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I was watching the Green Bay Packers play the Atlanta Falcons, the number 6 seated team against the number 1 seated team for the division, and wasn't too surprised to see the Packers come out on top. Sure they were seated as number 6 and according to this ranking were the underdog, but that's not what the last 8 games demonstrated. While Atlanta clearly played well throughout the season, the Packers had created tremendous momentum starting mid season and carried it through the end of the season and into the playoffs.
I also watched the Pittsburg Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens. Down 21 to 7 at half time, the momentum was completely against Steelers. However, after halftime, it was a new ball game. The momentum had shifted. What changed? Who is responsible for momentum?
Mind
Momentum is mental. We know in a matter of a few days or a few minutes the Packers and the Steelers didn't play football better than they did before. The change in their mental state manifested itself through momentum. It is the, "If you get me the ball, I will make it happen" mentality.
At some point early in the season, the Green Bay Packers changed their mind about who they were and how well they played the game. The other teams didn't decide this for Green Bay. Green Bay made the decision. The same is true for Steelers. At half time they changed their mind about who they were and what they were capable of. I'm sure the Ravens didn't decide at half time they were not as good as they had played in the first half. No, it was Steelers that changed their mind and won the game.
Matter
So, how do we "change our mind" about what we are personally capable of and what our business is capable of? This is what I call the "matter" or the substance. Making the change. What you do is the matter to change your mind to create the momentum.
Sometimes it is an event. In football the other team may make a mistake. For many, this has the effect of changing their mental state and they create momentum. Others make an event happen such as intercepting a pass or blocking a punt. Then everyone can get on board with the new mental state and momentum.
In business, we can close a sale or complete an engineering task. Now, it is up to us to use this event to change our mind or mental state to create momentum. Yes, a single event can change everything. Sometimes a compliment received is all it takes to change our mind about the day or the path we are on. We need to give compliments generously to others in order to help create their positive momentum. I find consistency creates momentum for me.
When I wake up in the morning and follow my routine of a shower, breakfast, meditation and prayer, scripture study, and checking email I have started the day in the right direction. Without even thinking about it, I have created a positive momentum for my day. When I don't get to follow my routine my momentum is lost. Then, it is up to me to create an event to trigger a change in mental state in order to create the right momentum.
Momentum is just as important in business as it is in sports. The key is to remember that we are responsible for our own momentum.
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