[ReginaPerss]

Also one tip inshaa Allah.

Try and sit in the gatherings of your shaykh (online or in the actual place of course with pardah for sisters). If you can't do that then try and find some veteran mureeds (those who have been successfully struggling and have much more motivation) and spend time with them. They have inherited something from your shaykh so they can also be cause for motivation inshaa Allah. I find that when my shaykh is around and I am with the other sisters I am doing better than when I am alone al hamdu lillah.

Importantly, if you fall, it might be heartbreaking but slowly get back up. Don't be shy to tell your shaykh that you are not doing what he is telling you to do, but tell him also that you are very guilty. Sometimes he will just tell you to go on and do the same prescription, you will try and sadly you fall again but you have to keep on trying until your shaykh doesn't have to pick you up (with his scoldings or re-prescription). Imagine you are a baby learning to walk, then your mother holds your hand and encourages you to walk.

The brother mentioned in the original post is like a baby who does not accept that his mother tug him a bit to get him straight.

Allah is the real doer and we must strive in His way, He might pick us up during life or on our deathbed, but we need to be striving. The result is not in our hands.

I find this thread a little emotional subhanAllah. May Allah give us every means to become closer to Him. Ameen.