I’ve been at several recent networking events where the prime topic of conversation centered on what a long, terrible winter we’ve had. Folks have been feeling tired, down, and depressed, and many have lost their “mojo”!
“Mojo” can be defined as power, enthusiasm, energy, or focus … or even all four at once. Managers/leaders and other people responsible for a company’s success (whether or not they have other employees) have to make sure their own mojo is replenished daily. This can be difficult at times, so the old saying “Fake it ’til you make it” has been used a lot this past winter.
Based on discussions with several local businesspeople, here are a few tips for getting your enthusiasm back after many months of dealing with cabin fever:
- Hang out with positive-thinking peers and mentors, and talk about the things that make being in business a good thing. Have an early morning coffee meeting “therapy session” to give yourself a shot in the arm.
- Instead of focusing on the tired, burned-out, or uninspired feelings that a long period of cold weather can bring, focus on igniting the fire that helps the energy flow go from boring to exciting.
- Shake up the routine. Change your daily routine whenever possible.
- Take a road trip. Pack up your briefcase, get in the car, and go see clients.
- Get a life coach. They’re all the rage with professionals these days. A coach might be able to help you see the forest for the trees — something that’s hard to do when you’re down in the dumps. A coach can also help with laying out a new strategic life plan.
- Hold a brainstorming session with local business friends. At the very least, you might develop a “mastermind group” of local peers who help each other improve in business. I’m grateful to my group of local cheerleaders who keep me inspired, on track, and able to think of the good things in life.
- Go on a weekend retreat and come back inspired with good ideas for taking the company to a new level.
- Get out of your comfort zone. Comfort zones tend to keep us rooted in the status quo.
- Get a “happy lamp.” Several business friends use these in the early morning to simulate daylight, and I’ve recently found out … they work!
(Continued)
Mojo stimulates us and keeps us going. It’s the old “never quit” attitude, and it’s a kind of resilience that helps us bounce back from challenges. Most businesspeople I know get energy from their daily mojo. It’s a purpose-driven attitude.
Now that the weather forecasters are saying things we want to hear, it’s time to say goodbye to winter and work on getting our mojo back.
Click here to sign up for the free IB ezine — your twice-weekly resource for local business news, analysis, voices, and the names you need to know. If you are not already a subscriber to In Business magazine, be sure to sign up for our monthly print edition here.
