The Importance of Showing Up by Jason Hewlett

Have you ever had one of those nights where you absolutely could not miss your alarm going off? Whether it be a flight, a very important meeting, or something you promised your child you’d do with them, there is something so profound about how serious we take these commitments. 

Yesterday, I needed to be somewhere by 6:00 a.m., and if I wasn’t there on time it would ruin a lifetime event for six families. How do you think I slept, even though I couldn’t fall asleep before 1:00 a.m. because I was so worried about sleeping through the alarm? 

I woke up every hour on the hour, sleeping with one eye open, even having set two separate alarms (phone and old-time digital alarm clock). I finally got up at 4:00 a.m. even though the alarms were set for 5:15. 

How seriously do you take your Promises and the things you said you’d do? 

An acquaintance said he wanted to meet up for lunch. We confirmed the time and place an hour prior, just to be sure we were on the same page. I texted him 10 minutes after he was late, and then again 20 minutes. Finally, at minute 29 he strolled up like he was right on time. Who does that? And why? 

No reason, just couldn’t make it at that time was the response. 

Hmmmm… 

We hired a handyman to help fix a few things around our home. The hour he said he’d be there came and went, and eventually three hours later he showed up. 

Hmmmm…  

I had a client call recently with the whole planning team. I called in five minutes early to be sure I was set with my Zoom angle, lighting, and sound. It was their meeting; I was just listening in. After the host didn’t start the meeting for five minutes, I texted them. Nothing. Ten minutes later, still nothing. I finally hung up the Zoom call and called the client, who texted and said they’d be right on. I logged back on. Twenty-five minutes later, the call started. Quick apology…on we go. 

Hmmmm…  

Yes, all of these deal with people being late. I’ve been late before. Once I was accidentally double-booked by an agent for events in two different countries on the same date. Instead of canceling on either client or going the safe and cheap route on commercial airline travel to fulfill the contract, I spent a good chunk of what I made that day to get to the second destination in time by chartering a private jet. I was almost late for that event, in that other country, but still an hour early… 

I understand excuses. I get that there are valid reasons for being late. If there’s an accident, I can sympathize and forgive you, but there’s a power and, I believe, a sacredness in being on time. 

It’s the importance of showing up.  

There’s a power and, I believe, a sacredness in being on time.  

Just show up! At this point in time, that is literally a big deal. Just show up. It’s pathetic that this a real statement. But people just don’t show up. And if they do, they’re late! 

Don’t be that person. 

Show up on time. 

Do what you said you’d do. 

That’s called keeping a Promise. 

That’s what Leaders do. It’s what people who respect other people do. 

Do you want to know why I couldn’t sleep last night? Was it for a flight, to take someone somewhere, or a big paid event? 

Nope. It was for my voluntary, unpaid, happy-to-do-it church assignment. 

I am assigned to fill up the baptismal font for people to be baptized. I consider this a sacred duty and a wonderful honor. I arrive before 6:00 a.m., alone, to prepare the building for a person’s special day and lifetime commitment. What a thrill! If those people are making that type of commitment, a Promise so great, then I’m going to lose sleep in order to be there for my responsibility. 

I know you’d do the same.  

That’s the Importance of Showing Up! 

Jason Hewlett is a leadership expert, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and award-winning entertainer. His book The Promise to The One is available in both paperback and e-book form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Porchlight Book Company, Google Play, Apple Books, on August 18, 2020. This article originally appeared here on The Promise blog and has been edited for inclusion on The Sound Wisdom Blog. Subscribe for more inspiring content from Sound Wisdom.