Lost Your Mojo? How to Regain Your Mojo at Work in 5 Simple Steps

regain your mojo at work leadership energy an image of 5 smily faces and 5 battery graphics going from empty to full

Let’s be honest – I’ve lost and regain my mojo at work more times than I’ve lost my car keys (and that’s saying something). But this time felt different. Not just a bit ‘meh’ for a few days, but a proper, persistent funk that had been hanging around like a bad smell for nearly two years. I didn’t just misplace it like that one sock that disappears in the wash. No, my mojo had packed its bags and gone on an extended holiday without leaving a forwarding address.

Morag Barrett executive coach lost mojo at work

Picture this: I’ve felt like I had a head full of cotton wool. Bringing my best self to conversations, relationships, and even the simplest tasks was a struggle. I felt ‘meh!’ about most things, and the more ‘meh!’ I felt, the more stuck I felt. No amount of Netflix binges helped. I felt stuck, meh, and blah.

But here’s the thing: I hid it well. I was all “fake perky” on Zoom calls, and I felt alive in those moments. Even I thought I was back to my old self! But the second I hit that big red “leave” button, the fog rolled back in, the mojo dissipated. It was exhausting.

But here’s where it gets interesting…

Two Game-Changing Revelations

A few weeks ago, during a particularly fun and energetic keynote speech, I did something radical – I told the truth: “I had a really good day today. That’s all.”

That’s when two things hit me like an extra strong cup of tea (builders tea for those in the know):

#1: If I was putting on a brave face, how many others were doing the same?
#2: I wasn’t the only one swimming in the funk pool.

The response? Leaders practically queued up to share their own stories. One said: “Thanks for sharing your mental funk. I never would have known—you’ve seemed as energetic as ever!”

Turns out “fake it till you make it” is about as useful as a chocolate teapot when you’re in a funk.

how to regain your mojo at work leadership funk

Getting Your Mojo Back at Work: The No-Nonsense Guide

So, how do you defunkify yourself? How do you regain your mojo at work? Here’s what actually works (tried and tested by yours truly):

Get a “Shot of YOU!” No, not that kind of shot. When others need a boost, they come to me for “a shot of Morag.” But here’s the thing – I can’t give myself one (like trying to tickle yourself – impossible). That’s why having your go-to crew is crucial. They’re your personal cheerleaders, minus the pom-poms. Who’s in your “go-to” crew? Don’t be shy—reach out to them!
Take a Proper Break Not just a “scroll through your phone while eating lunch” break. I’m talking about proper, guilt-free time off. I booked tickets to see Hugh Jackman in The Music Man. Did it fix everything? No. But watching Wolverine dance and sing sure beat staring at my laptop! Where’s your go-to spot to recharge that may help you regain your mojo?

Put Your Mask on First And I don’t mean your “everything’s fine” mask. When was the last time you did something just for you? After a decade of avoiding the gym like it was populated by angry wasps, I finally started going. Three times a week. No, I haven’t turned into a fitness influencer, but my mojo’s definitely noticed the difference. What’s filling your wellness bucket? If it’s running low, do something to start filling it up again. Get up, turn on some music, and shake your booty!
Embrace the SNAFU Sometimes things are just… messy. Instead of pretending everything’s “normal” (whatever that means), I’ve started blocking “airplane mode” time in my calendar – those blessed hours of being unreachable. Game changer. What can you let go of? What can you embrace to give yourself a little more space?
The Funk-O-Meter Rate your funk from 1-10 (1 = total funk, 10 = dancing-on-tables fantastic). Then do ONE thing to nudge that number up. Just one. It could be making a proper coffee instead of instant, or opening a window for fresh air. What’s your number right now? What’s one thing you can do to +1 it?
The Plot Twist Or try this instead – ask yourself why your number isn’t lower. Sounds weird, right? But sometimes recognizing what’s keeping us from total funk is more helpful than forcing positivity. What’s your number right now? Why isn’t it -1?

Breaking Free from the Funk

Here’s the real talk: we’re all in and out of funks like a yo-yo. The trick isn’t avoiding them (impossible) – it’s learning to surf them with a bit more style.

And please, check on your “got it all together” friends. Especially them. Sometimes the perkiest people are carrying the heaviest funks.

Remember: your mojo isn’t gone – it’s just having a temporary adventure without you. And that’s okay. We can all regain our mojo at work, and for life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Losing Your Mojo at Work

What does it mean to lose your mojo at work?

Losing your mojo at work isn’t just having a bad day — it’s a persistent funk that affects your energy, focus, and ability to bring your best self to your relationships and responsibilities. As a leader, it often shows up quietly: you’re performing on the outside, “fake perky” on Zoom calls, but the moment you hit leave, the fog rolls back in. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and it won’t last forever.

How do you regain your motivation and energy as a leader?

Start with one thing, not five. Rate your funk on a scale of 1-10 and then do just one thing to nudge the number up, reach out to someone in your go-to crew, book proper time off, or simply get back to a habit you’ve let slide. A decade of avoiding the gym is fixable. The key is small, deliberate action rather than waiting to feel motivated before you start moving.

How do you lead effectively when you’re struggling yourself?

The first step is honesty, with yourself and carefully with others. “Fake it till you make it” is, as Morag puts it, about as useful as a chocolate teapot when you’re in a genuine funk. Telling the truth — even just saying “I had a really good day today, that’s all”, gives others permission to do the same. That’s the foundation of the Ally Mindset™: showing up authentically for yourself before you can show up for others.

How long does losing your mojo last?

There’s no universal timeline, Morag’s own funk lasted nearly two years before she found her way back. What matters isn’t how long it lasts but whether you’re taking small steps to address it rather than hiding it behind a performance of positivity. Check on your “got it all together” colleagues. Sometimes the perkiest people are carrying the heaviest funks.

Morag Barrett is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and USA Today bestselling author who helps leaders tackle one of today’s biggest workplace challenges: disconnection. Her work focuses on human connection at work, workplace relationships, employee engagement, and team culture — giving leaders practical tools to build trust and perform better together. Her signature keynote, Fine Is a Four-Letter Word, has been delivered to Fortune 500 companies and industry conferences worldwide. Member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches. Regular contributor to Fast Company.