Momentum Matters - The Success Triangle Overview
The Success Triangle: Your Guide to Momentum
Over my career, I’ve found that successful planning and decision-making boil down to three foundational elements—the Success Triangle:
1. Think Big. The best ideas and biggest opportunities come when we allow ourselves to dream without limits.
2. Take Action. A great idea without execution is just a thought. Momentum comes from moving forward.
3. What Matters Most. Focus is everything. Clarity on priorities ensures that energy is directed toward what truly moves the needle.
Every effective strategy—whether for an organization, a movement, or an individual—needs all three. You have to dream big, act with intention, and stay focused on what truly matters.
The Strength of the Triangle
The triangle is the strongest geometric shape, providing stability and support in everything from architecture to engineering. In the same way, our Success Triangle serves as a structural foundation for momentum in strategic planning. Each point reinforces the others, ensuring that progress is both steady and sustainable.
Think Big: Moonshot Thinking
Big results come from big thinking. Organizations that embrace “Moonshot Thinking” set bold, ambitious goals that push beyond conventional limits. However, it’s essential that these goals are not so distant or unrealistic that they become demotivating. The key is to balance vision with feasibility—setting objectives that stretch the limits but remain achievable. By thinking big in the right way, you create excitement, inspiration, and the energy needed to drive real progress.
Take Action: Stepping Out the Front Door
No matter how compelling your vision is, nothing happens until you take the first step. It’s easy to get caught up in analysis paralysis, over-planning, or waiting for the perfect conditions. But momentum only begins when you step out the front door and engage with the real world. The best plans adapt to reality, and the only way to know what works is by taking action, learning, and adjusting along the way.
What Matters Most: Eating the Elephant One Bite at a Time
Massive challenges can seem overwhelming, but the key to success lies in prioritization. As the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Not only do you need to break down your objectives into manageable pieces, but you also need to consume them in the right order. Tackling the most critical priorities first ensures that your effort builds upon itself, creating a clear pathway to success.
A Continuous, Connected Process
The Success Triangle isn’t a one-time approach—it’s a continuous and connected process. Thinking big fuels the actions you take. Taking action helps refine what matters most. Focusing on what matters most informs how you continue to think big. This cycle, when repeated over and over, generates sustained momentum, ultimately leading to the results and success you strive for.
At MaxStrat, we use the Success Triangle as the foundation of our Momentum Model, helping organizations chart their course, build momentum, and achieve their most ambitious goals. By committing to this structured yet flexible approach, you ensure that your strategy is always moving forward, adapting, and growing stronger over time.
Chris Maxwell , CEO, Maxwell Strategies
(605) 280-2895 | ✉️ chris.maxwell@maxwellstrat.com | 🌐 www.max-strat.com