If I asked you in what area are struggling what would you say?

Are you anxious and depressed?

Do you need a financial breakthrough?

Are you tired and overweight and have yet to find the solution that will help you walk in the physical health you long for?

Maybe you are worried about your children?

Do you long for a closer relationship with God? Are you going through a time of brokenness and heartache and don’t know how you will go on?

Maybe you want to start an online business, or need to take your business to the next level but do not know your next right step?

Whatever your struggle is, what you need is power to overcome obstacles and break through barriers. Power to walk in the freedom and joy that God has for you. In my latest book "Power in Partnership- Coaching the Secret Sauce of Sucess, we explore together how coaching can connect you with the answers you seek, and be the secret sauce that brings power to see the dreams in your heart come to pass.

There is power in...

The sun peeked behind a cloud as the boys drew their bows tight. Their teacher loved challenging them with different games. This game was a point challenge. Each shot they made had the potential to earn from one to a million points!

The arrows wizzed through the air as each boy racked up points! Then their teacher added a new level of challenge. He put red and blue balloons on each target with even more points to gain.

As I watched this new game get underway I was surprised by two things.

First, although each boy missed the balloons, they each hit the target EVERY time!

The second thing I noticed was they all were disappointed.

Even though none of the balloons were broken, the teacher congratulated them for never missing the target. He said that the balloons had brought an added precision, even though the goal was not being reached.

I recently completed my coaching certification with Kingdom Builders Academy. I had set many goals for myself, so when I reached the one year mark and was...

The sun shone through the windows as the alarm by my bed rang.

Before me were the usual tasks that fill up my busy days, meals to cook, laundry to fold and floors to clean.

So many tasks to fill up my time and all necessary to the functioning of our family.

Then there are those moments in the day. They are not many, but they do come - moments where you can pick your next task. I can find things to do that will keep me busy, but I can also choose something that will move me forward toward one of my goals.

Making this choice requires effort, because it is breaking new ground, walking where I have never been before. It requires courage to face my fears, and strength to move in ways that may not feel natural. But if I choose to make the step that will bring me closer to achieving a goal that God has placed on my heart, the result will be joy and a new way will be paved.

If I daily choose to do what feels hard, these moments become a bulldozer, clearing the path for dreams to be reached.

So...

Most mountain hiking paths need navigating.  There are rocks to avoid, tree roots to step over, and turns to negotiate, all while making sure you keep a good distance from the edge.  But what if your path is a river, where you can’t see your feet, you need a hiking stick to find your footing, and the current is either a gift or a means for more effort? 

As we hiked “The Narrows” in Zion National Park, I thought a lot about when my path is like a river.  The path was difficult, but God pulled my attention to the beautiful canyon walls on each side of the river.  They were not only a wonder to look at but brought definition and safety to the path. 

What does your current path in life look like?  Do you have the normal daily obstacles to navigate, or is your path a river where walking is more difficult and finding your footing is challenging?

Our family has been in a time of transition, as our oldest is in her...

Where are your eyes when you are walking on a mountain path?  Are you looking at the drop off? Or the view?  If you are looking at the danger you will be full of fear and will make little progress on the path.  It is good to have an awareness of the danger of a misstep but if this is where your focus is it will affect your pace on the path. 

On the other hand if you are looking at the view then the joy will flow in your heart as you enjoy the beauty of all that is around you.  Let the view be the grace that you need to power your steps.  This will help make your journey one of pleasure and not pain. 

 In recent times of transition in our family God showed me that I was focusing on the danger of the path rather than the view He was allowing me to see.  This revelation brought a new freedom for me to walk the path He has set before me.

I love breaking things down into small chunks, doing things one step at a time.  It is easier to think of writing for five minutes than reserving an hour for a task that may seem impossible.

I have a bookmark in every book, so when we open the book we know right where we left off and can launch from there.  It is freeing to know that we are making progress, and not so much confined to a checklist.

In our family, we have used this method over and over again.  Whether it is school work or household chores,  I always say you can do (almost) anything for five minutes.  I like to say,  “We do a lot of things a little bit every day.”  By using this strategy, at the end of the week we have made significant progress in many areas of our lives. 

Another place where this attitude is helpful is when you are grieving, or experiencing a difficult time.  You may not be able to do all your normal activities, but try picking just...