Remember the see saw? Not the smooth, safety-checked playground fixture we see today—the rickety plank on a metal bar, equal parts thrill and risk.
Too high, and you’re clinging on for dear life, hoping you don’t bounce off.
❕ Too low, and you’re jolted with a thud that jarrs all the way up your spine.
Life, much like that seesaw, is all about balance.
When it comes to self improvement and building momentum—whether it’s in work, personal goals, or growth in a progressive business—it’s about finding that sweet spot where the ride feels smooth and sustainable.
Let’s explore how to build momentum in business without the wild swings or bone-jarring crashes.
What Is Momentum, Anyway?
Momentum is that magical force that seems to carry you forward effortlessly—like riding a bike downhill after a long uphill slog. But it doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s built through consistency and manageable effort until your actions almost take on a life of their own.
The problem?
If you go too fast, you risk burnout, overwhelm, or injury (to your body, mind, or ego). Too slow, and you’ll never get off the starting block. The goal is to find a balance that keeps you moving forward without depleting your energy reserves. Here’s how to get there.
The Building Blocks of Momentum
1. Consistency Is Key
Momentum thrives on repetition. This means showing up even when you don’t feel like it—especially on those rainy days when your motivation is hiding under the doona.
Here’s the trick:
- Streaks Build Habits
Research shows that streaks (e.g., running every day for a week) create a sense of accomplishment and pride that keeps you going. Daily habits to improve life because they gamify your progress and make the act itself rewarding. Start small—a five-minute jog or 10 minutes of journaling—and let the streaks carry you forward.
- Lower the Bar on Bad Days
Not every day will be a gold-medal performance. On those tough days, aim to do the bare minimum. Write one line in your journal instead of a whole page, or stretch instead of a full workout. By showing up, you maintain momentum even when it’s hard.
2. Take Manageable Steps
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your goals won’t be either. Breaking your big, audacious dreams into bite-sized steps keeps them from feeling overwhelming.
- Start Small
The first hurdle should feel achievable. Why? Because success triggers a release of dopamine—the brain’s feel-good chemical—that motivates you to keep going. Small wins snowball into bigger victories.
- Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
While small steps are crucial, it’s equally important to have a clear long-term goal. Think of it as your North Star—guiding your actions and keeping you on course. If rewards along the way help you stay motivated, don’t hesitate to add them. Acknowledge progress with a little celebration, whether it’s treating yourself to a coffee or simply taking a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come.
3. Leverage Your Strengths
Momentum-building becomes much easier when you play to your strengths.
- Start Where You Shine
For me, that strength is learning. I have a 420-day streak on Duolingo (yes, I’ve missed some days, and no, I’m still not fluent in French). But every missed day has taught me something, and those lessons have helped me build a habit over time. By leaning into what you’re naturally good at or enjoy, you create a foundation for sustainable progress. - Focus on Growth, Not Perfection
Even when you stumble, focus on what you’re learning rather than beating yourself up. Growth takes time, and failures are often the best teachers.
The Science of Momentum: Why It Works
Research backs up these strategies. Studies show that:
- Writing down your goals and committing to specific actions increases the likelihood of success. Add in a support network, and your odds go up even further.
- Behavioural logs (like tracking streaks) motivate continued engagement, even when the initial spark of excitement fades.
- Small, incremental successes build pride and confidence, which reinforce the behaviours that led to them.
In other words, momentum isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a scientifically proven strategy for achieving your goals.
The Secret Sauce: Precommitment
Sometimes, you have to game yourself into consistency. Precommitment—deciding in advance what you’ll do and setting up systems to hold yourself accountable—is one of the best ways to build momentum.
For example, my Duolingo streak? It’s gamified my learning with daily reminders, earning rewards for hitting milestones, and keeping that streak alive.
My husband refers to it as my ‘star chart’ ⭐⭐⭐
Even on days when French feels just as confusing as when I started, the streak itself motivates me.
Think about how you can precommit to your own goals. Think about how you can pre-commit to your own goals. Can you set a calendar reminder, pair up with a buddy, or use project management tools to keep you on track? I have recently stolen from somewhere the idea of adding little questions into my calendar – I’ve put them in at times where I might be tempted to eat comfort snacks or flake out on my run.
Here it is… ♀️How do you want to feel on your run?
The Takeaway: Balance Over Burnout
Momentum is like that seesaw—it’s all about finding balance. By showing up consistently, taking manageable steps, and leaning into your strengths, you can create a sustainable rhythm that keeps you moving forward.
The journey won’t be perfect. You’ll have days when you soar and days when you crash. But with the right mindset and tools, you can keep the seesaw moving in the right direction.
Ready to Build Momentum?
If you’re ready to stop wobbling and start moving forward, business coaching can help. A business coach can guide you through how to write a business plan, strengthen your management skillsets, and implement an effective retail strategy for retail success. Whether you’re looking for retail solutions, refining your retail systems, or overcoming business failure, the right support makes all the difference.
Because the best momentum doesn’t come from going it alone—it comes from having the right support and strategies to guide you.
Reach out today, and let’s build your momentum together.
By framing your goals as a series of small, consistent steps, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go—and how smooth the ride can be. Let’s get started.