Why Do We Drop the Ball
Momentum doesn’t break in a moment. It slips through the small choices we make every day
Momentum is powerful, but fragile. One pause, and it’s gone.
Remember that episode from Friends—Joey, Ross, and the ball. They’re so into the game that they skip meals, ignore work, and even rope Monica into their obsession.
The ball is moving, and no one wants to stop. There’s momentum.
Then Phoebe enters the scene, catches the ball, but puts it down.
Game over.
That’s the thing about momentum. It thrives on participation. The minute you decide to step out, and “take a break”, the ball drops.
The Physics of Momentum, in Life
In physics, momentum is mass times velocity—how heavy something is and how fast it moves. In life, momentum is consistency times effort.
The ‘mass’ is your accumulated skills, knowledge, and habits. The more you learn, the heavier your “mass” becomes. The more capable you are.
The ‘velocity’? It’s how often you act on those things. The daily grind. The small steps you take, even when you’re tired, even when no one’s looking.
But unlike in physics, life’s momentum is fragile. It’s easy to lose and hard to rebuild.
The Moment You Stop, the Ball Gets Heavier
Two weeks ago, I dropped the ball.
I was on Day 12 of a new daily writing streak. Just a handful of friends and family receiving the emails—my fiancé, my brother, and few of my buddies. Not much of an audience, but after a few emails, they started expecting it. I made it my mission to keep going. Nine days in, I went on vacation. I told myself I’d write every day.
At first, it was manageable. I squeezed in time to write, even when it wasn’t convenient. But then, week two hit, and I let myself relax. Disconnection kicked in and it happened.
I skipped a day. Then another.
The ball dropped. “I’ll get back to it tomorrow,” I thought. But tomorrow came, and the urgency was gone. The streak broke, and with it, my drive.
Momentum isn’t lost in one dramatic moment. It slips away in a series of tiny choices—the promises you break to yourself, thinking they don’t matter.
Day 1 Is Easy. Day 100 Is the Real Test.
Starting something new is always exciting. You’re full of energy. You think, this time, it’s different. That rush of inspiration makes everything seem possible.
But somewhere down the line, the spark fades. What was once thrilling becomes a grind. Progress slows. Doubts creep in.
I’ve been there many times. You probably have, too.
The real challenge comes long after the excitement wears off.
The real challenge is on Day 100. That’s where most people quit—not because they lack talent or drive, but because the daily grind wears them down. They lose sight of why they started.
The more you move, the more inertia you build. It’s the small, seemingly insignificant tasks done daily that fuel your progress.
The Cost of Hesitation
The longer you wait to pick up the ball, the heavier it gets.
I’ve told myself before, “I’ll get back to it tomorrow.” But tomorrow turns into next week. Next week turns into never. And every day you wait, the ball gets heavier.
Most people wait for the perfect moment to begin again—the right energy, the right inspiration. But we all know the truth: momentum doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It rewards action, not intention.
The more you move, the more inertia you build. It’s the small, seemingly insignificant tasks done daily that fuel your progress.
The Fear of Regret
One of my biggest fears is looking back and realizing I dropped the ball on something that truly mattered.
Failure stings, but it heals. It teaches. Regret, on the other hand, is heavier. It lingers. It’s the weight of missed chances—the what ifs and should haves that don’t fade away.
Regret doesn’t hit you in the moment. It shows up later—when you see others achieving what you once wanted or realize how much time has passed. And by then, it’s too late to act.
Failure can be fixed. Regret? It stays with you.
In both cases, the ball drops.
But only one gives you the chance to pick it back up.
Quitting Is Always an Option—But Should You?
Quitting is always on the table. It’s the easiest option when the stress feels unbearable. But here’s the thing: don’t quit something with great long-term potential just because you can’t handle the short-term stress.
Stress convinces you that walking away is the answer. But progress is born in tension. Surviving those rough patches is what gets you to the breakthrough.
I’ve broken promises to myself before, and each time it chips away at my confidence. You start to believe maybe you’re not as capable as you thought.
But each time you resist the urge to quit, you reinforce your potential. You remind yourself you’re capable, even when it’s hard.
Keep Showing Up
In the end, keeping the ball in the air comes down to one thing: showing up.
Discipline is self-respect. It’s not about grand gestures or perfect conditions. It’s about the commitment to keep going—when it’s tough, when it’s boring, when you’d rather be doing anything else.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about persistence. By showing up every day, you’re sending a message to yourself: I’m in this for the long haul.
The ball is in your hands. What will you do?