What’s the greatest enemy of momentum?
We often think it is a lack of vision.
But you can have the greatest vision ever and still see motivation dwindle and momentum die.
The fact is we have an amazing ability to get bored with good things over time.
Some say it’s a lack of appreciation. And that’s true, but it’s not the greatest.
Others have said fear. Or a lack of resources. Or even success. And those can all kill momentum, but they aren’t the greatest.
TIME is the greatest killer of momentum.
It doesn’t matter how much we love something, time can cause us to lose interest. And that happens faster than ever these days. Ask a new leader how fast the “honeymoon” period ended for them. It seems to disappear faster than ever in my experience.
All of us can think of something we once loved, but now it’s old news. We have a the sad ability of tiring of wonderful things.
Buy a child a toy at Christmas and they love it – it’s the best Christmas ever – but a few weeks later; perhaps only a few hours – they probably aren’t as excited about it anymore. They are ready for some new toys.
Marketers know they have to keep changing things to keep us buying. We get bored easily. That’s why Apple’s stock has grown through the roof. They keep introducing new products because we get bored with the old ones.
If we aren’t careful we’ll do it in our relationships too.
One of the biggest obstacles in many marriages is boredom. We quit dating – we quit courting – we quit surprising each other. Over time, we get bored in the relationship. Time kills the momentum the couple once had for each other.
That feeling of boredom comes into the church also.
Greeting at the front door was great at first. We met lots of new people and genuinely felt we were making a difference. Now we know everyone and the job has become old. I’m bored.
Time killed my momentum.
Going to small group? Working with students? Playing in the band? Fun at first, but time has made me bored.
Perhaps you understand by now. Maybe you’re bored with this post. It was great when it started, but time has taken away your enthusiasm. Let me get to some help. It’s time.
If time is a killer of momentum, what’s the solution?
Keep retelling the vision. Tell more stories.
Remind yourself and others of why you are doing what you are doing. If your mission is to reach people for Christ, then get excited about it again. Renew your passion for others – for lost, hurting people. Restore your first love.
Keep practicing the vision. Live more stories.
Sometimes we get so busy with doing “stuff” we don’t really do what we were called to do. We are notorious at this in churches. Meetings to talk about doing missions take more of our time than doing missions. If you want to restore your motivation – do the things you’re motivated to do. If reaching broken, hurting people for Christ was the original passion God called you to do, then step away from the routines and busyness of life to start winning a few broken, hurting people for Christ again. Drop the mundane and follow the heart. Renew your personal passion by doing living the vision.
Keep sharing the impact of the vision with others. Encourage other’s stories.
Most likely there are still some people motivated for the vision. Surround yourself with them. Let them share their stories. Let their enthusiasm rub off on you and others. Live out the vision with others who believe in it as much as you do. It will motivate you – or re-motivate you – as you share the vision with others again. You’ll gain momentum again.
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