MOJO? MOJO? WERE DID YOU GOGO?

this post is in response to the myriad panicked emails Ive received lately from mojo-less readers. this post is in response to my own a weetad bit missing mojo.  from workouts to LIFE the holiday seasons can, at times, feel fraught with struggle.

We’re in the thick of the holiday season and, at least if youre this healthy living blogger, it seems all around us people are super-motivated.

They’ve shopped till they dropped (heck some of them were finished on Black Friday) and have time to relax.

They’re super MOJO’vated to shed pounds before the holidays & are sparked to git ‘super fit’ before all the parties hit.

They’re cooking & baking & planning soirees and still managing to juggle all else life has to offer

And, if youre anything like my emailers, you’re just not feeling it.

I’ve been there.

Heck, given the winter I’ve had I am there.

Right next to you (*waves like the misfit she is*) struggling to re-discover my zest for life and jump-start my healthy-living motivation.

The good news is I come to you bearing tips.

Four to be exact.

Four steps I use to reignite my life (and workout) passion when my overall mojo feels as though it’s waning.

• Take a break.  Yes, you read that correctly: stop.  If you’re anything like I am when an endeavor appears not to be working (from workouts to relationships to career-path) you focus more energy on it in an attempt to wrangle it into submission.  Don’t be me.  Is your zeal for Zumba lessening and your workouts more *work* than pleasure?  Take a break.  Has your spark for spinning dimmed as of late? Take a break.  This “break” might take the form of a different pursuit (Pilates over power yoga) or a respite altogether (a week off from exercise never hurt anyone!).  Many times the answer can only be found when not in pursuit of the goal. It’s amazing how my enthusiasm for an activity really increases after time away.

• Create a personal catchphrase.  I’m a bookworm.  I’m a movie-buff.  As a result, I’m a tremendous fan of the utilization of a catch phrase as a tool for writers to convey precisely what a character is about.  A personal catch phrase should be short, easy to remember, and capture who you are and what motivates you.  Mine is Unapologetically Myself.  It encapsulates who I am and what I believe in (non-conformity).  Spend time creating and then liberally using yours.  It will communicate to others who you are every time you say it and, more importantly, it will remind you, too.

•  See mentors everywhere.  Once upon a time I lamented my lack of mentorship.  I whined to friends and family the fact no one older & wiser had sought me out and offered to take me under her wing.  Don’t be me.  My definition of mentor was an outdated one.  I wanted an individual who’d already traveled down the path I was on and who was willing to share his experiences with me.  This wasn’t going to happen.  Not only was I attempting to carve a unique path (which knocked out the older/wise thing), but I was waiting to be sought out.  All of this shifted when I realized not only were younger, savvier individuals fabulous reverse mentors, but someone need not be on my path for me to learn from her.  Case and point: an amazing twenty-something coffee shop owner has been my most inspiring mentor.  Start viewing everyone you encounter through the lens of what might I learn from you? You may be surprised the form your greatest teachers take.

• Slap on your oxygen mask and go go go.  It’s a trite example, but well-worn one for a reason.  We need to both remember it and act on it.  When I feel beaten down or depleted 90% of the time it is because I’ve spent too much time applying masks to others without donning my own.  Don’t be me  who I used to be.  It took me almost forty years to learn making time for myself every.single.day. makes me a better wife/mother/daughter/friend/employee.  I’ll take the time where I can snag it (I’m renown for finding my me-time at 4am), but I take it.  Daily.  Make today the day you start putting yourself first. The positive ripple of energy it sends out into your life is amazing.