Are you one of these individuals who never complete things but love to start them?
Well, don’t worry, you are not alone. In fact, there are countless people out there who have unfinished projects.
You may not see this as a problem. However, it blocks your momentum.
The power of momentum
It’s just like running or any other kind of exercise. When you get into the flow, you are unstoppable.
But when you stop … you tend to remain static, blocked in your current state.
To get started again, you have to put so much more energy into it, especially if you want to create change.
Yes. It’s a shift in mindset. Nevertheless, it is much easier to keep the momentum than to stop and struggle to start again.
Think about it. When you are in the moment, the more excited you get, the more momentum you build.
You can apply this theory to any area of your life, whether it’s in your relationship or even at work.
There are times when you love work, you are in the moment, you are completing all that you have on your to do list. Then somehow, the opposite is present. That’s because your momentum is blocked.
Now, you are probably wondering … how does this happen?
Momentum demands movement
It can start small.
Let’s say your toaster or any electrical appliance at home explodes. Now it is broken and you have to get to the shops to buy a new appliance. But only when you have the time.
The next day you go to check your letterbox. Suddenly, you realise that you have forgotten to pay your car registration, as you pull out the late reminder notice.
Then another day goes past and it has just dawned on you that you told your partner you would be home in time to cook dinner. But you got held up in a meeting.
And we call this life.
In reality, we have blocked our momentum.
As you can see, the incomplete promises, tasks, bills and broken appliances all build up and it takes up space in our head.
That’s why it is super important to always seek for what you need to complete by today.
Success is like a snowball
It takes momentum to build success. And the more you roll in the right direction, the bigger it gets.
That’s why it is key to just keep going. Make sure your momentum blocks build up like a mountain.
As soon as a bill comes in, take care of it straight away. As soon as one of your appliances blows up, go and buy a new one. If you promised your partner you would be home to cook dinner at a certain time and you know you have a meeting, set the scene before your meeting and let them know that you have to leave at a certain time.
Yes, it takes practise.
But believe me, once you are aware of creating momentum, it puts you in a power position. A shift in mindset takes place because you are not creating limitations for yourself.
The time and tide wait for no man nor woman. So, in the wise words of Benjamin Franklin, ‘Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.’
We are the effort, not the outcome. It’s what we put in.
The results that you achieve will be in direct magnitude to the efforts you apply.
Inertia is the end of creativity
A tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged is the norm.
If we look at it from a psychological safety point of view, the brain does not like change. For the brain, change signals a loss of control and entry into the unknown. It is a story that the unconscious mind creates.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that we are quite content to stay in our comfort zone and do nothing.
However, Newton’s three laws of motion teach us as follows:
- Every object in a state of uniform motion will remain in that state of motion unless an external force act on it
- Force equals mass times acceleration
- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
You see, it makes sense to show up in every single moment like you are meant to be there. By building momentum, you are creating a world in which you are more productive, more effective and more efficient.
We have to keep the momentum going in order to achieve all of our objectives.
To do so, take small steps, one goal at a time and keep upping the ante with greater goals. Of course, celebrate and acknowledge your small wins along the way.
One day at a time is the secret to building momentum
Carl Jung said that repression is a process of dismissing unpleasant feelings and experiences to the unconscious mind and resistance is the process of blocking any experience.
Take it one day at a time.
When you feel lost, relish the moment. Don’t get in your way, but allow the moment to flow through you, like the tide of the ocean. This is where we find balance amongst the noise.
When I get lost in the moment, I have this internal dialogue. I say, ‘hang five, rethink and then sort out what you’re doing.’ It allows me to just be.
When we allow things to pile up, they create an obstacle in our path. In turn, it can become an unconscious pattern or habit. Our friend Aristotle says, ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.’
You see, the problem here is that you are trying to sell time that you don’t have.
Unless you consciously become aware as to why you are blocking your momentum, unfinished projects and broken promises will follow you.
Just do it
When do you catch yourself blocking your momentum?
It could be in any area of your life, from your finances or career to family or friends. And behind the block is fear.
So, to commit to change, you need to go all in.
You have to be very clear on how you want to spend your time. By identifying what you want to invest your energy in, you will easily find out what you love and what you do not like to do.
It is the best way to eliminate your energy drains and brain overwhelm.
By getting things done and keeping up with the momentum, you will feel energised and recharged.
And ultimately, you will become what you believe.