Getting Your MOJO Back
Whether it is the February blues or simply a case of the blahs, sometimes we find ourselves in a rut and need to kick start our lives to feel energized and excited again. Instinctively we know we probably just need to shake up our routines a bit or just change our perspective. But how?
To get your m-o-j-o back in time for spring, here are a few simple tips:
Mission: Often when we are in a rut, we are told to “find your passion” or to “follow your bliss.” But sometimes this can put too much pressure on ourselves and make us feel worse because we don’t know what that passion or bliss is… yet.
So rather than feel like you need to identify some great “aha” about yourself, just go on a little mission…
When my kids were little, my husband made up “The Mission Game” whenever he saw that they were about to start whining or have a tantrum. He’d say, “I have a mission for you!” and then make up some random, fun task that they had to do for the next few minutes in hopes that they would forget that they were about to lose it. It didn’t always work, but about 95% of the time, they would happily scour the basement for the most colorful toy they could find or “tag” ten trees in the yard or busy themselves with whatever silly mission that my husband made up– and eventually, unknowingly, shake themselves out of their mood.
I decided to try this game whenever I found myself frustrated about my business, relationships or simply the dreary, cold winter weather. The trick is that the task should be random, fun and short-lived…no 5-year performance goals allowed. Some of my “missions” have included: finding the best bread within a 10-mile area of where I live (the baguette at Fairway in Paramus, Nj came in first, with the 5-grain seeded loaf at Whole Foods a close second but losing points for its whopping $5.00 price tag!), finding a favorite poem (“Red Bird” by Mary Oliver), and making the perfect paella (never quite completed this one).
If you can’t come up with something to do on your own, turn the tables on the game and, if you have kids, ask them to give you a mission. Be forewarned: they may ask you to color 5 pictures of your favorite superhero or find the silliest looking fruit at the grocery store. But you may be surprised how a simple, funny task like this might be just enough to lift your spirits and may even help steer you toward the “aha” moment toward your passion that you were looking for.
Outside: Maybe the “O” here should stand for Obvious because obviously we often have the winter blues as a result of being cooped up inside all winter. Even though spring is still weeks away, try spending at least 10 minutes outside every day. If you are someone who normally goes to a gym, consider moving part of your fitness routine outdoors in spite of the still chilly weather and short days. Or if you drive everywhere, consider walking, biking or parking further to force yourself to increase the time you spend outside. Doing so can instantly help you change your perspective and realize that winter, or any season for that matter, shouldn’t impose unnecessary limitations on your routines.
Joy: Finding your mojo again means finding joy. If you do something every day that makes you feel joyous, no matter how small it is, your mojo will naturally re-appear. Interestingly, when I speak with clients about this, it is often the thing that trips them up the most. They fight me tooth and nail with responses such as, I can’t just do whatever I want! That’s just not practical!
The truth of the matter is that it is not only practical but essential. Recent research in Positive Psychology has shown that it is happiness that often creates success in the workforce, not the other way around. The same holds true in other areas. The pattern of belief perhaps shouldn’t be “If I lose weight, if I make more money , if I find a new job, etc… then I’ll be happy.” Rather it is “If I am happy, then I will lose weight, make more money, find a new job, etc.” (The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor).
But how do you find joy and happiness if you are suffering from a severe case of the blahs? In addition to the tips already mentioned, you may need one final suggestion:
On Button: Often, the best way to feel re-energized and excited in the midst of the winter blues is to take some action, any action. You may have spent all of January and February dreaming about what you are going to do come spring or summer but now it’s time to take an actual step in that direction. If it’s an adventurous family trip once the weather gets warm, start calling for reservations. If it’s to get into shape, it’s time to lace up those running shoes. If it’s to improve your job, identify the one project that gets you excited and spend the first few minutes of the day working on that. The step can be small, but taking some action sooner rather than later is often what we need to create enough momentum to propel us out of whatever rut we may have found ourselves in.
Though a far departure from what Austin Powers might advise, it’s never too late to find your M-O-J-O and shake off those winter blues by springtime.
To get your m-o-j-o back in time for spring, here are a few simple tips:
Mission: Often when we are in a rut, we are told to “find your passion” or to “follow your bliss.” But sometimes this can put too much pressure on ourselves and make us feel worse because we don’t know what that passion or bliss is… yet.
So rather than feel like you need to identify some great “aha” about yourself, just go on a little mission…
When my kids were little, my husband made up “The Mission Game” whenever he saw that they were about to start whining or have a tantrum. He’d say, “I have a mission for you!” and then make up some random, fun task that they had to do for the next few minutes in hopes that they would forget that they were about to lose it. It didn’t always work, but about 95% of the time, they would happily scour the basement for the most colorful toy they could find or “tag” ten trees in the yard or busy themselves with whatever silly mission that my husband made up– and eventually, unknowingly, shake themselves out of their mood.
I decided to try this game whenever I found myself frustrated about my business, relationships or simply the dreary, cold winter weather. The trick is that the task should be random, fun and short-lived…no 5-year performance goals allowed. Some of my “missions” have included: finding the best bread within a 10-mile area of where I live (the baguette at Fairway in Paramus, Nj came in first, with the 5-grain seeded loaf at Whole Foods a close second but losing points for its whopping $5.00 price tag!), finding a favorite poem (“Red Bird” by Mary Oliver), and making the perfect paella (never quite completed this one).
If you can’t come up with something to do on your own, turn the tables on the game and, if you have kids, ask them to give you a mission. Be forewarned: they may ask you to color 5 pictures of your favorite superhero or find the silliest looking fruit at the grocery store. But you may be surprised how a simple, funny task like this might be just enough to lift your spirits and may even help steer you toward the “aha” moment toward your passion that you were looking for.
Outside: Maybe the “O” here should stand for Obvious because obviously we often have the winter blues as a result of being cooped up inside all winter. Even though spring is still weeks away, try spending at least 10 minutes outside every day. If you are someone who normally goes to a gym, consider moving part of your fitness routine outdoors in spite of the still chilly weather and short days. Or if you drive everywhere, consider walking, biking or parking further to force yourself to increase the time you spend outside. Doing so can instantly help you change your perspective and realize that winter, or any season for that matter, shouldn’t impose unnecessary limitations on your routines.
Joy: Finding your mojo again means finding joy. If you do something every day that makes you feel joyous, no matter how small it is, your mojo will naturally re-appear. Interestingly, when I speak with clients about this, it is often the thing that trips them up the most. They fight me tooth and nail with responses such as, I can’t just do whatever I want! That’s just not practical!
The truth of the matter is that it is not only practical but essential. Recent research in Positive Psychology has shown that it is happiness that often creates success in the workforce, not the other way around. The same holds true in other areas. The pattern of belief perhaps shouldn’t be “If I lose weight, if I make more money , if I find a new job, etc… then I’ll be happy.” Rather it is “If I am happy, then I will lose weight, make more money, find a new job, etc.” (The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor).
But how do you find joy and happiness if you are suffering from a severe case of the blahs? In addition to the tips already mentioned, you may need one final suggestion:
On Button: Often, the best way to feel re-energized and excited in the midst of the winter blues is to take some action, any action. You may have spent all of January and February dreaming about what you are going to do come spring or summer but now it’s time to take an actual step in that direction. If it’s an adventurous family trip once the weather gets warm, start calling for reservations. If it’s to get into shape, it’s time to lace up those running shoes. If it’s to improve your job, identify the one project that gets you excited and spend the first few minutes of the day working on that. The step can be small, but taking some action sooner rather than later is often what we need to create enough momentum to propel us out of whatever rut we may have found ourselves in.
Though a far departure from what Austin Powers might advise, it’s never too late to find your M-O-J-O and shake off those winter blues by springtime.