Momentum is essentially the force created by a moving object. You likely heard about this concept in your high school physics class, but momentum goes far beyond the laws of motion. Momentum, when applied to ideas of motivation, enables you to start thinking, see that your goals are reachable, and find a sense of purpose, power, and direction. Learning how to build momentum is, therefore, one of the first steps to finding success in life.
By building momentum, you are creating a world in which you are more productive, more effective, and more efficient. Momentum helps you get over the initial hurdle of not being able to start something and then pushes you through to the end. Momentum helps build positive thinking and energy to help you progress towards your goals.
Over the years through working on several projects and dealing with a wide range of people, I have learned that there are three key strategies for learning how to get momentum and push forward.
1. Just Do It
Nike’s slogan is a great motto to create momentum. This is one of the best methods to build momentum in life. Whatever it is that you want to do, whether it is starting that project that you have been putting off, going to the gym to lose 10 pounds, or writing the first paragraph of your next novel, the best way to build momentum is to simply take action through one small step.
By taking action, you start to focus your time and energy on the things that matter most. It may feel uneasy at first, but the more time and energy you put into doing it, the more comfortable you will start to become with it.
Over time, the momentum builds and feeds upon itself. The more small steps you take, the more momentum you will build, the more comfortable you will be doing that activity or task, and the more productive and effective you will be.
For example, if you know you have an important work project due next week, a small step could be to make a to-do list of all the things you’ll need to do to complete the project. This will prepare your mind to jump into the steps the following day.
2. Schedule It
Perhaps you can’t do it right now, but what you can do is schedule some time to do that thing that you have been putting off[1]. Even better, make it a routine to create momentum in life.
If you have been putting off going to the gym, schedule it now, and stick to it. If you have trouble sticking to your schedule and do not have the discipline to take action, think of your long-term goals.
Why exactly do you want to go to the gym, and how would your life look and feel if you lost the 10 pounds that you want to lose? If this is not enough, don’t be afraid to reward yourself after each action that you take.
To build momentum, you need to take action every single day. One of the best ways to build momentum is to schedule 30 minutes every day where you will be dedicated to what it is that you want to achieve. Before you know it, after one week you would have been productive for 3.5 hours! It all adds up and making it a routine will help embed it as a habit and help it become part of your life.
3. Learn About It
When you aren’t quite prepared to take action, you can start building momentum by learning about what it is that you should be doing.
You can get started with this by checking out Lifehack’s Learn Anything Fast Handbook. Once you have the motivation to learn, you can begin to find resources on the actions you are preparing to take.
For example, if you are struggling to get to the gym, pick up a health and fitness magazine and read up on the different exercises that you can undertake at the gym. Learn about the different programs that you can complete or the different classes that you can take part in.
Perhaps you’re struggling to write the first paragraph of your next novel. Take some time out to learn about the topic that you want to be writing about. Pick up the phone and talk to someone about it, or browse a website that describes how to write a novel. Whatever it is, you can learn something about the task which will help you build momentum.
Learning about the activity that you want to pursue creates neural pathways in your brain that helps you build the confidence and knowledge to be able to do what it is that you want to do.
The Bottom Line
If you want to achieve more in life and be more successful, productive, effective, and efficient, then you need to consider the above strategies to build momentum. Remember that once you start down a path with a single step, you have already started to build the momentum that you’ll need to propel you forward and complete your goals.
