Most of us have heard the word momentum, perhaps even referenced it ourselves.
Usually we think of momentum in terms of a project we’re undertaking, but rarely do we consider it a force that is with us at all times.
So the idea of momentum isn’t new by any means, however I would like to expand on it.
Introducing the concept of Momentum.
Background
I began contemplating momentum when I noticed that sometimes an activity I found easy to action was later quite difficult to action. It was the same action, so what were the variables affecting it?
The best example of this is one most of us can relate to…
Have you ever had a great day at work where you crushed it, achieving everything thrown at you. You can home, cleaned the dishes, went to the gym, went out to dinner and got home in time for your ideal bedtime.
Then there’s those times where you’ve sat down on a saturday morning full of energy and begin watching TV, you end up getting drawn into it and spending the whole day on the couch binge watching.
When you finally get off the couch, you look at the dishes but the resistance is high.
It’s the same action but in one state it is effortless, in the latter it is strugglesome.
I attribute this to momentum.
Then I wondered, can we hack our momentum?
- Momentum is a spinning sphere of energy.
- Works similar to revs/rpm in an engine.
- Affects motivation, energy, vitality, productivity, confidence.
- High momentum will result in more action taking.
- Low momentum can result in lethargy and inability to take action.
- Balanced momentum is the ideal resting point.
Momentum can be used to improve wellbeing, productivity and action taking.
What effects our momentum?
Momentum is most affected by our level of certainty.
Both our overall certainty and a specific actions level of certainty.
Certainty in a nutshell is our ability to know the outcome, path and next step.
(What We Want, How to Get it, What Action to Take Now).
How do we generate a state of high momentum?
Our momentum is increased by achievement (and decreased by procrastination/stagnation).
The more intents we achieve, the more momentum we produce.
I’ve come to realise however that even small actions that we complete intentionally can contribute positively to our momentum.
To do something intentionally simply means we planned to do it – eg; “Write Article”.
If we add further planning to it, like putting it in our calendar – eg; 10am ‘Write Article’.
We have now created two achievements from the one action, completing the task and starting it at designated time.
I even adopted this concept to my social media use.
First, I would put my phone on “Focus Mode” or “Do Not Disturb”.
Second, I would structure my schedule with a time to check social media – 15 minutes to read and respond to messages.
As long as I kept to what was in my calendar this actually contributed to my momentum positively and thus my productivity.
It was an achievement instead of an unplanned distraction.
(Plus the outrageousness of being so disciplined in this day and age probably gave me some level of ego boost 😇)
I have a lot more to share about momentum and ways to use it to your advantage in your business/home life.
If you want to know more about momentum, how to de-stress, improve your wellbeing and productivity then sign up to my weekly catch up for tips, tricks and hacks.