Momentum Beats Memory: Break Free From the Loop of Who You Used to Be
By Michael King – King of Habits
Published: July 25, 2025
If you’ve ever whispered, “I thought I’d be further by now,” you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. That weight you feel isn’t failure. It’s a signal. The truth? Your memory of the past may be what’s holding you back. Let’s change that—starting with one win today.
🔓 Why You Feel Stuck
The most dangerous form of comparison is the one we rarely notice: comparing ourselves to a past version that may not even be real.
Our brains remix the past every time we recall it. But here’s the twist—those memories are often wrong.
The mind remembers how it felt, not always what happened. This can trap you in a mental loop of shame, guilt, or regret.
You’re not stuck—you’re just attached to an outdated version of you.
💡 The Reframe That Changes Everything
Growth doesn’t come from perfect plans or perfect timing.
It comes from momentum—small, consistent wins stacked on top of each other.
You don’t need to fix everything today. You just need to win one battle: the next step.
Small wins are greater than perfect pasts.
Let go of the myth that your success has to look like your memory of someone else’s highlight reel—or your own.
🔥 The Thermostat Truth
You will only rise to the level of what you believe you deserve.
This is your internal thermostat.
If you think success is "too much" for you, your subconscious will sabotage it and bring you back to comfort—even if that comfort is struggle.
🧠 Mental Rehearsal: Train Your Mind Forward
Your body and brain operate together. If your body is in the present but your mind is still defending the past, change won’t stick.
Visualization, journaling, and affirmation aren’t fluff—they’re training tools for the brain.
Here’s the formula:
Vision (Future Self) + Action (Daily Win) = Alignment.
🛠️ Tools You Can Use Today
Write a letter to the old version of you. Thank them. Then let them go.
Journal from the future. Write like you already made it. What does life look like?
Celebrate today’s smallest win. Momentum isn’t flashy. It’s steady.
📚 Recommended Read (No Affiliations):
Title: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Why: It teaches how identity and small behaviors shape long-term change. Perfect if you're rebuilding, refocusing, or restarting.
💭 Final Thought
The past should be a reference point—not a residence.
You are not your story. You are the author.
Start writing the next chapter, even if it’s one sentence at a time.
