Have you ever wanted to lose 10 pounds and you started off great but after a week you lost motivation? One day you looked at your body and felt it was useless. You felt depressed. You gave up your trips to the gym and you began eating cheese whoppers and stuffing greasy fries down your throat like there was no tomorrow. We all have faced down times no matter what the goal. What happened in these situations? Why weren’t you able to believe and stay committed?

You lost your momentum.

Wouldn’t it be great to build momentum like freight train at full speed where every problem, obstacle and struggle you would quickly blast right through on your way to your destination?

It can be simple and easy. People overwhelm themselves by trying to make huge changes instantly and realize it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time. They feel depressed when they don’t see results right away and then fall back into a self-defeating cycle. Start simple and easy. Then you can build on that first success.

1. Take ownership of your goal. Know precisely where you want to go. The steam train conductor has a map to direct all the train’s engine power toward reaching the destination. All the people on a train know without a doubt they will reach the city on their ticket. They have complete faith. You have to take ownership of your own vision. Ownership means you take full responsibility for reaching your goal and make that vision a part of you as if you have already achieved it.

2. Create one positive daily habit. The secret to momentum is one positive daily habit you do consistently day-in and day-out toward your goal. Getting started is the toughest part just like the freight train first pulling all of the cargo behind it. The train moves at a snail’s pace for the first few seconds. Then it slowly builds upon the initial energy to move faster. Success builds on success and pretty soon it is full-steam ahead. Know that the start is hardest, so make your plan simple by adding only one new positive daily habit at first to your goal.

To reach a goal of losing 10 pounds you might decide to walk your golden retriever for fifteen minutes a day for exercise. Keep it doable and easy at first. Just commit to doing it everyday rain or shine. The most important thing here is that you do it consistently. Never skip. You may not feel like it some days. It may rain. You may have company over. It does not matter. Just commit to this one simple, small thing. You can always add more habits later.

3. Enjoy the process and never quit. Enjoy the pursuit of your goal. Everyday you are adding more coal to the fire of your own steam engine and getting closer and closer to your goal. There are many sights to see along your journey, so take it all in. No matter how long it takes to reach your goal, the trip will be well worth it!

4. Turn your small win into year makers! Take the attitude that this one success of sticking to your daily habit is going to make your whole year. Reward yourself and tell yourself that you are proud you have committed to this and celebrate it. Know that your success in this one habit will flow over into every other part of your life. Expect high energy and you will feel the flow of momentum.

Trust that once you get on track and start your journey you will be moving faster and with more energy everyday. You will also be enjoying the fun of adding more coal to your fire. Know that you can add more habits after a month or two if you want to go even faster! You may get into such a flow you won’t realize all the miles you have gone and how close you are to your goal. All aboard!