Mojo is the opposite of “Nojo” or “No Joy”.  It is being positively engaged in life with a feeling of happiness and purpose that radiates from within and outward to infect those around you. Joy and meaning always follow. It’s really the same word as being “in flow state”, or being “in the zone” if you’re an athlete.

If you have “lost your mojo” then don’t worry it is not a natural state. It is something that you can work to develop. Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Retier  promise to show us how in their book “Mojo how to Get It, How to Keep It, How to get It Back If You Lose It.”

What Is “Mojo”?

The book defines “Mojo” as a

“positive spirit toward what we are doing now that starts from the inside and radiates to the outside.”

• “positive spirit”
  – a demeanor of happiness and meaning
• “toward what we are doing”
  -a feeling of joy in what we are doing
• “now”
  -being fully involved and focused in the present. Not the past or future
• “that starts from the inside”
  -you know it if you have it
• “and radiates to the outside”
  -you emanate joy that others notice.

Mojo is opposite to the life of most people. The life of most of us can be described as apathetic, listless, bored, negative, victimized and resentful.  In contrast, people with Mojo look forward to the beginning of each day optimistically, and take responsibility for their lives. They have a life of meaning and happiness.

Mojo consists of four components, each of which you must fully understand about yourself  in order to build your Mojo.

1. Identity
   – Who are you?  What do you want to be in the future?
2. Achievement
   – What have you achieved? What are your ambitions or personal goals for the future (not what other people what from you)?
3. Reputation
   – Be excellent always in all that you do. You cannot maintain mojo with a bad reputation.
4. Acceptance
   – Learn to tolerate or release what you can’t control – enemies, toxic emotions, past and future

Building Your Mojo

Mojo is not your natural state, but it can be developed. Humans have evolved to be comfortable in whatever situation they find themselves in. A state of inertia is a natural state. We continue to do what we have always been doing even if it makes us unhappy. This prevents growth. Therefore the first step is to make an effort to change and then commit to stick to that commitment to change (grit).

Next, start to constantly analyze all your daily activities and to ask two questions:

1. Meaning – Does this task bring me closer to my long range purpose and meaning?
2. Happiness – Does this task bring me joy and contentment in the short range?

Mojo Scorecard

Another useful tool to determine which tasks enhance your mojo and which don’t is to use the “mojo score card”.  For each task or goal rate each of the following measures on a 1 to 10 scale for a final tally out of 100.

1. Motivation

low score – you are just passing time on this activity

high score – you are enthusiastically involved.

4. Knowledge

low score –  you are unsure on how to do the activity
high score – you know how to do this activity deeply

3. Ability

low score – you don’t have the skills (built over time) to do this activity
high score – you have the skills that this activity demands

4. Confidence

low score – you are not confident in your ability to complete this task
high score – you have no doubt in your ability to complete this task

5. Authenticity

low score – you don’t really like the task
high score – you genuinely like doing this activity

6. Happiness

low score – the activity does not bring you joy
high score – the activity brings you joy

7. Reward

low score – the activity is not worth the effort
high score – the activity is worth it financially or otherwise

8. Meaning

low score – the activity provides no fulfillment
high score – the activity fulfills your goals and ambitions

9. Learning

low score – the activity does not help you grow
high score – the activity helps you grow

10. Gratitude

low score – the activity is boring and tedious
high score – you appreciate and are glad to be doing this task

How did you score on the main task you perform at your work or business?   What was your score out of 100?

There are two parts to mojo; your personal identity (“you”), and your life situation (“it”). To build your Mojo you have to change either yourself or your life situation.  The mojo score cards can be used determine which part you need to change.

My Review:  Despite all the positive reviews on Amazon, the book was disappointing. It is full of basic tips on self development and not backed up with reference to the volumes of research on peak performance and flow. However, the Mojo scorecard is still a useful tool to help determine if your goals or the tasks you plan to perform will get you into flow state or not.

SOURCE:Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It

read more: Get Your Mojo Back