Change Your World

A Book I’m Reading – The Common Rule

It seems like I’m hearing more and more people talk about intentionally designing their lives by creating and adhering to a rule for life. A rule for life is essentially a set of habits, behaviors, and boundaries you establish for yourself to guide your days and decisions.

I am only a few pages in to this book. I am really looking forward to reading it and seeing what I can apply to my life. I don’t know about you, but I feel like August is a great time to refocus my habits and routines.

From Amazon:

Habits form us more than we form them.

The modern world is a machine of a thousand invisible habits, forming us into anxious, busy, and depressed people. We yearn for the freedom and peace of the gospel, but remain addicted to our technology, shackled by our screens, and exhausted by our routines. But because our habits are the water we swim in, they are almost invisible to us.

What can we do about it?

The answer to our contemporary chaos is to practice a rule of life that aligns our habits to our beliefs. The Common Rule offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend.

These habits are “common” not only because they are ordinary, but also because they can be practiced in community. They have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose. As you embark on these life-giving practices, you will find the freedom and rest for your soul that comes from aligning belief in Jesus with the practices of Jesus.

A Lesson I’m Learning

It is easy to drift and live from a place of distraction instead of design. August is a great time to revisit your dreams, goals, and desires. With schools starting back, it feels like a new year … turning over a new leaf. It is a great time to get back to the basics to strengthen the foundation of your life as you launch into this next season.

Here are some areas I’m thinking about:

My relationship with God
My relationship with Laura
My work and those I serve with
My family and friends
My health goals
My financial goals
How I rejuvenate

A Podcast Episode I’m Listening To: Focus on This Episode 101

Black, Courtney, and Marissa do a great job reminding us of the basics of the Full Focus Planner. The Full Focus Planner is my favorite paper planner. Even if you don’t use the planner, I think you’ll get a lot from this episode of the podcast.

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

Habits form much more than our schedules: they form our hearts.” — Justin Whitmel Early

A Book I’m Reading – Change Your World

I’ve had the privilege of meeting John Maxwell a few times. I’ve read a lot of his books and given dozens away. Anytime I see him teach, I am inspired by his desire to keep learning and to keep adding value to others. Out of all of the books he’s written, this book may be the book he was born to write!

From Amazon:

Whatever the desire of your heart—better schools, better neighborhoods, more positive workplaces, more connected families, or more engaged communities—Change Your World will guide you through the entire process to take action and start making an impact today right where you are.

You can bring about positive, lasting change in the world, and you don’t have to be rich and famous or lead a big organization to do it.

Global leadership and development icons John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins provide the inspiring and practical roadmap to get started being the change you want to see—in your community and beyond.

For many of us, the world we live in feels broken, yet change is easier than we think. Learn from the firsthand experiences shared by the authors from their work helping to transform communities, businesses, and millions of lives around the world.

In Change Your World, they show you how to

Identify your cause
Live out the values that make a difference
Become a catalyst for change
Join the right team or recruit one of your own
Work together with others to make a difference
Measure your impact and keep improving

You’ll not only be encouraged to make a difference based on the needs you see around you; you’ll be equipped to take action and start making an impact today.

A Lesson I’m Learning

When I’m wrestling with a situation, trying to figure out the best path forward, I’m learning to ask the question: “Whose needs are being met?”

Scripture reminds us over and over again to put the needs of others first … to live with a posture of service.

So if I’m putting my needs first, I’m probably making the wrong decision. If I’m bending to the singularly focused need of someone else, that probably isn’t the right decision either. But if I’m putting the good of the many first, I’m probably on the right track.

What do you think? Do you agree?

Worth Another Mention: Scribd

I recommend Scribd at least once a year because I think it’s a fantastic service. Scribd is basically the “Netflix” of ebooks and audiobooks. For one (reasonable) monthly fee you can access thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, documents, sheet music, and more!

If you are looking for a way to read more or listen to more audiobooks, please give this a try and let me know what you think. If you use my link above, you’ll get 60 days free.

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

The smallest action is better than the biggest intention. No one ever intended their way into greatness. We’ve been waiting on others to change the world. You don’t get attention by talking. You get attention by taking action.” — John C. Maxwell

Monday Mentions 8.9.21

Monday Mentions 8.02.21

Let’s change the world together!