David J.

Pollay

Read David's bio and previous columns

April 28, 2008

Momentum Makes Life Better

Life is good. We should be grateful for our lives every day. We should find joy in our lives. Believe this. Remember this.

And momentum makes life better.

Momentum is powerful. Momentum requires more than just being “good.” Your momentum depends on your ability to maintain what is good in your life and then build upon it. The core of momentum is an appreciation of what you have, and a commitment to your continued growth.

Success and happiness depend on momentum. Success and happiness begin with an understanding of what is right in your life, a desire to care for it and a belief that you can do better. Momentum does not allow for procrastination, backsliding and giving up. Momentum is all about action.

Momentum requires you to use your resources to achieve more of what you value and enjoy. You must strive to learn more, love more, care more, try more and experience more. Your happiness and success rely on your positive momentum. Nineteenth Century Swiss writer Gottfried Keller said it best: "We don't remain good if we don't always strive to become better."

Do you understand momentum?

Answer these questions to find out.

§         Think about a game or contest you participated in – sports, school or business – during your life. Was it easier to score points when you were on a roll, or when you were just doing OK?

§         Think back to when you were single (or if you’re single now, pay attention). When were you most attractive to others? Was it when you were dating regularly, or when you were not dating anyone?

§         If you have ever been in sales, is it easier to make a sale after you have established relationships with potential customers, or when you are just meeting them for the first time?

§         If you’re a parent, is it easier to get your children to talk about something that’s bothering them, or to keep them talking once they open up?

§         If you’re a student, is it easier to start writing a paper, or to keep writing once you are in flow?

§         If you have ever tried to lose weight, was it easier to start the diet, or to stick to it once you started losing weight?

You know the answers: You do better when you’re already in action. Getting started is always the hardest part. Momentum makes life better.

If you’re competing, dating, selling, parenting, studying or dieting, you want momentum. You don’t wait for success to happen. And you don’t sit on success once you have it. You maintain your success and you build upon it. And when you have momentum you want people to know that you’re on a mission. You want them on your team. You want their help. You want their support. And when you have momentum, people are more likely to help you. And better yet, they want you on their team.

Momentum feels good.

Remember how momentum feels. You feel powerful. You feel great. You feel confident. You feel unstoppable. And the beauty of momentum is that it is contagious. When you achieve momentum in one area of your life, it is easier to achieve it in other areas of your life. And when you experience momentum, the people around you benefit: You give yourself, and everyone in your life, the best you have.

Einstein said, “Objects at rest have no momentum.” So, think about everything that is important to you. And ask yourself, “Am I moving?”

Remember life is good. And momentum makes life better. Get moving, and enjoy your best possible life.

© 2008 David J. Pollay. Distributed by North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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