Get the Momentum Back

The Big Mo. Momentum. Mojo. You’ve either got it or you don’t. Most of the time, you can’t really see it, but you can definitely feel it. Hard to explain, but easy to identify the teams or organizations that have it on their side.

In sports, momentum or lack of momentum is easy to spot. Miami Heat and Chicago Blackhawks - have it. Lakers and Cleveland Browns - searching for it. Alabama - definitely still feeling it. Andy Murray and all of Great Britain - the momentum is back tennis-wise!

But organizations and business teams also thrive on momentum. Many times it can be the difference between a good year and a great year, an average project and an extraordinary project.

So as we all head into the second half of 2013, here are a few thoughts on how to get the BIG MO back:

1. Fearlessly go after ONE big thing this year. Don’t get lost trying to be all things to all people. One Big Idea. And be better at it than anyone else.

2. Keep your mission as a team crystal clear. It shouldn’t change. But try sharing it with the team differently. Mix up how you communicate.

3. Shift. Even if it means moving where people sit in the office, or when meetings are “usually” held, or shaking up the typical dress code. Start fresh this second half of the year with a cultural change. It’s amazing what small things like this can do to build momentum.

4. Build energy with small wins. Literally set daily goals, weekly goals, and monthly goals. Incentivize your team with small victories. Crossing the finish line and hitting a goal always is a good thing, even if it’s just a small victory. Don’t just rely on the one big year end goal that everyone seems to think is unreachable.

5. Celebrate early and often. Even if it’s just a quick gathering in the hall to cheer for someone who hit a goal. This is incredibly important to re-establishing momentum.

6. Dream. Have a brainstorming meeting. Think outside the box.

7. Tell stories that paint a picture. Remind your team of why you do what you do through stories, pictures, video, customer feedback, emails, and customer visits. Make the impact that you’re having on your customers tangible by hearing and seeing it up close.

8. Go back to the Basics. Sharpen up on your foundational skills. Make sure the core of who you are and what you do individually and organizationally is being done well. Focus.