Velocity
Velocity describes the rate and direction of displacement. As a planning analogy, it prompts a useful question: how much of your activity is moving you toward the goal?
THE IDEA
Speed measures how fast something moves; velocity also specifies its direction. Average velocity is displacement divided by elapsed time. A runner who completes a lap has covered distance but has zero displacement over that lap, so the average velocity for the lap is zero even though the runner was moving.
As a mental model, the distinction helps separate activity from progress toward a chosen goal. Working quickly on tasks that do not advance the goal can leave the main problem untouched. Measure what has changed relative to the starting point, and reconsider the direction when new information warrants it.
Constant velocity means constant speed and direction. That can be a useful image for sustained effort, though a project may need pauses and changes of course as conditions change.
Kinetic and Potential Energy (Sidebar content: energy concepts related to motion and position)
« If a man does not know to what port he is steering, no wind is favorable to him. » — Seneca
When to use it
Strategic planning: Choose a market direction and assess new opportunities against it.
Learning a skill: Track improvement in a chosen skill as well as hours of practice.
Investment: Compare a consistent contribution plan with frequent changes prompted by short-term market movements.
Personal development: Choose a goal, such as reading regularly, and track whether daily actions support it.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Business Strategy
A startup chooses a customer problem and tracks whether each product change helps solve it. The velocity analogy directs attention to progress on that problem as well as the pace of releases.
Personal Fitness
A person follows a progressive training plan and tracks changes relevant to their fitness goal. The analogy encourages measuring progress over time alongside the effort spent on each workout.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what areas of your life are you confusing speed with velocity?
What is your current long-term direction, and does your daily activity align with it?
How could you track progress toward an important goal and recognize when the plan needs a change of direction?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Great Mental Models Volume 2 Physics, Chemistry and Biology