Momentum or Prudence?

We might often hear about one or the other as what to go for, but both have their time and place! If you are always chasing and riding momentum, you might miss instances in which you should pause and gauge what is and could happen. And if you’re always treating everything with prudence, you might miss the forces that can propel you forward beyond what anything else could.

It is indeed tricky, and it is not about achieving a perfect balance between engaging in the two, but you can learn to switch between them when it is most appropriate and convenient.

Momentum is something that is formed internally and externally. Not necessarily equally; sometimes more on one realm than the other. Things fall into place and are in motion, working among them and for you, granting you the opportunity to make tremendous progress in one or more ways. It may get you to land nicely or to hit a wall. Crash and burn. You can’t always tell where it will take you, with what, how, and why, and that rises concern. Is this a chance you should take or a risk to avoid?

Prudence is more meticulous and thorough, and more within your control. Awareness is favored over venturing into the unknown. And that may be wise, to make informed decisions and prepare for any challenges that you may face or avoid them altogether if they are deemed unworthy. However, it becomes a problem when cowardice is mistaken as deliberation and dwelling is mistaken as calculation. Then it could go on for longer than it should and lead you to miss opportunities.

You’d be more naturally inclined to one over the other. And situations, as well, would evoke one more than the other. But it’ll serve you to distinguish when you can afford either and when either is most beneficial.

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI