Why Momentum Matters

Motivation. Momentum. M&M's. Mattison.

It's quite obvious the best words in the dictionary start with the letter "M." If my roommate Mitch is reading this, you are the one exception ;)

Momentum is seen as a prevalent concept in sports. I like to think of business like sports. As a matter of fact, you could make the case that life and sports have many commonalities. Before we go any further, let's take a look at how momentum is seen within the sports world.

MOMENTUM = ACTION

Here's How:

• First, momentum shifts begin with a "precursor event", like an interception in football or slam dunk in basketball.

• Next, this "event" leads to "changes in cognition, physiology, and affect." Depending on the athlete, his or her confidence level will determine how strongly he/she reacts to the event.

• Third, a "change in behavior" would come from all of these internal perceptions. If you were watching the game/match/fight, you would be able to see changes in the style of play from the players as a result from the momentum created. This could be body language, oral communication, etc.

• After the behavior changes is a "change in performance." Without the precipitating event, there would not be noticeable momentum shifts.

• Finally, at the end of the chain, there should be an immediate outcome change.

Momentum creates action. I'm no physics expert (ask anyone in my Intro to Physics class from Freshman year). Momentum creates ACTION in the science world, sports world and in your mental state.

So, how can you use this sports-minded example of momentum if you aren't anything close to an athlete?

EASY!

If you ever feel like you have been lying around all day and haven't accomplished anything, there is one simple way to complete change your mindset:

DO SOMETHING. DO ANYTHING.

Get up. Go for a quick walk around the block. Do 10 push-ups. Start some laundry. Just do something. Be creative. Get the ball rolling.

If it feels as if you are so far away from a goal you have or have so much to do, start small and use the momentum to create continuous action. Once you start moving, there's no one stopping you.

Start the momentum.

Efficiency Experiment: The Results

If you read my last blog post (you better have), you know I tried to be as efficient as possible a week and a half ago.

No distractions. No wasting time. No pointless actions.

"Match your actions with your ambitions"

So, how did I do? Did I work for 16 hours straight without any breaks? 

Well, here are the "results."

I mean this when I say this: I stayed focused on the task on hand without distractions or aimlessly looking at my phone for the entire day besides these two instances (Netflix and Social Media)

I didn't count the time I took to workout and eat because I figured these parts of my life are essential in order to stay healthy.

Sorry not sorry.

Was there any point of doing this for ONE DAY? What's the whole idea of being extra focused for one day and then going back to my "old ways?"

I consider myself someone who is focused and with the ability to regroup after being distracted. There were times when I wanted to just "chill," sit back and check Instagram. There were times I wanted to watch another Stranger Things.

Of course, it's healthy to take breaks and give yourself a mental break for clarity. However, whenever I sit down with the intention to complete a task, I make a conscious effort to complete it after I start it.

Finish what you started, man.

Here's how I do it:

• Set a timer.
• One hour.
• After that hour is complete, take a 10 minute break.
• Then get right back to it.

It becomes a game. You against the clock. Who's going to win? You have plenty of time EVERY DAY to complete the majority of things you want to do.

It all comes down to how you're spending your time.

How are you spending your time when you're awake? 

I'm not going to take notes every time I "slip up" or get distracted. However, I am going to have the quote "Match your actions with your ambitions" in the back of my head whenever I set out to do something. Big or small.

Give it a try and let me know if you have any other ways to consistently stay focused.

The Efficiency Experiment

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut?

Maybe you had some positive momentum going and then it just stopped. You feel stagnant and without inspiration or motivation to keep moving forward.

This happens to the best of us. But what can we do to rid this mindset and keep moving?

In Grant Cardone's book, Sell or Be Sold, he talks about how he stays on track.

Making the most out of every day/hour/minute is what keeps him energized. Once extremely distracted, he has a routine set in place that allows him to be focused 24/7.

I've taken this to heart when taking a glance at my every day actions.

Am I really putting all my effort towards my goals? Do my actions match my ambitions?

If you live your life and have the mindset of maximizing every opportunity, there will be much less friction and feeling of being "stuck."

The phrase, "Match your actions with your ambition,"is so powerful when considering if you are being productive. How many minutes....hours do you spend scrolling through Facebook? Are you checking your email every 20 minutes? Whatever it is, we all have it.

TODAY - I am going to challenge myself to be as productive as possible. Every time I find myself off track or doing something mindless that doesn't benefit my goals, I will write it down.

I challenge YOU to try this for at least one day. I've never tried something like this before, so I will be sure to share my results with you.

Good luck!

P.S. - If you're reading this, it's likely you've already slipped up and are already distracted ;)

Are you F'REAL?

Show me someone who doesn't like smoothies, and I'll show you a liar.

Everyone loves smoothies - especially F'REAL smoothies. If you're reading this, you have the opportunity of a lifetime (kinda). If it is your life goal and dream to receive a FREE F'REAL smoothie, then you're in the right place.

OK - all jokes aside - we're giving away THREE smoothies to our loyal followers.

Here's how you WIN:

1. Take a photo of you eating at your favorite spot on campus
2. Post it to your Instagram Story AND tag @uwecdining
3. Direct Message us when you're done
4. WIN a Smoothie :)

Only the first THREE contestants will be able to win; so BE READY!

Convert on your Inspiration

Do you consider yourself someone who is easily inspired?

We've all gone through times when we see a video on Facebook or YouTube and want to act right away. Maybe you see a photo of someone in super good shape or see someone living a luxurious lifestyle and think, "I can do that. Let's get started."

That's awesome. Those things can be used for motivation to be more efficient in your every day lives. However, more often than not, you may fall into the trap of staying still and not moving - not acting - not doing.

You tell yourself, "I'll do it later."

"I'll start eating healthy tomorrow."

"I'll start studying tomorrow."

"I'll just wake up early and do it."

"I'm too tired."

I'm not saying I've never said these type of things. I've had my FAIR share of times I've taken the easy way out and stayed stagnant. I've made the conscious effort to push past this barrier and attack things as soon as I feel that feeling of inspiration or motivation.

Creating a To-Do List for the week is great. Writing down your thoughts reinforces your priorities and keeps your mind in the right state.

I have found I am much more efficient if I only write down things I want to get done THAT day. This means I create my plan of action the night before. I do have a calendar with important due dates because I like to know what is ahead.

Instead of compiling a long list of things I need to complete, I create a step-by-step plan. This gets rid of the overwhelming feeling of seeing a huge list of things that need to be done.

I call it a "Plan of Action." You can prioritize your tasks whatever way you want. Say you want to knock out the most important things first or complete the tasks that are most time-sensitive. Whatever it may  be.

What I do may be different than what you do. Maybe you like to procrastinate, and that's how you get things done.

Not me.

I like to get things done that matter most right away so I don't have to stress and constantly be thinking of when I will attack that action.

Now that I'm back in school, I have to be more aware since I have multiple responsibilities. Even if you're not going to school and don't have "many" responsibilities, you can use this "Plan of Action" strategy to improve in your personal life.

Maybe you want to read more. Maybe you want to start waking up earlier and going to bed earlier. Write out a plan of attack so you can stick to it. They say a behavior becomes a habit after 21 occurrences. 

Hold yourself accountable.

How do you stay on track? I'd love to hear what works for you!