Maintaining Momentum: 5 Things We Can Do
by Joe Rosenlicht
These days, we have many competing priorities in our lives, both personal and professional. This makes it all the more challenging to stay focused and forge ahead, especially when taking on major initiatives—--uch as starting a new business or trying to grow an existing business. In my view, maintaining momentum is one of the most critical steps in achieving our goals.
So what are some helpful steps we can take when finding it difficult to keep things moving forward? Consider the following strategies:
1. Reevaluate Priorities and Goals
If we're not moving forward, it may be time to reevaluate the goals we initially set for ourselves. It's not uncommon to start out on one path with all the excitement in the world, only to wake up one day and realize that we're no longer all that excited. It doesn't necessarily mean that we're lazy or fickle. What it means is that it's time to reexamine if we're truly committed to that goal. If the answer is no, that's fine! It's actually a sign of maturity to admit that our priorities have shifted and it's time to change direction. What's the point of chasing a dream that no longer means as much to us, and when our energies could be better focused on more meaningful goals?
2. Use Affirmations
Using affirmations in the form of written statements that are visible throughout your office or home is a great way to stay mindful of our goals and keep us motivated. The expression, "out of sight, out of mind" definitely applies, so don't be shy about posting them! Affirmations that are specific—containing a definite deadline—are very powerful and effective. An example would be, "I WILL open my new business by June 30, 2009." Other affirmations like, "Today, I am appreciative of my progress," and "I have limitless possibilities and zero limitations" can also be effective motivators to keep us moving forward.
3. View It As Your Job
Another way to keep focused is to view our goal-achievement as a job—just like any job we might already have. Determine that you have to report in at a certain time, get a defined amount of work completed and stay for a specific time period. In other words, devote specific days of the week and hours of the day for activities directly related to achieving your goal. Essentially, you've made a commitment to "show up at work" and do the best job you can.
4. Enlist the Support of a Coach
What if we're taking on all of this by ourselves? A few years back, I was trying to make some important life decisions in order to move forward. I was eventually able to do it on my own, but looking back, I wish I'd had a coach to get me moving in the right direction in a shorter amount of time. In short, a coach provides the support, resources, motivation, accountability and structure to keep us on track in pursuit of our goals.
5. Enroll Friends as a Support Network
It's a great idea to surround yourself with good friends and family who will support your efforts and cheer your successes. It's important to realize, however, that friends and family should be viewed as supplemental, and not as a replacement for a coach. A good friend or close family member can provide that extra nudge when you need it. Again, you'll be creating a nurturing environment with people who will offer positive and encouraging affirmations.
Whatever your goals may be, implementing a combination of these approaches will help you maintain the momentum that is all too easy to lose, yet so critical in getting you where you want to be.
