Note to Self: How you show up is just as important as what you do when you’re here.

They say showing up is half the battle. Actually, I think it’s more like 90%. We pour so much time, effort, and money into being able to “do” our work, and yet “who is doing the doing” needs as much support. For good days and bad.

A couple of years ago I was teaching at the MGM in Vegas. I was due on stage at 9 am for an audience of 1500. At 7 am the fire alarms went off and we were told to stay in our rooms. A half-hour later we got the all-clear, but when I tried to take the elevator to the lobby, it was still “locked down.” Three calls and fifteen minutes later, the Front Desk still had no idea when it would be reactivated. So I decided to take the stairs.

From the 21st floor!

When I finally reached the lobby I was soaked with sweat. My legs actually shook and my feet burned. I sat down in the nearest chair to catch my breath when one of my big client’s people approached. Immediately, I jumped to my feet and shook her hand. When she learned what had happened, she said, “Well, you’re taking it in stride!” She volunteered to get me a drink while I headed on to the ballroom.

At the ballroom, I arrived with 30 minutes to spare. The AV people told me they were going to record my session (it wasn’t in my contract) but I’d have to wear TWO mics on stage. “Hook me up,” I smiled. Then they handed me a clicker and l walked on stage. With a wave of my hand, the program began, the clicker clicked -

And the projector burned out with a puff of smoke!

At this point, I might have been justified in just calling it a day. Already sweaty. Mixed up AV. No projector. What else could I do?

Then my client appeared at the stage. She handed me the tallest caramel Frappuccino they could make and said, “I have a marker in my bag. Don’t worry about the original program. Teach anything. Just do you.”

I pulled a flip chart from the side of the stage and thanked the audience for their patience. I said, “The show must go on!” And began to teach what has to be one of the top 10 sessions I’ve ever delivered. I ditched my suit coat, rolled up my sleeves and just did what I was always prepared to do:

Be there!

Afterwards I went back to my room for a shower. I met my client for lunch and thanked her for her patience. We laughed about it. “No matter what gets in the way, you’re always able to show up. That’s what we want from you anyway. Everything else gets done in due time.”

Know your stuff.
Roll with the punches.
Strive for excellence.
And above all, rely
More on your ability
To Be
As much as to do.

#alwaysinspiring