December 30, 2011 – DAY 30 | Momentum: I have spent 30 days writing a blog challenging you to discover a New You in the New Year. I have given you many things to think about. But thoughts are useless without actions to back them up.
Momentum is a wonderful tool if you can figure out how to use it properly. All too often I see people who start out well but slowly lose their momentum. Many even give up too soon. Perhaps I am an eternal optimist, but I think that many will give up long before they actually started trying. Many times fear, fatigue, or even lost focus will kill the momentum. I should know because I’ve killed the momentum before. Somehow we get in our minds that momentum is about going faster and faster. The reality is that all you need is steady movement in the right direction.
Recently I completed a 6 mile hike in Central Southern Tennessee. The trail was absolutely stunning and with each turn was another waterfall. The sights along the trail were breathtaking. It was, by far, the most beautiful hike I’ve been on in a long time. My hikes typically start off with a nice pace. The longer on the trail, the more likely I am to start feeling the fatigue of the trip. Hiking in the mountains of Tennessee is no walk in the part either. There are segments of trails in which you must traverse obstacles such as rocks and boulders. These obstacles will absolutely slow you down and add to your fatigue.
What occurred to me is that with momentum it is not about speed or trajectory, but consistent movement in the desired direction. I had a few choices I could have made on the trail. Sit down and give up; keep going full speed ahead; or take my time and enjoy the stunning scenery at every turn. Your journey into 2012 and beyond is really about making a choice to move steadily, finding the stunning scenery. Momentum is not about the race to the finish line but about enjoying the journey to the next opportunity.
Don’t give up – keep moving.
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Philip A Foster, MA is Founder/CEO of Maximum Change Inc. Elevating leaders and their organizations to the next level since 2005. Master Certified Coach, Philip A Foster, MA and his associates facilitate effective positive change by helping organizations, leaders and individuals in high demand — design and implement strategies that maximize focus and deliver results. Specializing in Organization and Strategic Leadership.