The Power of Momentum to Propel Your Personal Development
And, how to reverse negative momentum.
Personal development is comprised of improving our awareness, identity, talents, and potential to enhance our quality of life and realize our dreams.
It can be anything from your habits and goals to the skills you possess to your mindset — it is a journey of transformation from who you are to who you want to be.
“Personal development is the work you are putting in to transform yourself on a daily basis. It’s the efforts you’re making to advance in your work, lifestyle, attitude, physique, and sociability.” — Brian Tracy
In essence, personal development is the daily efforts we take to work on areas of our lives so we see self-improvement and personal growth.
What is the best approach to personal development? 🤔
Without a doubt, it is to take it one step at a time. A life overhaul can’t be achieved overnight. After all, how many years do you have in the current state you are in? It will take time to become a better version of yourself. It also takes time to recognize in yourself what is no longer serving you and what you would like to change.
Momentum
Momentum is the quantity of movement that a body in motion has.
Maybe you are just starting your dive into personal development and you recognize thoughts and behaviors you want to change — currently giving you negative momentum
Maybe you have been on the self-development journey for a while, and you see the positive changes adding up — you have positive momentum.
Either way, momentum holds a lot of power. Your momentum can be a way to predict your future because,
“Your next action will most likely be more of the same actions that you have always taken in any given situation.”
By this, I mean that if you just ate a pint of ice cream because you were stressed, the next time you’re stressed, you're probably heading to the freezer and not the gym.
While both actions help relieve stress, your next action usually follows the momentum and trajectory you have already built up.
However, momentum can change in an instant. All you have to do is think a different thought or do the next right thing to stop the negative momentum train.
Change Negative Momentum
We have to consciously interrupt or change something; otherwise, our actions are likely to align with what we have done before.
“Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you recognize something you want to change to evolve as a person, that is the first step to changing negative momentum.
Change is always hard, especially when it is a deeply ingrained habit, thought, or behavior. However, it is not impossible.
Think A Different Thought
Practice gratitude. Thinking of something you are grateful for helps get you out of a negative thought spiral. It stops the “Why me?” and “What if’s” and forces you to find the things, people, and reasons that are bright spots, help you, and that you are thankful to have in your life.
Say some affirmations. Affirmations help you see yourself the way you want to be instead of the way you currently are. They first let you be that person subconsciously, which will lead to changes on a conscious level. (More on how affirmations work)
Act In A Different Way
Pause. An urge typically lasts 30 minutes or less. An urge can be more than just an addiction; it can also be a mental habit or reaction.
Unless you maintain an urge with your attention, it will lessen over time.
The next time you have an urge to act in a way that you want to change, pause and instead occupy yourself for 30 minutes.
To Do: Create a list of things you could do for 30 minutes to break a negative momentum pattern that you have such as reading, scrolling social media, journaling, or exercise, etc.
Substitute a new healthy habit. Choose a new, positive habit you want to adopt, and then the next time you get the urge to act in a way you want to change, substitute in your new positive habit.
You could even create a 7-day goal of doing a new positive habit; and then after 7 days, change it into a 30-day goal to keep the momentum going!
Add It Up
“When we consider our actions, it is clear that any one instance of an action is almost meaningless; yet at the same time, the sum of those actions is very meaningful.”
–Gretchen Rubin
Any thought, action, or reaction alone is not significant in itself; however, when consistently repeated, that thought, action, or reaction becomes a strongly ingrained habit. It’s the sum of the habits that creates negative momentum. An interruption or change using these techniques is the way to reverse your momentum.
“We cannot, in a moment, get rid of habits of a lifetime.”
–Mahatma Gandhi
The longer you have been going in the direction of your current momentum, the harder it is to change. Don’t get discouraged (easier said than done, I know). Just take that first step in the positive direction, and then take another, and let momentum carry you the rest of the way.
Final Thoughts
Momentum works in both directions, so just remember:
“Your next action will most likely be more of the same actions that you have always taken in any given situation.”
When you have an unhealthy urge, all it takes to disrupt the loop is one break or change. Your thoughts, routines, and behaviors will initially seem uncomfortable when you change them.
With time, the more often you are able to overcome a negative urge, the easier it gets. You’ll gain confidence in your ability to change. Your momentum shifts in a positive direction, and as a result of your new, positive habits, you become the person you want to be.
Next Reads
- Breaking the Cycle: Strategies for Overcoming Bad Habits: Strategies on how to pause, think, and change bad habits to take the next right action and initiate positive momentum
- Personal Development vs Self-Improvement: Understanding the Difference and Finding Your Path to Growth: More about personal development
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