Achuckallen

Instigating Better

4ForFriday

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY September 23, 2022

ONE
A SPOTIFY PLAYLIST THAT I USE WHEN WORKING: Totally Stress Free
FIND IT HERE

I like a little music while I’m working and this has been my go-to playlist lately. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

–Chuck

TWO
A POWERFUL QUOTE FROM SHAWN BLANC:

When you make something that matters, it will be polarizing. There will be some people who don’t like it. But there will be others who love it. It’s not easy to make something and put it out there. But when you do, look around: are there people you find awesome, and are they happy to be around your work …. then you are on the right track. You’re serving the right people doing something worthwhile.

–Shawn Blanc

THREE
A BOOK THAT HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH AS I LEAD OTHERS: THE COACH MODEL by Keith Webb
FIND IT HERE

The COACH Model® is a radically different approach to leading people. Rather than provide answers, leaders ask questions to draw out what God has already put into others. ICF Professional Certified Coach and speaker Keith Webb teaches Christian leaders how to create powerful conversations to assist others to solve their own problems, reach goals, and develop their own leadership skills in the process. 

–Amazon

FOUR
A GREAT ARTICLE FROM LEADERSHIP AND MAIN: Clarity Above the Fog
FIND IT HERE

There is always clarity above the fog. In the world of meteorology, fog is a collection of dense water particles that accumulates near the ground. The word fog can also be associated with a state of mind, one that leads to confusion and disorientation. Either way you look at it, fog makes it difficult to see and think clearly.

-J. Albright

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY | August 19, 2022

ONE
THIS IS A REALLY HELPFUL LIST FOR THOSE OF US THAT PROCRASTINATE

1. Set a short timer

2. Ask someone to help you

3. Get a focus buddy for accountability

4. Only do one thing at a time

5. Time block your tasks

6. Go on a short walk and think about what you’ll do when you get back

7. Ask someone else to do it (delegate)

8. Answer “why” 3 times

9. Don’t be perfect; focus on being good enough

10.Leave your phone in a different room

–Shaun Blanc

TWO
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith
FIND IT HERE 

What would it be like to journey back to the first century and sit at the feet of Rabbi Jesus as one of his Jewish disciples? How would your understanding of the gospel have been shaped by the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish culture in which you lived?

–Amazon

THREE
An Incredible Prayer of Blessing

The Blessing Of The Morning Light
The blessing of the morning light to you, may it find you even in your invisible appearances, may you be seen to have risen from some other place you know and have known in the darkness and that that carries all you need.

May you see what is hidden in you as a place of hospitality and shadowed shelter, may what is hidden in you become your gift to give: may you hold that shadow to the light and the silence of that shelter to the word of the light, may you join every previous disappearance with this new appearance, this new morning, this being seen again, new and newly alive.

–from Terry Hershey’s Sabboth Moment

FOUR
A Quote We Can All Learn From

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”

–St. Augustine

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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RECOMMENDED READS, LISTENS, LEARNINGS, AND REVIEWS FROM ACHUCKALLEN

ONE
A GREAT BOOK: How to Have That Difficult Conversation: Gaining the Skills for Honest and Meaningful Communication 
FIND IT HERE

Authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend take the principles from their award-winning and bestselling book, Boundaries, and apply them to the most common difficult situations and relationships to:
Show how healthy confrontation can improve relationships
Present the essentials of a good boundary-setting conversation
Provide tips on preparing for the conversation
Show how to tell people what you want, stop bad behavior, and deal with counterattack
Give actual examples of conversations to have with your spouse, your date, your kids, your coworker, your parents, and more!
This book is a practical handbook on positive confrontation that will help you finally have that difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding.

–Amazon

TWO
A Tasty and Unique Treat: MOCHINUT
FIND IT HERE 

This is the most unique donut joint I have ever eaten at. I have always been a sucker for a GOOD donut, but Mochinut is kind of a donut, but a hot dog, ice cream, donut kind of place. I know – weird, but you haven’t lived until you’ve had a “Hot Cheetos Hot Dog” and an “Original Mochinut” for dessert. They weren’t serving ice cream when I went, but I’ll be back. I visited the new Suwanee, GA location, and understand that an Alpharetta store is in the works!

–Chuck Allen

THREE
A Great Airport Burger – Really! Bobby’s Burger Palace
FIND IT HERE

This Burger Joint in the Atlanta Airport was amazing. A Bobby Flay burger is hard to beat. I went with the “Bacon Crunch Burger and Onion Rings. That will surely bless your day!

–Chuck Allen

FOUR
A Good Movie on Netflix: UNCHARTED
FIND IT HERE

Street-smart treasure hunter Nathan Drake and his renegade mentor Sully set out on a dangerous adventure across the globe to find Magellan’s lost gold. Starring: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas

–NETFLIX

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY AChuckAllen.com July 29, 2022

ONE
A REALLY GOOD ARTICLE: WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?
FIND IT HERE

The beliefs of different Christian denominations throughout history have caused everything from minor skirmishes involving distinctives of the faith (how often to partake in communion, etc.) to major battles over non-negotiable doctrines (the Bible is God’s Word, infallible and inspired by Him. Salvation is in Jesus alone, etc.). Though Catholics and Protestants share some parallel beliefs, there are some non-negotiables as outlined below. The relationship has softened, but life-changing differences remain.

–CROSSWALK

TWO
ANOTHER AWESOME ARTICLE FROM BRIAN DODD: 10 Things Which Can Disqualify You From Leadership Which Are Rarely Talked About
FIND IT HERE 

We are very aware of the things which often disqualify someone from leadership. This list includes sexual misconduct, financial impropriety, and abusive behavior. However, there is another list of items which can disqualify you from leadership which are rarely talked about.

–BRIAN DODD

THREE
A THIRD GREAT AND SHORT ARTICLE: How To Develop The 3 Essential Qualities In Kind Leadership
FIND IT HERE

Kindness is action-oriented and is an essential component of influencing lasting impact. Think of the qualities you have found in leaders who have had the greatest personal impact on your life. I’m sure that words like courageous, decisive, and visionary are somewhere on your list. But whenever I’ve asked that question, it’s been rare that the word “kind” hasn’t also shown up. So, what are the qualities that make up kind leadership?

–SCOTT COCHRANE

FOUR
AND, ONE LAST REALLY GOOD ARTICLE:
Four Creative Ways to Live in the Present Moment
FIND IT HERE

To put it negatively, the worst thing you can do is try to live outside of this moment. It’s actually impossible to live outside of the present moment, but it is possible to think outside of it. That means thinking about the past or future rather than focusing on your current action. Here are four creative and specific strategies you can employ to enter the present moment quickly and experience the numerous benefits that go along with it.

–STEPHEN GUISE

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen.com July 22, 2022

ONE
A REALLY GOOD BOOK: The Quest: Discover a Way to Enjoy the Second Half of Life
FIND IT HERE

Not many books make me pause a rethink so much as The Quest has. I encourage you to jump in whole-heartedly if you are more than 50 years of age. Here is the promo from Amazon: When America became a nation, only one in five people lived to age seventy. Now more than four out of five do. The average life expectancy in America is currently around eighty years—and increasing. This expansion begs the question, what are we to do with a second half of life that could last forty or more years? The additional time makes it inevitable that somewhere between age thirty-five and sixty, many of us will find ourselves at the cusp of a massive (and possibly catastrophic) transition. A decade ago, Randy Elrod created a live experience (a rite of passage) called The Quest for people age 35 and over. Since then, he has guided Quest experiences in New Mexico and Tennessee with participants from all walks of life. While there is nothing like attending The Quest in person, the hope is that this book will become a well-worn guide map for one’s journey into second life.

–AMAZON

TWO
A FREE AFTERNOON TO COOL DOWN AND ENJOY A BIT OF NATURE ON THE HOOCH
FIND IT HERE and HERE

My son-in-law and I fished the stretrch of the Chattahoochee River from McGinnis Ferry Rd to Abbotts Bridge Rd and it took us about 4 1/2 hours. The input at McGinnis Ferry is just east of Peachtree Industrial (see link on left) and the out ramp is just east of Peachtree industrial odd Abbott’s Bridge Rd (see link on right). If you aren’t fishing it, it should be about 3 1/2 hours. You need a life jacket as there are some spots that reach 6-8 feet, but most of it is 2-4 feet, with a few shallows to stop and eat a bite. We caught 12 nice Trout, but saw several folks just floating. The best part is that it costs you nothing! Enjoy!

–Chuck Allen

THREE
An Affordable, Awesome Set of Bluetooth Headphones from SONY
FIND IT HERE

I bought these during PrimeDays for just $64.99. I have had Beats, and I have had Bose, but these are equal to either and at the price, I think they might be the best I’ve had for walking, calls, distraction free work, etc. Easy set up, USB-C charging and plenty of battery for the entire day, plus some more.

–Chuck Allen

FOUR
An Action Packed TV Series from FX:
THE OLD MAN
FIND IT HERE

The first 10 minutes made me wonder why so many people has suggested that I might like The Old Man, but then the action kicked in. Jeff Bridges, a retired ex CIA man is being hunted and the twists and turns are really exciting. If violence isn’t your thing, avoid this one. If you don’t mind a few folks getting shot and beat up, then you’ll love it!

–Chuck Allen

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY JUNE 3, 2022

A Movie that Was So Good: Top Gun; Maverick

I realize that I was 27 years old when the original Top Gun unleashed the “need for speed” in 1886, so I was skeptical about another Hollywood remake. This version was a great remake! I’m not necessarily a Tom Cruise fan, but the boy still has his mojo in the movie. I think you’ll enjoy it!

FIND IT HERE

–CHUCK

An Audible Book I Enjoyed While Traveling: Saving Faith by David Balducci

Private investigator, Lee Adams finds himself in a plot between political elites, the CIA, and the FBI while trying to save a modern day damsel in distress. It’s a long play listen, but it really is very entertaining!

FIND IT HERE

–Chuck

A BBQ Sandwich that was So Good that I Was Shocked

When I think about really good southern barbecue, I think about a shack on a dirt road with smoke billowing out of a smoker filled with Boston Butts and good vinegar based sauce. On my way to and from Middle School Camp I stopped at Cook-Out, the North Carolina based fast food joint. It’s known for fresh burgers, milkshakes and cheap eats. I ordered the BBQ sandwich with th eslaw on the side. Asked for it to only have the “Texas Pete” sauce on the sandwich and BAM! The slaw and the BBQ were awesome! Add a Cheerwine to the sandwich and you have near perfection!

FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

A Question that Changed My Morning Routine

I’m constantly searching for new and improved ways to become more intentional, productive, and peace-filled. When I read these questions, I was struck by how powerful they could be in every leaders life.

– Chuck

4 Questions All Leaders Must Ask

  • When is the last time I learned something for the first time?
  • When is the last time I did something for the first time?
  • When is the last time I found something better for the first time?
  • When is the last time I saw something bigger for the first time?

GO IN PEACE, Chuck