Magic happens when you show up

I am passionate about learning. I believe in the adage “if you stop learning, you stop living”. I also believe nobody is above learning – there are always things you can learn.

So I seek opportunities to learn.

To meet new people.

To talk about new things.

To listen to people.

The other side of this coin is that it takes energy. Sometimes you need to travel a distance to get to the location. Sometimes going up to strangers requires energy you don’t have. Sometimes you’re on your own.

As a result I admit I often find myself second guessing whether I should go to something I registered to go to. I might feel on the tired side. Or I just don’t think I can bring myself to get on that train or bus (or often both).

But here’s what I want to share.

Making the effort to show up can be magic.

A few weeks ago I signed up to attend an evening at the Sydney Startup Hub to hear Mark Brand speak with Holly Ransom as MC. It was part of the City of Sydney’s Visiting Entrepreneur Program.

I didn’t know anything about Mark Brand before I went, but I had seen Holly Ransom speak before and I had connected with her on LinkedIn quite some time ago. I have great respect for her. I listen to her “Coffee Pods” podcast. And I had been to some of the City of Sydney events and found them quite good. So I went.

I was a bit late as I had also been invited to attend an Invictus Games reception at the Canadian Consulate prior so I rushed in as the ‘welcome to country’ was being given by Aunty Ann Wheldon (who is brilliant by the way).

I walked in the back and looked around for a seat – I saw a man at the back hovering so I asked if I could use the closest stool and he directed me to some other seats.

Then Holly Ransom introduced Mark Brand and of course, he was the man I had asked about the stool … yikes!!

Mark took control of the room quickly and the audience was both engaged and in awe as he began to tell his story and share his vision of helping those in need - homeless and hungry.

In the middle of his presentation he shared a video and just as the video finished the fire alarm in the building went off and we were all forced out of the building and onto the street.

Now, I have been a volunteer for OzHarvest for many years now and when I heard Mark’s story the first thing I thought was … he needs to meet Ronni Kahn. The synergy between them is incredible.

So while we were waiting for the ok to go back in the building I saw Mark across the crowd talking to someone and I made a beeline over to him.

“Do you know about OzHarvest?” …

“Yes – someone is trying to connect me!” …

“I don’t want to interfere, but I’m very happy to help if you’d like – I know Ronni and her assistant Marla well. “ …

“That sounds great! Here’s my email”.

Back into the building we went and I sent the email introduction immediately.

Fast forward a week.

Another event with Mark Brand as part of the same City of Sydney program. This time at Carriageworks. This time talking social entrepreneurship.

I was tired.

I nearly didn’t go.

But I pushed through and thought – he was brilliant before … it’ll be worth it. And in the back of my mind I was wondering what had happened since my email.

In the middle of the session Mark announces to the group “does everyone know what OzHarvest is?” … heads nod. He then proceeds to tell the story of how a strange woman came up to him a week before and offered to introduce him. How he gave this strange woman his email and how it resulted in a meeting.

Mark is now going to be part of the CEO CookOff in 2019 for OzHarvest and in addition they are going to work together for a “Greasy Spoon Diner” event in February.

I nearly cried.

Hearing how something I had done had made a difference and created a positive change was both rewarding and exciting. And it happened when my energy level for what I try to do … how I try to help … was at a low.

Synergy.

Magic.

So I hope the next time you feel you just can’t be bothered to get your arse into gear and go to that event you signed up for, you will think of this story and remember that magic can happen .

If you just show up.