Achuckallen

Instigating Better

Productivity

THREE WAYS TO BEAT THE MONDAY BLUES

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April 18, 2022

“Monday, Monday, so good to me.” The Mamas and the Papas launched that song in 1966. There have been a few changes in the world since ‘66.

But Monday hasn’t changed much. It is still the day that most of us never look forward to.

Monday has a special significance in our culture as the beginning of the week, which influences our mood and our physical, emotional, and spiritual health outcomes

The 7-day week and the meaning we associate with the days of the week is a social construct, and not based on biological or planetary cycles. But a host of negative outcomes, such as heart attacks and strokes, happen more frequently on Mondays as people transition back to the structured routine of the week.

Something about that doesn’t seem right. Furthermore, we shouldn’t give in to that. If it really is a social construct, and we can choose to make Monday better, why not do that?

A 2021 nationwide survey conducted by the Data Decisions Group tracked awareness and behavior related to Mondays and healthy behaviors. While 11% of people report that Monday is “a day to dread”, many people see Monday positively. They view it as an opportunity for a “fresh start” (40%) and a day to “get my act together” (18%).

83% of responders to the survey agreed that starting the week off healthy would help maintain a focus on health for the rest of the week.

Over the past few months, I’ve been radically focused on becoming a healthier husband, dad, grandad and pastor. I’ve learned the following three ways to kickoff my workweek. Please keep in mind that I’m a pastor. As a result, Monday morning could possibly be a bummer of a let down. But I’ve learned to make Monday one of my favorite days of the week.

1. PLAN YOUR WEEK ON SUNDAY EVENING.

You may not want to, but taking ten minutes to review your calendar, make appropriate adjustments, and make a few notes of a few things you need to add and delete to your schedule is one of the most impactful things you can invest ten-minutes in, always.

Make a very short list of four things you MUST accomplish this week. Write them down! Then prioritize them.

Keep that in front of you.

2. Set limits on the amount of time that you will spend that week on social media, television and enthralled with your smart devices.

Simple awareness of the time you spend on these often worthless efforts is half of your personal productivity and peace perspective.

Earl Sweatshirt once said, “Everyone’s like sheep on social media; like, one person starts making noise, and everyone’s like, ‘Hey, yeah!’ and then you got a whole bunch of people making noise at you.”

And, whether you like it or not, the man trying to buy Twitter said, “I think there should be regulations on social media to the degree that it negatively affects the public good.” -Elon Musk

Don’t let the addictive dopamine hit of a like, follow or friend determine your day, week, or attitude.

3. Determine to Rise Ten-Minutes Early Each Weekday.

Rising just 10-minutes early allows you room to do three things – yes I know I sound like a broken record – but this has had such a radical impact on my mental, emotional, and spiritual health. First, write down three things that you are grateful for. Don’t get all spiritual or intellectual on me. Keep it simple, but write it down. Second, read one chapter of the Bible-book of Proverbs. There’s 31 chapters. How ‘bout that? Third, write down 4-5 words that describe the person that you want to be or become this week. Again, keep it clear. Keep it simple. Keep it real.

As the Mamas and the Papas once sang, “Monday, Monday, so good to me. Every other day, every other day. Every other day, every other day of the week is fine, yeah.But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes. But whenever Monday comes, you can find me cryin’ all of the time”

I think I will choose a better Monday. How about you?

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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FOUR BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ

  1. The Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
  2. Start With Why by Simon Sinek
  3. Standing Strong by Charles Stanley
  4. Atomic Habits by James Clear

THREE QUOTES THAT MADE ME GO HMMMMM

  1. “We all have a lifetime of experiences we bring to any relationship so it’s not uncommon to need to sort through our responses to emotions, triggers and conflict.  I like to describe it as a sandpaper experience: when two pieces are first brought together, it’s pretty rough. But, if you continue to work through things and face into it, eventually you’ll smooth each other out.“
    –Julie Homrich, LPC
  2. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” –Brene Brown
  3. “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” –James Clear

TWO ALBUMS THAT I AM TOTALLY ENJOYING

  1. Maverick City: Old Church Basement
  2. Cain: Rise Up

ONE PODCAST THAT YOU MUST LISTEN TO

  1. Dare to Lead with Brene’ Brown: Don’t miss this episode: Brene’ w/ Doug Conant on Finding and Telling Your Leadership Story

Go in Peace, Chuck

Try These Four Things for Greater Happiness

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by Chuck Allen

I don’t know anybody that doesn’t want to be happy. But after chasing happiness and counseling plenty of people that have burned out chasing happiness, I’ve learned a few key elements that can radically improve your happiness.

Here are four of the simplest and most effective ways to experience personal happiness.

  1. Don’t chase after happiness. That’s right. The simplest way to be happier is to chase after peace. I’ve written and said this ten thousand times. The single greatest commodity is peace. We do not experience true happiness apart from our heart, mind, and soul being at peace. It has been said that Peace brings with it so many positive emotions that it is worth aiming for in all circumstances. I’ve discovered that when my life has proper margins in each aspect of my life, peace is far more attainable and sustainable. The Bible, in the second letter from John, says that the gift of God, through Christ, is Grace, Mercy, and Peace. To discover peace, ask God how to grow closer to Him today. In that effort, peace can be found, and happiness follows. Mother Teresa said that “Peace begins with a smile.”
  2. Be intentional about smiling. Corny, right? The mere act of smiling reduces blood pressure, lowers stress hormones, and boosts your mood; a British study even found that one smile generates the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate. I’m not a naturally smiling individual. There are days when I have been alone in my car, recognizing that I am grumpy or stressed and forced myself to smile. It’s a real thing, people. Just force yourself to smile, especially offering a smile to a stranger. The science and my personal experience prove this true!
  3. Force yourself into solitude. If you are an introvert, you just breathed a quiet amen. If you are an extrovert, you just said no thanks. Solitude, even for just 5 minutes a day, can reset your brain and your attitude for a better, happier day. Spending time alone with ourselves may not be accessible or even desirable. But it’s key to getting to know who we are. When we lose the ability to be alone with ourselves, our overstimulated nervous systems suffer from no place to rest and recharge. Solitude is an essential component of your health and well-being. Need more happiness? Create 5 minutes of true solitude each day.
  4. Get your sleep! I spent decades bragging about my ability to be a high performer with only 5 hours of sleep. I now know that I was cranking out 17 hour days but effectively going backward. The science of sleep is simple. To function at your best, you need 7-8 hours of sleep. Very few Americans regularly obtain the recommended eight or more hours of sleep each night, and the consequences of this chronic sleep deprivation can be disastrous. I’ve also learned that you never “catch up on your sleep.” Like time – when it’s gone, it’s gone. If you want a happier life, get your sleep. The science says that more sleep equals a happier person. People who sleep between seven and 8.5 hours during the night tend to wake up happier.

Most of us want to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. All of us want to be happy. Try these four proven steps to a happier you!

Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY September 17, 2021

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens, and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG.

A Great News Source: THE MORNING BREW

I’ve been using this simple news source for a few weeks now. I greatly appreciate the simplicity of a daily email and a clean, intelligent format.

A Show that Every American Should Watch: 60 Minutes Episode from Sept. 12, 2021

I was so moved by the stories of the men and women of the FDNY as this episode of 60 Minutes so wonderfully portrayed. I promise you that you’ll love it.

An Awesome Article from The Christian Post: A Chaplain at Ground Zero

This is a well written and motivating read. I really encourage you to invest six-minutes in reading this story.

A Kitchen Gadget I Use Every Day: Cuisanart Airfryer and Convection Toaster Oven.

This is an all in one unit. It’s our toaster, oven, fryer, all in one, handy kitchen tool.

A Powerful Quote from Ronald Reagan: “Status quo, you know, is Latin for ‘the mess we’re in”

Be sure to check out the POSITIVE TALK PODCAST every Thursday by CLICKING HERE.

POSITIVE TALK PODCAST

How’s Your MOB?

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AChuckAllen

I’m not writing about an unruly mob. I’m referring to an acrostic for M-O-B.

  • MARGIN IN YOUR LIFE
  • OWNERSHIP OF YOUR LIFE
  • BOUNDARIES AROUND YOUR LIFE

Oh, how I wish that I had learned the value of margin in my life 30 years ago! One of the most significant elements of a peace-filled, highly successful life is margin. We all need margin. We need margin emotionally, relationally, financially, professionally, physically, and spiritually. Margin allows us to be in sync with our families, realities, bodies, and possibilities. The only person that can build an appropriate margin for you is you. You know what you need. It would be best if you slowed down long enough to determine what adjustments are required to give you a helpful margin in every facet of your life.

We all must take ownership of all things that we can control. Owning what we can control requires two huge issues. Stop convincing yourself that you are a victim and surrendering your heart to your Creator. Ownership includes claiming what you can and should do to order your life. Surrendering is allowing the Spirit of God to give you direction and correction as you live each day to the fullest.

Margin, ownership, and then boundaries. Without boundaries, we don’t own our calendars, finances, or decisions. Without borders, other people own us and our dreams. Without limitations, we surrender our potential to others. Boundaries are critical to both margin and ownership. When we do not define our boundaries, we say yes to everything. Without boundaries, we overcommit, underdeliver, and stay frustrated with our schedules and ourselves. Boundaries protect us relationally and financially. Boundaries keep our feet out of our mouths. Boundaries keep our focus in the right place.

Without MOB, we all have the power to spin out of control, make poor decisions, and destroy relationships. It’s worth a few hours of your life to invest in creating your margin, ownership, and boundaries.

Peace, Chuck

TOUGHER AND STRONGER

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Ever wonder if you are strong enough for this world? I mean, have you ever wondered if you can truly cut it? I have. I’ve had so much performance anxiety that I couldn’t seem to put one foot in front of the other. But how are we to get tougher and stronger? How can we do more than survive in a world filled with high achievers, extroverts, and everyday pressures to reach and exceed everyone else’s expectations for our lives?

Here are a few thoughts that might help:

  1. Stop and Recognize that You are Not Alone. The Prophet Isaiah wrote in his book, that we should, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” But that seems so ethereal that we normal humans might never attain its pomise. But here’s the deal. God, your Creator has promised to never leave you alone, dangling in the wind. That is why He has graciously given us His Spirit to remind us that He is with us and we have nothing to fear. The question is this. Have you worked so hard at trying to understand God, that you stopped just trying to know God? The promises of God are so powerful, but they are only as powerful to us individually as we allow them to be. Trust that you are not alone.
  2. Build Connectivity into Your Daily Life. Want to get stronger? Want to build resilience into your life? Get connected to other people of faith. When we face difficulties, the folks that we’re connected to can help carry us. When we’re hit by fear or anxiety, it is the people we are connected to that give us a proper perspective. They can help us see life in ways we might not see on our own. When we mess up, they are the friends that can correct us and display grace and mercy. They are the people that help remind us that we are deeply loved. And they are the people that display and share that love, in spite of all our failures. These things are hard to do on our own.
  3. Battle Negative Self Talk and Practice Positive Self-Talk. We humans are crafted with a negativity bias. The negative bias is our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily, but also to dwell on these events. Negativity bias means that we feel the sting of a negative remembrance or event more powerfully than we feel the joy of a positive experience. That is why we speak to ourselves more in a negative voice than a positive voice. Did you know that the person that you speak to the most is you? If you speak enough negative thoughts to yourself, you will inevitably believe them! How do we beat this spiral of downward emotions? We insert a few key elements into our self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Be kind and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you. Think about things you’re thankful for in your life. If at this point in this article, you are thinking that you are not affected by your negative self-talk, stop and think about how many times you refer to yourself negatively, like in “I’m so dumb. How could I let that happen to me. What an idiot?” These were taken straight from my evaluation of my own negative self talk – YIKES!

    Here are a few steps to keep in mind:
  • The Divine made not one single mistake when He created you.
  • Remember That Thoughts and Feelings Aren’t Always Reality.
  • Contain Your Negativity. Stop it before it gets away from you. Negativity is like an avalanche.
  • Cross-Examine Your Inner Critic. Is that really true?
  • Think Like a Friend. Come on now. It’s not that big of a crisis. Let’s talk it through.
  • Shift Your Perspective. What are my present options?
  • Say It Aloud. Call it out and deal with it, rather than stewing on it.

Friends, we have to get a bit stronger and tougher to thrive in our harsh world, but you can do this! In the power of the risen Christ, you can do this! Remember, you are not and never alone!

Build Connection and Community into Your Life! Connectedness ruggedizes us and restores us. And learn the Value of Positive Self Talk that will Counter Balance Your Inner Negativity Bias.

Peace, Chuck