Remember riding your bike? Did you ride somewhere with lots of hills? Going uphill was difficult, but downhill was exhilarating. Downhill is all about momentum. 
Momentum is an interesting concept that has been around since ancient times. It’s a powerful force that can help us make progress in our lives and achieve our goals. In physics, momentum is defined as “the quantity of motion of a body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.” In everyday life, we can define it as the impetus or energy that we need to keep going and remain focused on our goals.
Riding downhill required little momentum, but uphill was a lot easier once we got moving. When it comes to accomplishing something, momentum is key. It’s the driving force behind any successful endeavor. We can build on our successes and move forward quickly and efficiently by having momentum. Without it, we spin our wheels, feel stuck, and unmotivated.
Here are a few thoughts on how to create momentum in our leadership.
Shrink the Goal
When riding uphill, which by the way is what leadership usually feels like, you get the first turn of the pedals and then go pedal by pedal. Similarly, one way to create and maintain momentum is to break down our goals into smaller, achievable tasks. Riding or climbing a hill is taken one step/pedal stroke at a time. Small tasks create simple steps to gain success and build on them as we go. It also helps us stay motivated and on track because we see our progress.
Set Deadlines
I recently completed a project I started at the beginning of the year. I remembered my deadline to keep my momentum, especially during monotonous work. Deadlines help us stay focused and on task as we constantly work towards a specific goal. It also helps us avoid procrastination, which can be a major obstacle to achieving success.
Be Patient
Riding downhill is easy, but we don’t want our vision going downhill, therefore, our climbs are uphill. When riding my bike as a kid up the neighborhood hill in 12th gear, I would have to pedal real hard initially, patiently pedal in the middle, and push through at the end. I didn’t realize until now that I was learning the patience required to gain momentum. Momentum is not created overnight. It takes time and effort to build and maintain, but once it’s in motion, it can be a powerful tool for achieving success.
Overall, momentum is an essential element of success. We need the energy and focus to keep going and achieve our goals. We can create and maintain momentum in our lives by breaking down our goals into smaller tasks, setting deadlines, and staying motivated. With momentum on our side, the climb is still challenging but easier.
Need help thinking about how to create momentum with your organization or team? Contact me for a discovery meeting to determine ways I can help you increase your momentum and that of your team. Lead Well!
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