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Your guide to building productive momentum
Valeriya Patrei
May 13, 2024
Have you ever felt stuck?
It's a tough spot to be in.
But imagine the opposite — feeling momentum.
That’s like a powerful force pushing you forward, helping you progress towards your dreams.
What if you could always feel that way?
This issue is all about building that kind of momentum.
Today, we’re going to look at:
Why do we lose momentum?
What can we do to keep it?
Here we go!
Read time: 4.5 minutes
Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed in the past few weeks…
Which one was your favourite? Just hit reply and let me know! 🫶
Big idea #1: Why do you lose momentum?
Here are the most common reasons people lose their momentum in life and career:
1. Inability to see beyond current circumstances
Feeling stuck often stems from challenges in the present that disconnect you from future possibilities.
Fix: Revisit your aspirations daily.
Remind yourself of your dreams and the exciting future ahead every day.
It's not about being naive or painting a rosier picture of the present. It's about understanding that today does not have to define tomorrow.
2. First-order thinking
Making decisions that feel good in the moment without considering their consequences can include:
Procrastinating on a task
Skipping a workout
Passing judgments
If you fail to consider the consequences of such choices, you'll never build momentum.
Fix: Adopt second-order thinking.
This approach pushes you to consider the longer-term impacts and consequences of your decisions:
Procrastination ensures you never accomplish anything significant.
Passing judgment will ruin your relationships.
A lack of movement drains your mental and physical energy.
If you don't feel the ripple effects of your decisions, you will struggle to gain or sustain momentum.
3. Fear of failure or success
You know what 'fear of failure' means, but have you considered how fear of success could also be a roadblock?
Sometimes, you may fear the additional responsibilities that come with success, which causes you to self-sabotage your progress.
Fix: Change your mindset around your fears.
(i) Failure is not final.
More often than not, failure is a necessary lesson, helpful guidance, or a much-needed challenge that prepares you for the next level.
Do not let failures in the present define the ambition and plans you have for the future.
(ii) You will figure it out.
…Even if you have no clue how to manage increased responsibilities now.
Yes, there will be more responsibility.
Yes, there will be more pressure.
Yes, you will learn how to manage it all better.
Big idea #2: Momentum formula.
Let’s unpack this formula:
Clear Output
Without clarity on what you are creating — not just consuming — it is impossible to gain momentum.
Even when studying, for instance, it's a presentation (output) or a paper (output) that is evaluated, not the mere act of reading a book (input).
What’s your next output?
Focus Block(s)
If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not happening.
Schedule time for needle-moving activities every day.
Eliminate distractions,
prioritize one objective for each time block, and
commit to showing up.
When will you show up?
Learn my advanced time-boxing strategies here.
Accountability
Discipline is a skill that can be trained.
If you don’t have it yet, outsource it while you're developing it.
I consider myself quite disciplined, yet I achieved next-level momentum shortly after I began weekly check-ins with my accountability partner to discuss our business goals.
Who can support you?
Distractions
Often, the key to unlocking momentum is removing your biggest distraction:
Delegate unimportant administrative tasks to reclaim time.
Drop unnecessary projects to free up mental capacity.
Stop bad habits to regain your energy.
What should you stop doing?
Consistency
Implementing all of the above, every day.
How can you show up consistently?
Energy-Draining Habits
Healthy habits might not always spark immediate momentum, but bad habits will certainly hinder it.
Pay attention to which activities energize and recharge you, and which ones leave you feeling drained.
Make your choices accordingly. Optimize for energy.
How can you maintain or level up your energy baseline?
Check out this self-discipline masterclass from one of the previous newsletter issues.
Big idea #3: Your dream must be bigger than others’ doubts.
Nothing is more discouraging than being excited about an idea, only to find that those around you do not share your enthusiasm, or worse — judge you for it.
Understand this:
They don't owe you understanding.
They don't have to support you.
They don't have to love your idea.
The vision was given to you to see through, not to them.
Self-reliance is a learned skill.
It means continuing your journey regardless of others' reactions.
Remember:
Other people not understanding your priorities is normal.
Other people not understanding your vision is normal.
Other people not understanding you is normal.
Moving forward despite doubts and skepticism is essential for gaining momentum.
Trust in your vision, clarify your goals, and persevere with confidence.
The Productivist Challenge: Gain momentum in 7-day.
What’s your big goal? (clarity)
What needs to be done this week? (clear output)
When will you do it? (focus block)
Who will support you? (accountability)
What should you stop doing? (no distractions)
How can you show up every day? (consistency)
How can you level up your energy baseline? (no energy-draining habits)
The Productivist Question
In the end, momentum is all about making progress.
What areas of my life lack progress right now? And how can I use the strategies I learned today to improve those areas?
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Valeriya
PS: Warm welcome to all the new joiners! DM me on LinkedIn to say hi!