How to Generate Momentum In Your Career!

I was recently asked to speak to a group of leaders across the U.S. about building community outside the workplace to create opportunities for our company. That morning, I went for a run and remember thinking how hard it was to get started. I needed some momentum.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I decided I wanted to start running. I remember learning about the C25K app, and downloaded to begin the journey. Week one, I walked and jogged. The weeks that followed turned jogs into runs, and by week eight, I completed my first 5K. Later that year, I ran a 10K, and by year's end, I finished my first half marathon. I was on a roll and moving forward with real momentum.

So, I began speaking in the virtual meeting hoping to be that “app” for others, to encourage and share ideas and strategies to help business leaders get moving again. I think that's what happens to most of us. We cross finish lines, stop to take a break, and before we know it, the break gets longer and we get stuck… and it's hard to get going again. Today, I want to share one of the ideas I presented that might help you generate some momentum in your role:

We all have goals, but what about good habits?

Years ago, I developed the habit of getting up early to start my day. During that time, I enjoyed the quiet moments of the morning, joined a gym to exercise, invested in my writing, reviewed my daily and weekly planning, and more. One year, I even began learning to play the piano and developed a habit of playing every day. Eventually, I stopped playing daily and found it hard to get going again.

Some habits stick, while others don't. Sometimes we start something and then later stop.

Early in my career, I started investing in note writing. I remember receiving some special notes from people I admired and decided to start sending my own personal notes. I When I think about encouraging someone with a note, I make a “note” in my “to do” app to write/send at a later date. During my weekend planning time, I review my “to-do list” and take action. My friend, Suzanne Myers once shared a saying that’s always stuck with me, “It’s easy, and it’s hard”. It’s easy to do, but it’s hard to find the time to do it. However, habits will help you create systems and keep you on track to make the time.

James Clear once said, "You don't rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems."

One of the things people like to talk about is building your brand in the workplace.

When I began my career with The Armstrong Company, I didn’t think about building my brand – I just worked on becoming the best version of myself and bring value in my work for others…  but I would listen ----  to what people would say, and I then doubled down on that. If people said I was encouraging, I developed habits to encourage more through notes or books or during my podcast or speaking engagements. If people liked taking pictures, I doubled down on selfies (actually quadrupled down on this one :), if people liked my quick email or call response, or the value I brought as a global mobility leader or a volunteer, I kept trying to create habits to keep this going. This is how you build brand, this is how you get more done, this is how you generate momentum – it’s doing the little things everyday! Not somedays – everyday!

Do you want to run, write a book, send more notes, be a business leader, build more relationships, get a certification, learn to play an instrument, or name it… anything? What are people saying about you? Listen and accelerate!

Find Your Lane and create habits to move forward. When you focus on creating habits, you will generate great momentum to move forward in every role.

Stay in pursuit… good things are just ahead!

Quote of the Day:
“It's a lot easier to stay in shape, then get back into shape.” Mark Wahlberg

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This is Move to Inspire with Bruce Waller.
For more resources—including relocation support, keynote speaking, leadership content, and the Life in the Leadership Lane podcast—visit www.BruceWaller.com.

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