As we begin a new year, aligning our actions with our values and committing to small, intentional steps is vital. But there’s another piece of the puzzle—something quieter, often overlooked: the simple act of showing up.
Not every day feels like a leap forward. Some days, it’s just sending an email, logging into a meeting, or answering a question. These moments don’t always feel monumental. In fact, they often feel routine. Yet, over time, I’ve come to realize just how much they matter.
A Reflection on Everyday Consistency
Showing up isn’t glamorous, but it’s transformative. Each Zoom call, client update, or steady response to a colleague builds trust and momentum. It’s the accumulation of these moments that moves projects forward, strengthens relationships, and lays the groundwork for long-term impact.
In Funds For Learning’s GuideMarks, I wrote about reliability—the ability to provide the right service, at the right time, in a consistent manner. This idea mirrors the quiet power of showing up. It’s not about dramatic gestures; it’s about being there, day in and day out, for the people who count on us.
The Connection to Purpose
When we align our daily actions with our greater purpose, even the mundane becomes meaningful. At Funds For Learning, we center our work around helping schools and libraries secure E-rate funding. On the surface, this involves things like filing forms, tracking deadlines, and responding to client questions. But those actions—performed consistently—create opportunities for students and communities to connect to critical resources.
That’s the power of showing up. It turns routine actions into something greater.
Small Steps, Big Impact
This lesson echoes something I shared in my recent post: True growth rarely happens in giant leaps. It’s built on small, deliberate actions. Just like the simple choice to eat vegetables for lunch has improved my afternoons and mindset, the decision to show up each day shapes outcomes in ways I often don’t recognize until later.
When I reflect on my career, I see how the seemingly ordinary moments—replying to an email, attending a meeting, or troubleshooting a problem—formed the stepping stones of progress. Over time, they’ve built something far greater than I could have imagined.
The Bottom Line
Showing up every day may not always feel exciting, but it’s essential. It builds trust, creates impact, and ensures that we’re ready for the big moments when they come.
As you navigate the new year, I encourage you to embrace the power of showing up. Trust that your small, consistent actions matter. And when you look back months or years from now, you’ll see just how much they added up.
What’s one way you’ll choose to show up today?
PICTURED ME SHOWING UP FOR WORK TODAY
