A few weeks ago at a "Leadership from the Ground Up" conference, 
Donald Trump spoke about the ingredients for success. I found his 
topic on momentum very intriguing. My thoughts have been 
returning to his presentation in my mind ever since. 

Mr. Trump shared a story about his friend who lost momentum, and 
the devastating impacts this friend experienced as a result. He 
also said that momentum is something you have to work hard to 
maintain. His words got me thinking - I've never really focused 
on maintaining momentum or building it. I haven't really thought 
about it at all; I just know when I have momentum and when I 
don't. 

I looked the word "momentum" up in the dictionary - the tendency 
of an object to continue movement in a single direction. To me, 
the speed of the movement indicates the degree of momentum. If it 
is very slow, there isn't much momentum, period. 

I recognized a lack of momentum in an area of my business. As a 
result, I've started looking at this situation and trying to 
increase momentum. As well, I now notice the degree of momentum 
others around me have and the degree of results they are 
achieving.

Most of us realize that when we take on too many projects at 
once, we will find it difficult to get even one project 
completed. I now understand more fully that this contributes 
significantly to the degree of momentum we will have. I also 
recognize that when we don't have a lot of momentum, we will 
probably become overwhelmed and discouraged, and won't achieve 
our desired results. So - how can you build momentum and as a 
result avoid overwhelm?


Eight Ways How You Can Build Momentum

1. Act NOW

Pick one thing that will contribute to one of your goals. Take 
immediate action and get moving. This means no postponing, no 
delaying, and no procrastinating.


2. Stay Focused

Remind yourself of your goals every day and stay focused on them. 
When you find yourself distracted by something that is not 
directly in line with your goals, ask yourself, "Why?" Identify 
how you will manage future distractions and look for ways to 
eliminate them.


3. Keep Active

Do something every day that will bring you closer to your goals. 
It doesn't have to be big - but if you have too many days between 
actions, your momentum will dwindle and eventually die.


4. Be Decisive

Nothing slows momentum more than indecision. Decide as quickly as 
possible and then take some immediate action to support the 
decision - no matter how trivial it seems.


5. Be Optimistic

Change can truly happen in the moment. If you are frustrated or 
discouraged, it will certainly be tough to build momentum. But if 
you are optimistic, things will happen more freely and your 
momentum will build. 


6. Create Flow

If you are resisting anything, you will definitely block 
momentum. Look proactively for resistances and take the necessary 
steps to eliminate them. 


7. Develop an Action Plan

This plan doesn't have to be complicated. Just list one to three 
actions you will take during the day (or the week) that will help 
you succeed.


8. Get Assistance

Many successful businesspeople including Donald Trump, Michael 
Gerber and Chris Barrow, my business coach, say in their own way 
that you have to have great assistants. Build a strong team of 
supporters to help you take care of things and to help you get 
things done more quickly and efficiently.



Copyright © 2004 Donna P. Lendzyk 

Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the 
Overcome Overwhelm System.  She coaches businesswomen to 
"Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results."  She is 
the author of the multi-media “Overcome Overwhelm eProgram.” To 
learn more about her eProgram and sign up for more FREE tips like 
these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com