When we talk about January, it’s often as a month of fresh starts. We’re going to manage deadlines better, stay on top of our emails and listen more than we talk. To me, that sounds a lot like showing up.
In a digital world, how you show up matters. In the past, it might have been more about being there. And there would have been a physical marker, like an empty chair to show your absence. Last year, I worked with the brilliant Laura Wilber in California and learnt how showing up can become part of your mantra. She lives and breathes this value in all areas of her life. There is much to learn from her mindset.
I’m passionate about my work and my clients which makes some parts of showing up easier. When you love what you do then you’re really engaged with what you are doing. That makes you fully present in meetings and proactive what you are offering your clients and customers. This helps to build relationships and trust. Updating colleagues and clients seems like a natural extension so you are realistic and transparent about deadlines and delivery. Problems are discussed early on.
When you are not fully present – this might mean that you are bored or maybe doing the wrong thing. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of times when other things are happening in your life which may take your attention. However, if you have the blahs, this can lead you to not being fully engaged, hands up doing a health and safety meeting at Sainsbury’s in 2004, my mind was anywhere but on the potential dangers of paper cuts in marketing!!!
No one has a job where it’s all plain sailing. No matter how optimistic the fresh start of January might seem. Let’s be realistic, there will be times when you don’t feel it (and yes, I know health and safety is important). Days when you don’t feel like commenting on LinkedIn or yet another dang zoooooomy meeting. The pressure to be there and to remind people that you are still around can be overwhelming. This is why scaffolding matters and why you need clear boundaries. Wearing yourself out does not help with showing up. Instead what about finding out how to make consistency work for you?
What showing up looks like
For me, showing up is posting 3 times a week and indicating if I’m expecting to miss a post because I’m away. It’s commenting on other posts. Checking in regularly with people whether they are current clients or not. Looking at my calendar and blocking out time for commitments as well as buffers. Telling people when I’m not the right person for them to work with. Showing up is a mindset and Laura reminded me that this is something to do every day. It’s in how we act and behave to bring your best self for you and your clients. Showing up is checking in, cheering on, commenting, supporting, celebrating, commiserating, sharing – being present for others.
And why am I choosing to do these things? Because it matters to me that people know they can trust me. That I have a reputation for reliability because I don’t like the idea of the opposite. That clients will never feel that I’m phoning it in and can recommend me without hesitation. Because it encourages people to talk with me about what they want to do. I like helping people and along the way I’ve met some amazing people and done cool stuff. But I still need scaffolding in place for cold, damp Tuesday mornings when I haven’t slept well (double tea for me.)
What do you need to show up?
Here are my ideas for scaffolding but you do you. What do you need to put in place to help you show up?
- Take a good look when you say you are available and how realistic this is. Have you blocked out buffer time between meetings? Are you taking breaks? Do people know when you are available and when you are not? This is showing up for you.
- On the subject of time, add buffer time into projects. If you finish early brilliant but if the unexpected happens then you’ll still be on schedule.
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Talk to people even if you haven’t seen them in a while. Not in salesy way. Find out how they are and what they’re working on.
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Have a system that allows you to manage workflow and review where you are. I’m big on colour coding, daily calendar reviews and a weekly job list.
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Don’t try to be everywhere. Choose a social media platform for business and make that you focus.
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Avoid checking your stats every hour. Engage with a post and leave a meaningful comment if you break this.
The interesting thing about showing up is that no one else can do it for you. Of course, you can be supported. You can work with other businesses to help you fill the gaps. However, only you can show up and be fully present. Shall we make this the year that we all show up and see what a difference it can make?