July 13, 2011 The Importance of Creating Momentum
I wrote this for my blog. It’s about pursuing your dream in general. But, I thought I’d share it here because it applies to all of us. And who knows? This piece could keep someone who’ll make history in music going for one more day. I added a bit to the end to share how it applies to our music careers. Hope you’ll enjoy and be motivated to keep moving.
This may sound incredibly obvious (because it is), but it is one of those obvious truths that we don’t consider enough. Because considering it might actually motivate us. The key to creating momentum is to keep moving. The longer you keep moving without changing direction, the bigger the momentum. And, the bigger the momentum, the more unstoppable you are. I’m not going to be vague. I’m speaking about achieving your dreams, fulfilling the vision of your heart.
All you have to do is do something. When you don’t feel like it, do something. When you don’t know what to do, do anything. But, don’t do nothing! What’s the worst that can happen? It certainly isn’t like you’re touching wires that would lead to instant death. (Unless your dream is to touch electrical wires and live to be fined $200.)
Dreams don’t come true instantly as you might be led to believe because of what you see on TV. What gets left out is usually the hard part. You achieve your dreams by achieving a series of breakthroughs. And there’s no such thing as breakthroughs without first creating momentum.
Do you know why dreams go to the graves? Because of the lack of breakthroughs. What causes lack of breakthroughs? Lack of momentum. What causes lack of momentum? Lack of movement. Here’s a sad truth: Most people sit around waiting for something to happen. Some will haphazardly do things here and there that they think could break them through. But, I wont be the first to tell you, you wont achieve your dreams that way.
No matter what you’re aiming for, you can find out how to do anything by doing a little research on the internet. There are tons of instructions, tips, and God-knows-what out there. Whatever the process, I want you to remember one phrase. This phrase is key to success. Are you ready?
Rinse and repeat.
That’s right! Rinse and repeat. I know of people who learned the how-to’s, but lacked the patience and perseverance to do the same thing over and over again until they achieve a breakthrough. Then, do it all over again until they achieve another breakthrough - and then again, until they reach the level they want to be at.
Rinse and repeat the process, no matter how mundane, no matter how tiring. You must do it. You must create momentum. You must always be in motion, in action. It’s the only way you’ll ever see your dream materialize.
For me, as someone who is pursuing a career in music, it means to keep rotating my free download every week, continue finding people and sending out emails asking them to listen to my music because they may be able to help me further promote it (even if I don’t get a response from most people), making sure I always have something to talk about (even if it’s a just a new blog post each week), staying in touch with my current fans and reaching out to get new listeners, etc…
Let’s say I breakthrough and get some recognition. I will have to rinse and repeat the process to breakthrough to a higher level. The only difference between you and I (emerging people) and someone “big” is the amount of breakthroughs they’ve made. But, I think I speak the truth when I say…the process is the same for them, just on a different scale.
I say all this to say: Don’t sit around. Don’t be depressed. Keep moving. My future kids might need your songs to get them through something difficult, to mark moments of their lives. Heck, I might need your songs. (Replace songs with innovations if you’re not a “creative” per se. Point is, you’re needed! So please, don’t quit. Continue to innovate.)
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Minh is an artist and producer/songwriter based in the DC area. His official site is www.reachminh.com.
Reader Comments (12)
This is awesome! I have been living by this for the past two years. I have a so many responsibilities in my life that I tend to feel bogged down at times. In good times I take calculated action and measure the results and at the worst I just simply do something. This has kept me moving forward and I am that much closer to my goals because of it. More importantly I don't feel like I am completely wasting my energy on things that don't matter to me. I know that I am at least still moving toward something.
Great article! Thanks.
Tom Siegel
"For me, as someone who is pursuing a career in music, it means to keep rotating my free download every week, continue finding people and sending out emails asking them to listen to my music because they may be able to help me further promote it (even if I don’t get a response from most people), making sure I always have something to talk about (even if it’s a just a new blog post each week), staying in touch with my current fans and reaching out to get new listeners, etc… "
It sounds like you are encouraging us to do spam activities.
IMO when you have nothing to say, you should exactly do that : Nothing. Or you will end up in the junk or ignore list really fast.
Wow, very inspirational! Thanks but does that mean i've got to get up the couch immediately?
Mihn,
Totally agree with your post. The only suggestion I would add is while you've got your momentum going only "bite off as much as you can chew". In other words, don't worry about running the marathon if that overwhelms you. Focus on the first 3 miles, then keep on going and focus on the next 3, etc. Pretty soon you'll be much farther down the road.
Thanks for the encouraging word!
Greg
Yes, The message was clear as the economy , Tom Hanks, " Castaway " the movie, (script) talking to his friend, after his rescue. " I had to keep moving" after failing to commit suicide. such a complex simple statement. all of us need motavation in one form or another. your article moved me to comment. I will keep moving, Thanks
PS youtube: the Theme Castaway,The melody, it also moved me.
"IMO when you have nothing to say, you should exactly do that : Nothing. Or you will end up in the junk or ignore list really fast."
When does an artist have nothing to say? That sounds like a contradiction to me. Your fans/followers (i.e., people who actually drawn your music and message) will want to hear from you often. Just make sure what you're saying is engaging and interesting to them.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.
Thank you very much for your article! Your advice is real and true. If anyone wants to succeed at anything, they have to stop dreaming and start doing and CONTINUE doing until they have what they first dreamed. :)
@Bob...thanks for weighing in. Of course, I'm not talking about spamming. Also, what I wrote was "when you don't know what to DO, do anything". There's always something valuable I can say. I'm an artist, all I do is think or create. And as far as emailing, I email specifically to individuals and politely ask them to listen to my music when they get a chance. This actually has led to great meetings and great new relationships with industry people. It has led to getting my music picked up. All I can say is, you can't let anything negative stop you or immobilize you. Any movement in the direction of your dream on any day is a great thing. But, you do have a point. In anything I do or say, I think about how it can be a win for me as well as a win for anyone who's on the receiving end. This keeps me from "spamming" as you termed it because it causes me to tailor my message in a way that it'll be well-received. Glad you weighed in. The point needed to be made. :)
Rinse and repeat, but make sure to change it up a little. Use a different shampoo or conditioner. Sure, you might get the frizzies or your hair might fall out, but you need to keep life interesting - for yourself AND your fans. Yes, do something and if it works, do that some more. But do it alive, give every moment its own spin based on you who are in that moment. You'll love it more, and so will your fans if that's what you're meant for.
Very inspirational $tar! this memo speaks to me... Let's not stop the Movement and relize our Dreams together in Human Harmony! yey RealStars!,' )
Great article- thanks for the motivation!
Well said! I enjoyed this article very much. Thank you.