Last year at this time I was in the midst of training for my first-ever marathon. I don't know why I say "first" as it is still the ONLY marathon I've ever run, but I guess my subconscious is convinced I'm going to do it again. Ultimately, running the Portland Marathon on October 4, 2015, was challenging, but do you know what was the hardest part of the entire experience? Showing up three days a week and doing the training. Just getting out of the house with my running shoes on and putting in the miles was so difficult. 

I've decided this is the case with nearly any large, audacious goal that requires on-going work, training, practice, and rehearsal -- showing up is the hardest part.

Take, for example, a goal I set for myself this summer with this newsletter - send the Point Letter for 12 straight weeks during the summer. If you don't remember, the last time I sent the Point Letter was June 9, over nine weeks ago. I didn't show up this summer. 

Is it the work that we are often scared away by or is it simply the act of DOING the work? How do we eliminate the friction in between us and showing up to do the work? I have a few tips that I'm experimenting with to increase my chances of showing up: 

• Put workout clothes on the side of the bed waiting for you in the morning

• Schedule tasks in your calendar that you want to make habits (read, meditate, pushups, sales calls)

• Have an accountability partner call/text/email you to ask if you showed up today

• Setting negative rewards (ie. donating to a charity/cause you don't support if you don't show up - there is actually science showing that this works)

Choose whatever tip or hack you want to help you complete the task, but the point of this letter is that often the biggest tasks are completed by JUST SHOWING UP.