Why Momentum is Important

Momentum is a precious commodity in the world of managing your energy and advancing forward.  We need to keep our momentum going because it will advance faster, give you a sense of confidence and will enable you to focus on those things that are most important. You can leverage your momentum to help you overcome obstacles and hindrances as well.

Momentum is a force or speed of movement; impetus. The word is derived from the moment.  When our lives have positive momentum, we are able in live in the moment and the direction we are headed in propels us forward.  Developing momentum in our lives is crucial to our advancement and development. If our relationships, career and businesses are at a standstill, stagnation can occur and you will likely feel unfulfilled and unhappy.

It’s a great feeling when you experience positive momentum in a relationship or with a project. When I see my wife developing sales momentum, it is as though she is unstoppable. In contrast, I can’t stand the stops and starts that never seem to get off the ground when I am developing a new idea or product. Although they may be necessary, I don’t like interruptions and the energy that is wasted.

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist and philosopher who believed that having momentum in your work was critical to success. A person without work – motion – was not effective and was incomplete.

He stated the following:

“Our nature consists in motion; complete rest is death….Nothing is so insufferable to man as to be completely at rest, without passion, without business, without diversion, without study.  He then feels his nothingness, his forlornness, his insufficiency, his dependence, his weakness, his emptiness.  There will immediately arise from the depth of his heart weariness, gloom, sadness, fretfulness, vexation, despair.”

That is quite a contrast between motion and being at rest. Rest does have its place in our lives, but if you get too much rest you will likely get bored out of your mind or become lazy.   So we must embrace the forward motion of our lives.

Here are some thoughts about momentum that will help you move forward.

1. Take a step back and assess where you are at. If you are not advancing, you may be experiencing the negative effects of stagnation.  Be honest with where you are at. Take a look at your life from different time periods:  eg. A week, month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years.  What has your momentum looked like over those different time periods?  Were you in the flow or in a continuous interrupted state?  Ask why a few times to find what the root cause was. See if you learn something and make a change that works for you.
2. It is easier to keep something moving than getting it moving from a stand still. What is in motion tends to stay in motion if you tend to it.
3. Multiple starts and stops can consume a lot of energy.  Count your momentum as sacred and keep it moving at all costs. Sometimes all it takes are a few inputs.
4. Having momentum doesn’t mean you are focusing on the best activities and that you are being productive.  Don’t think that having momentum will automatically make you successful.  You still need strategy based on what is important to you.
5. When you connect your work and relationships to your core values, you will enjoy the journey more than ever.  Momentum has great merits when this happens.
6. If you have momentum and it is not moving in the ideal direction, remember that it you steer a sailing  ship, not one that is at port.  Leverage your motion to navigate. You will eventual arrive at your destination.
7. Connect with people who encourage you.  Encouragement, gives us courage and strength to overcome obstacles and resistance.  It can create a tipping point get things moving.
8. Don’t get stuck waiting for the perfect to come or for a big break. Fear has  many different forms that can paralyze us.   Do something related to your goal or objective to break through the stagnation inertia.

Keep the momentum in your life going.  There will be stops and starts and unexpected turns.  When you are advancing forward, pay attention to what it takes to keep things moving.  Stay connected to those things that are important to you. Positive momentum can propel you to your next level.