Monthly Archives: October 2015

10 Questions That Cause Momentum to Happen (Auto-magically)

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Productive Momentum…

…greater than the sum of the parts

Once in a while you’re more productive than other days.

You know the feeling, it could be a Tuesday mid-morning or it could be a Saturday afternoon. You feel engaged, you are inspired, you believe in who you are and what you’re doing. And, you’re sharing that experience with colleagues, family members or other people really important to you.

Maybe you’re making incredible progress on that one work-event you’re planning for next quarter. Perhaps you realize you’re being 100% present with a loved one at home. Either way, you’re not just “doing,” you’re being…

…and that’s a special thing indeed.

Sure, you recognize that feeling of being productive, but do you know how to get going when you’re stuck?

There are 5 Stages of Momentum that we’ve identified, and questions that go along with each stage. As you move from one stage to the next, your commitment, confidence and skill-set grows to the point where you can create momentum “on call.” The 5 stages are:

  • Motivation: Identify why you want to do what you want to do.
  • Modeling: Identify a role model or existing example similar to your project.
  • Milestones: Identify specific routines and iterative outcomes to make progress.
  • Monitor: Identify your good habits and automate tasks.
  • Modify: Change your approach based on the achievements you make month-to-month.

Do you want to know how to Get Momentum and start the project that’s stuck?

We have discovered certain questions you must ask in a very specific order to set yourself up for more success.

There are 10 of them and you’ll need about 60 minutes next week to answer them all. Our suggestion is that you answer as many of them as possible in one sitting.

The 10 Questions

  1. When I am I at my best?
  2. What do I want to be known for?
  3. Who do I know who I can interview who has done something like this?
  4. What organization or group can I follow doing similar things to what I want to start?
  5. What routine do I need to create and habituate to stay on course with this project?
  6. What are the next three sub-projects to achieve over the next three months?
  7. What am I doing that is working really well?
  8. What can I automate or outsource to free up another 30 minutes every day?
  9. What part of the project outcome do I need to change or clarify?
  10. What part of my workflow do I need to change to work more efficiently?

Now What?

Schedule 60 minutes on your calendar for next Sunday morning. Sit down with your favorite beverage, open your notebook to a fresh page and then spend 5-6 minutes answering each one of those questions.

Your homework after you do THAT is: Schedule a meeting with a coach, a mentor or a best friend and share these 10 questions, and your answers, with them.

The goal of THAT meeting is simple: To clarify your commitment, ask them to help you by holding you accountable to achieving the answers you write.

You’ve had productive days in the past. Now it’s time to work in a way that puts those days at the forefront of your planning. Make an intentional plan to Get Momentum on that project is stuck.

Change where you work, change what gets done

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Change Your Place = Change Your Routine

Make a slight change (ie: enhancement) to the environment you are working/thinking/studying in, and you could change the result you get from that time spent. If you’re not “feeling it” one day, or you need to “sit down and focus” move your body. No, not exercise more, WORK somewhere DIFFERENTLY. If you change things up, it can make work [or, whatever you’re trying to get done] feel “new” again. And THIS is great for re-starting your motive for action to get going.

Want to be more productive?

Change your routine this week/end to incorporate a new place to get things done. See what would happen if you sat on the other couch in the living room, stopped at a different coffee shop on your way to work on Monday, or worked in a conference room instead of at your desk for an hour or two…

If you want to get creative, experiment with soft music, or even wear a noise-cancelling headset for an hour or two while you’re working. (Set a timer, so you know there’s an end time!)

Here’s the thesis: If you change where you work, and what it looks like while you’re working, you could think in different ways. And, when that happens you automatically push on your habits and start building new - high-functioning - routines.