New Mapmaker Coaching Website!

MapmakerCoaching.com is totally new!

I hope you find that the new site communicates clearly what Mapmaker Coaching is all about, and enjoy visiting the site. It also includes an archive of the past editions of “Living the Second Half” in case you’d like to read back issues.

Julie Whaley designed the site, and her husband Ethan did my photographs. They have been a pleasure to work with, and I'm happy to recommend their services.

The Importance of Momentum

It’s hard to overstate the importance of momentum in getting from one place to another.

Ever had to push a stalled car?

Establishing even the smallest amount of momentum makes a huge difference. Then, if you just keep applying a steady force, the car starts going faster and faster until soon you’re jogging just to keep up.

That’s the power of momentum!

No matter what your endeavor, creating momentum is a big part of success. Here are four laws of momentum to consider:

1. The bigger the change you want to make in your life, the more important momentum is.

2. Major undertakings require exerting significant energy at the beginning. Without exerting significant effort, you’ll not move forward at all. But when you apply enough energy to move forward, you’ll create momentum.

3. Maintaining momentum requires continuously pushing in the same direction. Taking a break, losing focus, or pushing in a different direction causes a loss of momentum.

4. Once established, momentum is a major force in carrying you forward to your goal.

So where do you have a big goal that needs momentum? What do you need to do to establish and maintain it?

Sometimes getting momentum established requires a helper. Then once you get going in the right direction, it’s easy to keep it moving forward by yourself. As your coach, I can help you establish momentum. Let me know if you have a big goal I can help you with.

To Plan, or Not To Plan

A paradox: Should I make plans, ask God to bless them, and work to make them happen? Or should I put my effort into preparing, wait for God to reveal His plan, and then put my energy behind that?

As with any paradox, you can find plenty of advocates for either side, and find that these advocates make very convincing arguments for their understanding.

On the one hand, you’ll hear great arguments that without planning, you’ll never make progress on anything.

On the other hand, you’ll hear that human planning is limited at best, so you’re better off just reacting to whatever comes along.

As with all paradoxes, both scripture and common sense tell us that both ideas are equally true.

Psalm 20:4 says, “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “I know the plans I have for you…”

So, we have plans, and God has plans for us. It’s biblical to make plans and ask God to bless them. It’s also biblical to recognize that God has plans for us, and that we should ask Him to show them to us and guide us in following them.

We know that our plans are limited by human knowledge, and that our only guarantee is that they’ll have to change. But plans help give our lives direction and momentum, and since God gives the desires of our hearts to us, it’s only proper to ask His blessing, guidance, and direction for our endeavors.

And as we make and revise our plans based on our knowledge at the moment, we should always be seeking to understand His plan for us and align ourselves with it.

May your life always be filled with dreams and plans – and preparation and readiness for aligning with God’s plan for you.

About Mapmaker Coaching

Mapmaker Coaching is a resource for the crossroads of your life!

Coaching is about helping you do the things you need to do so that you can become who you want to be.

Our work together is accomplished during scheduled telephone conferences. Between sessions, you take action toward achieving your goals, with email and phone support as needed.

If you think coaching might be right for you, finding out is easy. Your first session is free, with no obligation. Just email me and I'll schedule your free session.

Whether it's your career, business, ministry, retirement, or some other aspect of your life, a period of coaching can make a powerful difference in how you live your life.