Momentum
Sometimes it’s difficult to understand why people get in the way of momentum. By the very definition it implies direction. It implies movement, and movement in a direction is progress. SO WHY… would anyone or anything knowingly block our momentum?
A passage from, The Artist's Way, suggests that people actually move consciously or subconsciously to block others from success. Previously I hadn’t paid much attention, but I was recently awoken by several instances that can be seen as nothing other than blocking.
Consider the way water flows:
To protect your things from a river flooding would you erect a wall, bail or pump out the water? If that was your only option, you might.
But if you could go upstream and change the volume of water or direct it into a safe path, won’t you? Even if it took several miles of subtle nudges it would be less dramatic and helpful to everyone involved.
Recently I’ve been excited to accomplish a number of long term goals that have evaded me over the months and years. A simple list and the right attitude provided a start, but with several small wins and later a few big ones; the engine is firing on all colliders. I recently referred to this newly found ambition as a train that just crushes obstacles.
A simple list of action items can make a big difference in hitting your goals. Keep it as very flexible and easily moveable to allow for additional opportunities to interrupt, but potentially innovate.
THE BLOCKER
A blocker sees a person with momentum as a conduit to channel energy and focus to their personal to-dos. This could be rooted in several different motivations, but the outcome is to own or harness that flow to get their goals accomplished. Sadly the blocker can also be a bit sadistic and get a high/pleasure off by seeing others fail. Any reaction or public display fuels these turds. Though, they are both to be avoided.
When I think about this as a concept relating to a team; I see two simple ways of working with momentum. One, stop the process, catch any potential directional issues early and then help accelerate the project/team/individual back up to a cruising speed. Two, which I think is the only real solution, notice issues early and gently nudge the players while maintaining momentum until you’ve corrected course. Help direct the energy and dial in the focus, but don’t ever stand in the way of someone’s natural momentum. These nudges might not get you there, but that momentum will continue. It will become contagious. It will even span the end of this project and the start of the next. Momentum is the way to win without the effort.
The lucky ones cultivate a runaway train momentum and they crush shit. The rest of us get blocked up and end up lashing out in our public and private lives.
Be the train, sidestep blockers, keep your momentum.
