The magic of MOJO
For those that have their mojo, they truly appreciate the magic behind the word even if they may not be able to adequately explain it! Apparently the word originated and revolved around the dance and music culture in the United States. Those that know me know I did not pick the word up from there!
A general definition of the word relates to a magic spell or a power that appears almost magical and allows somebody to be very effective. It’s a great word and now transcends the arts, sports and our every-day living. When somebody has their mojo they just seem to have it all together.
Within the athletic arena I guess the closest and most obvious parallel is performing in the Zone. In both, there is a sense of magic and a sense of effortless fluidity in performance. If like me, you have been enjoying Aussie sensation Ben Simmons plying his trade on the hard courts of the NBA, or watched in amazement as Jonathon Thurston seemingly puts a spell on the ball to curl it around, and through, you get an idea of the magic I am referring to.
Watch these and many other truly elite athletes perform and you will see them compete and you will see them get frustrated but very rarely, if ever, will you see them lose their mojo.
A common topic of conversation with my clients revolves around various strategies for keeping their mind focused on their task. The vast majority were seeking a strategy for when things have turned ugly in their performance; you know, after an error or two and your confidence has taken a hit. It was after several such conversations I came up with my MOJO mantra.
In the competitive sporting cauldron, where emotions can run high, where pressure can feel intense, where the difference between success and failure can be wafer thin it is your ability to keep your Mind On Job Only, to keep your MOJO, that can set you apart. Indeed, at any level of athletic performance your ability to keep your MOJO will have a massive impact on your overall performance and your level of satisfaction.
Even with the myriad of definitions of the word there can be no doubt it is very empowering. Many of my clients have found it beneficial to use my MOJO mantra to enable them to remain focused on the task at hand and to perform in the present.
As stated, the vast majority use it during times of adversity, stress or apparent failure, although it is equally affective during times of accomplishment. During these times they keep their mojo by keeping their Mind On Job Only. Their response to any outcome, be it a desired one or undesirable one, remains on the current moment of their performance, usually their next job. Their mind, their concentration is focused on that moment. When using the MOJO mantra they dove-tail the magic of the word into their thoughts and their actions and place themselves in an even better position to respond appropriately and perform at a higher level.
My MOJO mantra can be likened to Coach K’s ‘next play’ philosophy. As Coach K puts it, during the fast pace of a competitive performance there is little gained by wistfully thinking about a past play, be it a poor one or a great one. Doing so just reduces your capacity to execute at your best in the moment that matters the most … right now.
By keeping your MOJO you should not be bringing any baggage, in the form of unhelpful thoughts or feelings from a previous play, to your next task. As your thoughts can determine your feelings and your feelings can determine your performance it is therefore imperative to keep your mind as clear as possible. By maintaining mental clarity you increase your ability to perform effectively and assertively.
I am a firm believer that prepotent performers succeed in their mind first. This mantra is an easy, neat strategy to help you release your emotional noose and put your energy into ensuring a controlled, assertive and effective response to your next job. For consistent prepotent performance an athlete needs to have their mind on job only, because an athlete whose mind is side-tracked is an athlete who is no longer in the race.
An effective strategy for helping you keep your mind on job only is to ask yourself what does this situation require of me now? My simple advice is it initially requires you to be a nowist. To think small, to stay focused on your next job and to approach that job with a competitive attitude of executing it to the best of your ability.
For a fantastic example of being a nowist I will return to JT. Watch the dying stages of the 2015 NRL grand final. JT had the opportunity to win the game after the siren by converting a try scored near the touch-line. JT’s conversion curled (as expected) but it hit the right upright and bounced away. You will see his reaction; the anguish, the despair, the F bomb and his teammates rushing to console him.
Look real hard though and amongst that chaos you will see him start to nod his head. I believe right then, right there, with those nods of the head he was demonstrating he had kept his mojo. He had his mind on job only when 135 seconds into extra-time he iced the game. Below is my recorded evidence of JT’s response to the what does this situation require of me now question.
That is what the elite athletes do. They disregard the distractions, the baggage, and perform in the moment, with confidence and poise, and with their mojo.
So while the exploits of elite athletes like JT and Ben Simmons may appear magical, it is their consistent ability to remain present, to control their controllables and not get ahead of themselves that allows them to cast their spells. It is their ability to keep their MOJO. Now while I am not saying you can be another JT, I am saying you can improve your performance by keeping your mojo. So the next time you find yourself feeling a little anxious, or disappointed, pressured or even over-confident – take a breath, ask yourself what does this situation require of me? and keep your mojo.
There are numerous ways that you can learn to keep your MOJO when the competitive battle is raging and I would love to hear yours?
