Why Momentum Matters More Than You Think

Ever since I was in school, one thing I've always done first thing in the morning is make my bed. Since it seems like a relatively simple task I never really thought about the effect it had on the rest of of my day, over the years it’s become a popular example of how small actions can create flow and set the tone for the rest of the day. That single task delivers an early win, which gives a sense of order, accomplishment, and forward motion before you’ve even had your coffee.
That’s momentum in action.

Why Momentum MattersMomentum builds on itself. Just like making your bed leads to brushing your teeth, preparing breakfast, and getting out the door on time, small victories in work or life can stack into something much bigger.
On a team, that could mean shipping a small improvement instead of waiting for a “perfect” release. Individually, it could mean spending five minutes writing instead of waiting for inspiration to strike. The small steps create the flow, and with each win, energy, belief, and confidence compound.
Examples of Momentum in Action

• A team fixes a long-annoying bug: this allows users to celebrate, lifts morale, and suddenly there’s more energy to tackle the next challenge.
• A person builds a new habit with just five minutes a day: five push-ups a day can turn into a full workout routine.
• A team documents one recurring process: suddenly handoffs get smoother, onboarding new members is easier, and efficiency snowballs across projects.

The Other Side of MomentumOf course, momentum can also work against us. Skip making the bed and it’s easier to let the laundry pile up. In a team, one missed deadline can trigger a cascade of delays, frustration, and disengagement. Small negatives, left unchecked, spiral just as quickly as small positives.
That’s why direction matters just as much as speed. Momentum can carry you forward, but it can also drag you down (depending on which way you’re moving).
How to Harness Momentum

1. Start small. Pick one easy win (make the bed, fix one bug, take the first step).
2. Celebrate progress. Recognize the small wins before chasing bigger ones.
3. Prioritize momentum over perfection. Sometimes obsessing over finishing something completely (or polishing it until it’s flawless) kills your flow. It’s often better to keep moving forward than to get stuck trying to wrap things up perfectly.
4. Watch the direction. Ask regularly: are we building the right kind of momentum?

​
Final ThoughtSuccess doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from movement. Movement can start with something small, so whether it’s making your bed, sending that email, or shipping that tiny improvement, the principle is the same: momentum is your greatest multiplier.