How ambitious people loose momentum (and how to keep going)
We've all been there - that initial burst of inspiration and motivation when starting a new project, job, or side hustle.
We envision our grand success and exciting opportunities.
However, after considerable effort, reality sets in. The results don't match your expectations, or you realise more work is required than anticipated.
Suddenly, your inspiration and motivation give way to doubt and questioning.
Questioning if you should continue.
Questioning if your visions are a delusional fantasy.
Questioning if you'll ever be good enough.
The risk here is that you'll manage to convince yourself that it's too hard, that you don't have time, that you can't afford it, or the most dangerous thought of all, “I don't even care anyway” when deep down you care so much it pains you and this is your way of avoiding disappointment.
At best we loose momentum and worst we give up our dreams.
We start questioning our abilities and motivations, second-guessing every decision.
A creeping sense of stagnation sets in, making us feel stuck and unable to move forward.
We might even consider giving up altogether, settling for a life of mediocrity.
The persistent thought of "I should be doing that" eats away at our peace of mind.
We may hesitate to invest energy in new endeavours, fearing we'll end up in the same place of disappointment.
Maintaining momentum is therefore crucial, because when progress doesn't align with your effort - it creates a fragile situation.
The following 3 concepts have consistently helped me keep going, even when there was no evidence to suggest I should.
1. The Dip
The dip is a point in your journey where your efforts don't seem to match your results.
It's the valley between your initial excitement and your eventual success.
It's tempting to throw in the towel here, but here's the secret: this is often where the magic happens.
The dip is where most people give up, which means if you keep working through it, you'll be miles ahead of the competition.
Seth Godin's book "The Dip" offers valuable insights into this stage of growth.
My key takeaways are:
Acknowledge that the dip is normal - you're not a failure for experiencing it.
Never quit on your grander life goal, but be willing to change strategies if needed.
Define what a dead end looks like versus a dip for your specific situation.
Remember, just because your current approach isn't working out doesn't mean you'll never succeed.
When you feel that dip, take a step back and look at the whole picture.
Ask yourself: Is this really a dead end, or does it just feel like it because I'm in the dip?
I'll explain what you can do to maintain momentum while you're in the dip in the next two sections.
2. Natural Phases
Just like the changing seasons, our growth follows natural cycles.
Those moments when you feel unmotivated, emotional, or uncertain are just as vital to your evolution as the times you feel excited, inspired, and motivated.
In fact, you often experience more inner growth during struggles, which then transitions into external growth - what we perceive as "good times".
I like to think of growth cycles as spirals.
Each stage of our life - starting a new job, launching a business, or having children - is a spiral within the larger spiral of our entire life journey.
These spirals have highs and lows, alternating in succession.
Each time the spiral cycles down, we experience a dip.
Up and down on the way up.
– Melanie Ann Layer
Understanding these natural phases can be incredibly liberating:
It helps you recognize that low periods are temporary and necessary for growth.
You can use the "down" times for reflection, learning, and resetting your ambitions.
By going with the flow rather than resisting, you can prevent burnout and actually shorten the duration of the low periods.
The better you treat yourself during the lows, the more expansive the highs become.
Remembering this isn't always easy. Often, I only realize I've been in a dip when I start to emerge from it.
The key—and what really helps me—is remembering that my enthusiasm and motivation will return.
It's crucial to use the time in the dip to learn, reflect, and reset my ambitions.
The better I treat myself during the lows, the more expansive the highs become.
If we resist or don't see it as an opportunity to slow down, we risk burnout or prolonging our time in the dip.
I recently experienced a creative dip, which provided a welcome reprieve from the thousands of ideas constantly vying for attention in my mind.
Now I'm back, unable to resist spending every free moment writing and creating.
So, make the most of your high-energy times, but don't get disheartened when your energy wanes.
If you go with the flow and shift to maintenance mode, you'll cycle back up in no time.
So, the next time you feel like you're in a slump, remember: it's just a natural part of your growth cycle.
Use it as an opportunity to look inward, do some inner work, and prepare for the next upswing.
How to make the most of the different phases:
The dip phase is an ideal time for introspection and inner work. It's an opportunity to rest and reset. Go with the flow and let your intuition guide you.
During the expansive phase, the work from the dip manifests in our external reality and growth. This is the time to channel that energy into creating, doing, and achieving.
3. Expanding Growth
As we grow in one area, it often prompts us to improve and grow in another.
For instance, when you focus on improving your health, you might notice your self-esteem improving as well.
As your self-esteem grows, you might find yourself performing better in your career.
Better career performance could lead to improved finances, which in turn might allow you to invest more in your personal growth.
It's a virtuous cycle of expansion and improvement.
This concept aligns beautifully with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
As we fulfil our basic needs, we create a foundation that supports our growth in higher-level needs.
Similarly, in astrology, the twelve houses represent different areas of life that we cycle through, each building upon the last.
As you progress through each lunar cycle, you'll discover that insights and growth from one area of your life naturally flow into others.
This interconnectedness inspired me to create the Resonance Club subscription.
Each monthly bundle will help you tap into these energies, equipping you with tools to become the architect of your own growth throughout the year.
Whether you're in a dip or an expansive phase, the subscription offers monthly hypnosis meditations and journal prompts designed to help you maintain momentum.
Remember, your journey is unique, and the path to success is rarely linear.
These concepts help us understand that setbacks and periods of low motivation are not just normal but are integral phases on your path to your ever evolving success.
Whether you find yourself in a dip phase or an expansive one, the Resonance Club subscription is designed to support your journey.
If you're experiencing a dip, the subscription will guide you through inner work, helping you gain valuable insights during this reflective time.
If you're in an expansive phase, it will help you channel and focus your energy, maximizing the potential of this productive period.
What you'll get:
Monthly hypnosis meditations to help you tap into your subconscious and align with your goals.
Thoughtful journal prompts to guide your reflection and foster self-awareness.
(Coming soon) A supportive community of like-minded individuals on similar journeys.
Each month, we'll focus on a different aspect of personal growth, aligning with the natural cycles and energies of the year.
This structured approach ensures that you're always moving forward, even when it feels like you're standing still.
Action creates momentum.
Take that first step today. Join the Resonance Club and unlock the power of sustained momentum in your life.
Even if you're feeling stuck right now, taking this small step can be the catalyst for big changes.
That moment you realise that life is not linear, but cycles within cycles.
– Mollie Hollie