Cover Photo by Porapak Apichodilok: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-child-clouds-kid-346796/
Writing wisdom says to not give the answer in the headline. Well, I just did.
Little by little
Not the biggest revelation I know, but that’s exactly why it works and why no one can apply it.
For some reason, we humans just try to overcomplicate everything. Everything.
Think about a problem you had which you tried to find a solution for.
How simple was the solution? How much effort did it take? Did you execute on it?
I’m sure you didn’t have to think too hard to find a problem you overthought.
Well, I’m telling you straight: building momentum is all about Doing. Little by little. Everyday. ¡Poco a poco!
It’s that simple. Don’t overthink it.
I build so much momentum that not persevering is actually more difficult than procrastinating.
And this all starts with small increments. Common wisdom says 1% improvement everyday. Qualify and quantify everything, down to the little details. That way, it’s nearly impossible to not to notice gains or progress towards a goal.
How Can I Execute Every Day?
In Zdravko’s Ultimate Productivity Cheat Sheet, he explains what he calls the X Method.
At its most basic, it’s just marking down that you did your habit on a calendar with a big fat ‘X’.
Sounds a little childish I know.
Back when I was a kid, I would get a sun sticker on my calendar if I brushed my teeth in the morning and at night. Sounds dumb, but I’ve never looked back on my teeth brushing.
If you want a more tech-y version of that, try out the Way Of Life app, which was featured on The Tim Ferriss Show, amongst other places. I had the chance to get a glimpse of the next version coming out soon, and it’s really really good!
How Do I Make Momentum Last?
True momentum really makes you unstoppable.
Much like in my story above, this morning, I was out of bed at 6:20am. Today is a Sunday. No alarm. As much as I try to tell myself to stay in bed, I’m already out by the time I finish my thought.
It’s that powerful.
I’ve had/felt this momentum for at least 5 months now. And it all began when I decided I would learn 3 new skills every month.
It really is as insane as it sounds, but the more obsessed you are with your goals, and the more frequently you achieve them, the high you get is unfathomable.
Sir Richard Branson said: “Get high on life”. I think that’s what he meant.
“There’s no talent here. This is hard work. This is obsession. Talent does not exist.” — Conor McGregor
Everyone can achieve lasting momentum.
Conclusion
Break everything down. Be consistent. Do. Little by little.
Don’t cheat. Act. Measure. Achieve. Build momentum.
Always aim for more. Aim freaking high. Take criticizing. Let it be your fuel to achieve more better things.
Be obsessed. Research. Know your goals. Execute.
Rinse and repeat.
You can do this!