The Power of Momentum

We’ve all heard about how it’s hard to get things going. But once they get going, boy do they go.  The thing we have to do is 1) get going, and 2) keep moving.   You've seen Finding Nemo, right?  Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.  You know why you keep swimming?  Because when you stop, you lose...you guessed it, MOMENTUM!  Let's examine this for a bit.  How does Newton's First Law of Motion go?  An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion.  Why is this?  Because if you've never done anything, then chances are you won't.  But if you've done some things, chances are you'll continue to do so.  Key takeaways here: 1. Do something 2. Once you start, don't stop moving.  Kinda like, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."  Just keep going.

I was watching a training video on YouTube recently about how to become a more effective swimmer.  The trainer was describing how if you're moving swiftly through the water, and move your head to the side as you continue to move, you won't get water in your mouth.  Theoretically, according to the laws of physics, motion, blah, blah, blah, if you keep swimming and turn your head quickly, the forward motion of your body will basically push the water past your mouth, and it can't get in (in very basic and simple lamens terms).  However, WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU STOP?  You guessed: water goes in your mouth, you start choking, you could drown, yada, yada, yada.  So, moral of the story?  Don't stop moving!  Ever.  Even if you don't know what to do, just keep doing something.  Sure, you may need to take a breath while swimming laps, but do it at the wall, when you've achieved your goal, no matter how small the goal.  I think of my mom, who is 72.  She could easily pass for mid 50's, maybe younger on a good day. As long as I've known this woman, she has never stopped moving.  She still runs a successful consulting company, (currently taking new clients (shameless plug), she works out 5 days a week.  Consequently, she looks great!  She takes no pills for anything!  The only surgery she's ever had was cataract, which was when she was 71.  And she still doesn't wear glasses.  And, outside of her hearing going (she keeps the TV volume on the deaf setting), she is in perfect health.  Know why?  Because she's never stopped moving.  And because of this, things have continued to happen for her.  Life is working in her favor, because she's giving life something to work with: movement.  Look at most seniors.  They work all their lives so they can stop working.  Or really, so they can stop moving.  But what happens when they stop moving?  Their hearts stop beating efficiently.  Their muscles get tight.  Because of that, they can't move as fast, disease sets in.  And then what?  Their bodies decay and they die from sickness and illness as opposed to just good old age.  You getting this?  Of course you are.  Once you get going, don't stop.  If you're seeing progress, keep doing what you're doing.  If you're not, take a break, regroup and pivot.  But don't stop!  Think about when you work out.  You work yourself up to get going, you're on a great trajectory, and you're on a roll.  Until you have to go into work early and work late for a week.  Or until you catch cold and you're ill.  Or, until you have to travel and the gym at the hotel sucks.  It takes an act of God, or more to get you up and moving again.  Solution?  Don't stop.  Even if it's ten minutes.  Whatever it is.  Just. Do. Something.  

Remember: You're awesome, but if you don't believe it, no one else will.  Talk soon, friends!