Last week, I addressed the importance of sitting down regularly and working on one’s creative discipline. This week, I want to expand on that to talk about the importance of simply showing up.
As a teacher, I often see a clear correlation between absences and academic failure. For those who show up physically, I see another category of students who don’t “show up” and turn in their assignments. They may be fully capable, but they’re not showing it by completing the tasks ahead of them.
How similar to these students we as creative types can be when it comes to the opportunities for success that occasionally pop up. In retrospect, I recall quite a few times I’ve chosen not to show up to something that could’ve led to greater opportunity.
I can blame it on being an introvert all I want, but the clear truth is that I’ve missed successes because I reasoned myself out of completing some task–whether a creative project, a social interaction or something else that would grow me as an artist.
Your worth is undeniable. When you don’t show up, however, you’re not in front of anybody who can witness that worth. Then it becomes like the “tree falling in the woods” scenario. If there’s nobody there to witness it, it might as well have never happened.
This week, I challenge you to show up in every capacity that you can muster. If an opportunity presents itself to create, take it. If you’ve got a chance to meet with like-minded creators, meet ’em.
Don’t worry about not feeling ready. Don’t take opportunity lightly. Don’t let pain, exhaustion or inconvenience get in the way of potential achievement. Step out and step up.
Sometimes success is just a matter of showing up.
