I caught up with a few friends virtually a couple of days ago. As social animals, we all enjoyed having some fun and laughter and played a game of trivia too. It was great catching up again, our weekly ritual, considering that we caught up socially, every Saturday over dinner and drinks, prior to the pandemic.
Despite all the fun and laughter, there was a sense of uneasiness, worry and stress, many looking flat and depleted. And so, I asked: “Do you guys feel you’ve lost your mojo?” I surely feel that way.
It was not surprising that I was not alone feeling, ‘I’ve lost my mojo.’ The stress of rolling lockdowns, the uncertainty and ambiguity, either heightens your stress levels on any day, or it lowers on other days, depending on what you hear and how you feel. These up and down emotions many of us are currently experiencing, often called the “coronacoaster”, play havoc on our levels of stress, anxiety, and general wellbeing.
Whether you are rundown from work, isolated because of social distancing, or feeling stressed and anxious because you have to leave home and make potentially dangerous trips to shops for personal chores or daily work, it is inevitable that you will face moments when you lose your inner strength and energy. This is my experience too and I’m close to getting back on track, accepting that there are things within my control, and others outside of my control.
I’m sure many of you can resonate with this.
The threat of catching the virus can cause you to lose that inner strength and energy – the driving force that keeps you effective and purposeful.
When you are in your zone, you are energised, driving you each day to move forward and achieve new heights. However, when you feel flat and depleted, your inner strength and energy wanes; making you feel weaker, less confident, and less motivated.
Put simply, you have lost your mojo! This means you’ve lost your self-confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and sense of clear direction, and I may add, this is aside from Austin Powers’ libido!
So, how can you get your mojo back?
I’ve implemented some of these to help me get my mojo back. They may help you too!
- A good starting point is to ‘Be Present’.
If you are still in self-quarantine, it is important to ‘be present’. Woody Allen once said, “80 percent of success is showing up.” This means, you should wake up and actively participate in everything you need to do, by prioritising and managing your time effectively. Do not fall into the trap because you’re self-isolating, nor should you allow your moods or the events around you, dictate your life. Being present does not guarantee success, but it is an essential component of getting back your mojo.
- Stay connected
I look forward with excitement for our weekly virtual catch up! It helps me to feel connected and help others that are experiencing stress and anxiety.
Whether you call someone or meet up virtually, you get the opportunity to speak and share experiences, share knowledge, and learn from each other. It helps you have a laugh, have fun and thereby release some of that stress and anxiety. It helps you elevate your mood, establish a stronger bond or relationship, or even help you to find clarity and a sense of purpose and direction.
- Be honest with yourself
You are the captain of your ship. Only you know what’s best for you. Listen to your inner voice and pay attention to your authentic needs.
Ask yourself: “Am I doing what I really want to do, or am I trying to fulfill the needs of others? Are you letting someone else make the decisions for you, or are you following your gut, your inner voice?” While it is good to tap into the wisdom of others you know and trust, ultimately, by being true to yourself and listening to your inner voice will help you to get your mojo back.
- Reflect on your wins
Think back about all your successes, the wins that made you feel good about yourself, where you felt you accomplished something, no matter how small or big. Even if you haven’t had recent wins, reflect on the times when you last had a win. How did that make you feel? By reconnecting with past successes, you can bring that same feeling of success to your present situation.
- Get unstuck by shifting your frame of mind
If you continue doing the same thing over and over, you will continue getting the same outcomes over and over. Start by trying new things or changing the way you do certain things. Consider what’s worked for you in the past, what you could do differently to achieve a better outcome. By changing your perspective and the way you look at things, will help you to get your motivation and self-confidence back and thereby also get your mojo back.
- Practice positive self-talk.
The only way to fail is not to try at all. Tell yourself that you will win, that you can do it., that you have within you, everything you need to achieve success in every part of your life. Reciting positive affirmations which you believe in, will lead to better outcomes for you. it will help you to change your mindset from a static one to a growth mindset.
- Start with one small win at a time
If you think you’ll never be successful again, you’re setting yourself up for failure and you allow the fear of failure to dominate your mind and everything you do. Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed. Start with focusing on doing one small task or project and do it well., with focus, intent and conviction. This small win will help you restore and build your self-confidence. Keep repeating, one step at a time, and you will feel more positive and confident.
- Focus on your strengths, and your short- and long-term goals.
By concentrating on your strengths, you get a better sense of fulfillment and forward progress. Don’t compare yourself to others, but instead approach people who inspire or even challenge you for your growth. A coach or mentor can add value to you and guide you toward achieving your short and long-term goals.
- Do fun stuff and exercise regularly
Spend some time on your hobby, or if you don’t have one, try something recreational that you enjoy, like gardening, painting, or write a poem or a short story.
Exercise helps to keep you mentally and physically healthy. You feel more energised, and this leads to a positive mindset. It’s the fuel to stoke the fire within you.
- Seek help and support
Asking for help or support is not a sign of weakness, rather, it can help you break the feeling you have to know everything and be self-reliant. Asking for help can change your perspective and boost your sense of self-worth. Whether you seek help from a coach, mentor, other professionals, or someone that knows you well and whom you trust, can help you to find clarity, purpose and a sense of direction. This can help you to find your mojo and break away from the past and focus more on the present and the future.
