Show Up Anyway

I skipped class that day. Not my normal behavior.

I was in 10th grade. My friend and I ditched class because we didn't do the homework.

We got caught on our way back, of course.

The next day, I told my teacher the truth. I didn't have the homework done. That's why I skipped.

He said something I'll always remember.

"We all slip up and don't get things done sometimes, man. But you have to show up anyway and own it."

That stuck with me.

Years later, during college, that same teacher invited me back to speak to his class.

That talk led to more speaking opportunities. I spoke for eight years for free before I earned my first $150 for a talk.

But those free talks earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars. The same schools that booked me to speak gave my print shop the opportunity to print their apparel.

One teacher. One invitation. One decision to keep showing up.

Sometimes giving means more than receiving. Everything connects when you apply leverage.

So here's what I know.

Fell off your regular newsletter cadence?

Get back to it. Show up anyway.

Haven't been active on outreach or connecting with others?

Get back to it. Show up anyway.

Haven't built that posting cadence?

Start batching them out. Show up anyway.

Scared people will judge you when you share your work?
Show up anyway.

The people you admire share their views and show up anyway.

Keep showing up.