Show Up! Especially On Your Bad Days
19 September 2025
“If you only do what you feel like doing, you’ll never do much at all.”
, Jocko Willink
Anyone can show up when they’re motivated, energised, and winning.
But real growth? That happens when you show up on the days you’d rather not.
When your energy is low.
When your self-doubt is at its highest.
When no one’s watching, and nothing feels urgent.
Showing up is about presence.
It’s your own quiet vote for who you’re becoming (especially when you don’t feel like it).
On hard days:
Don’t aim for brilliance. Aim for consistency.
Don’t fake energy. Show up authentically.
Don’t overperform. Just be present.
Some of your most important days won’t look impressive from the outside, but they build some important things inside you: resilience, self-trust, and momentum.
I assure you that some of our progress isn’t built in our best moments, it’s built in our most human ones.
So if today’s “one of those days” …
Just show up. That’s enough.
Remember, the path to extraordinary is walked with a thousand small steps, and you’re doing great!
Barry Marshall-Graham
Executive coach and leadership advisor
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