Activation Energy vs Momentum - Why You Don't Want to Stop

I'm an avid Mythbusters fan. Ordinarily that would be of no consequence. However, they busted the myth that it takes way more energy to turn on a light than it does to run it. When I saw that, I found the perfect metaphor for why the "momentum" concept in personal development doesn't always work as it should.

First, let's take a quick look at how activation energy works. When you turn on a light switch, the electricity flows into the light bulb, heating up a small wire. The wire has to get hot before it will start to glow, so some energy is spent doing that.

The same can be said with any self-improvement practice.When you first start out it's going to take a lot of energy to build up. Eventually, you're going to start seeing results. Usually by this time, the requirements of that new method aren't quite so extreme, since you've had some time to learn.

Here is where things get interesting, and where a lot of people lose faith. If you stop now, it is very hard to get started again. You wouldn't ordinarily think so, but it remains the case. Why? Let's go back to the activation energy idea.

Let's compare two cases. In case number one, you're rolling a large ball along the ground. In case number two you are starting up a light bulb. Both take energy to start, yet when you stop applying the energy to the ball, it has the tendency to keep going. This is where we want to be, but we're not there yet.

Whereas with the other case, the light bulb goes dark the moment the energy is cut off. If we start supplying energy to them again, the ball will be easier to start this time, but the light bulb will have to start from the beginning. For a little flashlight bulb that might be no big thing. For a street light that takes 3 minutes to start up, that is a significant problem.

At the beginning, think of the light bulb. We are expending time, effort, and energy to produce a result. If we stop, we go all the way back to the beginning. Quite often, we give up at the wrong time. Instead of waiting until we had some real momentum, we stop and we are basically back to square one. If you had to stop, it would be better for you to either stop at the beginning, or after you have mastery. Here is why:

When you make a habit of getting to the take-off point and then stopping, you will start to re-inforce the idea that what you're doing is ineffective. Even worse, you may think that you are no good. The truth lies in the opposite direction.

If you can learn to gently but firmly keep moving in the right direction for you, you will still get there. Even if you think you aren't seeing the results you wanted, ask yourself if the results you are looking for are doable. If they are and you just need more learning, then keep going. If not, then it's time for a judgment call.

If you can ride it out long enough, and if what you are trying brings benefit to your life, then you'll have momentum, and it won't take much energy. If you've mastered the technique and it still takes too much energy, then by all means, let it go and find something more suited to you.

I won't tell you that blindly moving ahead with no regard to safety or sanity is a good thing. I will say, however, that when you give up on something simply because it's too hard at the moment, you are not only robbing yourself of many benefits, but you are also cheating those whose lives you touch.

Self-development is not just about you. Self-development is about improving your world from the inside out. As you improve yourself, you will make the world a better place for you and those around you. If you turn back when the going gets hard, you are turning your back on that which can help you and your loved ones.

Give it a shot - keep trying.

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