Chasing Horizons: How to Build Momentum That Lasts

May 15

Written By Candace Chance

Series 4, Part 2 of Why Winning Is for Beginners

Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins

By now, you may be seeing it: The “win” isn’t the destination. It’s a checkpoint at best. A mirror at worst.

But what happens after the win?

What happens when you climb the mountain, only to realize the view doesn’t fulfill you the way you hoped. Or worse, you’re not even sure what you’re climbing anymore?

That’s the question most of us don’t prepare for. And it's the reason so many leaders get stuck in what I’ve come to call, “the post-win dip”, burnout cycles, or constant pivots that don’t stick.

The scramble to find the next shiny thing, just to feel “in motion” again. But what if motion isn’t the problem — it’s the kind of motion we’ve been taught to value?

Because legacy leaders aren’t chasing wins. We’re chasing momentum: meaningful movement that carries purpose, clarity, and evolution with it. And sometimes, that momentum doesn’t come from our own wins. Sometimes, it comes from watching someone else rise and being willing to learn from it.

When Someone Else’s Win Sparks Your Own Growth

A couple of years ago, we ended a working relationship with a marketing firm that never quite got us. The energy wasn’t aligned. The strategy missed the mark. Eventually, they brought in a third-party consultant who gently affirmed what we already knew: it was time to part ways.

Fast forward to this year.
That same marketer hosted a sold-out event for Black women in marketing. Hundreds in attendance. Massive traction. Beautiful visuals.

It could have triggered defensiveness or insecurity — but it didn’t.

Instead, it sparked something else entirely.
Curiosity. Professional Respect. Limitless learning.

We dug into her strategy, the way she built community, the energy she brought to her brand — and it gave us language and clarity for something new we were already sensing.

What emerged from that moment was one of the clearest creative shifts we’ve had to date (something we’re really excited to launch soon!)

Because momentum doesn’t always come from your own wins.
It comes from being willing to learn — everywhere.
Even from the people you’ve grown apart from.

As we say at The VPI Firm:

“We embrace an infinite journey of learning and draw wisdom from our research, firsthand experiences, and the encounters shared with others.”

The Post-Win Crash Is Real — and It's Psychological

Elite athletes, Olympians, and high-performing professionals often experience intense emotional crashes after a major achievement. One 2021 study found that athletes who competed at the Tokyo Games experienced "a sense of emptiness, loss of identity, and emotional depletion" — even if they won.

“It’s the question of ‘Now what?’ after a goal that’s consumed your entire identity.”
— Dr. Claudia Reardon, psychiatrist and mental health expert for Olympic athletes (source)

This isn't a flaw. It's a signal.
When achievement is the goal, we arrive and unravel.
But when evolution is the goal — we arrive, reflect, and keep moving.

Momentum > Milestones

Milestones are important. But they’re fixed points.
Momentum is dynamic. It adapts. It flows with you.

To build momentum that lasts, you need rhythm, not rush.
Progress that feeds your soul — not just your metrics.

Tactical Shifts for Infinite Momentum

Audit your recovery rhythm
Do you truly reset after a major push — or do you sprint toward the next thing out of habit?
Let celebration include reflection
Ask: What did this teach me about how I want to build, lead, and grow from here?
Refine your alignment
Momentum often gets stuck in invisible friction. Where are your values, team dynamics, or business model slightly out of sync?
Learn from your triggers
If someone else’s success stirs something in you — pause. There’s likely wisdom in that tension.
Create a living roadmap
Ditch the static, fixed master plan. Design a momentum map that allows for pace, pivot, and purpose.