Hi everyone,
We’ve been exploring the Momentum Equation:
Momentum = Mass × Velocity – Resistance.
So far, we’ve mapped:
Mass → the skills, knowledge, and relationships that propel you forward.
Velocity → the difference between mere motion and aligned energy.
Now we turn to the factor that makes or breaks momentum: Resistance.
Most of us think of resistance as external — the world throwing obstacles at us.
And it’s true: markets shift, resources run thin, unexpected events pile up.
Your ability to set strategy and stay present to change is critical.
But the wind will always keep blowing.
That’s why here, we focus on the internal side of resistance — learning how to spot it and work with it.
Without awareness, we tend to get scared of it, push harder against it, or pretend it’s not there.
But resistance doesn’t disappear when you ignore it — it just creates more resistance.
Think of resistance like headwinds: if you push against them, you lose steam fast.
If you learn to work with them, you can often find a smoother path forward.
::Your 5 Minutes Starts Now::
Part 1: Invisible Drag
Here are the four key types of resistance I see with leaders regularly:
🧠 Cognitive drag → mental loops of comparison, overanalyzing options, and faulty logic: “If I slow down, I’ll fall behind.”
💔 Emotional drag → fear, doubt, or overwhelm pulling you back to the familiar.
🩺 Somatic drag → fatigue, burnout, the body bracing under pressure.
🤝 Relational drag → unspoken tension, fear of judgment, or lack of trust within your team.
Remember: the problem isn’t that resistance exists.
The slowdown comes from ignoring the need to address it.
Part 2: Recognizing Resistance
When you feel yourself getting stuck, your nervous system is signaling:
“This is new terrain. Pay attention.”
Here are a few markers:
That anxious looping before a big presentation? → Your mind negotiating with uncertainty and craving acceptance. [Cognitive / Relational]
That sudden procrastination on a meaningful project? → Your system resisting a leap in identity, holding on to the safety of the current state. [Emotional / Somatic]
That avoidance in meetings where everyone says “yes” but nothing moves? → Team members avoiding hard conversations to prevent discomfort. [Emotional / Relational]
Until you name resistance for what it is, you’ll confuse it with overwhelm, lack of drive, or failure.
But when you map it?
Resistance becomes guidance.
Part 3: A Real-time Story
This week, I led a resilience and alignment training in Philadelphia with a team navigating a major M&A transaction.
They’re being acquired by a competitor.
They don’t know if they’ll have jobs next year.
But they do know they’re being hit with a lot of change.
It’s a close-knit team struggling to maintain momentum — where little feels inspiring, and fear and avoidance consume the day-to-day.
All four types of drag were present:
🧠 Cognitive → constant “stay or go?” loops.
💔 Emotional → fear of the unknown.
🩺 Somatic → freeze/fear/flop responses in the body.
🤝 Relational → shifting trust and connection.
What we worked on was simple but powerful: naming their current state.
By naming the resistance instead of pretending it wasn’t there, they rediscovered agency and choice.
One woman said:
“The truth is, the last time my role changed, it was the people on this team who helped. It’s not the organization—it’s figuring it out, together.”
The tone on the team shifted—audible sighs, smiles, and a renewed ability to take the next step.
Part 4: Measure Resistance
Resistance is something you can measure.
Take 5–10 minutes to map yours:
👉 Write down one place you feel slowed down right now.
👉 Name the type: Cognitive, Emotional, Somatic, or Relational.
👉 Ask: “What edge is this pointing me toward?”
Then give yourself a score of 1–25 in each category:
🧠 Cognitive
1 = Clear focus
25 = Mind consumed by noise
💔 Emotional
1 = Grounded, steady
25 = Frequent emotional spin
🩺 Somatic
1 = Body regulated
25 = Body depleted or braced
🤝 Relational
1 = Supportive, flowing relationships
25 = Frustrated, misaligned dynamics
Add up your scores. The closer to 100, the more resistance is slowing you down.
Part 5: What’s Next
By now, you can see that momentum is about more than speed and direction.
It’s about learning to spot resistance and use it as feedback.
The leaders who sustain momentum know how to work with whatever arises—and turn it into fuel.
Stay curious. Notice the drag.
Work with the headwinds, not against them.
Up next: we put it all together and apply the full equation to your current projects and goals.
See you in two weeks. ❤️