My latest non-fiction title, 10 Things to Forget: to be Creatively Free was a blast to write. On this blog, I’ve been writing on topics that didn’t make it into the book and others I’ve expanded on. You can read the other posts here.
Forget Just Showing Up
Eighty percent of success is showing up.
Woody Allen
I know you’ve taken a risk to follow a dream.
I know you’ve put in the hours. The days, the months, the years.
Unfortunately, sitting down at the piano, the easel, the desk, or going on stage or into the studio isn’t enough.
Putting in the hours does count, but it won’t necessarily take you far…if you’re doing it wrong.
It’s not that you show up, it’s how you show up.
Showing up every day isn’t enough.
There are a lot of guys who show up every day
who shouldn’t have showed up at all.
James Caan
Hard work and diligence are important, but they’re not enough if you’re not in the right mind frame.
What does ‘just showing up’ look like?
A musician who plays the same type of song over and over again for decades.
An artist who stays within the rigid rules of her chosen media.
A writer who writes one type of story so the reader knows exactly what will happen.
All of these individuals can make a good living and many can last for a very long time.
But their art is safe, same and dull.
It is possible to show up and hide at the same time.
You can hide behind ‘busy’ work.
You can hide behind lots of projects.
You can hide behind past success ( i.e. doing something the same way you’ve always done).
But we don’t need more creatives like this. We need someone willing to put something extra–a hope, a fear, a desire–on the line.
It means shooting past your comfort zone and striving to be the best you can be.
Even if what you are reaching for is outside your grasp (and more often than not it will be) you’ll keep reaching for the stars.
Because we don’t need you to just show up.
We need you to shine.
“Forget Just Showing Up” copyright © 2015 Dara Girard; Image copyright © 2015 by 123rf