106: Build Momentum as You Age Using the Flywheel Principle

"Picture a huge, heavy flywheel - a massive metal disk mounted horizontally on an axle, about 30 feet in diameter, 2 feet thick, and weighing about 5,000 pounds. Now, imagine that your task is to get the flywheel rotating on the axle as fast and long as possible."1

"How?," seems to be a common question as you age.

It's not as much a question of motivation as much as it's a question of physics.

But in the case of the flywheel principle, it's a little of both.

If you follow Jim Collins' analogy and principle from his classic book, Good to Great, you could end up with an answer to the "how" questions you face as you age.

There's more to the principle Collins shares and I'll get there in a moment.

I'm not here to say that moving the flywheel is easy or that aging itself would be if you could summon the motivation or alter the physics that work against you on occasion.

The motivation to age well is often challenged by the physical issues of growing older.

You can't alter the size of the challenge but you can apply a principle that could enable you to overcome it.

The "flywheel" principle can empower you to overcome the motivational and physical challenges of aging

"Pushing with great effort, you get the flywheel to inch forward, moving almost imperceptibly at first...You keep pushing, and the flywheel begins to move a bit faster,...You keep pushing in a consistent direction. Three turns...four...five...six...the flywheel builds up speed...it builds up momentum...

Then, at some point - breakthrough! The momentum of the thing kicks in your favor, hurling the flywheel forward, turn after turn...whoosh!...its own heavy weight working for you.

Each turn of the flywheel builds upon work done earlier, compounding your investment of effort." 2

In principle, here are the take-aways from the flywheel principle you can apply to how you age:

• Momentum works to your advantage
• Consistency sustains momentum
• Belief in the process gives you hope

Build momentum

Momentum is the result of action or movement in some form.

Momentum, according to Collins', is "compounding your investment of effort."

Without initial effort momentum cannot be built.

It's the simple actions - like consistent pushes on the flywheel - that produce momentum.

• Starting a new health, wellness, or exercise routine and let momentum build.
• Rekindling a relationship and let momentum build.
• Remembering that your age gifts you with wisdom you can share as opportunity arises.

Be consistent

One push won't budge the flywheel.

Consistency or "compounding," as Collins says, is what moves the flywheel.

At the root of unfulfilled goals or regrets is inconsistency.

Whatever you commit to accomplishing, renewing, or rebooting demands consistent, compounded effort.

Actions (good or bad) consistently repeated form habits and routines that help or hinder you as you age.

Believe in the process

The physical nature of a challenge (such as moving a massive flywheel) can create doubt as you determine your next step.

The flywheel principle instills hope that consistent momentum can be achieved by trusting the process when you face sizable challenges.

I choose to face most of mine with the mindset that "everything is figure-outable." (an invented word, but it works for me).

Aging isn't a one-and-done phase of life.

Aging is a daily process of figuring out your next steps as you continue growing and applying your earned wisdom.

Your aging journey is ongoing and navigated successfully through established routines and consistent action that enables you to sustain momentum - whatever you're facing.

Answer your next "how?" by applying the flywheel principle: build momentum one consistent push at a time

• Momentum works to your advantage
• Consistency sustains momentum
• Belief in the process gives you hope

Press on...

Eddie

Sources:

1-Jim Collins, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't, p.164.

2-Ibid, p.165.