John Maxwell is one of my favorite business authors. In his book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” (“Law of Momentum”) he compares momentum to a train. He uses the example that when a train is moving at 55mph it can ram right through a five foot thick, cement reinforced, wall of concrete. Pretty powerful stuff. That same train, however, at a stand-still – with a one inch block of wood in front of the driving wheel.. won’t budge! The same reinforced concrete battering ram of a train is completely powerless without…. you guessed it: MOMENTUM.
The Superbowl eclipsed the all time viewership ratings (how about the streak M.A.S.H. had going?), so I know you saw the game. What did New Orleans do to change the momentum of the game? They called it an “Ambush!” We know it as an “onside kick”, others may only know it as the time the kicker didn’t kick it very far, or straight for that matter. Was that a MOMENTUM changer? You bet! Maxwell mentions that you don’t even need to be winning the game to have the momentum. Whether it’s a pickup game of basketball, or your family monopoly tournament, you can feel when someone is gaining on you.
The “Dance Point” is that momentum in your dance program is your most valuable asset. Without it, that one inch block could stop you cold.
So here’s the spillover effect.
EVENTS – You will always feel more confident, look more natural, and develop faster when you dance more frequently at an event. Even if that is just general dancing, it certainly beats standing in the background hoping your number doesn’t get called. The more you dance, the faster the train gets moving. The result = MOMENTUM!
FEEDBACK/CRITIQUES – The reason why most students start new segments of their program after a critique = MOMENTUM!
LESSON SCHEDULE – Keeping your lessons close together, especially at the beginning, is essential for developing great muscle memory. Not to mention you bypass all of those “one inch block” moments that can be frustrating. The reason too many students let a lifetime dream slip away from them isn’t because of one big catastrophic incident that stops them. It’s a bunch of little things that feel like big things because they were lacking… MOMENTUM.
GROUPS/PARTIES – If you only visit your in-laws once a year, then it will always feel really awkward each time you visit with them. The same can be said for groups/parties. If you can make them a regular part of your program early, you’ll develop a great “relationship” with them. Besides, it’s really the only way to practice… but that’s another article. MOMENTUM
So how does Momentum apply to
– A diet
– A new relationship
– Reading a new book
– Starting the next level of your dance program
What would happen with any of these activities if you saved your momentum for the end, and not the beginning?
– Diet: “I’m just going to work out twice as hard when summer comes around”
– Relationship: “I’m just warming up to them. They can call me when they’re ready.”
– Book: “Who is this character again?”
– Dance Program: Student is thinking, “Wow, this new level is really hard. I knew I wasn’t ready. How does that step go? I’ll probably just work twice as hard when the summer showcase comes around….”
OUCH! So, think about it. MOMENTUM. The best time to ramp it up is at the beginning, or whenever you feel it starting to slip away (a la New Orleans Saints).
So go out there and slam through some concrete!
Chris
