The Magic of Momentum by Stephen Guise May 8 - May 29

neekepoo

DETAILS
CLICK HERE for the Google Doc with summaries, Zoom information and other pertinent information.

READING TIMELINE
We will be discussing the chapters during the weeks listed below.

May 8th - May 14th

• Book Structure
• Preface
• Introduction: Momentum Isn’t Fair
• Part I - The Four Principles of Human Momentum
• The Magic of Momentum
• Principle 1 - You Are Most Likely to Do What You Just Did (Short-Term Momentum)

May 15th

• Principle 2 - Consistent Action Over Time Kills Resistance (Long-Term Momentum)
• Principle 3 - Perceived Momentum Is Not Real Momentum (The Myth of Speed)
• Principle 4 - Everything You Do Ripples Exponentially

May 22

• Chapter 5 - Environment, Effort, and Momentum
• Part II - Mastering Momentum
• Manipulation vs Control
• Chapter 6 - Reversing Negative Momentum

May 29

• Chapter 7 - Creating Positive Momentum Now (Short-Term Solutions)
• Chapter 8 - Sustaining Positive Momentum for Life (Long-Term Solutions)

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Nicole @neekepoo (Ocala, Florida)
VIBE Book Club Organizer

neekepoo

Book Structure
The Book Structure goes over each section of the book and summarizes what one will learn from each part. The sections include: The Preface, Introduction, Part One and Part Two.

Preface
Momentum is a part of our life and affects us at all times. Stephen Guise’s reasons for writing the book are as follows:
Momentum is the most powerful personal growth concept.
Momentum is often overlooked or oversimplified by other self-help/personal growth authors.
Momentum is complex and has a direct correlation to time.
Focusing on Momentum changes your view from symptoms to root problems.
What it means to Discover Your Potential
Potential is what you could be if you applied yourself correctly. It typically can not be seen until it is a small number of steps away. “(There is a), progressive nature of discovering your potential”. Each level of success brings new opportunities to further your potential. As you grow you pick up new assets that work as leverage for continued growth and success.

Introduction: Momentum Isn’t Fair
Forward momentum gives people an advantage over those who have no momentum or those who have “backward” momentum.


Physical vs Human Momentum
1. (Physics) the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity. 2. the impetus gained by a moving object. (Impetus means force of movement.)
The second definition is closest to “behavioral, human momentum" which is the focus of Guise’s book.
“Perceptual Bias” is a psychological, perception-based phenomenon that gives you a type of momentum that is based on one’s belief in success. It is a confidence shift when you are on a winning streak and it is a flawed type of momentum because once one has a small failure the momentum stops. “Real human momentum has force behind it” it doesn’t rely on us thinking or feeling a certain way to bring results”. Human momentum is an accurate prediction of how we will behave in the future.
Positive momentum is a compounding force that perpetuates taking positive actions to better our lives. Negative momentum makes negative actions easier and compounds in a negative direction. “The secret to success is simple: Make it easier to succeed than to fail. Momentum doesn’t merely do that, it does so exponentially”.

PART I - THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN MOMENTUM

The Magic of Momentum
Momentum is a force that is hard to comprehend. The magic of momentum is the product of it’s power. It is why the rich get richer, (positive momentum) or the poor get poorer, (negative momentum). To begin to understand momentum we need to “strip away our prior, ‘conversational understanding’ of it and begin with a blank slate”.

Principle 1
You Are Most Likely to Do What You Just Did (Short-Term Momentum)
The statement, “You are most likely to do what you just did” is the heart of momentum. Every action you take creates momentum in that same direction. Habits are neural pathways that have been built by the repetition of an action. You can override a habit with strategy or effort otherwise you will default to the predictable habit path. There are three major factors of human momentum - power, direction and speed. Of these three factors, direction is the most important one for generating and sustaining positive momentum. Power and speed are only helpful when they are applied in the right direction, “...even weak and slow momentum in the right direction is of significant benefit”. In the wrong direction, power and speed are detrimental. Habits are built on a commitment to a particular movement, in the same direction repeatedly done frequently. This first principle prioritizes direction to get short-term momentum. Speed and power can be added after we are moving in the right direction. If you are headed in the right direction and “you are most likely to do what you just did” then momentum works in your favor as you move toward success.

POINTS TO PONDER

1. What is the difference between Momentum and Motion?
   
2. What does Guise mean when he writes, “You are most likely to do what you just did”?
   
3. The three major factors of momentum are direction, speed and power. What does each of these mean? Which is the most important and why?
   
4. What does Guise mean when he writes, “Change your direction, change your life”.

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Nicole @neekepoo (Ocala, Florida)
VIBE Book Club Co-Organizer