Momentum
Steve Maloney

Well, it’s late January — the time in the new year when many of us start to drift away from the resolutions we made on New Year’s Day. I know I’ve been there. We begin the year with good intentions for improvement and success in 2026, but over time, it’s easy to lose focus as new habits give way to old ones.

My encouragement to you this week is straightforward: don’t give in — keep the momentum going.

Recently, David Freund and Randy Wolken both shared that they spend intentional time during the holiday season reflecting on the past year and planning for the year ahead. I decided to follow suit with a similar activity over holiday break. As part of this reflection, I selected a single word to define my vision for the year. That word is momentum.

I have my friend John at EJ to thank for inspiring this choice. During a webinar on John Maxwell’s 15 Laws of Growth, David Freund and I asked participants why they chose to invest their time with us that day. John’s response was simple, but it has stayed with me ever since: “Momentum.”

Momentum is defined as “the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events.”   In other words, momentum is what carries us forward once we begin taking consistent, intentional action. It energizes our efforts and sustains our growth over time.

Several forces help create and maintain that momentum:

• Continuous learning – in the form of classes, coaching, mentoring, podcasts, books, and webinars, to name a few.
• Support groups – are you in the right room or tribe? Are the people around you challenging, supporting, and holding you accountable? As John Maxwell taught us, it’s best not to be the smartest person in the room.
• Habits – what activities are you committed to on a daily and weekly basis to achieve your goals?
• Reinforcement – how are you reinforcing your goals? What benefits are you seeking from the goal? During my Continuous Improvement management days, we called it What’s in It for Me? (WIIFM) Is there an ROI after achieving my personal goal?

I recently finished reading Chris Robinson’s book, Drift to Drive, where he notes that 92% of people don’t reach their goals. The encouraging news is that 8% do. What sets them apart? Much of it aligns with what I’ve already shared, along with these additional actions, provided by Chris:

• Set a specific goal.
• Gather and absorb pertinent information.
• Have guidance.
• Develop a great support system.
• Take specific, targeted action.
• Be consistent.

As I look ahead to 2026, I want to maintain the momentum around the goals I’ve established since joining MACNY. I’ve set wellness, financial, and professional goals for the year, and I’ve already taken positive steps toward achieving them. Still, momentum requires ongoing effort. Distractions, setbacks, and complacency can creep in if we’re not intentional, which is why those supporting forces matter so much.

2026 has the potential to be one of the most successful years of my life in so many areas, and I want that for you, too. So, stay focused, stay committed, and keep the momentum!