Momentum as Habit

I’m not a physics major. But I know something of momentum, not that I’d define it as the product of the mass and velocity of an object. I tend to think of it more as progress, the force or speed of movement of an object, person, team, organization, vision, tribe, movement….you get my drift.

Momentum has been a habit of mine. For as long as I can remember I’ve been enamored with progress, speed and movement. Love at first sight, you could call it. Me and progress. Me and movement, speed- we were quite a pair. Slowly but surely we became one. Momentum became me, my preferred way of being. In perpetual motion, moving, progressing, speeding through life.

What happens when you get addicted to momentum? When momentum becomes habit? When progress, speed, force becomes the end in mind; the goal itself? Might momentum for momentum’s sake be mere distraction? All momentum is surely not equal?

When something meets a short term need and yet inflicts harm in the long term on oneself or others we call it addiction, ‘aholism.’ Might momentum be an addiction another form of ‘aholism’ at least it is an unconscious form of living.

I know, I know, ‘an object in motion tends to stay in motion.’ I’ve worked on 5 year reinvention projects. I understand how important momentum is to all change and transformation initiatives. And I’ve seen long term benefits from momentum.

But that is not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about momentum as habit. Unconscious habit. When life becomes a blur. When there is no margin on your calendar let alone in your heart. I’m talking about choosing ‘more’ when you hunger for less.’ I’m talking about short term choices that reduce health, vitality, organization sustainability, and dehumanize.

I’m talking about zombie like living that turns people, organizations and businesses into goal, progress, results driven robots. I’m talking about the seduction of more. I’m talking about when momentum; activity, speed, force, progress becomes who you be, how you live.

I’m talking about a habit that is as lethal to your soul as cigarettes are to your lungs.

All momentum is not equal.

What are you speeding towards? What progress truly matters? What movement, action is aligned with your deepest values, your truth?

Momentum as habit.

Photo credit Flickr Creative Commons IrfaanPhotography

Pam Hoelzle