COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Friday July 27, 2018
It’s not the fall that kills you, it’s the sudden stop.
I love that metaphor.
Not thinking about a speedy elevator dropped to basement today, but more about mental gymnastics we experience when life and work deliver reversals of fortune through loss of momentum. Hard to say which comes first …
How do we pick ourselves up, regain euphoric dynamic momentum?
Gaining momentum is something most business owners crave – it energizes, spurs productivity. Once that momentum-train is rolling we not only feel great, we own that energy, confidence, capability for daring greatly. Momentum (and adrenalin) fuels us.
Conversely, losing momentum stops that momentum-euphoria-train. Lurching/skidding stop, crashing into immovable walls. Distraction, obstacles, illness, turmoil, lack of support (moral, corporate, financial) frustrate. It’s hard.
Most of those walls, in our head – feel like concrete prison walls.
Worst of all, above all else, is loss of momentum called ‘summer’. Ubiquitous ‘accepted’ and destructive momentum killer – the common vacation.
Starts in May, ends in October. People lose momentum, companies too – some industries schedule summer slow-downs in production.
Or they shut-down. They rationalize it’s goodness, as if it’s good for everyone to relax more, play more, enjoy nice weather and summer activities AND take vacations. Sure, fine, whatever floats your boat.
We see them coming. Before leaving – we plan, steeling ourselves mentally to ‘come back strongly, effectively’ – so we can resume high-gear productivity.
Momentum, missing-in-action. I see it in my industry. Do you see it in yours?
Feeling sluggish, unproductive?
Just leaving, or just back from your holiday?
Consider, if you don’t allow yourself/your business) to slow down, don’t lose momentum – is that not a competitive advantage?
Reader feedback:
PURE, SIMPLE
Very good points. I know for me sometimes staying focused on a certain task is hard when others are screaming for your attention. My mind to full with those "to do lists". But it all comes down to us, for us to simplify or balance them, your right a choice, but somedays not as easy as it looks. Thank you for these little reminders! - MJ - Calgary
