You Need a Moment for Momentum—Here’s How to Find Yours
Momentum doesn’t just happen.
It begins with a moment.
One decision. One action. One spark.
Over the years, I’ve learned that momentum is rarely born in the comfortable spaces of life. It’s created when something interrupts the pattern—when a moment forces you to think differently, act decisively, and move forward faster than you thought possible.
For me, one of those moments came on January 15, 2009.
You know it as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” I know it as the day everything I thought I knew about control, leadership, and life shifted forever.
When US Airways Flight 1549 hit that flock of geese, we had 208 seconds before impact. There was no meeting to schedule, no committee to consult, and no time to “think it over.”
The captain had to decide. The crew had to act. We passengers had to respond.
In those 208 seconds, momentum became the difference between life and death.
And here’s the truth:
Momentum isn’t just about moving. It’s about moving with purpose in the direction that matters most.
The Spark that Starts it All
Momentum begins with awareness.
You have to recognize the moment when it arrives.
In my case, the moment was the jolt that told me something was wrong. In your life or leadership, it might be:
- A challenge that feels too big.
- An opportunity that appears unexpectedly.
- A conversation that shifts your perspective.
The question is—will you see it as a disruption or as the spark?
Too many leaders miss their moment because they’re waiting for “the right time.” The right time is the moment you’re in.
From Moment to Momentum
Once you see the moment, you have to act. This is where momentum is either born or lost.
I’ve learned there are three things that turn a single moment into sustained momentum:
- Decisive Action – Momentum feeds on movement. Even a small step in the right direction builds energy. On the plane, that meant standing up when my turn came, moving toward the exit, and helping the person in front of me keep going.
- Clear Communication – People can’t move together if they don’t know where they’re going. Leaders amplify momentum by creating clarity in chaos. Captain Sullenberger’s calm announcement—“This is the captain. Brace for impact.”—cut through panic and focused every mind in the cabin.
- Collective Effort – Momentum is multiplied when it’s shared. In my case, strangers became a team in seconds. We didn’t all know each other, but we all knew the mission—get everyone to safety.
If any one of those three elements is missing, momentum stalls.
The Leader’s Role: Amplify the Energy
As a leader, your job is not just to recognize your moment but to amplify it for others.
That means:
- Removing friction so people can act quickly.
- Pointing to the bigger picture so they understand why it matters.
- Celebrating progress so the energy stays high.
I’ve seen organizations catch a spark—maybe it’s a big win, a new client, a breakthrough idea—and then lose it because the leader didn’t fan the flame.
Momentum is perishable. If you don’t feed it, it fades.
The Danger of Missed Moments
There’s a myth that momentum will “come back around.” Sometimes it will. Most times, it won’t.
On the Hudson, there was no second chance.
In business, the window may be longer, but it’s not infinite. Opportunities expire. Energy dissipates. People move on.
That’s why leaders must train themselves to see the moments in real time—and respond.
Ask yourself:
- What opportunities are in front of me right now that I haven’t acted on?
- Where have I allowed momentum to fade because I was distracted, uncertain, or overthinking?
- How can I reignite that momentum today?
Living with the Momentum Mentality
Here’s what I know: When you start looking for moments, you’ll find them everywhere.
A quick conversation that inspires a new idea.
A challenge that forces you to stretch.
A door that opens when you least expect it.
The momentum mentality is a way of living where you stay ready for those moments—because you know they’re the entry point to something greater.
And when they come, you don’t hesitate. You act. You communicate. You rally your team. You keep moving until the momentum carries you to the result.
Momentum doesn’t care if you’re ready.
It cares if you’re willing.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a spark and the courage to move.
One moment can change the course of your life, your leadership, your legacy.
The only question is—when it arrives, will you recognize it, and will you act?
Because Moments Matter.