24 Surefire Ways to Get Your Mojo Back

by Marelisa

If you want to get things done, you need mojo.

“Mojo” refers to your self-confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, or even sex appeal. Dr. Evil–Austin Powers’ nemesis in the Austin Powers film series–defines mojo as follows: “The libido, the life force, the essence, the right stuff, what the French call a certain, ‘I don’t know what’”.

If you’ve lost your mojo, follow the 24 surefire ways listed below to get your mojo back. Vavavaboom!

1. Stop whining. If there’s something in your life that you don’t like, either try to fix it or move away from it. While it’s fine to vent occasionally, endless rumination on the negative is a surefire way to kill your mojo.

2. Do something daring. Go on a mini-vacation by yourself, go bungee-jumping, or do something else that makes you step outside of your comfort zone.

3. Wear something flattering. Looking good will help you to feel good. Also, spritz on some perfume or cologne.

4. Engage in an activity you enjoy. The positive spirit you feel toward what you’re doing will radiate to the outside.

5. Do something you’re good at. The self-assurance you feel while doing something you’re good at will translate to the next task you take on.

6. Practice positive self-talk. Say something positive to yourself and take your mistakes in stride. Repeat the following to yourself: “When it comes to dreams one might falter, but the only way to fail is to abandon them.”

7. Get physical. Engage in a physical activity you enjoy. You can go out for a bike ride, challenge someone to a friendly game of tennis, or go for a long hike. Just like water that doesn’t circulate tends to become stagnant, lack of movement can make you feel sluggish and depleted.

8. Set yourself up to have frequent, small wins. Instead of setting huge goals and telling yourself that you’ll succeed once you achieve them, break your goals down into monthly, weekly, and daily goals.

Each day that you achieve the daily tasks which will move you closer to your long-term goals, give yourself a pat on the back and allow yourself to feel satisfaction for what you’ve accomplished. Recognize your small wins.

9. Keep your head up. Even if you’ve failed miserably at something, stay strong. To quote Elizabethtown: “So you failed. You wanna be really great? Have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you’re still smiling.”

10. Be true to yourself. Nothing will kill your mojo faster than looking outside of yourself for guidance. Look at the following:

Are you doing what you really want to do, or are you trying to fulfill the expectations of others?
Are you following conventional wisdom instead of listening to your gut?
Are you letting others make decisions for you?

Only you know what’s best for you. Trust your inner voice. Paying attention to your authentic needs and listening to your inner wisdom is one of the best ways to get your mojo back.

11. Reflect on your wins. Take a moment to look back at your successes. If your mojo is down because you haven’t had any successes in a while, try to reconnect with the feeling of success you’ve had in the past and bring that feeling into the present.

12. Use body language. Stride purposefully, shoulders back, pelvis out. Think of the Bee Gee’s song “Stayin’ Alive” and use your walk.

13. Move on. If your mojo is down due to a failed relationship, forgive and forget. You can’t undo what happened, but you can stop dragging it around with you by refusing to think about it.

14. Accept the facts. Marshall Goldsmith, author of “Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back if You Lose It”, recommends that you stop waiting for the facts to change, which is just wishful thinking. If you’ve suffered a setback, you might decide to do nothing until a more comfortable set of facts present themselves.

Goldsmith helpfully advises the following:

“When the facts are not to your liking, ask yourself, ‘What path would I take if I knew that the situation would not get better?’ Then get ready to do that.”

15. Be curious. Learn something new. Find new interests. Pick up a hobby.

16. Show gratitude. Be grateful for what you have instead of focusing on what you lack. Counting your blessings is mojo enhancing, while thinking of what you don’t have is mojo depleting.

17. Stay in your own life. Stop comparing yourself to others, and don’t stray from your path because you’re trying to copy what somebody else is doing. You do you.

18. Keep mojo props in sight. Hang any awards or certificates that you have in a place where you’ll be able to see them often. Surround yourself with your accomplishments. You can also place photos of yourself having fun with your friends and family in key places, so that you’re reminded of the people who care about you.

19. Find a mojo master. Watch someone who exudes lots of self-confidence and model their behavior.

20. Help someone. There’s no better way to feel good about yourself and raise your mojo than by being of service to others.

21. Get some sun. Sunlight is vital to your body’s ability to produce Vitamin D. Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, but a steroid hormone which is important for many things, including sustaining your energy levels. Open the windows and get some mojo-activating sunlight.

22. Keep dancing. If your mojo is low because you’re having trouble reaching an important goal, and you’re about to give up, think of the story of the village that was famous for miles around because its rainmakers were successful in making it rain 100% of the time.

The surrounding villages were all amazed at this remarkable success rate, so they each sent a representative to find out what this one village was doing differently than they were. It turns out that the reason for their perfect track-record was simple: their rainmakers wouldn’t stop dancing until it rained.

Follow their lead: whatever your most important goal is, refuse to stop dancing–that is, taking the necessary action to achieve your goal–until you’ve succeeded.

23. Feed your soul. Go to a museum, listen to Bach, or buy hyacinths and put them in a vase next to the window. Give yourself a mojo boost by bringing more beauty into your life.

24. Think, world domination. Take a cue from “Pinky and The Brain”, an animated cartoon series starring two genetically enhanced laboratory mice. Every episode featured one of Brain’s attempts at world domination. And, every episode, Brain failed.

However, nothing would discourage Brain. The opening song for the cartoon is preceded by the following dialogue: