Don’t let someone else’s “Nojo” put a damper on your Mojo.
There are many definitions of the word “mojo”. Here are a few that relate to this post:
1. n. Personal magnetism; charm.
2. n. Power; charisma. : She seemed to radiate a penetrating mojo that made her easy to deal with.
3. n. Supernatural power or luck.
4. n. Self-confidence, Self-assuredness. As in basis for belief in one’s self in a situation.
5. n. The ability to bounce back from a debilitating trauma and negative attitude.
6. n. That quality, often elusive, that sets a person apart from everyone else.
Mojo is a very important component of success and/or contentment in life. It took me about 35 years to find my mojo. Oh, there were periods in my life where I exuded self-confidence, but it was mostly a facade. It only took one person, with whom I began to spend a lot of time, to make that facade a semi-permanent wall behind which my true self – and my mojo – was hidden away. This person was my Nojo.
What’s a Nojo, you ask? Nojo stands for “No joy”. A Nojo is a discourager, a downer, a buzz kill. A Nojo is a dream killer who – knowingly or unknowingly – puts their dreams and needs and ambitions above everyone else’s. Your Nojo could be your boss, your supposed best friend, even your spouse. Obviously, you can’t simply ignore these people – they are a big part of your life. However, you must develop a filter that enables you to “take note” of their thoughts and opinions without letting them dictate your path.
Here’s the deal: Only dreamer’s dreams come true. There is tangible value in having a realist in your life – someone who may be able to point out legitimate flaws in your hair-brained ideas. However, you must press on toward the goal. When they point out that flaw in your theory, learn from it. Find a way around it. Use the intelligence, skills, and tools that God has given you. Find your mojo.
In fact, I have a new definition for mojo… Perhaps it could be an abbreviation for “More joy”?
