ExamineHealth

 

As an engineer, I have devoted quite a bit of time to studying physics and related fields, and I am always intrigued by the parallels and analogies relating phenomena from distinct areas of study. For instance, electronic circuits, fluid dynamics, and studies of traffic patterns all use almost identical equations and principles to describe flow, resistance, and so on. It is interesting to see that there are some basic principles in science that govern such a wide range of phenomena. What I've found to be almost more interesting, though, is that some of these principles are so basic that they apply not only to the sciences, but also to life in general.

Galileo is traditionally credited with being the first scientist to formalize the concept of inertia. Inertia is a property of mass which opposes changes in velocity. Therefore an object with some velocity will not change its velocity unless acted upon by some outside force; if it is in motion it will remain in motion, and if it is at rest it will remain at rest, unless some force interferes with it. 

 

In order to deal with inertia in physics, we refer to the product of an object's mass and it's velocity as momentum. If you think for a moment, it won't take long to recognize the impact of momentum on your life and productivity. The concept of momentum implies that it is much easier to keep something in motion than it is to start it moving. Have you ever noticed that when you are working and being productive, it is easier to continue being productive? But then, for example, you decide to take a break to watch a TV show. After the show is over, it is much more difficult to get back into your productive flow than it would have been if you had just kept working. That TV show acted as an outside force, stopping your momentum cold.

 

This concept does not only apply to the short-term. If you are productive day-in and day-out, it is easier to keep that rhythm going. You get on a roll. You build habits.

 

But an important point to take note of is that momentum is not confined to the forward direction; negative momentum works the same way. This is obvious in certain situations where one non-productive act leads to another. For instance, there may be times where you will watch one TV show, and when it is done, you just feel like watching another, and another, until finally it is 3AM and you are watching infomercials for absolutely no reason at all. This can happen on a larger scale as well, if you spend several days "in a slump", ignoring what needs to get done, or even just relaxing. It is going to be even harder to turn that negative momentum around.

 

This concept is so basic, that you may have already known it intuitively. But it is important to bring it to the forefront of your mind every once in a while, to check yourself and ask "in which direction is my momentum going?" You must also be aware of negative momentum, because even as difficult as it can be to get your positive momentum generated from a resting position, it is even more difficult to turn negative momentum into positive momentum.

 

So keep your life moving forward, avoid complete stagnation if at all possible, and be aware of your life's momentum.