Nothing in life stays still. We are either moving forward or remaining in one spot (which is actually moving backward compared to everything else moving forward). Momentum is that force that keeps you moving if you are in motion, or resists motion if you are stationary. Hence momentum can be your friend or enemy, depending on whether you are moving forward or stationary.
Momentum is on the side of what you do consistently. If you keep moving forward, momentum will keep you going even if you want to slow down. If you are stationary, momentum will resist your attempt to move, prompting you to procrastinate. Like habits, momentum can be a loyal ally or a cruel taskmaster. It depends on you.
If you want to make progress in any area of your life, including moving forward financially, you need to apply what you learn immediately and get momentum on your side as soon as possible. Do not wait until… If you want to start saving, start now. Do not wait for the next salary increase. If you want to invest in treasury bills or fixed deposits, do it now. Do not wait until you save up to a certain amount. If you want to start that business you have been dreaming about, do it now. Do not wait until you can buy equipment, rent an office and hire staff. You can improvise, work from home and be the only staff on the payroll as a start. Do not dive in head first until you have tested your assumptions. Eventually, you can have new equipment, you can have your own office, and you can hire staff.
When you start small, you can recover quickly when you make mistakes (which is normal and nothing to be ashamed about), learn from them, and keep moving.
Do not hide under any excuse. What you really want is possible if you are willing to pay the price and get moving. All you need is to take a tiny step today, then another one tomorrow, and the day after, and pretty soon momentum kicks in. When you have momentum on your side, which means you keep moving through thick and thin, you will get to your destination if you are following the right path.
Stop living in the future. Stop talking about what you plan to do someday. Get moving. Just do it, as Nike puts it. The way you have been thinking about it is the reason you have not been able to move. You don’t have to start with a grand style. You can make the process leaner, to a piece you can handle, and get on with it. If you want to get into music or talk show, you can record yourself and upload it on YouTube to start with. All you need is a phone and an internet connection. Rather than wait for the verdict of one executive, the public and give you feedback instantly. Justin Bieber’s music career took off after his YouTube upload became an instant hit. You don’t need a publisher to be an author, You can self-publish or write a blog, become an authority in that field, and attract publishers.
The information age and the internet has democratized virtually every field of human endeavor. You don’t need to start big anymore. Just offer what you have, get feedback, keep improving and you are well on your way. Make momentum your friend. Just do it.
