Simple Strategies to Build Momentum and Achieve Success: Practical Approaches

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Hannah Voetberg MA, MSW, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Introduction
Success in both your career and personal life often hinges on the habits and strategies you put in place to create momentum. By making small, intentional changes to your weekly routine, evenings, and weekends, you can set yourself up for productivity, fulfillment, and well-being. Below are practical strategies that can help you get started and maintain progress toward your goals.
Weekly Planning: The Friday Afternoon Reset
One powerful strategy for career management is taking time on Friday afternoon to set up your next week. This approach allows you to start Monday morning with clarity and purpose, while others might be struggling to find focus. Here’s how to implement this strategy:
• Identify Three Key Accomplishments: Before leaving work on Friday, decide on three things you want to achieve in the upcoming week. Write them down or add them to your digital planner.
• Prepare for Monday Morning: Set up everything you need for your first task on Monday. This could mean laying out documents, opening relevant tabs, or organizing your workspace.
• Schedule Appointments: Make sure all necessary meetings and appointments are on your calendar. If anything is missing, send out invitations or reminders before the week starts.
By following this routine, you’ll find that your week starts off with momentum and a sense of direction, increasing your productivity and likelihood of success.
Building Evening Momentum
Structuring your evenings is another way to reduce stress and free up your weekends. Especially if you live alone or have significant personal responsibilities, spreading chores throughout the week can make a big difference.
• Divide and Conquer: Instead of saving all chores for the weekend, do two small tasks each day. For example, on one evening, tidy up and dust; on another, vacuum and take out the garbage. These tasks require minimal time and energy but prevent the buildup of weekend stress.
This nightly routine helps you maintain a comfortable living space and makes your weekends more enjoyable.
Making the Most of Your Weekends
Weekends should be a time for rest, pleasure, and preparing for the week ahead. Here’s a balanced approach:
1. Dedicate a Day to Rest and Enjoyment: Choose one day—Saturday or Sunday—to focus on activities that refresh and energize you. This time is vital for your personal well-being and relationships.
2. Plan Inspiring Activities: Consider what inspires and revives you. Here are some ideas to get you started:
3. Leisurely Breakfast: Savor your favorite breakfast with coffee or tea, and engage in meaningful conversation. Whether you visit a pastry shop or cook at home, make it a pleasurable experience.
4. Interesting Outing: Take a walk in nature, visit a thrift shop, or pursue activities that truly “fill you up.” Choose what feels rewarding to you, not what feels like a chore.
5. Quiet Time at Home: Give yourself permission to relax, read a book, watch a movie, or simply chill. For some, this might be a nap or “putter time”—whatever helps you feel rested.
6. Prepare for the Week: Use the other day for chores like laundry and grocery shopping. If work is necessary on the weekend, schedule clear start and end times to prevent it from overtaking your personal life.
Tailor these activities to your preferences and add any that inspire you to your own list.
The “Good-Bye” Ritual: Leaving Work Behind
One important step for maintaining balance and mental clarity is developing a ritual for leaving work. This helps you fully transition into your personal time. Try the following:
• Clear Your Workspace: Tidy up your desk or work area before you leave on Friday.
• Set Up Monday’s First Task: Lay out what you need so you can dive in immediately at the start of the week.
• Say Good-Bye: Choose a tangible ritual—close your office door, wave at the building, or mentally shift focus away from work. The goal is to leave work at work, refilling your energy for the week ahead.
This ritual is especially valuable if your job is demanding. By making a conscious effort to disconnect, you ensure that your time off is restorative and that you’re ready to be productive when you return.
Conclusion
Building momentum and setting yourself up for success doesn’t require drastic changes—just small, consistent actions. By planning your week on Friday, structuring your evenings, making the most of your weekends, and embracing a “Good-bye” ritual, you create a framework that supports both achievement and freedom. Start with these strategies and personalize them to fit your lifestyle, ensuring that each week brings you closer to your goals both at work and at home.