Where Did My Mojo Go?

Real talk: I'm struggling with motivation right now.

In my house, we are sleeping as late as possible. The "schedule" we've created for our five-year-old daughter provides some structure, but I feel like I'm stuck in an endless loop of the same day. I escape by burying my nose in my Kindle (I've read 30 books so far this year!). Checking the mailbox is a big event. Often, when I get ready for bed I realize I'm still pretty much wearing my jammies. I feel guilty that I should be finding ways to enjoy this time, but I'm actually just getting through it.

My usual motivation, the creative energy I feel for my life and my work has disappeared. My mojo is missing!

My coach (yes, I work with one, too!) describes this time as "thick and soupy"—like we're wading through the mud with heavy boots. It sucks us in. Everything seems to take longer, and more energy. Have you been feeling that, too?

The last time I felt this way was three years ago when I was experiencing burnout at my nonprofit. I similarly felt stuck in a loop—after seven years, the usual cycle of our programming lost its luster as a creative challenge for me. At that time, too, I felt pulled between the personal and professional as I mothered my one year old, my mother who was dying of cancer, and my team at work. I turned to my resources, seeking advice from peers and mentors; most imparted some version of the usual line: double down on your self-care.

Self-care is often touted as the antidote to burnout. But one wise mentor gave me unexpected guidance: find or create a project that you can sink your teeth into.

It's counterintuitive, but since then I've seen it spark motivation and engagement time and again.

A few months ago, I started work with a new client who had totally lost her mojo at work. As a leader in her company, she lost sight of her unique contribution and was sinking in the mud, constantly falling behind on deadlines. We embarked on work together to help her both create space to heal and dig into insights that would help her rediscover her energy. We zeroed in on her superpower: crafting compelling messages for presentations that build meaningful relationships with clients.

At our session a few days ago, she was a new woman—smiling, confident, excited. She's in the final stages of designing a virtual panel that is going to challenge her clients to think in new ways. And she is psyched.

My coach pointed out to me that what I'm missing most right now is risk. I thrive on going out into the world, sharing ideas, and stretching myself. Between quarantine, homeschooling, and being eight months pregnant, it's no wonder that taking risks isn't the first thing on my mind each morning.

I don't have the answer yet, but this week I'm focused on creating a project that allows me to leverage my strengths and stretch myself—to jumpstart my motivation and get my mojo back.

This post was originally shared in Carole Ann Penney’s newsletter. Click here to join her newsletter!