Achuckallen

Instigating Better

Reviews

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY September 30, 2022

ONE
A BOOK THAT I TRULY LOVED: What Do You Really, Really Want?: Discovering What Matters Most And Taking Action To Achieve Your Important Goals 
FIND IT HERE

In this unique narrative of life-changing conversations, Kevin Stebbings offers an authentic framework for overcoming the distractions of life to rediscover what you really, really want. He draws on the proven ideas and practices from the world of coaching to create a highly original and insightful book that will teach you how to discover your purpose, pursue your dreams, and achieve your goals.

–Amazon

TWO
A GADGET THAT I LOVE: Intoval Wireless Charging Station, 3 in 1 Charger
FIND IT HERE

I love this 3 in 1 charger for my phone watch and airpods. Simple, elegant and affordable.

–Chuck

THREE
A UNIQUE DAILY READ: Daily Creative: Find Your Inspiration to Spark Creative Energy and Fight Burnout
FIND IT HERE

Even if you don’t think of yourself as creative, you’d probably be surprised by how many creative tools you use daily. You solve problems, design, write, invent, or in other words―create. But the pressure we feel to create value with our minds continually can cause tremendous stress and eventually neutralize our ability to be effective in our long-term roles. The Daily Creative is a daily reader for busy professionals, creative and otherwise, designed to help you gain focus for your day and advance toward your goals.

–AMAZON

FOUR
A GREAT MEAL AT A FUN RESTAURANT: Mika French Sushi
FIND IT HERE

I admit that I am new to the sushi thing, but loved my dinner at Mika French Sushi earlier this week. I especially enjoyed their Mika Roll with eel sauce and the coconut shrimp. This little gem is in Sugar Hill and is clean, friendly and so, so good.

-Chuck

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

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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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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FOUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWS FOR EVERYONE

  1. @thebabylonbee
  2. @dwelldifferently
  3. @appsoulspace
  4. @dailystoic

THREE Lessons I’ve Learned this Week

  1. Stress is inevitable. Not only is it impossible to live a completely stress-free life, but research shows us that stress is actually a precursor to meaning. Think about the last time you encountered something meaningful in your life…chances are, there was some kind of stressful moment or season that preceded it. So some measure of stress isn’t always bad. From Julie Homrich, LPC
  2. Research shows it can take up to 20 minutes for the stress hormones released from triggers to metabolize and settle in your body. Up until that point, trying to have a peaceful conversation when you’re feeling anything but peaceful internally is quite counterproductive.
  3. If the only affirmation for doing what is right is the Spirit of God, would you do it anyway?

TWO Podcasts that ARE SO, SO GOOD!

  1. Dare to Lead with Brene Brown – Armoured versus Darling Leadership Parts One and Two
  2. Stress and Conflict in Our Marriage and Relationships from The Positive Talk Podcast

ONE BOOK WE SHOULD ALL READ.

  1. Jesus’ Plan for a New World by Richard Rohr
    I absolutely devoured this book. What a refreshing look at the world. please read this book

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY New Year Edition

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FOUR THOUGHTS/QUOTES FOR THE NEW YEAR

  1. Mark Twain noted, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and see.”
  2. “The main question is not, how can we hide our wounds…but how can we put our woundedness in service to others.” —Henri Nouwen
  3. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms, to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Victor Frankl
  4. “A learned desire to serve, to learn, and to be grateful will radically improve your daily life.” —Chuck Allen

THREE BOOKS WE SHOULD ALL READ IN 2022

  1. A Tale ofThree Kings by Gene Edwards
  2. A Gentle Answer; Our ‘Secret Weapon’ in an Age of Us Against Them by Scott Sauls
  3. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

TWO PODCASTS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO IN ‘22

  1. SoulSpace: Anchoring Your Life in the Truth of God’s Word.
  2. The Positive Talk Podcast: IntegratingFaith & Psychology

ONE HABIT WE SHOULD ALL ADD TO OUR DAY

  1. Start every single day by answering this question: What amI grateful for today? I realize the I sound like a broken record, but seriously? How long does it take to jot down two things you are grateful for every morning? This one tiny habit will change your life! I promise you!

May the Lord Make All Your Crooked Paths Straight, Chuck