JASON and JODI WOMACK are the founders of The Womack Company, an international training firm that teaches busy professionals about the art of increasing their workplace productivity and achieving personal happiness through coaching, consulting, their Get Momentum Leadership Academy, and now their book, Get Momentum: How To Start When You’re Stuck. (Wiley, May 2016). For more information visit: www.getmomentum.com.
SmallBizLady: HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED IN YOUR SMALL BUSINESS?
Jason and Jodi Womack: It all starts with momentum, meaning you’re doing more than simply getting things done. It’s that feeling of satisfaction—the belief that you can achieve big goals and complete important projects that fulfill you both personally and professionally. Momentum is different for everyone and for every project which is why it is important to tailor the momentum you crave specifically towards your goals and dreams. What works for someone else may not work for you. Getting momentum gets personal. Be bold and have the courage to commit to your dreams once and for all!
SmallBizLady: ARE THERE SPECIFIC STEPS IN GETTING MOMENTUM?
Jason and Jodi Womack: YES! We call these steps the 5 Stages of Momentum:
- Motivation
- Mentors
- Milestones
- Monitor
- Modify
SmallBizLady: HOW DOES MOTIVATION PLAY A ROLE IN GETTING MOMENTUM?
Jason and Jodi Womack: This is your time to be vulnerable. Brené Brown says it best, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open to what it is we truly want in life, then we are able to make forward movement. Spend 15 minute with a piece of paper and pen thinking about the next 12 months of your work and life. Be willing to put yourself first, as you craft this idea onto paper. This is your time to not only self-identify with the project you want to start, but soul-identify. Be your most vulnerable self as you answer the ultimate question of “why”.
SmallBizLady: WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING A MENTOR?
Jason and Jodi Womack: Think of someone who is already doing something similar to the project you want to start and reach out to them. This may seem forward and presumptuous, but consider the potential positive outcomes it will have. Introduce yourself and let them know what you’re working on, or hoping to begin working on. Engage in fluid conversation that allows you to learn from them. Odds are they will be more than happy to hear from you, help guide you and cheer for you along the way. Reaching out to this person will not only get your wheels spinning, but it will feed your soul as your begin to recognize your potential and ability to get this project started.
SmallBizLady: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CREATE MILESTONES?
Jason and Jodi Womack: People get stuck from feeling overwhelmed by big, ambiguous projects. Create smaller, completable tasks along the way to feel the enjoyment of completion and keep your energy moving. To create milestones, identify three significant aspects of the overall goal you hope to achieve to be your subprojects. Add these sub-projects to your to-do list about 30 days apart. Each week, review that sub-project and choose something you can do next to achieve that part of the overall goal. Often, making a phone call, reviewing a white paper, or drafting a letter is just what it takes to create a little momentum that goes a long way. Celebrate these victories along the way. They will keep your fire lit.
SmallBizLady: HOW DO WE MONITOR OUR PROGRESS?
Jason and Jodi Womack: At the end of the day, we must be willing to reflect more on our success and less on what we weren’t able to accomplish. You have to look back and recognize that you “moved the mission forward”. As you monitor your success, identify what you want to watch for, what you’ll want to have completed, and celebrate what you accomplish!
SmallBizLady: DO WE REALLY NEED TO CHANCE WHAT WE ARE DOING?
Jason and Jodi Womack: YES! Along the way, you’ll make small changes, consistently, that act as guard rails that pull you back on track as you continue moving toward the goals you’ve set. Find time to study your own ways of getting things done. Are there things you can automate, delegate or eliminate? These small changes will make a big difference in the long run. Take modifying seriously as you move towards your goals and continuing gaining momentum along the way.
SmallBizLady: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO GET MOMENTUM CAN DO?
Jason and Jodi Womack: Ask for help! So much time is lost and so much hardship is endured because we wait too long before we ask for the assistance we COULD have used to achieve success. Once you know what you want to be known for, and as you surround yourself by people willing to help you, it’s easier and easier to make progress on those subprojects you’ve set for yourself.
SmallBizLady: WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO GET AND KEEP MOMENTUM?
Jason and Jodi Womack: Many leaders subconsciously believe that they should already know everything there is to know about how to work, manage teams and projects, and make progress on their goals. When people lose momentum it is usually because they’re comparing themselves to someone who has it different than they do. There’s only one person to compare yourself to, and that is you!
SmallBizLady: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS THEIR OWN BUSINESS, BUT IS STUCK?
Jason and Jodi Womack: You have a dream of building your own business. People generally don’t build their own business solely for the money aspect or because they want to start hiring employees, both of which have their own set of challenges! Your desire to start a business is because you have something you want to make, something you want to fix, or something you want to be a part of improving. Focus on that. Put all of your focus on the future as you think about how you would answer: “What do you want to be known for?” Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to write your life purpose, or mission statement. Instead, we ask you to think about that business you want to build. In fact, think of one product or service you’ll provide your customers. Now, with that single product/service in mind, answer the question: “What do I/we want to be known for?”
SmallBizLady: WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU GIVE A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER THAT SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN CONSTANT STRUGGLES?
Jason and Jodi Womack: Engaging in a conversation about what is REALLY holding them back may be just what they need to pick themselves back up. Maybe the people they count on for support are not showing up, their goals aren’t very attainable or maybe they are just drained and could use a day of rest, relaxation and a lot of love. Whatever it is, encourage them to be honest with how they are feeling and help them make a plan of how to conquer the wall that is keeping them from their dreams – then encourage them to look at the 5 Stages of Momentum as they move forward!
SmallBizLady: WHAT CAN WE DO EACH DAY TO STAY FOCUSED ON OUR GOALS AND DREAMS?
Jason and Jodi Womack: Yes! We call this The 30/30 Rule. The idea is to spend 30 undistracted, uninterrupted, completely intentional minutes every day on something that is 30 or more days away. By checking into your schedule 30 days out, you are not only seeing what is coming up but gathering perspective on your life by acknowledging what you have already said yes to. If it’s on your calendar, you’ve already said yes, meaning you care about it and have made it a priority. Definitely don’t let those things slip through the cracks by not being prepared for them. By staying on top of our schedules and everything coming up, we are able to stay focused on our goals without getting behind or overwhelmed with surprise tasks, appointments or outings.
If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9 pm ET; follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter. Here’s how to participate in #SmallBizChat: http://bit.ly/1hZeIlz For more tips on how to start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com