4CHUNE

Success requires first expending ten units of effort to produce one unit of results. Your momentum will then produce ten units of results with each unit of effort. - Charles J. Givens

Above statement sums it all up. In fact, it sums up my entire article. I am particularly thrilled to write this piece because I truly believe that I am writing this blog for myself. I'll be happy if it helps others along the way.

Often times I have had days I had no energy, no inspiration to go out and do what I was supposed to do, be it at work, or getting in front my client or running an errand. Looking back (with the benefit of my hindsight, which is always 20-20, I can pinpoint what exactly went wrong in each case - I didn't have momentum. It takes a LOT of effort to get something going. Our tendency is to take rest as soon as we reach a milestone or a significant portion of the milestone. We think we deserve some rest. Nothing wrong with it. But unfortunately, we lose momentum. I have seen that it takes a lot to overcome inertia. First few calls made to prospects or clients really feels like a herculean task. but what happens after you make 2, 3 4...10 calls? Doesn't matter what the results were of first 10 calls, 11th call almost always seems like a cakewalk. your attitude is a bit different, which shows up in your tone of voice, your body language, choice of words you use... list goes on.

First, I was of the opinion that momentum only applies to sales. But momentum applies to all aspects of life. Recently I was reading a book by Donald Trump. He is a Billionaire, and obviously I want to know what he knows. He attributed major part of his success to "Momentum". He says in his book Think Big, when he was young and no one knew him, and he was yet to prove himself, every action he took contributed to his personal momentum. Soon, he formed a small group, but they didn't completely believe in him. But soon he started striking deals, people around him started to think "hmmm.. this guy is not another fly by.. he is going to stick around...". When he developed momentum, everyone wanted to be a part of it. They didn't want to miss out. That's what momentum does. He goes on to say Momentum is a strange thing...It stops when you stop. but it wont just stop there like you do. It starts sliding down. He gives examples of how great businessmen who once were at the top of their fields lost their momentum, and hence lost it all.

I like to give an example of what Deepak, my mentor and coach always says about success. He says, Success is like you moving a heavy rock up the mountain. You stop, it wont stop with you, it slides down the hill. You cant have the luxury of taking a break and having success at the same time.

Often times, I cant help but notice on the road. I am standing at red light waiting impatiently for it to turn green. Soon it turn green. Just then, a small car, much less powerful than mine reaches the intersection , and continues to drive at the same speed. No matter how much I accelerate, no matter how powerful my car is, I cant go past that weaker car. Why? that small car was in motion as it approached green light. He didn't have to stop. He proceeded at the same speed. That's momentum! My bigger car, superior horse power can not equate to the car that is already in motion. In reality, my talents, my ability, my posture, my good looks, my smoothness can never compensate for lack of momentum. I am not saying other things aren't important. But when you add to your talents and abilities, and keep up the momentum, you will be a Ferrari at the intersection that didn't have to stop at the red light.

I cant finish this article without quoting what Ganesh, one of my role models in life had to say about momentum. He says physical momentum what we see in the outer world always follows the mental momentum. We need to develop momentum in our mind, plan everything to be done today, this week, and this year. Form the picture of what will it be like to accomplish everything. That will sure fire us up!

While its the most grueling and uninspiring thing to do, momentum always sets us apart. Now, my friends, I can't wait for the the day others want to not miss out on being part of my journey. It has just begun!