Newton's first law of motion can be described as follows: "Things that are still are likely to remain still and things that are in motion tend to stay in motion."
Many clients talk to me about feeling “stuck.” There are various reasons for feeling this way which may include being fearful of taking the next step, lack of motivation from depression, or even poor self-confidence.
In therapy, we talk about making one change, taking one step, doing one thing. Momentum does not start out as a tidal wave. Consider sports for example. Momentum is built not through scoring 60 points at once, but at consistently scoring one point at a time. Score one basket, make one steal, hustle one time.
Momentum is as much a feeling as it is an action. You can feel momentum shift. How many times have you been out to dinner with your children when one thing goes wrong and it feels like an avalanche of chaos is upon you? How about when you wake up late for the day and you feel like you can never catch back up? These are all times where momentum got the best of us. While we often recognize the negative impact that momentum can create, it is critical to examine the impact of positive momentum on making changes in our lives.
With my clients, we work on small steps. Maybe it is making a list of tasks you want to complete. It could be making a phone call to get yourself help. How about picking songs for a playlist to start your day out on a good note? We build momentum with little steps until ultimately we find that we are surrounded by positivity.
In conclusion, think about your life. Go over your daily routine; make a list of the things you want to improve upon. Take one step. Don’t try to solve the problem immediately, but advance toward a solution. Keep taking steps forward and use that momentum to carry you to your goals, and beyond.
Carmen