Success in the Moment, or with Momentum?
Insight vs follow through
As I reflect on the changing of calenders, the different nature of moment and momentum comes to mind. Do important things happen because we have a sudden insight, or do they happen because we get going and stay moving in the right direction?
The idea or inspirational thought that invokes change in our lives is important – but is it most important?
The work of getting things done is also important – the long string of success made up of a series of small successes – all leading in the same direction. But is it most important?
Which means more, inspiration or perspiration?
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Shared roots, shared importance
Checking the free dictionary, both moment and momentum have the same root – the Latin “mÅmentum”, movement, from “movimentum”.
Interestingly enough, we think of a moment as the shortest segment of that movement – the significant brief section of time when something momentous happens.
When looking at momentum though, we follow the concept that an object in motion will stay in motion – over time.
Perhaps they complement each other…
The start
What happens without a trigger event?
Not much.
Without a trigger, the idea never gets recorded, the concept left ignored, the article (like this one) remains unwritten.
The results
But just as surely, what happens without effort?
A string of incomplete responses.
Without effort, the groundbreaking invention stays on the drawing board, the organization fades away, the successful web site remains a dream.
Does anybody really know what time it is?
And aside from being a great Chicago tune, it brings us back to the one concept that both words relate to: time.
Where you are does depend on where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing – the perspiration, but you have to live in the moment – the inspiration, because you can’t live in any other time.
Time – that’s the really important thing to remember.
What are you working on this year?
2 thoughts on “Success in the Moment, or with Momentum?”
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I think “inspiration”–we are hardwired for efficiency. In order to drive and drive hard–we need to know there is value at the destination.
When I see loss of momentum in the executives I coach it is usually not loss of energy–but loss of clarity.
Happy New Year!
Jenn
Thanks for the comment Jenn.It seems reasonable that those that drive hard need re-direction every once in a while.
If only to play devil’s advocate, could it be that those inspired but lacking drive never get out of the starting gate?-)
steve