Moxie is not easy to define. The name first originated in the late 18th Century as a soft drink but today the recipe is a little different. If we were to try and max out your moxie in the lab, this is how we might put it all together:
A hit of grit
Determination makes up a big part of moxie. It is that inner resolve where you say to yourself “I’m going to give this all I have to make it happen.” You knuckle down, tighten your belt and go forward, even though your knees may be knocking together. We call it true grit.
A pinch of pep
We all need energy to get through the day. There’s also different kinds of energy for different situations. Sometimes we need the slow long burn energy of the marathon and sometimes we need a quick pick-me-up to handle a surprise. Moxie is more about the pep that gives you sudden acceleration and livens up the moment.
A shot of savvy
Determination and energy is not enough. A winning combination is one with some cunning street smarts. You need to know when to apply the right knowledge and experience to the task. Playing that trick up your sleeve with cleverness will have them shouting “They have moxie!”
A nip of nerve
It’s in moments of danger that we need nerve. We look down the track and know that an error may result in pain or humiliation. Nerve gives us the boldness to go ahead even though we know we might not succeed. We throw caution to the wind and like Nike’s famous slogan, We just do it. Nerve is moxie. Moxie is nerve.
A dollop of dash
But moxie is more than all of these elements. We say “moxie” when a person does a difficult task with style. The flair and ingenuity they bring with them has heads nodding in admiration. Dash is the magic ingredient that turns mettle into moxie. It’s the ability to carry out a task with grace, grit and above all, a big grin.
How you find it
Many people find their moxie when playing extreme sports, but you can find it in any tough situation. Whether it is in the office, at home or at school, moxie is needed everywhere. It’s a state of mind. Many people take our stunt driving lessons to put themselves in a place where they know they will need some moxie. Learning a new stunt puts you in the ‘moxie state of mind.’ It’s a way to practice putting the recipe together, so that later on when you need moxie, you know how to summon it up. Performing stunts allows you to practice your driving skills while learning how to find your moxie at the same time.
Why you need it
Moxie helps you win, particularly in team building activities. While others may have the same skills as you, moxie can make the difference. It’s the mental edge that gets you through with style and speed. Moxie finds a way to make it work and is a valuable character trait. And that’s why one of our themes for 2019 is
