Motion, Movement, or Momentum: How to Get Unstuck
Stuck. It’s one of the most frustrating places to be, isn’t it? Routine is one thing, but that feeling of stagnation—that you’ve hit a plateau you just can’t seem to break through—can be deeply demoralizing.
When we’re stuck, we instinctively feel the need to push forward, to make progress, to get moving again. But not all movement is created equal. That’s why it’s helpful to understand the difference between motion, movement, and momentum.
Motion: The Illusion of Progress
Motion feels like progress, but it’s not. It’s like fast food: it temporarily satisfies, but it doesn’t nourish or sustain you.
Motion is when we fill our lives with activity that creates the illusion of forward movement without actually producing meaningful change. It’s “doing something” for the sake of doing something.
Here are some common forms of motion:
Change for the sake of change
A new job, a new relationship, a new location, a new purchase. If the change isn’t tied to a deeper purpose, it’s often just motion.Travel as a faux-achievement
Don’t get me wrong—travel can be a powerful way to grow, rest, or rejuvenate. But travel can sometimes be an intoxicating faux-achievement - a way to distract ourselves from the dissatisfaction of stagnation.
Busyness
This one hardly needs explaining. We’ve all felt the pull to turn up the volume on our lives to drown out the feeling of being stuck. But more tasks and activity rarely lead to real progress.
Motion is the carousel wheel of life: it spins and spins, but you don’t actually go anywhere.
Movement: Taking Real Steps Forward
Movement is what we’re really after. It’s the deliberate, intentional forward steps that take you closer to your goals.
Unlike motion, movement is hard. It requires setting clear goals, making a plan, and putting in the effort to execute it over time.
When I’m working toward a particularly challenging goal, I remind myself: forward movement is its own achievement.You don’t have to hit the finish line today to be excited with your progress. If you took concrete steps toward your goal, that’s a win.
Celebrate the movement toward the goal, not just its achievement.
Here’s the key question to ask:
Can you see growth?
Growth might be external—like visible progress—or it might be internal, like a shift in your mindset or habits. Either way, if you’re moving forward, you’re making progress.
Momentum: The Holy Grail of Progress
Momentum is what we’re all longing for when we feel stuck. It’s that sweet spot where all the preparation, discipline, and hard work start to pay off, and success begins to breed success.
But here’s the thing: momentum can work for you or against you.
Good momentum happens when the snowball effect works in your favour. You’ve got clarity, focus, and forward motion, and everything starts to gain mass and speed.
Misguided momentum can occur when you allow momentum to build in areas that were only meant to be temporary. That’s how busyness can creep back in and divert you from your true priorities.
How to Build Momentum (and Avoid Breaking It)
Think about the metaphor of a snowball rolling down a mountain. As it rolls, it grows bigger and faster, generating momentum. But what if someone stopped the snowball every few feet and sent it rolling in a different direction? Or worse, divided it into smaller snowballs? That’s what happens when we lose focus.
To build momentum, you need:
Focus. Stay clear on your direction.
Consistency. Keep showing up, even when progress feels slow.
Patience. Momentum takes time—it’s the result of sustained effort in the right direction.
From Stuck to Unstoppable
Sometimes we get stuck because circumstances have changed - or because they haven’t, and we need to adjust. Other times, it’s just a season, and we need to dig in and keep pushing.
Wherever you find yourself, here’s the key: resist the temptation of motion. Instead, take the time to discern where you want to be, and then commit to consistent, deliberate forward steps. When you do that, movement will happen. And over time, movement creates momentum.
Where are you feeling stuck right now? What’s one deliberate step you can take today to start creating movement—and eventually momentum—in that area of your life?