Webster broadly defines mojo as a magical charm. In this article, I may be stretching the definition a bit further, because I happen to believe that everyone has talents and creative abilities that can seem almost magical to others. So, when I speak of mojo, I am referring to a potential that resides within each of us. We don’t always use that potential, or even know that we have it, though. So, sometimes we need encouragement and some instructions to put that potential to use, which is what this article is about.
What got me to thinking about this is a surprise call I received a couple of days ago from Buster B Jones. Buster, the best guitar picker in the world, or certainly one of the very best, called to see if I had gotten out of my guitar-picking slump. I had mentioned to him a couple of months ago that I was in a slump, just not playing very much, and playing the same old stuff whenever I did play. I told him I hoped my new Godin would inspire me to pick a bit more.
And he actually remembered that, and called to encourage me. I can’t tell you how much that means to me, to be personally encouraged by such an incredible guitarist. Part of the reason Buster did this is because he loved my Dad, and knows my Dad would not have wanted me to waste my talent. But, there is another reason, too.
Specifically, as we chatted a bit more, I realized that Buster helps a lot of people “find their mojo.” For example, he mentioned that he was getting ready to go to an elementary school to teach some kids how to play guitar. He carries in a couple of guitars, a mandolin, a fiddle, and so on, and puts on a show for them (all free, and just out of his generosity), and spends about 5 minutes with each kid showing them how to play guitar. He has set up a special tuning and special teaching technique to ensure that they can actually play something in such a short time.
Isn’t that fantastic? Of course that is inspiring to several of the kids, and many of them will later take up some sort of instrument and spend the time necessary to master it, because of the time he took to teach them and inspire them.
Buster is not only a master musician, he has a love for music and he spends some of his energy and time promoting it so that others can benefit from it as he has. Reminds me of Richard Feynman, who was not only a master physicist, but also loved physics deeply and taught it to others for their pleasure in learning it.
Thinking about this got me to thinking about whether I am doing enough to help others find their mojo. The answer is: I am not doing nearly enough.
So, I need to think about how to do better. I mention this to you in case you need to think about whether to do better also.
Your thoughts?