The Power of Boldly and Courageously Showing Up

Last weekend I had the opportunity to speak at an event where I was sharing on my journey working remotely and insights on landing remote work opportunities. But I almost didn’t make it there. The event was in town at one of the tallest buildings in the heart of Harare. As luck would have it, when I got to the building reception to get to the elevator, the security guard was quick to tell me that I needed to take the stairs as the elevator had malfunctioned.

There was one problem. Just one. The event was on the 13th floor! I remember thinking: It’s not too late to call and say I have fallen sick 🙈 Because who was going to climb 13 flights of stairs for me? 😂 But I couldn’t do that. The host, in ways she possibly cannot comprehend and value, showed up for me more than once. Deep down, I really wanted to do this for her – even if it meant climbing one of the Kilimanjaros of the Harare jungle.

So I soldiered on to the top texting my friends in between to tell them how much I was suffering, and resting after every 2 to 3 steps along the way. I remember thinking again: This is why I prefer to work remotely. Imagine coming to work and the elevators have packed and you have to climb 20 floors up to get to your office? Nah, you can miss me with that fam! Because by the time I get to the 20th floor, I’m ready to go back home 😒

As I was climbing the stairs, I could also hear voices of others who were higher up panting, giggling and complaining too. I actually envied them because I thought, at least they were closer to the destination.

Eventually, I finally got to the 13th floor! The joy of seeing the other attendees in the room who had also taken the same path as we laughed at each other for the brutal climb we had just experienced – surprisingly energising. I quickly forgot about the pain of that climb as I tried to get to know other attendees who were in the room whilst also catching my breath and drinking some water.

As the event kicked off, every single minute I spent thereafter made every single step I had taken to get there worth it. I truly believe in this statement: We don’t know what we don’t know 🤷‍♀️. I absolutely enjoyed the insights and stories shared by my fellow guest speakers and I wouldn’t have expected to leave with the kind of knowledge I left with.

The thing is, sometimes as we go about our lives, and I will use my country as an example, it’s easy to rest and find comfort on the “Zimbabwe is so hard” narrative. I am guilty of always complaining about how things sometimes really get so crazy here and Zimbabweans just never catch a break. The same way I was complaining as i was climbing those stairs to get to the event. The truth is, things do get hard here, sometimes in the most unbelievable ways, but at the end of the day, how do some people find the tenacity to just keep going? Right?

Every single story I got to hear from fellow guest speakers was a reminder of how we need to allow ourselves to not only dream, but to show up for our dreams – boldly and courageously – even through the challenging times. It’s easy to be intimidated by other people who try to dampen our ambitions and aspirations. I believe it’s even easier to be intimidated by your presented circumstances. Thinking about your next meal or your next ZESA electricity token can cloud your judgment and make your vision seemingly impossible to achieve.

In my case, 13 flights of stairs almost prevented me from showing up to an event I had been looking forward to for nearly a month. One of the speakers even spoke on this as well because, realising the journey she had to take with the stairs, she ended up having to change from her high heels into some flat strap shoes which were more appropriate for the climb. And indeed she also made it to the top panting but filled with energy to still deliver a powerful presentation.

Since leaving this event, I have been thinking about how I am showing up for the big assignments and for the small ones. Am I showing up half heartedly ready to give up at the slightest inconvenience? Am I showing up with bravery for those assignments where I don’t even know where to begin getting started with them or am I lamenting at how impossible it’s going to be because of the million reasons I have made up in my head that are mostly not true?

In the end, what I took away from that experience (and what I hope you can too) is the undeniable power of showing up boldly and courageously. Life will throw obstacles our way, whether they’re 13 flights of stairs or the daily challenges we face in our own lives. But it’s in those moments of struggle that we discover our true strength especially as we remember why we do what we do. Each step, no matter how painful, brings us closer to our goals and opens doors to opportunities we never anticipated. Just don’t remain in the same place.

So the next time you’re faced with a daunting climb, whether literal or metaphorical, remember that every step counts. Embrace the discomfort, lean into the journey (I’m currently listening to the Lean In audiobook by the way😉), and show up for yourself and your dreams. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about who you become along the way.

Let’s keep pushing forward, showing up with courage, and turning our dreams into reality. Remember to celebrate with those who are ahead of you on the journey and encourage those who are behind you. After all, victory tastes even sweeter when enjoyed with others who understand the journey you have been on.

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that my host blessed me with a delicious carrot cake she baked herself. If you read my previous post, you will remember I was craving some cake. So it was a wholesome experience all round y’all! 😅