One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals. — Michael Korda

One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.

Author: Michael Korda

Insight: We often think momentum comes from winning, but it actually comes from always having something just slightly out of reach. Once you hit a goal—that promotion, that fitness milestone, that project you've been grinding on—there's a strange emptiness that follows if nothing's waiting next. The goal itself wasn't the fuel; the chase was. So the people who seem endlessly energized aren't necessarily happier or more talented. They're just better at immediately knowing what's next. The tricky part is that "constantly greater goals" doesn't mean obsessive perfectionism or never being satisfied. It means recognizing that your brain is wired to move toward something. Without that directional pull, you drift into complacency or burnout. But here's the non-obvious part: the goals don't actually have to be bigger in the traditional sense. A musician might move from "learn this technique" to "teach someone else," not necessarily "become famous." The direction changes, not necessarily the scale. The real skill is staying curious about what matters next without turning life into an exhausting checklist. Momentum isn't about running faster—it's about always knowing which direction you're running in.