How to build and sustain your momentum for greater productivity
We all know that icky feeling that comes from just going through the motions. Traipsing through life on autopilot, without any clear direction or purpose, and instead feeling unfulfilled, uninspired and stuck.
On the other side of the productivity penny, some of us have also experienced that almost intoxicating feeling of perpetual forward motion—a state of self-fulfilling and snowballing ease, flow, and serendipity that keeps us energised and on track to achieving our goals (#IYKYK).
That feeling, it turns out, is what we call momentum. While it can be hard to describe and we know it when we’re in it, the challenge of how to ‘turn it on’ often remains a mystery. At foundher., we make a commitment to never leave you stuck. And we believe that it is actually possible to turn on the momentum tap and take consistent, concerted action towards our goals day after day, year after year, without burning out. Let’s look at how.
Momentum is more than a ‘moment’ followed by an ‘um’
A word with its origins in a classical Latin word movere meaning ‘move’ or ‘set in motion’, and later expanded to mean progress or personal growth and achievement, momentum is a critical part of modern high performance and productivity. (Hint: we don’t mean ‘high performance’ like you think we do.)
Momentum refers to the power and energy we can generate when we take consistent, intentional action towards something. Building and sustaining it involves taking one step after the other, no matter how small, to progress towards our goals.
Often conflated with motivation, psychotherapist Keith Fadelici, LCSW, distinguishes the two by describing motivation as the why of change, with momentum being the how.
For example, maybe you want to design a life that gives you more energy in the tank and money in the bank. That desire is your motivation, your ‘why’, the reason you get up out of bed each day. But simply being motivated will not help you achieve it, you need to take action. That’s where momentum comes in — it includes every choice you make and step you take towards that goal.
At foundher., we are all about the heart-packed and science-backed tools to help high-performing humans do what they love for longer. So, how do we turn on the momentum tap and keep it running so we can achieve great things? It’s time for a foundher. five!
Five ways to build and sustain your momentum
1. Pulse check your motivation
By now, we know that building and sustaining momentum is how we create meaningful change or achieve our goals. And we also know that all good work starts with why. So, the way we see it, the key to kickstarting your momentum begins with a pulse check on your motivation; how keen you are and why you would take action in the first place.
Why do you want to build and sustain momentum?
What are you trying to achieve?
What is the incentive or reason for doing what you’re doing?
Perhaps it’s greater clarity and control. Perhaps it’s less stress and a greater sense of balance. Or perhaps it’s to be more productive and feel your best self, more often. Whatever the reason, being able to recognise and amplify your motivation for change is the first step to kickstarting your momentum.
And just in case that doesn’t feel possible, we know from neuroscience that motivation is fueled by dopamine, a chemical in the brain that gives us that rush of satisfaction. When dopamine levels rise, so does our desire to sustain effort and attention. Over time, dopamine can help improve memory, concentration, and creative problem-solving abilities — et voila, the momentum tap is turned on, and kept on.
2. Redefine productivity and high performance
Our society’s current (read: outdated) definition of productivity is based on the ‘rate of output per unit’ of machines in 1899. The word itself comes from the Medieval Latin word productivus first used in 1610, which literally meant “fit for production.” Whether you need to hear it or not, newsflash: we are not machines. And we are in desperate need of redefining productivity for modern times.
We want to shift the conversation from ‘success at all costs’ to ‘sustainable success’; from feeling constantly busy, worn out and overwhelmed to energised, clear and taking control. And a big part of that is creating a new definition of productivity — one that feels more expansive, more aligned and more embodied and gives off far less ‘production factory in the 1890s’ vibes.
So, the second step of kickstarting your momentum is to redefine productivity and high performance for yourself. Literally, pen and paper, or blank note and keyboard. Go for it. Take back the power and redefine it for yourself. We guarantee that once you do, you’ll have a much better idea of how much momentum you will need to help you achieve it.
TIP: If you believe that productivity is working as fast as you can and getting the maximum output, this is the sign that your definition and habits need a serious upgrade. And if you are noticing yourself wanting to argue or debate us on this, then you absolutely need to consider that your internal operating system is running an old program that you cannot sustain, no matter how hard you try.
3. Plan your course and take the smallest action
We’ve all heard the saying: ‘if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there’. So, where are you going? Yes, you. It’s time to get clear on what it *actually* looks like to live your version of a purpose-driven and passion-filled life. What does it smell like? What does it taste like? What does it feel like? And what are all the little things that need to happen to get from where you are right now to where you want to be.
For example, if you want to build momentum towards helping you start a business, your plan might include researching your market, creating a business plan, and designing a brand strategy. If you want to work a three-day week, you might need to calculate how much income you need, begin a long-term investing strategy, and find a workplace with greater flexibility and progressive values.
Building a life that has a real positive impact in this world isn’t just dependent on having a vision for your ‘ideal life’. It depends on your ability to show up, create and maintain habits and take actions that keep you on track, for longer.
TIP: To help us plan our best course of action, we often create a Vision Board, and go about collecting snippets that remind us what we’re striving for. The thing is: thoughts *don’t* create change, but taking action and cultivating new habits and behaviours does. Having physical reminders and realistic representations of why you want to build momentum is a powerful way to nudge yourself into action.
4. Stop at the recharging station regularly
Self-care is the act of replenishing ourselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. But, for that same reason, it sometimes feels selfish or indulgent. Here’s a helpful reframe for you: self-care is simply the act of recharging. Think of it as a human docking station.
The goal of recharging is feeling grounded in and connected to the best version of yourself. It’s being present to what is, and being able to acknowledge when you’re out of alignment or need to come back to ‘centre’. It’s what allows you to live more above the joy line than below it. And it helps to maintain your momentum, so you can have maximum impact.
Practically speaking, this could look like a daily movement or meditation practice, taking a day once a month to do something adventurous or relaxing (going to a gallery or having a massage), adding a wind-down ritual to your evening or instituting a gratitude practice every time you plug your phone in. We should never recharge our phones more than we recharge ourselves. We’ve already established, we are not machines — in fact, we’re far more complex and finely tuned.
While it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of our goals, we cannot forgo regular opportunities for recharging and resetting. By taking every chance to top the cup back up, we can build and sustain our momentum in a powerful way. You’ll also no longer feel like you’re in an endless ‘work never done’ loop, ‘just making it’ through each deadline or project, only to face an even bigger hurdle on the horizon. Instead, you’ve built a routine that works for you, with recharging rituals baked in.
TIP: If you are struggling to create regular self-care habits (and especially if there’s an inner narrative around it being unnecessary or that you don't have time), then this is your sign to massively dial up the self-care and upgrade your operating system. The fact is: being human requires us to recharge often. Biologically it's imperative to our survival. So, if this really challenges you and makes you a little hot under the collar, it’s likely you’re running an outdated operating system better suited to an actual machine. #sorrynotsorry
5. Bring in the reinforcements
The people you surround yourself with can have a significant impact on your mindset and your ability to achieve your goals. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you, and who believe in your potential. Seek out mentors, coaches (hello: we’re here and coaching really works!), join supportive communities, and engage with people who share your values and want to see you smash your goals as much as you do.
On the flip side, let those who bring you down, halt your momentum or discourage you from pursuing your goals fade into the background for now. Likewise, the habits and self-limiting beliefs that block your progress, let them go. You don’t need them for where you are going.
And remember: no one achieves success without experiencing setbacks and failures along the way. Embracing failure and learning from your missteps is a key aspect of building momentum towards a purpose-driven life. When you encounter obstacles or things don’t work out how you want, take the time to reflect on what you can learn from the experience. May the lessons you learn provide the roadmap for moving forward with renewed energy, conviction and untapped momentum.
Are you ready to experience the power of momentum?
Our hope is that you now feel it is not only possible but necessary to start taking small, consistent action towards your goals. And before you know it, you'll be building unstoppable momentum towards the purpose-driven and passion-filled plans.
Why do we care that you’re feeling and doing your best more often?
Because changing the world requires all of us to show up with enough energy and stamina to fix the systems that are no longer working, and enough inspiration and momentum to create better ones. And because unless we make small incremental changes to redefine productivity and high performance, we will continue to run the same faulty and outdated operating systems that got us here.
For more ways to kickstart your momentum and start to flex your productivity superpowers, get our fortnightly foundher. Note.