"Success requires
first expending ten units of effort to produce one unit of results.
Your momentum will then produce ten units of results with each unit of effort."
- Charles J. Givens
Your momentum will then produce ten units of results with each unit of effort."
- Charles J. Givens
It's a brand new year, and some of us have already found our best laid intentions for change in 2016 have already stalled, sputtered, and stopped dead in their tracks before crossing into February. Whatever goal you've set for yourself, either this year or in the past, you've probably felt a familiar resistance that naturally occurs when you embark on a successful change.
In the past few posts, I've focused on the immense importance of setting goals. Goals are vital. But how is it possible to generate, maintain, and capitalize momentum to the point where completing a goal feels possible? Here's some simple pointers:
1. Start Your Engine.
The law of physics does apply here - an object at rest tends to stay at rest, an object in motion tends to stay in motion... In order to gain momentum, simply start. I know it's easier said than done sometimes. I recommend doing something that starts your engines. Get out of your normal day-to-day routine. Do something that inspires you to DO something more. For me, it's watching a superb movie, getting out and exploring places I haven't been yet, connecting with people outside my regular circle, or simply breaking out of my comfort zone.
It's surprising how getting up and doing something that engages who you are and where you want to be can easily and effectively put you back on course to achieving your goals.
2. Aim Higher.
Michael Korda believes "One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals." When a milestone is hit, a common way of keeping momentum up is to simply raise the bar, shoot for a faster time, or do more with less. But having a greater goal should mean that your focus becomes larger in scope and grander in purpose.
Don't settle for first place on a local or state level. Go for the gold nationally! You mastered the system that you're in, now rethink the system. Challenge yourself to do more than simply be more effective. You'll begin to thrive off that momentum.
3. Avoid Momentum Killers
When you have a good thing going, avoid situations and people who are determined to derail the train of success you've put into motion. Protect your momentum carefully. Guard your schedule against time wasters or investing in life-sucking catastrophes. Don't invite external influences to slow down your success. Experience says that enough road blocks happen to occur naturally without us adding more to the mix.
Avoid being your own momentum killer. "Sometimes thinking too much can destroy your momentum." - Tom Watson. Myopically focusing on one aspect of your goals can prevent you from seeing the larger picture of success. Overanalyzing the possibility of failure can cause your momentum train to stall. Then it's back to square one. Don't let the fear of failure consume your mind. Go forward and trust the track record that you've built. If you have more success than failure backing you up, then there's nothing to stop you from moving forward with confidence.
Momentum is vital to keeping the goals you've set in sight. Do whatever you need to in order to keep the pace up and build on the claimed successes already in hand.
What are some things that start your engine?
What absolutely kills your momentum without fail? AND how can you protect yourself from those momentum killers?
2. Aim Higher.
Michael Korda believes "One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals." When a milestone is hit, a common way of keeping momentum up is to simply raise the bar, shoot for a faster time, or do more with less. But having a greater goal should mean that your focus becomes larger in scope and grander in purpose.
Don't settle for first place on a local or state level. Go for the gold nationally! You mastered the system that you're in, now rethink the system. Challenge yourself to do more than simply be more effective. You'll begin to thrive off that momentum.
3. Avoid Momentum Killers
When you have a good thing going, avoid situations and people who are determined to derail the train of success you've put into motion. Protect your momentum carefully. Guard your schedule against time wasters or investing in life-sucking catastrophes. Don't invite external influences to slow down your success. Experience says that enough road blocks happen to occur naturally without us adding more to the mix.
Avoid being your own momentum killer. "Sometimes thinking too much can destroy your momentum." - Tom Watson. Myopically focusing on one aspect of your goals can prevent you from seeing the larger picture of success. Overanalyzing the possibility of failure can cause your momentum train to stall. Then it's back to square one. Don't let the fear of failure consume your mind. Go forward and trust the track record that you've built. If you have more success than failure backing you up, then there's nothing to stop you from moving forward with confidence.
Momentum is vital to keeping the goals you've set in sight. Do whatever you need to in order to keep the pace up and build on the claimed successes already in hand.
What are some things that start your engine?
What absolutely kills your momentum without fail? AND how can you protect yourself from those momentum killers?
