How To Control Your Momentum

Momentum? You may be thinking, "I didn't sign up for high school level physics!"

But this is far more than physics we are talking about here!

Merrium-Webster dictionary defines momentum as a "strength or force gained by motion or a series of events."

Now, how does this help you with your goals and dreams? Well lets take a closer look at that definition and how to apply it to our daily lives.

When we have a great idea, what is the first thing we do? We get excited, tell our closest friends and family. We have this undeniable feeling that we can make our dream or idea a reality. Then, life happens. That's right. Bills need to get paid, kids need to be taken care of and most of us give away 8 hours of our day to someone else.

So we keep falling into this rut that makes us say "I will take that first step to create my dream tomorrow!" Eventually tomorrow gets further and further away from today.

How do we control this rut? Of course, like many other things it is difficult but possible. The key to keeping momentum in your life is to take small steps every day toward your goal. These steps will eventually pile onto one other like a staircase making your will and progress stronger then when you started.

Here are the steps you can take to control YOUR momentum:

1. Identify your goal.

For some this may be a simple task. For others you may have a general idea of who you want to be, what you want to do but maybe you don't have the exact goal in mind that will create that in you. Your goal could be anything: Losing weight, start a business, change your mindset, eat healthier, or picking up a new hobby that you haven't had time for. Whatever the goal may be, take your time to try and identify it. Try writing it on a small poster paper and hang it somewhere you can see it daily. Leave sticky notes for yourself to find to remind you of your goal.

If this is your first goal you are attempting you want to start small. If your goal is to run a marathon, start with a 5K. If you want to lose 50 lbs, make your goal to lose 2-3 lbs a week. If you want to write a book, start by making it a goal to complete 2-5 pages weekly.

2. Take Steps Daily

Next you want to make small steps in the direction of your goal. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. Changing your daily routine even in the slightest way can become a monumental task. Think about the habits you have. On a sheet of paper write down the habits you currently have that are keeping you from reaching your goal. We'll call this list "Old Me List" Now write down the habits you currently have that are leading you towards your goal. If you don't have any yet, that's okay! We'll call this list the "New Me List" Take one of your habits from your "Old Me List" and find a way to change this habit, replace it with a new habit that will help you reach your goal or turn it into a positive habit. For example: If you have a habit of watching 2 hrs of TV a day, replace watching TV with watching webinars or informational videos on the subject of your goal. The important thing here is to take one small step every day towards your goal until your "Old Me List is empty."

3. Find a Mentor

One of the best actions you can take toward a goal is finding someone who has done what you are trying to do. Find someone who has completed the task you are working towards. This can be a friend, a parent or someone in your community. Don't be afraid to reach out. People are often willing to help others by sharing the knowledge of what they have learned to someone who is dedicated to learning it themselves.

4. Stay Motivated

This can sometimes be the most difficult step. It is a characteristic of many people to be skeptical or doubtful of others in their endeavors when they themselves have been unable to accomplish similar goals. How their opinions effect you is entirely up to you. Take their words and use it as fuel instead of a reason to give in. Remember that you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself. So find some sticky notes, write reminders and motivational words to help you take that step every day. Put them where you go regularly; your car, your fridge, on your bedside table, the bathroom sink. Find a good friend that supports your goals and ask them to text you once daily (or whenever they are able) something motivational to keep you going. Or if you would rather take this step completely by yourself, set reminders on your smart phone with something positive to keep you going!

5. What's next?

Have you reached your goal but don't want to stop your momentum?

Create a new goal! Remember that the key is to start small and challenge yourself regularly. Now that you have reached your first goal, take it a level further. Go back to step 1. If you finished that 5K work towards running a quarter marathon. If you've lost that weight, try mentoring someone else who needs help sticking to their plan. The ideas are endless.

Set forth to grow and prosper my friends!

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