It takes a leader to create momentum. Followers catch it. And managers are able to continue it once it has begun. But creating it requires someone who can motivate others, not one who needs to be motivated. All leaders face the challenge of creating change in their organization. Just as every sailor knows that you can't steer a ship that isn't moving forward, strong leaders understand that to change direction you first have to create forward progress. Without momentum, even the simple tasks can seem insurmountable. But with momentum on your side, the future looks brighter, obstacles appear small, and trouble seems temporary.

My heart skipped a beat when I read these words from John C. Maxwell, the Maxwell Leadership Bible during my morning devotion time. Thoughts sprang to mind of how I sometimes struggle with momentum and most important how my clients struggle with momentum.

During this last couple of years, it has become very clear to me, as an entrepreneur and a service provider, that a primary pain that I have witnessed in my consults and clients is one of momentum. The pain of trying to build and grow a business while struggling to create and keep momentum. Many people start a business with a passion, a passion to serve the world sharing their gifts and talents, but they didn't bargain on having to actually build a business at the same time. Every day they are faced with the challenges of time, money, work-life balance, strained relationships, insufficient skills, and need support and don't know what they need or where to get it. All of these things can cause us to stop in our tracks and not move forward - loss of momentum.

While it is tempting to wait for the next new superstar hire or bright and shiny program to magically create the momentum we need in our business, it is not always the wisest strategy. We are the leaders of our own business destiny.

It does not matter what kind of business you run, or what kind of organization you lead, the number one key that will determine your level of your success will be momentum.