A few days ago I had a great discussion with a few friends about just showing up, and what that means for us as individuals, organizations, teams, businesses and governments.  Because so many people fail to show up at all, some credit should be given when people do show up………. right?

The tricky part is that just showing up has become the norm, and really accomplishing anything mandates that we do more than just show up. If any of us look around we can identify those individuals, and in my line of work, teams and institutions that just show up.  While uncomfortable to identify, we may even be guilty in some facets of our lives.  What is more amazing is how many of us respond negatively to those that work and excel at success.  If we all just show up and no one outworks us, then no one has to feel guilty about being mediocre.

As a young parent our six children seemed to be involved in every sport possible.  I appreciated and supported those volunteers that worked as coaches for the variety of sports that the kids were involved in.  Many parents coach because their children play, and they wanted to be involved.  I coached for a living, so coaching my children was the last thing I wanted to do. I wanted to spectate.

I was amazed at parents that were critical of volunteer coaches and the amount of playing time that was allocated to the son or daughter of the coach.  I believed if volunteers were giving of their time, talent, money and energy, their child should get more playing time than my kid.  They earned that, because they did more than just show up.  They worked while I watched.

The first step towards greatness however IS just showing up.  We must have a starting point, but fear, laziness, ignorance, lack of focus, and idleness are usually the stumbling block to achieving our potential.   Many times when I go and evaluate teams, I wonder what coaches do during practice. The teams look unprepared, undisciplined and unskilled.  I am certain that they show up, most teams practice every day during the season, but if just showing up is the objective, then accomplishing the goal of championships can never be realized.

Recognizing that many basketball games are determined by making layups and free throws, I was determined not to let those two things cost me games.  An inordinate amount of time was invested into these two aspects of basketball.  Just showing up and thinking players could make layups and free throws under pressure, cost many coaches games, championships, and jobs.

I believe athletics and life are more than about just showing up.  Directed and focused energy combined with unbridled enthusiasm will move us toward greatness. 

While bad luck can occasionally sidetrack our efforts, our quality of life, and perhaps where we eventually end up, is a direct response of our innovative hard work.  For champions in all aspects of life, just showing up will never do.