Forward Momentum
8 Jun
When I think of turning a tide, I imagine a series of consistent movements in the right direction that create momentum. A sage lesson learned from Jim Collins in Good to Great. With each turn on the fly-wheel momentum builds and the effort required to push decreases as the strength of the forward motion increases.
Momentum gets you over the hurdles.
Momentum pushes through the obstacles.
Momentum becomes a magnet that draws people in.
When an area of your ministry is headed one direction… I don’t believe there is a single event, stage announcement, talk notes ‘blurb’ or video promotion that will cause an about-face. It isn’t one right thing that will solve the problem, but a series of right things.
Not a single step to walk a mile, but a series of steps.
Not a single scoop of ice cream to make sundae but a series of scoops. okay… that didn’t make sense… but ice cream sounds good right now.
back on track
You can’t create change without forward momentum. And momentum is a multi-step process.
For example, when in a volunteer “slump”, a single volunteer connection event will not meet our needs entirely. A single bulletin note will not effectively communicate the opportunities to serve. A single weekend of intentional invitations will not fill all the holes.
But a series of these events and actions working in tandem can generate forward momentum moving you closer to the goal… a full team of volunteers.
For the record… you’re biggest money-maker in the aforementioned list is a culture of invitation. The healthiest teams of volunteers I’ve seen are those that multiply through personal invitation.
So, rarely will I assess an event or action as the single solution to a problem. I just don’t think that happens. Instead I prefer to orchestrate a series of events & actions that work together to move us toward the solution.
Gina,
Thanks for this post. I am one of those people that sometimes forgets this concept. I like to see things work right away, and sometimes I am too quick to pull the plus and not allow time for that momentum to build. I appreciate the reminder, and I’m glad to see you posting to your blog again. I’ve missed your insights.
You’re right on. This is a great conversation to have with staff and volunteers as we’re always looking for “the silver bullet”. We want the ONE THING that brings in volunteers… when in reality the ONE THING is community… and connectivity… and excitement… and belonging… and vision… and more and more. Momentum occurs when a lot of “something” get’s moving in the same direction. – the only single solution is to get a lot of different things … heading in the same direction. Great Post!
totally on the money with this one. Glad to see you back on the blog