The power of having momentum in learning is marvellous.
Of course, momentum is also a cornerstone idea in physics for describing the world.
Particularly, in my studies I always found it spectacular to watch how Newton's Cradle with 1 metal ball can deliver its momentum (almost perfectly) to another metal ball.
But, how can we use the idea of momentum in learning?
Experiment: Start something, and then try to complete it.
If you complete it. Start the next task immediately. Then stop after spending a couple of minutes on it. Now go home.
Wake up the next day. Do you find it easier to know where to start?
In this experiment, you will always have something you are working on, and the momentum for the following day is still alive. To me it sounds stressfull though.
Do I not miss out on the relaxation and recovery period for having something complete? Hmm, I don't know.
However, to some it might be an excellent strategy if not inducing chronic stress due to the feeling of incompleteness.
So who did this experiment work for?
Ernest Hemmingway, an amazing novelist and supporter of short-story writing, has a unique quote illustrating the power of momentum (in writing):
Hemmingway had a rule that every writing session had to end with a few tentative steps into the next day's material. He loved to taste the day of tomorrow.
Hemmingway began working on the following paragraph in addition to today's portion instead of calling it a day when it was finished. Famously, he would abruptly stop in the middle of a sentence after a few lines.
Not that he was imprisoned. He was confident in his ability to continue, but he resisted writing down the words he had in mind.
Why would Hemmingway do this? He ensured himself to win the next day, everyday. Ultimately, he knew how to continue the tale already. By slightly tasting tomorrow, he could store ideas and words in his subconscious mind for processing during the night, making them ripe for harvest the following day.