I took a break from the "to do list", MUST return calls and busy work yesterday to listen in on a teleclass with Marshall Goldsmith and Michael Bungay Stanier. Over the 45 minute call they shared practical tips on how to flourish in work. Marshall Goldsmith is one of the world’s leading executive coaches, and author of numerous New York Times best-sellers, including What Got You Here Won’t Get You There and his latest, Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It. Michael Bungay Stanier is the Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, a company that helps organizations do less Good Work and more Great Work. His latest book is Do More Great Work.

So, what's the deal with Mojo...and why should you care?

Marshall Goldsmith explained that having mojo means controlling three elements: – Identity (Who do you think you are?) – Achievement (What have you done lately?) – Reputation (Who do other people think you are? What do other people think you’ve done lately?).

And since mojo is tied to success - time to focus on control of your identity, your achievements and you reputation.

Michael and Marshall also talked about "great" work. We all want to do great work but too often find ourselves in the weeds of "less than really satisfying it stinks I have to do this bureaucratic time-wasting" work or in the zone of "hey, I do this well, it's a nice place to be" work.

Some definitions (thank you Michael) - before I continue.

Great work is what we ALL want more of. This is the work that is personally meaningful, has an impact and makes a difference. This is all the work that matters! It's all the really new work, the unchartered territory. It pushes you, stretches your abilities. Amazing, exhilarating and, well, down right scary! I think you need a lot of mojo to do great work...

Good work to quote Michael is "familiar, useful, productive". It's the stuff you do well. Nothing wrong with good work. It can be interesting, successful, vital to your company's bottom line. Your annual performance review is probably filled with examples of all the good work you do. But (you know it was coming) the comfort and familiarity of good work may keep you from striving into the vibrant uncertain waters of great work.

Bad work. Simple. It's as Michael says "a waste of time, energy, and life". Need an example? How about that bureaucratic meeting you are mandated to attend every Monday morning that produces no outcome other than the team will meet again at the same time on the following Monday....

As more of us work with fewer resources or for ourselves, finding time to do great work, is, well, challenging. I know the feeling, so here's a strategy tip from Michael:

"One plus Two (a simple strategy to stop the busywork)"

I’ve been experimenting with how to bring a daily focus on doing Great Work – which is actually better expressed as not getting sucked into the endless flow of Good Work that can so quickly consume a day.

Here’s my current strategy which seems to be working. It’s inspiration lies in a little bit Eric Klein with a dash of Zen Habits.

At the start of each day define one – just one – high impact action that you will definitely, certainly complete. Put it as an “all day task” on your calendar, so it stays front of mind.

Define two bonus high impact tasks. Great if you get to them, but not a stick to beat yourself up with if you don’t. Add them to your calendar too. (I call them my Gravy Tasks).

At the start of each day, check back on yesterday’s tasks and give them a Y or a N, and define the 1+2 for today.

For more tips from Michael http://www.boxofcrayons.biz/

To get Mojo insights from Marshall http://www.mojothebook.com/

For Michael's interview with Marshall
http://fygwints.s3.amazonaws.com/m-o-3142sY/MojoGreatWork.mp3