Why Momentum Matters More Than Motivation |
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Psychological momentum is an important factor in goal achievement.
Success often breeds success, while failure breeds failure
Losing momentum undermines motivation.
After several attempts to get her business off the ground, Ariella hit a wall. This wall wasn’t a specific obstacle she could break down and deal with. This wall was different. It was a vague but powerful feeling that permeated all her senses and made her feel heavy, drained, and dejected.
Unable to make the progress she hoped for, she started questioning her potential: I am lazy and undisciplined. I lack commitment. I don’t have what it takes. It’s never going to work.
Seeing no change in the trajectory of her business, Ariella entered a state of stagnation. Her energy depleted, her confidence eroded, and her sense of hope vanished. When in stagnation, change doesn’t feel difficult; it feels impossible.
You could say that Ariella lost her motivation. But this isn’t the case. What Ariella lost is momentum.
What Is Psychological Momentum?
Momentum is a concept psychologists borrowed from physics. In physics, momentum is a property of a moving object defined by its mass and velocity—how heavy it is and how fast it is moving. Another way to think about it is that momentum refers to how difficult it is to stop a moving object. For example, if thrown at the same speed, a tennis ball is much harder to stop than a Nerf ball, because while they look the same size, the tennis ball has more mass, and therefore more momentum. More momentum makes you more unstoppable. Less momentum makes it easier to come to a standstill.
While psychological momentum isn’t defined by how much a person weighs or how fast they walk, the metaphor still works. Psychological momentum is about movement, but toward what?........