Momentum or In the Moment

I love momentum. In my previous life, it was often called “The Big Mo.” Oftentimes an organization, community, or project can feel like a giant boulder that you’re trying to move from one place to another. The challenge is often found in the “how.”

If you want to make a significant impact in a community…
If you want to become well-known in your industry…
If you want to increase sales…
You need to gain momentum!

I used to think that if I had momentum, I had everything. Now…I’m questioning that. Or, maybe I’m just questioning how that momentum is developed.

My previous methods of developing momentum consisted of rallying as many people as possible to join in the vision of whatever it was that I was trying to accomplish. In essence, people were “invited” to bring their time, talent, and treasure to the table. Gaining momentum consisted of…

1. Developing a grand vision.
2. Packaging the vision in a way that was attractive and understandable.
3. Communicating the vision with passion.
4. Helping people find a specific way to be part of the vision.
5. Driving the vision as fast and hard as possible to gain momentum.

Momentum was measured by the number of people involved and the amount of money that was generated to sustain the momentum. Unfortunately, the side effects included…

• Shallow relationships.
• People feeling used.
• Frustration with people’s lack of commitment.
• Impatience with the amount of numerical or financial growth.

As I lead 8TRACKstudios and New Wine Community, I’m trying to be more focused on being “in the moment” than developing “momentum.”

When 8TRACKstudios clients don’t exactly have the same timeline as I do, what’s my response? Frustration over projects taking months complete or a desire to be with them where they are in the moment. If I were trying to gain momentum in the business, I’d be pushing them to crank through projects so that we could move on to the next thing. Instead, I’m doing my best to serve them by helping them take one step at a time…when they’re ready. Our clients seem to enjoy the patience and willingness to walk with them through the process.

With New Wine Community, we’re finding that people come in and out of the community…and it’s rather difficult to get everyone to attend most weeks. Therefore, there is little if any momentum. If we were trying to gain momentum in our spiritual gathering on Sundays, we’d be pushing people to attend weekly, invite friends, serve, and be more committed. Although that may work in a different season, we’re choosing to be more “in the moment” and “hospitable” than anything else. Join us on Sundays when you can…when you’re here…we’ll learn and meditate together. If you can come to dinner on a Friday or Saturday, that’s great too. (Much more oozey than momentumy.) People’s lives are transforming, and we’re growing together slowly.

In every aspect of my life, I love momentum, but I don’t like the cost that it has required in the past. Maybe being “in the moment” will turn into momentum some day. Meanwhile, I’m just enjoying the ride and the new definition of success that seems to be emerging.