Show Up

“I just don’t feel like it today.”

Ever said that to yourself? Pretty likely any high performer has too.

Do you know what they do that most don’t?

Get it done anyway.

They might not succeed, but they make an attempt.

In baseball, it’s a guy who might be struggling and doesn’t want to show up to the field. In basketball, it’s the person who hasn’t been getting playing time and, in their limited minutes, doesn’t do so well. Tough to want to keep going to the gym. In football, it’s the guy who doesn’t quite feel comfortable with the playbook. Why show up and risk public criticism?

They don’t feel like it because they don’t fully have confidence that what they’re going to do today will be successful based on past performance. There’s a sense of humiliation that comes with it. Failing publicly, getting called out by coaches, and possibly losing a job because of it.

But high performers show up anyway.

They show up because they don’t know any other way to do it.

They show up because today’s the day they’re going to figure it out.

They show up because they know the steps to becoming their best also include struggle.

Sometimes, when there’s a lack of confidence in past performance, it’s tough to know how to get started. The first step is showing up.

The second step is to remember that you’re only experiencing a feeling. Have you ever had a game or moment where you went into it feeling terrible? Maybe sick, didn’t sleep well, just not fully there? Then you showed up and did well. Think Michael Jordan flu game. On the flip side, have you ever had a game or moment where you went in feeling great? Like, Oh, I’m about to crush this. Then, either played really poorly or it didn’t go how you thought.

Feelings come and go. It’s awesome to feel good going into something, but you don’t need it to perform well.

The last step is completing what you came to do that day. Leaning into the previous failures or doubts. Putting your best foot forward to succeed. Giving yourself a chance, but sticking it out til the end. Making an attempt.

1. Show up

2. Don’t chase feelings

3. Get it done

   
   

Follow that framework and see where it takes you.

What do you need to show up for today?