[Just] Show up
A reflection by Gabriel Del Valle
6/22/20234 min read
At times, showing up can make all the difference. Just showing up – when no one else will – can be a difficult thing to do; especially when you have to do it over and over. But it’s the very act of showing up, of showing commitment to something (or someone) and showing some faith, that ultimately yields results. I think it’s quite rare for success to happen right away; at least I’ve observed it to be quite rare that you show up somewhere to do something for the first time and immediately succeed. More often than not you’ll have to dedicate yourself to achieve a desired result and be prepared to be denied and rejected. The important part, though, is to learn that failure is typically one of the most fortifying human experiences out there. It’s important to learn that success is more of building process than a complete product that appears “right here, right now.” It’s only through small, progressive steps, it’s only through pushing beyond failures, and continuing to show up that you receive benefits. And sometimes, all it takes is one moment of bravery – built on previous little successes – to break through.
One of my favorite examples of “just show up” is my application experience to my second internship while working on my master’s degree. During the first year of my master’s program, I was to complete a consulting project as part of a course focused on System Analysis – essentially learning how to recommend program and process optimizations. I ended up working with a group of second-year guys and we did the project with SAP. The SAP contact was so pleased with our work and results that she offered to write letters of recommendation for an internship if we so desired. I so desired as I was still in my first year and wanted more internship experience. So, I raised my hand. I followed-up and got recommendations for roles to apply to, plus a promise that I would have a good word put in for me with whoever I was going to potentially work for.
I ended up applying to a role for which I wasn’t fully qualified. What I mean is that when looking at the job description, I specifically didn’t have all the hard skills required nor did I have enough (or directly related) experience. But just to take shot, and armed with my letter of recommendation, I submitted my application. Shortly thereafter I got an email to schedule an in-person interview. I set the appointment, I do my best impression of a grown up, answer the questions I was asked, and ask the questions I prepared. I went away thinking I did solid but assured that there were better candidates who were more qualified, more experienced, or both. Sometime later – surely not very long but waiting for a decision always takes too long – I get a notice that I was selected for the internship. Hurray! I did it – I got the internship that I wasn’t fully qualified for and started on my journey. About two weeks into the internship, I was talking to a team member who mentioned, quite matter-of-factly, that I was actually the only applicant for the role…
Now, there are two ways to look at this and I looked at it in both ways. First way: that means I only got the role because there was no one else and they had literally no other candidates/options; kind of funny on reflection, but in the moment it can cheapen the feeling of success. Second way of looking at things: that means that by betting on myself and taking the shot, I put myself in position to be the one selected because no one else did. In either situation, what I asked myself was: what would have happened if I stopped myself from applying because I didn’t fit the job description 100%? What if I had said “no” to myself on some principle along the lines of: I have no shot at getting an internship at a big company like this?
The reality is that by saying “yes” to myself and showing up, I gave myself a chance and the resulting internship launched my professional career at a company I love, at a company that invested in me, a company that ultimately sent me to Germany to work abroad (on their dime). The decision to raise my hand and ask for help with a letter of recommendation with the intention of applying for a role was – apparently – way more than half the battle. Making up my mind to apply, applying, and showing up to the interview was nearly 90% of the battle. The other 10%? Luck, maybe, that no one else showed up. But even then, that 10% of luck wouldn’t have made a difference if I didn’t take one step at a time and end up applying. That luck wouldn’t had happened if I hadn’t taken my work doing the pro-bono work seriously. That luck wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t committed myself to doing a master’s program, and so on and so forth (or “so backwards”). My path unfolded because I showed up at all those different stages in life and gave myself a chance, even when I thought there was none to be had. And there was no guarantee, but I at least gave myself a shot.
What I learned is that you never know for sure is what others want and need. Maybe you’re exactly what they want – or maybe you’re the only one who stepped into the ring in a critical situation. Sometimes, being brave enough to step up is all you need to win. Another thing I’ve learned through life so far is that life will readily hand you “no”, so it doesn’t make sense to say no to yourself too. Say yes to yourself and show up even if you think it’s a long shot. Show up because one day you may turn up for the best chance you never knew you wanted or needed. Bet on yourself and show up.