How do you get your mojo back?

by Richard L. Weaver II

How often have you been working on a project and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, you lose all your motivation? Here is what one respondent on the website Shine, said: “I have lost whatever it is let's call it mojo and I feel completely lost. I have always been the type of person that no matter what challenges came my way. There has been a lot. I have always pulled myself together get off my ass and do what I had to do. Now, I can't seem to get motivated and drowning in a sea of problems.” Have you ever gone through a period of your life when you hate to get out of bed, lack the energy to face the day, and have no interest in doing anything? How does this happen? Why does this happen? Can anything be done to change the situation?

First, you need to know that these situations are normal, and the cause is likely to be different for each individual. Whether it’s fear, lack of self-confidence, frustration, laziness, or exhaustion, we all face these times, and the obvious question at times like these is, “How do I get my mojo back?”

In her essay at Ezine@rticles.com, “Motivation in Tough Times - Getting Your Mojo Back,” Jill Betz Freeman, gives readers 4 steps to recover their motivation, get out of their rut, and get their ‘Mojo’ back!” The first thing Freeman suggests is to make a list. She says, “Sit down someplace quiet, breathe and write down everything that is spinning around up there [in your brain]. After you've made the list you can then start to prioritize....” “Whatever your goal is,” says Freeman, “chunk it out into smaller, more reasonable pieces that will give you success quickly. When you succeed at the first goal that success will spur you on to the next.”

Freeman’s second suggestion is to post your goal in a “I can do it,” fashion. Post it on your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator, your car, your home office, or wherever you are a lot. “I can make this speech, finish this project, face this obstacle, make this sale, or make a good impression.”

Now, Freeman says, you need to have specific ways to achieve your goal. “Keep putting one foot ahead of the other, one step at a time. This is the most important step to get where you want to be.”

Finally, Freeman says, “Squash Negative Thoughts:. For every negative thought that pops into your head and runs around in there,” you need to counter it with a barrage of positive thoughts: “I can do this,” “I have the ability,” “I have the power,” “I have the motivation,” and “I am going to make this happen.” Negative thoughts gnaw away at you and sap your energy.

At Pantskicker.com, Adam Kahn has written an essay entitled, “Cultivating Fire: How to Keep Your Motivation High.” Some of his suggestions, like make a list and prioritize the items, are the same as those Freeman makes, above. Kahn also suggests that you keep the level of challenge just right so you are motivated to move forward in a positive direction. Then he suggests that you measure your progress, read and listen to motivational material, take the time to think, and refresh your goals.

At the “Self-Motivation: Finding Your Focus” website, Andy Harnsbergerf writes, “Mental energy is a form of power, and you have total control over it. Thought power is like that of radio waves: You can’t see them working, but their effect is real and profound. By enforcing the control you have over this mental force and learning how to channel it into your intended outcome, you can directly influence your performance.....”

At the website “Intelligent Self-Development,” Jason Ivers has written an essay, “Stuck In A Rut - 7 Ways To Kick Your Life In The Butt,” in which he suggests that you begin at once: 1) Don’t procrastinate, 2) Expand your network by meeting new people, 3) Do something you’ve never done before, 4) Re-evaluate your goals — especially the long-term ones — and see that they are still ones you still want, 5) Break the goals down into smaller goals that can be accomplished. Accomplishing smaller goals will provide motivation to keep moving forward, 6) Find a way to express your creativity. Ivers says, “Unused creativity builds up and puts pressure on you internally, increasing the feeling of being trapped, not going anywhere... or ‘stuck in a rut.’” and, 7) Change your definition of success.

This latter point regarding success is an important one, and it is not mentioned by the previous writers. Ivers makes the point in this way: “Success doesn't have to be measured by society's standards... you can be successful by being a good person, by taking care of the people you care about, by producing creative output (see above item), or many other things. Don't just stick with the default definition society gave you, choose your own..”

At steve-olson.com, Steve Olson offers something, too, that previous writers have not said: “This [when you want to restore your motivation] is when you need to find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and visualize your ideal outcome. Imagine life when you reach your goal. Imagine in as much detail as you can. Imagine how you will feel. Imagine how it will look. Imagine your impact on other people. Do it to remind yourself why you’re working so hard. The stronger the images you can etch into your mind, the quicker you will restore your motivation.”

Lots of writers, lots of suggestions. The point is that you don’t have to remain long without your motivation, but nobody can do it for you. You have the control, you are in charge, and it’s up to you. You have the suggestions, you know the route, now, get busy!
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At steve-olson.com, referred to just above, in an essay, “21 Surefire Ways to Stay Motivated,” there are 21 practical and realistic suggestions that will help you stay motivated.

Rebecca Brents, at her Enchanted Spirits website, has a motivational essay entitled, “Motivation,” and includes many of the suggestions written above, however, she writes in a delightful and easy manner, and the essay is enjoyable.
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Copyright January, 2009 by And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.