

9:00am to 5:00pm Malaysia time

Physical venue: The Thinking Space, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur: https://www.thethinkingspace.org/

Online option: live participation via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Details and registration: https://coachhasan.com/paradigm-shifting-for-renewal

If you would like to come in person, join online or bring a colleague, you are most welcome.

Hasannudin Saidin, CEO Coach – Helping CEOs, Leaders with “The Heart and Science of Producing Results®”