Dave Ramsey is quickly becoming a household name in the area of personal finances. You never have to wonder where he stands in terms of how to handle money, but then again you didn’t wonder where your Grandmother stood either. If our generation has a sin, it is trying to achieve in 10 years financially what took our parent 25 years. We are quickly learning that debt is ultimately a slippery slope. It is easy to get into and tough to climb out of.

This past week Dave Ramsey spoke at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta. There were several influential leaders present and many great sessions. However, one highlight that stood out among many is the Dave Ramsey session.

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He presented a talk entitled “The Momentum Theorem.”  Basically, the momentum theory states this:

Focused intensity over a period of time, multiplied by God, will create unstoppable momentum.

Read that again and really allow yourself to digest that statement. From personal experience, I am a big believer in focused intensity. It is one of the main principles that has made my life work and I have tried everything. Focused intensity will also help to breaking habits that we want to get rid off as well. We live in a world of incredible choices and the problem is that we only have so many hours in our day. When you focus all your intensity on a single goal and pour all your energy into it you will be amazed at the outcome over time.

I read a great illustration that drives this point home in the book “The Power of Less.” If you were to take a vial of red dye and pour it into the ocean, you would see no noticeable difference. However, if you took that same vial of red dye and pour it into a glass, you would see a change.

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Why is That?

There is power in focused intensity. Decide today that you resign from being General Manager of Multi-Tasking. I used to think that multi-tasking meant that you were really talented, but now I see it as being spread too thin.

Dame Ramsey’s Major Points

1. To obtain momentum you must have focused intensity. You see the problem with multi-tasking is that we spread ourselves out way too thin. It would be like taking an axe and swinging one time at several different trees. However, if we take all our daily swings at one tree we will see the change and that momentum will become addicting. Not only that but very tree no matter how big will eventually fall with that type of intensity.

2. Momentum doesn’t happen overnight, instead it builds over time. Momentum is not something that happens in a day. It is something you really see in retrospect. You will look back and be amazed at how much progress you have made when you have applied focused intensity. The problem is most people quit before they get the big ball rolling. They plant in the Spring, nurture all Summer and then quit before the harvest in the Fall. Momentum needs some time to get started so do not become quickly discouraged.

3. Momentum does not happen apart from God. We need to make sure not to factor God out of this equation. If we want to do anything of lasting value, then we need God to intervene. Without God we are walking blind through life not really certain where to focus our energy. I don’t know about you, but when God gives you a vision for your life, it is usual way beyond your own capabilities. You need God to get involved if that dream in your heart is ever going to come true. Or maybe you are under much debt and you wonder if you are ever capable of getting out from under this burden. You need God to show up. Momentum doesn’t happen without God as He is the one directing your steps.

Proverbs 12:28  In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. (NKJV)

4. Momentum is unstoppable. Once you get that big ball rolling down the hill it will be impossible to slow it down. The difficulty is in the first half. Every new habit or goal has a tipping point. A new habit will feel like you are fighting against gravity in the beginning, but just keep telling yourself that things will get easier (cause they will!). Dave Ramsey ended his speech with a Winston Churchill story. Churchill said:

“Never give in—never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

May we all develop that kind of resolve when it comes to accomplishing all God wants us to be in this life. Find a goal and place focused intensity on that one goal!