Explosive Momentum Formula

       Some time ago, I read a book by Dave Ramsey entitled, EntreLeadership.  In it he offers his formula for unstoppable momentum that has stuck with me.  It looks like this.

FI/T(G)= Explosive and Unstoppable Momentum

  

       Let me put the formula in words so it will make sense to you.  Focused Intensity, over Time, multiplied by God, equals Explosive Unstoppable Momentum.  Dave is applying this principle to business leadership, but at its core is change.  Just like lasting lifestyle change, momentum is built on making every moment count.  To better understand that last statement, let’s take a closer look at the formula.

       Think about what it would look like to have focused intensity.  To be focused is to have your attention vigilantly honed in on a target.  When I think of intensity, I think of passion and zeal for a cause.  It is my personal opinion that a vision supplies a target and is based on passion for a certain cause.  So when you have a vision, focused intensity is set on making that dream a reality. 

       The problem with most people, me included, is that we lose focus in the long term.  Things distract us from realizing our dreams.  Sure, we are passionate in the short term, but Explosive Unstoppable Momentum is not built on short-term commitment.  Most of our visions are only a flash in the pan.  What we are talking about here is the long-term commitment.  Focused Intensity only builds the momentum we long for when it happens over a long period of time. 

       These two components are not explosive and unstoppable by themselves though.  It is the third variable that really makes this thing take off.  To take a step back, when you have a God-given vision, that is intensely focused over time, God provides the Big Bang needed to propel you forward.  When the big bang happens, this is when things start becoming more fun and natural.  This is similar to the mental paths we talked about.  In essence, this formula that is built on God’s vision builds habits that breed crazy success; the kind of success that builds explosive unstoppable momentum.

       I am reminded of a magnifying glass.  If you go out on a sunny day, and hold a magnifying glass over some kindling and pitch for an extended period of time, you will shortly have a fire.  Then throw a large amount of gasoline on the fire and you have big bang that leads to an unstoppable forest fire. 

       Breaking your nature is much the same process.  You have a vision of some change you want to create in your character and thinking.  If you focus in on this target and keep it before you over the long haul, and you are praying for God to multiply and lead your success, you can and will embrace the change; I guarantee it.  So, be thinking about something you want to change in your life, and we will use this next week to start building a vision.  Our foundation is set.  Let’s change the way we think, and change the way we live. 

Nick Massey is a Life Coach, Speaker, and Writer.  To read more from Nick Massey, or to schedule him for a Life Coaching session, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at http://www.coachmassey.com. © 2014 Nick Massey

Breaking Bad Habits

          Ever wondered why old habits are hard to break?  I have.  I do the things that I don’t want to do.  I know overeating is not good for me, but as soon as I set down to eat my habit takes over.  I habitually go back for seconds.  I habitually eat fast.  Neither of these things are what I want to do, but I still almost involuntarily do them.  It is these habits, or natures, that are very persistent and difficult to break.  What is the solution?

          Let’s look at the science first.  Kathleen Berger in her book, “The Developing Person through the Life Span,” talks about the brain.  I will spare you the psychology terminology, and give you an illustration to help you understand what goes on inside your skull.  When you think a thought or perform an action, a path is created inside your brain.  Have you ever walked through the grass or snow and noticed that the more you travel that path, it becomes more visible?  As a matter of fact, if you are in tall grass like in a meadow or deep snow, that path is actually easier to walk the more trips you make.  Well, that is what happens in your brain.  Those repeated mental trips make it easier for your brain to go there.  The opposite also happens.  The less you use that mental path, the “grass” will grow back and make it more difficult to find. 

          This is AMAZING!  Just think about the implications of this for a moment.  If you want to change your habits it is possible!  It is not easy, but it is possible. 

          For instance, if I wanted to break my habit of overeating, I have to find alternate paths to travel.  Furthermore, I will be more successful if I map out a plan before I set down to eat.  My goal is to choose a new path.  This could be done by putting my food on one plate at the stove, and not putting the food on the table.  I have also tried to rig up a wire to my eating utensil that has a switch on the other end; that way, if I don’t set my utensil down between bites and chew for a thirty count, my wife can deliver an electric shock.  Just kidding, but I think it would work. 

          This is the bottom line.  We have to change our thinking to change our outcome.  New paths in the brain can equal New Habits.  The laws of nature are irrefutable and we were fearfully and wonderfully made.  As a way to change your thinking, I have an assignment for the Negative Nancy’s out there.  For the next three weeks, before you go to bed, write down three things that you are thankful for; it can be something small or big.  See how your mindset changes and feel free to comment below. 

Nick Massey is a Life Coach, Speaker, and Writer.  To read more from Nick Massey, or to schedule him for a Life Coaching session, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at http://www.coachmassey.com. © 2014 Nick Massey

I Am Prejudiced

            Really, I am prejudiced.  In fact you are prejudiced too!  Don't get angry yet, we need to talk about this.  What does it mean to be prejudiced, and how does that relate to principle?

            Before we discuss the concepts of principle and prejudice though, a short recap could be helpful.  In the context of breaking our natures, or in other words changing our characters, we came to the conclusion that our choices precede our actions, and our thoughts precede our choices.  The next question in line then is, “Where do our thoughts come from?”  The answer to that question lies in principle or prejudice.  So what do these terms mean?

            Let’s take a look at the word principle first.  A friend of mine named Kevin Doe uses this definition: “Principle is a fundamental truth that never changes, and is not subject to context or culture.”  Think about that for a second. Granted this is a narrow definition, but it definitely gives our previous conclusions some traction.  Now you might be thinking, “That’s a nice definition, but how do I determine what a principle is?” 

            Before we go there, let’s define what prejudice is.  Kevin also has a definition for prejudice that I really like.  “Prejudice is pre-judging.”  He also says that we pre-judge based on ignorance or interest, and prejudice is what keeps us from practicing principle.  So our thinking is based on a fundamental truth that never changes, and is not subject to context or culture, or it is based on our pre-judging from ignorance or interest.  Read that again and make sure it sinks in. 

            To help you understand an illustration is in order.  Jack met with a Finance Coach because his debt was becoming too much to handle, and he decided to make some changes in the way he used his money.  Why?  The answer lies in what the source of his thinking before and after the meeting.  Before, Jack’s action was not to save his money or operate on a budget.  The consequence was a lot of debt and stress.  His choice was to spend his money irresponsibly.  This was because he pre-judged that saving and budgeting were boring and restrictive.  Jack wanted to have fun.

            After he was done suffering the consequences of his choices and visiting with the Finance Coach, Jack decided that not saving and budgeting was stressful.  He wanted out.  Jack chose financial peace and security which led him to save his money and start a budget.  The principle in operation here is stewardship, and the prejudice above was pleasure.  Pleasure is principle, but because he was acting out of interest, it became prejudice.  True pleasure was gained as Jack slowly built wealth and experienced the joy of helping others in need. 

            Let’s face it.  We have all been like Jack at times in our own lives, and we still have blind spots.  People and experience expose our hazards.  These experiences are not always pleasant initially.  Change is hard.  Breaking the nature of prejudice takes work.  For us though, the problem is not being prejudiced, but remaining prejudice.  I challenge you to break your nature.

Nick Massey is a Life Coach, Speaker, and Writer.  To read more from Nick Massey, or to schedule him for a Life Coaching session, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at http://www.coachmassey.com. © 2014 Nick Massey

Breaking Natures

        Each of us has an inner demon so to speak. We all have a nature; the natural and innate desire to break things; especially laws. The twist is this. To break something worthwhile, to be successful, or to gain satisfaction we must break free from our tendency to self-destruct. Let's face it; giving in to the natural desires is much easier. In turn, it is not always easy to abide by the law.

        But what if it we could break out nature? To show you this is possible, I want to introduce you to a series of questions in which I will provide the answers.

Q1) What is the greatest thing you own, and everybody has it?
A1) The power to choose

Q2) Every choice we make becomes a what?
A2) An action

Q3) Every action or practice has a resulting what?
A3) Consequence
 
Q4) Consequences generally come in two forms. What are they?
A4) Positive and Negative

Q5) When we experience negative consequences, where do we usually focus our efforts to change?
A5) On our Actions

Statement: However, we must choose before we do.

Q6) So where do our Choices originate?
A6) Our Thoughts

Exercise: Make a list of some thinking that typically results in positive consequences. Alternately, list some thinking that typically results in negative consequences.

        Let’s look at it another way, as I give you some examples of what I came up with. The laws I am talking about are really prejudices and principles. And for the sake of illustration, let’s choose the prejudice of laziness and use it in an if this then that statement. If I am lazy at work, then I will get terminated. If I am lazy in exercise, then I will be overweight. If I am lazy in maintaining my car, then unnecessary repairs will be required. Now let’s consider the principle of diligence the same way. If I am diligent in my workplace, then I will get a promotion. If I am diligent in loving my wife, then she will respect me. If I am diligent in my studies, then I will get a good grade. Get the picture?

If we were to take this a step higher, we would see the law at work which states, “You reap what you sow.”

        “So what does that mean to me?” you might be asking. The point is this. If you desire to break your nature—if you desire to remove negative consequences from personal decisions, you have to break your thought patterns. The mind needs to be renewed.  You have to change the way you think. Your thinking cannot be based on prejudice. Your thinking has to based on principle. Think about it, and subscribe to my blog for next weeks discussion of what principle and prejudice are.


Nick Massey is a Life Coach, Speaker, and Writer. To read more from Nick Massey, or to schedule him for a Life Coaching session, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at http://www.coachmassey.com. © 2014 Nick Massey 

Material borrowed with permission from Kevin Doe