90 - The Power of Showing Up
The Unseen Superpower: Why the Real Magic Is Just Showing Up
We've all been there. Staring at a blank page, an empty gym bag, or a complex project, feeling a complete and total lack of motivation. We tell ourselves, "I'll do it when I feel inspired," or "I'm just not in the right headspace today."
We wait for a lightning bolt of creative genius or a tidal wave of energy to carry us toward our goals. But what if the secret isn't in the lightning bolt, but in the slow, steady drip of water that eventually carves a canyon?
This is the power of showing up.
It’s not glamorous. It doesn't make for a great movie montage. But it is, without a doubt, the single most effective strategy for achieving anything worthwhile. It's the unseen superpower that separates aspirations from accomplishments.
What Does "Showing Up" Really Mean?
Let's be clear: "showing up" isn't about delivering a flawless, A+ performance every single day. That’s an impossible standard that leads to burnout.
Showing up is the act of engaging with the process, regardless of your mood or motivation.
- It’s writing 100 words when the goal is 1,000.
- It’s putting on your running shoes and walking for 10 minutes instead of running 5 miles.
- It’s opening the textbook and reading one page when you can't face a full chapter.
- It's being present in a relationship, even when you're tired.
It’s about honoring the commitment you made to yourself. It's the vote you cast for the person you want to become.
The Psychology Behind Why Consistency Trumps Intensity
Bursts of intense effort are exciting, but they are rarely sustainable. The real magic happens in the quiet, unsexy rhythm of consistency. Here’s why it works.
1. It Forges Identity and Builds Self-Trust
Every time you show up, you are sending a powerful message to your subconscious: "I am a person who follows through." You are no longer just trying to be a writer; you are a writer because you write. You are a runner because you run.
This consistency builds a foundation of self-trust. When you trust yourself to keep small promises, you start believing you can keep the big ones, too.
As author Darren Hardy explains in The Compound Effect, small, smart choices, compounded over time, lead to radical results.
Think of a snowball at the top of a hill. The first push is the hardest. The first few rolls are slow and awkward. But with every rotation, it picks up more snow and more speed. Soon, it becomes an unstoppable force.
Your daily efforts are that snowball. The first day you show up is a tiny push. The 100th day you show up, you're an avalanche of progress.
3. It Bypasses the Flaws of Motivation
Motivation is a fickle friend. It comes and goes with your mood, your energy levels, and the weather. Discipline, however, is a system.
By creating a system where you simply show up at a designated time, you remove emotion and decision-making from the equation. You aren't debating if you should do it; you're just doing it. This is the core principle behind James Clear's groundbreaking book, Atomic Habits.
How to Master the Art of Showing Up (Even When You Don't Want To)
Knowing the "why" is great, but the "how" is what gets it done. Here are practical, battle-tested strategies to help you show up.
- Lower the Bar (The 2-Minute Rule): Can't face a 30-minute workout? Just put on your workout clothes. That's it. Can't write a chapter? Just open the document and write one sentence. The 2-Minute Rule makes starting so easy that you can't say no. Often, starting is the hardest part.
- Focus on the System, Not the Goal: Obsessing over a huge goal (like "lose 50 pounds") can be paralyzing. Instead, focus on the daily system ("walk for 20 minutes after dinner"). The goal is the destination, but the system is the road you travel every single day. Fall in love with the process.
- Schedule It and Protect That Time: Don't just "try to find time." Put it in your calendar like a non-negotiable doctor's appointment. Whether it's "7:00 AM - 7:30 AM: Work on side-hustle" or "9:00 PM - 9:15 PM: Meditate," an appointment is an appointment.
- Practice Self-Compassion on Bad Days: You will have days where you fail to show up. It's inevitable. The crucial part is what you do the next day. Don't let one missed day turn into a missed month. Acknowledge it without judgment and get back on track. Never miss twice.
Your Future is Built on Today's Presence
The life you want—the skills you want to master, the health you want to achieve, the business you want to build—won't be created in a single, heroic moment.
It will be assembled, piece by piece, in the quiet, consistent moments where you chose to show up, especially when it was hard.
So today, don't wait for inspiration. Don't wait for the perfect conditions.
Just show up. That’s your superpower.
Join the Conversation
What is one small way you can commit to showing up for yourself this week? Share your commitment in the comments below—let's hold each other accountable!