First Start - Then Build Momentum for Success

Are you paralyzed to the point of inaction by the number of thoughts or ideas you have on a project? Or, have you ever thought that you could not get started until you have the perfect solution already figured out?Many people are afraid to start in one direction, only to find they need to go in another, so they stand still. “I better stay here for just a little longer while I get this completely resolved in my mind”, might be what they are saying to themselves. Just getting started is 80% of the battle. Something not started certainly is not done.If we want something different to happen, we have to start somewhere and get things moving. Anything we do begins with this process. It can apply to bigger projects that can seem daunting at the start. But, ask yourself this, “does the project get any less scary, difficult, smaller in scale if you stand around and do nothing?” It is the same project that was there moments ago.How then do we meet this challenge? Jim Collins described the term ‘Flywheel Effect’ in this excerpt of his book Good to Great. It applies to the simplest of things as well as the most difficult. You have to start somewhere and continue to work at it.A flywheel is a huge wheel that takes energy to get it started. It will take continual energy and effort to really get it moving. But, once it is going it begins to deliver significantly more energy than you continue to apply. The flywheel captures all of the energy you put into it, then becomes something far greater in its output than the small pieces added during each step or individual input. Momentum works the same way.In the business world and in real life, every small step you take towards a goal adds energy to the forward movement you want to make. As you build on your project and add followers, their collective energy gets stored and soon the project is rolling right along. I am sure you have seen this in effect at some point.Think about a new project or program that was introduced. It started out as an idea. Maybe even an idea that many people did not want to take part in. Change is hard after all and it is pretty ‘easy’ standing right where we are now. But, as you shared ideas, showed examples of what success could look like, people gradually started to contribute. You could feel some momentum building in the idea. More successes began to reveal themselves. People’s attitude began to change and they contributed more and more to the project’s success. Finally, the project was moving on its own. It was ‘in place’ and everyone had accepted it. That is momentum that leads to success. Patience, perseverance, and grit are all necessary ingredients to make it go.

Effort + Time = Output

What we put into something and the amount of time we dedicate to it will determine its eventual outcome and output. It starts with a first step to begin the motion forward. If you are stuck on a project, idea or anything else, resolve to get the first step underway, in any way you can. Don’t let the eventual outcome or future steps get in the way of your first movement. Beginning the motion is always the most difficult task, from there you can build the energy, excitement, and eventual momentum that will take you to new heights.What small step will you take right now to get the next big thing moving? Share your ideas and stories of your first steps in the comments section.Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills. JOIN NOW!No spam ever - just leadership goodness.