Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: Just like nuclear reactions need critical mass to continue, meaningful relationships and lasting impact often require a “critical mass of one” – focusing deeply on individual connections rather than always trying to reach the masses.
I’ve been thinking about critical mass lately. No, I’m not a nuclear engineer, but I do have a degree in physics and chemistry. In nuclear terms, critical mass is the minimum amount of physical material necessary for the nuclear reaction to continue – boom, there it goes, and it just keeps going through all the need for an added spark of energy.
What?
I remember years ago as a ski racing coach, we’d get into spring season when there were only a few kids who hadn’t moved on to other sports. The lifts were closed, so we’d have hiking practice on patches of snow. I’d head out early without RSVPs to set up the course, hiking up and down with bags of salt to treat the soft snow and create a solid base.
One day I did all that work – setting gates, salting the course, preparing everything – and only one athlete showed up to train. That was it and that was enough. That was the required critical mass.
I know my first webinar had zero people show up, which was a real letdown. But looking at that one athlete showing up, and all the work I put forward to prepare for that athlete, I think about Jesus and how his critical mass was often one person. All the stories in the Bible – well, there are a couple brothers he called together – but mostly it’s that critical mass of one.
Why?
I shared this story because it illustrates something profound about impact and ministry. We often think we need crowds, big numbers, massive audiences to make a difference. But the critical mass for meaningful change is often just one person.
While it takes more commitment to connect one-to-one than one-to-many, we’ve added something important. Right now I’m doing one-to-many, sharing with lots of viewers. But that should lead to one-to-one time, that critical mass of one, is where the real transformation happens.
Lesson
When we serve our spouse, that’s the critical mass. When we serve our kids, I really try to find those one-on-one interactions. We still have date nights with our kids, my wife and I, spending quality time with them and being really connected. That’s the critical mass – just them is enough.
In one-on-one coaching, that’s the critical mass. For masterminds, I think the critical mass is three or four, with our ideal size being about eight. In business, critical mass might be enough sales to cover rent, getting out of the red and into the black.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. His critical mass of people was one – he was meeting one person at a time, transforming individual lives that would then impact others. He also gathered His disciples to amplify and spread the Good News.
Apply
What is your critical mass and where is it? In what areas is it different? Where are you part of that critical mass? Where are you connecting with others? Where do you have that one-on-one focus?
The principle of critical mass of one asks: Where can you apply deep, focused attention on one person rather than trying to reach everyone at once?
Write down in the Doobly Doo: Who needs your nuclear reaction, your focused connection one to one? Where is that weakness that needs strengthening, or where is that new strength opportunity available? Is it a business thing, personal thing, spouse, child, or relationship thing?
Who’s the one that needs your full and exclusive attention? Who needs to be triggered by your affection and your willingness to share your time with them one-on-one?
You be blessed!
Critical Mass of One: The Power of Individual Focus
