What is Mojo? Goldsmith defines it as "that positive spirit toward what we are doing now that starts from the inside and radiates to the outside". It's the moment when we do something that's purposeful, powerful, and positive and the rest of the world recognizes it. This book is about how to capture and keep that moment and recreate it when you need it.
The Mojo Paradox
Goldsmith highlights the paradox that while we may want to experience Mojo, the reality is that our default response is usually one instead of 'Nojo' - i.e. not experiencing happiness or meaning, and accepting inertia.
The Mojo Toolkit
Goldsmith identifies four key factors in gaining and maintaining Mojo - whether corporate or personal - and provides some tools to achieve them.
1. Identity - Who do you think you are?
- Establish criteria that matter to you - set goals that are meaningful to you
- Be the optimist in the room
2. Achievement - What have you done lately?
- Don't try to do everything at once - build up one step at a time
- Take pleasure and pride in the small moments along the way
3. Reputation - Who do other people think you are?
- Know when to stay and when to go - is this the right place for your Mojo to thrive?
- Influence up as well as down
4. Acceptance - What can you change and what do you just have to let go?
- Change what you can and let go of what you can't
- Give your friends a 'lifetime pass' - in other words, don't dwell on the minor irritations and hold on to what you truly value
"It makes me sad, sad inside, to see a warrior without his pride.Adam Ant