2 mins read

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 “mōmentum”, 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?

  1. 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

  2. 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

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