The Magic of Momentum

Momentum is a simple concept, but it is so powerful it may seem magical. At its core, momentum is the force that propels us forward, whether in life or business.

But, understanding momentum goes far beyond Newton’s laws or catchy motivational quotes. It’s about leveraging small wins, building sustainable energy, and aligning your actions with strategic thinking.

To truly grasp the power of momentum, we need to examine its impact in multiple areas, such as science, strategy, and real-life success stories.

So, let’s begin by exploring the mental models that fuel momentum, see how initiative often dictates outcomes, and analyse how momentum has propelled some of the most iconic figures and organisations in history.

Momentum in Science: A Universal Truth

Let’s start with the basics.

In physics, momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity. Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion, while an object at rest tends to remain at rest—unless acted upon by an external force.

This law is a perfect metaphor for life. Getting started often requires much effort (what scientists call activation energy).

Think about trying to push a stationary car. It’s tough at first. But once the car starts rolling, it takes far less effort to keep it moving. That’s the magic of momentum. It transforms the heavy lifting of starting into the lighter effort of sustaining.

Now, let’s apply this to our mental and emotional selves.

In “5 Mental Models to Think Like a Strategic Genius,” Anthony Vicino discusses how understanding momentum can lead to exponential gains. One of the mental models he highlights is Compounding Effects, i.e., small, consistent actions that snowball over time to create massive outcomes.

For example, think about building a new habit, like exercising daily. The first week feels like a slog because you’re fighting inertia. But by week three, the habit begins to feel automatic. You’ve built momentum.

Learning from Momentum in Chess

In the game of Chess, momentum translates into initiative.

Whoever controls the board and forces their opponent to react is likelier to win. It is why great chess players don’t just think one move ahead. Instead, they think several moves ahead, always seeking to maintain or regain the initiative.

For example, take Garry Kasparov, who is considered one of the greatest chess players ever. Kasparov was known for his aggressive style, always looking for opportunities to dictate the pace of the game.

His victories often resulted from leveraging small advantages—an open file here, a knight positioned there—into a cascading series of events that left his opponents scrambling.

The lesson here?

Momentum isn’t just about moving forward; it’s about moving forward strategically. It’s about taking control of the narrative, whether you’re on a chessboard or running a business.

Activation Energy vs. Maintenance Energy

Starting something new may feel daunting because it requires so much activation energy.

Whether it’s launching a startup, writing a book, or learning a new skill, the initial phase is always the hardest. This is why so many people get stuck in the planning stage—they’re intimidated by the effort required to overcome inertia.

But once you’ve started, everything changes. Momentum kicks in, and the energy required to maintain progress drops significantly.

Think about Elon Musk’s journey with Tesla. The company faced immense challenges in the early days—financial struggles, manufacturing issues, and public scepticism. The activation energy required to get Tesla off the ground was astronomical.

But Musk understood the importance of momentum.

No matter how small, each success was leveraged to build the next. The launch of the Tesla Roadster wasn’t just a product release; it was a statement that electric cars could be fast and sexy.

That momentum carried into the Model S, the Model 3, and beyond. Today, Tesla isn’t just a car company; it’s a symbol of innovation and sustainability.

Mental Models That Fuel Momentum

Building momentum requires more than brute force; it demands strategic thinking.

Let’s revisit some of Anthony Vicino’s mental models and see how they apply:

1. The Flywheel Effect

Jim Collins introduced the flywheel idea in his book Good to Great.

Imagine a massive, heavy wheel. At first, it takes immense effort to push it. But as you keep going, the wheel starts spinning faster and faster. Eventually, it reaches a point where it practically spins on its own.

Amazon is a perfect example.

In the early days, Jeff Bezos focused on building a customer-centric flywheel with lower prices, a better customer experience, more customers, higher sales volumes, and lower prices (repeat).

Each turn of the flywheel reinforced the next, creating unstoppable momentum.

2. Opportunity Cost

Momentum requires focus. Remember, every time you say “yes” to one thing, you’re saying “no” to something else.

Strategic geniuses understand that maintaining momentum often means cutting distractions and doubling down on what’s working.

Steve Jobs epitomised this when he returned to Apple in the late 1990s. With a company spread thin across too many product lines, Jobs slashed 70% of Apple’s offerings to focus on a handful of game-changing products.

That decision created the momentum that led to the iPod, iPhone, and Apple’s meteoric rise.

3. The Pareto Principle

Also known as the 80/20 Rule, this principle states that 80% of results often come from 20% of efforts. In building momentum, identifying and doubling down on the 20% that truly matters can accelerate progress.

Famous Individuals and the Power of Momentum

1. Serena Williams: Turning Small Wins into Big Momentum

Serena Williams didn’t become one of the greatest athletes of all time overnight.

Her journey was built on a series of small, consistent wins. Each victory reinforced her confidence, sharpened her skills, and fueled her hunger for more. By the time she was competing on the world stage, her momentum was unstoppable.

2. J.K. Rowling: From Rock Bottom to a Billion-Dollar Empire

Before she became the world’s most famous author, J.K. Rowling was a struggling single mother on welfare.

Writing the first Harry Potter book was an uphill battle—it required immense activation energy to keep going in the face of rejection and self-doubt. But once the book was published, momentum took over.

Each new instalment builds on the success of the last, creating a global phenomenon.

Organisational Momentum

Momentum doesn’t just apply to individuals; it’s equally crucial for organisations.

Let’s take a look at two contrasting examples to illustrate this.

1. Kodak: The Danger of Losing Momentum

Kodak was once synonymous with photography.

However, the company failed to adapt to the digital age, losing the momentum it had built over decades.

Why?

It was because it rested on its laurels, assuming that past success would carry it forward, highlighting the critical lesson that momentum doesn’t last forever. It requires constant renewal.

2. Netflix: Reinventing Momentum

In contrast, Netflix has mastered the art of reinvention.

Blockbuster was a dominant player in providing home entertainment in the 1980s. Those old enough will remember how renting “video tapes” and later “DVDs” at the store was big.

Today, Blockbuster is no more.

In contrast, from DVDs to streaming to original content, Netflix has consistently leveraged its momentum to stay ahead of the curve. By investing in data-driven decision-making and embracing new opportunities, Netflix turned its early lead into long-term dominance.

Why Momentum Feels Magical

Momentum has a way of amplifying everything.

Opportunities seem to come out of nowhere when you're on a roll. Challenges feel smaller, and your confidence grows.

It isn’t magic; it’s the compounding effect of consistent effort. But here’s the catch: momentum can work against you just as quickly.

Negative momentum—procrastination, bad habits, or poor decisions—can spiral out of control if left unchecked. This is why self-awareness and strategic thinking are so important.

Conclusion

The magic of momentum lies in its ability to turn effort into results and results into more effort. Whether building a business, mastering a skill, or simply getting through a tough week, momentum is your greatest ally.

By understanding the principles of activation energy, leveraging mental models like the Flywheel Effect and the Pareto Principle, and learning from others' successes and failures, you can harness the power of momentum to achieve your goals.

So, the next time you feel stuck, remember that starting is the hardest part. But once you’re in motion, the universe—and momentum—will conspire to keep you moving forward.

Until next time, may the momentum be with you.

Dion Le Roux

References

1. Collins, Jim. Good to Great. HarperBusiness, 2001.

2. Newton, Isaac. Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. 1687.

3. Vicino, Anthony. “5 Mental Models to Think Like a Strategic Genius.” AnthonyVicino.com.

4. Williams, Serena. My Life: Queen of the Court. Yellow Jersey Press, 2009.

5. Wylie, Ian. “The Reinvention of Netflix.” The Guardian, 2020.