Positioning Yourself for Significance
Filmmaker and comedian Woody Allen famously said that “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” While we laugh at it, the statement is pretty accurate. “Showing up” means putting yourself in position for something to happen. I heard of a musician who bumped into a record producer in an elevator. They started talking, and when the producer asked if the musician had recorded anything, the musician whipped out his iPhone and played him a couple of cuts. The producer was impressed enough that they scheduled a meeting and eventually worked out a record deal.
That musician “showed up.” He was ready and in position for something good to happen.
Far too many of us dream of big things, but don’t actually write that book, plan that project, or develop that relationship. We dream about losing weight, but never show up at the gym to even start.
The truth is, Woody’s right. A huge part of success in any field is showing up ready to accomplish something significant. And showing up comes from the discipline to do everything you can to get yourself in position. I like how Benjamin Franklin put it: “You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.”
What is it that you need to show up for this week?
This is wisdom speaking
How true when you prepare yourself and you cross roads with your opportunity.
Great quote from good old Ben. There’s a reason why he’s on that $100 bill.
Zig Ziglar often quotes Seneca – a first century Roman philosopher – who said – “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”