Protect your momentum at all costs
The science behind being unstoppable
I hear a lot of people talk about protecting their peace — what I really think they’re protecting is their momentum.
I was recently asked what I would tell my 20-year-old self, and one thing stood out: you will never regret doing nothing when you are embarrassed. When someone misspeaks about you publicly or tries to provoke a reaction, you will never regret the times you chose not to respond. In a tough situation, how you feel should never be the primary determinant of how you react.
And I stand by it. Nobody can make you feel bad about yourself without your consent, and responding to their provocation—on their timeline, to your audience—is giving that consent.
As I reflected on why this lesson is so powerful, I realized that unconstructive opinions are often distractions. And distractions always kill momentum. Nothing is more important than momentum.
Momentum is built brick by brick
Momentum isn’t a magic formula. Sometimes, it’s just a sequence of unfettered small wins. The Progress Principle, developed by Teresa Amabile, highlights how small, consistent progress boosts motivation and creativity. Minor achievements can significantly enhance performance and morale.
This has been true for me in building my startup, growing my newsletter, and developing a social media following. Even in parenting. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was made of countless tiny bricks.
What do you think? I love to read your comments.
What sustainable momentum looks like
Small wins contribute to positive emotions, which enhance intrinsic motivation and creativity. Intrinsic motivation—when you’re driven by your own internal rewards—creates longevity. The takeaway is clear: you have to motivate yourself through your own reward systems, not someone else’s. For example:
That video flopped. Let me learn from it. The cringe is uncomfortable, but it won’t illicit a reaction.
I got a nasty comment about how I look. Welp. That person sounds insecure. Won’t stop me.
What unsustainable momentum looks like
Momentum falters when it’s driven by others. Extrinsic motivators, or external factors, are fragile and easily disrupted:
So-and-so told me to keep it up!
So-and-so said they could never post videos that flop like I do.
I wish I was so-and-so. Ugh…what does she have that I don’t?
Think about a current goal, how much have you protected your momentum?
How to build momentum
Momentum, like most things, is most predictable when it’s a by-product of planning:
Clear, actionable goals: Use frameworks like the STAR Model or FOGLAMP to guide you (check out the bottom of this article).
Remove distractions: Apps like AppBlock can help by turning off notifications when you’re feeling unfocused.
Time-blocking: Allocate specific periods for deep work to stay on track.
Why momentum matters
Momentum is the vehicle; consistency is the by-product. Momentum fuels consistency, and consistency delivers results:
Consistency leads to visibility and recognition.
Consistency boosts your internal confidence.
Consistency builds others’ confidence in you.
Consistency increases your opportunity pipeline.
Consistency develops your reputation.
Consistency makes you more efficient through repetition.
Consistency compounds opportunities.
What Kills Momentum
Unclear goals
Distractions
Lack of motivation
Negative feedback loops (internal or external)
Procrastination
Fear of failure
Burnout
Protect your momentum at all costs. It’s the gas that keeps you consistent, and consistency is what will make you unstoppable.
Share your thoughts below. I always love to read your feedback.
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I love all the points about reacting to other people's negativity. "Nobody can make you feel bad about you without your consent" it's up to us to put up boundaries and not engage further with negativity. It's hard I won't lie, but practice makes perfect. I really like the momentum log as well, reflecting on small moments help to gain clarity on what's working and what can be improved. Great message, thanks for sharing!
I have recently started my Architecture undergrad degree and there’s been a lot of extreme lows and highs; both because of school and my personal life. Although I started with great momentum it seems constantly trying to deal with a steep learning curve and other aspects of my life has slowed down that momentum but reading this article has definitely put things in perspective for me. Thank you!