Momentum

Photo by Susiebloom

Maybe it's a March thing... Have you been feeling less motivated, inconsistent, slower, sluggish, and not all that "gung ho" about things recently? Is life weighing you down a bit more than usual? Is the mountain before you looking pretty steep? A good friend of mine sometimes says, "My 'get up and go' got up and went." I've been feeling that way for weeks and it's been pretty frustrating. However, during this unpredictable period that has hampered my typical energy and drive, I've decided that it's perfectly okay to take time to rest and regroup, lay low and learn, or pause and prepare a new plan altogether. Growth needs grace. The pace at which we bloom is subject to so many contributing factors, and there are myriad reasons for fluctuating mental and emotional momentum. So, how do we revitalize and sustain momentum with acceptance and optimism without giving ourselves so much grace that we don't move at all?

"Momentum is the force that keeps progress in motion."

Dr. Chante Meadows

Movement is crucial for sustained momentum. That said, do we have to go at spin class speed or can we take a slower approach? Maybe there's a balance between those two extremes. I've taken spin classes. They're intense. I definitely don't want to live life at that level all the time. I also have fond memories casually peddling on beach cruisers through the wide roads of Tybee Island in Georgia on vacation, and, honestly, I probably wouldn't mind that relaxed lifestyle full time...or would I? I'm discovering that there is a time and season for all three options. It's important to remind ourselves that progress is not linear. Why do we so often act like it is?

Drawing by Susiebloom

Idea from @toyoufromsteph

About a year ago I experienced an unexpected personal setback that has resulted in a great deal of self examination and reflection. I began spending more time with my family, paused my online education, and though I don't think it was intentional, the motivation and momentum I had been enjoying with Susiebloom and the Blooming Together podcast lessened significantly, almost coming to a screeching halt. Life happens. We can do our best to roll with things, but sometimes we simply need to stop, surrender, and begin again once we find our footing.

Recently I read an enlightening article by Manley Feinber II, a professional, internationally renowned motivational speaker and rock climber. He passionately shares from his climbing experiences about the importance of a momentum mindset, or...the art of the restart. "Our mindset [shapes] the way we pursue our dreams, react to challenges, and deal with obstacles." He reminds us that we are going to fall. All climbers fall. In fact, they expect and plan for it. When we expect to fall, the question changes from a paralyzing, fear-based "if" and the pressure of trying not to fall, to "When I fall, what will I do next?" which brings freedom. It is a mindset shift and it makes all the difference. Feinber also reminds us that falling is not failing. When rock climbers lose their footing or grip, the belay stops their fall, "then we hang there on the wall, literally, and we work to get back. We call it working the route. We assess the situation, look for the next move we need to make, take a deep breath and a minute to recover, and then we restart as quickly as possible...We don't let this long period of time pass before we start moving upward again." Feinber says that "Whatever your goal in life is...become aware of how you view the restart." I laughed when he mentioned how many of us, including him, practice what's called "The Calendar Restart". Basically, it's when we're going along, doing our thing, building momentum, then life happens, and instead of getting back at it right away we say, "Well, today is Tuesday, so I'll just restart again on Monday." With that choice, we've given ourselves license to do absolutely nothing toward accomplishing our goals for the next five days! I've totally done that! Manley instructs, "Don't die on the wall." We would never think of lying on the sidewalk for days if we fell off our bicycle, so why is waiting such an appropriate response to falling off our other intentions and goals? He asserts that focusing on the next move is crucial. "Sometimes we look so far into the future that we become overwhelmed...You know what the end goal is, but it's a move right in front of you that is throwing you off so you have to focus on the next step and keep going. This builds a powerful momentum...that will lead to your goal."

Everything Manley shared resonated with me completely. We are all "climbing" through this life, trying so hard not fall or fail, when we simply need to shift our mindset and remember that we will fall and falling is not failing. It's simply our "first attempt in learning" and we're "forging ahead in life". I love those acronyms, don't you? And when we fall, we need to pause, "work the route", focus on our next step, and take it...don't wait until the following Monday..."don't die on the wall." No "calendar restarts". Harness a momentum mindset.

Mindset and momentum go hand in hand. Dr. Chante Meadows educates that "a strong mindset fosters the belief and determination necessary to take action, while momentum reinforces a positive mindset by providing tangible proof of progress." She further asserts, "By cultivating a resilient mindset and taking continuous action, anyone can harness the synergy of mindset and momentum to achieve greatness and turn their aspirations into reality."

"However, momentum can be fragile; it requires consistency and discipline. Disruptions...or unexpected challenges can slow or halt progress. The key to maintaining momentum is to establish habits, routines, and systems that keep actions aligned with goals. Celebrating small victories along the way also reinforces commitment and sustains energy levels."

Dr. Chante Meadows

Just like when we get on our bike and get ready to go, we have to put our feet on the peddles and push to start. Momentum begins with tiny actions and small wins. It's interesting to me that the brain actually resists large effort but accepts small steps. In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck explains that when difficulty appears, the brain interprets it as a threat to identity, it's seen as proof we lack ability, self-doubt increases, motivation drops, and we quit to protect our self-image. Difficulty is interpreted as evidence of limitation. On the other hand, a growth mindset creates persistence. A growth mindset assumes abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and strategy. When difficulty appears, it is seen as part of learning, curiosity replaces fear, effort continues, and skill gradually improves. The challenge becomes a signal to adapt, not a reason to quit. The brain actually changes with effort. Effort literally rewires the brain. Isn't that fantastic?! A growth mindset is not just motivational, it is grounded in neuroscience. It can reorganize and strengthen connections through neuroplasticity and practice. Difficulty often indicates the brain is building new connections.

My brain must be building lots of new connections then, because things have been difficult. ;) Friends, even the idea of effort can be the next step. Remember, growth needs grace. We are evolving, changing, and becoming. And although I wholeheartedly agree with Manley's "art of the restart" and I don't want to "die on the wall" while figuring out my next steps, I believe we can be compassionate with ourselves when our momentum wanes. This climb is rigorous. Like my drawing above, progress is not linear, and it's not easy for anyone. To fully appreciate and enjoy it, we need to grow at our own pace and allow others to do the same. We're in this together.

Keep blooming,