How to Stop Spinning and Create the Momentum to Reach Your Goals
Have you ever found yourself in a constant state of motion, bouncing from one task to another, yet feeling like you have nothing substantial to show for all your hard work? I know I have. It’s like you're on a never-ending hamster wheel—busy, busy, busy—without making any real progress.
This was the exact topic of conversation I recently had with a friend who is always exhausted, always too busy with a myriad of projects. Yet, she never seems to be any closer to achieving her goals. Through that chat, the realization hit me: the issue is often a lack of focus and intentional action.
I see this all the time. As someone helping entrepreneurs and commissioned salespeople reach their dreams, I know that even people with a clear vision can get entangled in busy work. They find themselves in an ongoing cycle of activity that lacks clear direction or purpose.
So how do you break free? How do you stop spinning and start creating real momentum?
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One Purpose, One Vision
Most importantly, you need a guiding vision. What is that one thing so important to you that it will pull you forward? For my friend, and likely for many of us, there wasn’t a single thing she was focused on. She lacked purpose, and without purpose, you cannot muster the momentum needed to propel you forward. One way to establish this is to be clear on what success looks like for you. When you define your vision, it becomes your North Star, guiding every decision and action.
Crafting a Structured Path
Success is built on structure and processes. Think about nature; even something as organic as a river needs the structure of its banks to maintain its course. In absence of structure, water would spill over, becoming uncontrolled and destructive. The same goes for your efforts. A detailed plan keeps you on course, ensures your actions are meaningful and propels you towards your goal more efficiently.
However, structure shouldn’t stifle creativity. Successful entrepreneurs have struck a balance between creating systems and allowing flexibility. Whether you’re setting up a new website or writing a book, your structures help you stay organized and efficient without undermining creativity.
Identifying and Overcoming Busy Work
How often do you find yourself working on tasks that seem important but don’t contribute to your end goal? These are the tasks we need to recognize and cut down on. Remember that self-disciplined writer who finishes her book while you’re still working on your website’s “About” page? She’s probably learned to sidestep the busy work that acts as a façade for deeper fears like perfectionism or procrastination.
Recognition is crucial. When busy work takes over, ask yourself, "Is this task moving me closer to my goal?" If the answer is no, re-evaluate its importance.
Belief is the Key
Belief is at the core of achievement. Without it, you'd be stuck spinning your wheels in a whirlwind of activities that go nowhere. You see, belief stems from clarity, which only emerges through action. This might seem paradoxical, but the more you do, the clearer your path becomes, and in turn, the stronger your belief.
Action Breeds Momentum
Nothing reduces fear and doubt better than action. The first steps might be small, possibly offering your services for free to gain experience or proof of concept. Baby steps are still steps, and every action taken reinforces your confidence and builds momentum.
My 3-Step Approach
Identify the Dominant Thought: Pay attention to your thoughts. They drive your actions, and unhelpful thoughts can lead to procrastination and overwhelm. Do a mental check-in and honestly ask yourself what thoughts are controlling your actions.
Flip the Script: Once you identify the limiting thought, change it. If you find yourself thinking, "I don't know how to get clients," flip it to, "I trust that I know exactly how and where to get my first paying clients."
Take Action: Regardless of how small, take that first step today. Sign up for a course, write that blog post, or set up a meeting. Action leads to clarity which, as we now know, fosters belief and momentum.
By focusing on a clear vision, crafting a structured plan, cutting through the busy work, and truly believing in my abilities, I’ve managed to create the momentum needed to reach my goals. And you can too.
Let’s get out of our heads and into action. The time to shift is now.