Six Proven Ways to Regain Momentum

Momentum is your friend. If you have it, be grateful. If you’ve lost it, be intentional and get it back. No one said regaining momentum was easy but there is a pathway for getting it back.

mo•men•tum – noun

• the strength or force that something has when it is moving
• the strength or force that allows something to continue or to grow stronger or faster as time passes

Momentum is your friend.

What causes the loss of momentum?

• life altering events – i.e. accidents, sickness, job loss, family tragedy, hurricanes and tornados (real and imaginary)
• inactivity that persists for too long
• internal beliefs that keep you stuck – I lost momentum when our accident happened more than 3 years ago. I have grown a great deal and seen momentum regained in some areas of my life but am still not where I need to be.

What keeps momentum from coming back?

Here are a few of the momentum stopping messages we tell ourselves:

“I’m afraid to try because I might fail. What if they don’t like me?”

“I’m not sure I should go this direction so I better wait until it’s clear.”

“I’ll wait until things are perfect before I begin.”

“I shouldn’t have to work to get momentum back since it was stolen from me.”

“There’s got to be an easier way to accomplish this.”

Six Handles to Grab to Regain Momentum

These five handles are some of the tangible ways I’m working to regain the momentum I lost. It’s a work in progress but I’m remaining hopeful as I follow a proven pathway.

1. Acknowledge you are stuck.

Regaining momentum starts by admitting you’ve lost it. You won’t go looking for something you haven’t lost. In my life, I need to regain momentum in my work as I use my talent and skills to help leaders grow and change.

2. Assess your readiness.

You cannot simply assume you are ready to regain momentum if your “brutal facts” say otherwise. I wanted to regain momentum months ago but had more surgery and recovery to go. This week, however, I found out that I don’t need any more knee or leg surgery (except for hardware removal in my shoulder which is minor) so I can finally focus on finding my new normal.

3. Articulate clear intentions for what you want.

A clear picture of what your future momentum looks like is critical. That picture (or goal) needs to be realistic and stated in such a way that you’ll recognize it when you reach it. I see myself working with leaders who are teachable, coachable, have a problem I can help them solve, and who have the resources to invest in my partnership.

4. Attach a link from existing momentum to where you’re stuck.

Discipline and action in one area of your life can pull along other areas where momentum is lacking. I have momentum as an author (I just self-published my first book) and in fitness (I exercise 30-40 minutes a day). I need to feed off that momentum and allow it to inspire confidence and action where I’m stuck.

5. Ask wise people for help.

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” We shouldn’t try to regain momentum all alone. Invite others to help – friends, family, counsellors, coaches, teachers, pastors, colleagues and others. They can help us identify limiting beliefs and provide much needed encouragement. At critical times in my life, I’ve found coaches and mentors to help me regain momentum. I’m at that point again when I’m realizing it’s time to invest in an outside push.

6. Apply yourself to daily action.

Once you know where you’re going and know the timing is right, it’s not about eliminating fear, self-doubt, and distractions but setting clear action steps that you can do one at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will momentum be regained overnight.

A final thought

Focus on one day at a time and don’t let the mountain ahead overwhelm you. Momentum is your friend but must be coaxed up the path, one step at a time.

Where are you stuck?
What’s your first step to start the climb?