Take a Photo of Your Empty Room

11 years ago, I held my first meet up. I thought 100 people would come. I invited everyone I knew, talked about it a ton on social media and brought enough stickers for a crowd of about 1,000.

Know how many people came? Two.

One was Mike Foster, who came to encourage me and one was a father who said, “My daughter reads your blog.” He stayed for about 30 seconds, looked around the empty room and then left.

I think he took a sticker, which left me with 999.

I think about that moment sometimes because it felt like a failure, but really wasn’t. It wasn’t a failure, it was a beginning. And that’s how beginnings often look.

It’s you, alone in a room, working on something you care about, trying to get other people to care, too. It always takes longer than you want and always slower than you want but it’s worth it.

I knew it was even in the moment because I told a friend to take a photo. I knew I’d want to remember it but even more so, I knew it would encourage other people who were beginning things, too.

Here’s to lonely beginnings and the bravery to keep going on what you’re working on!

Jon Acuff (Facebook Post) - August 25, 2019

Do you remember the first time you started something new? The excitement, the anticipation, the fear of the unknown? You probably thought you were ready for the world, but the world wasn't quite ready for you... yet.

Jon Acuff's story about his first meetup is a perfect example. He expected a crowd of 100, but only two people showed up. One was a friend who came to encourage him, and the other was a father who stayed for mere seconds. He was left with 999 unused stickers and a sense of failure.

But here's the thing: it wasn't a failure. It was a beginning. A lonely, awkward, and uncomfortable beginning, but a beginning nonetheless.

This should teach us a valuable lesson: beginnings are often lonely, slow, and frustrating. But they're also worth it.

When you start something new, you're not just building a project or a business; you're building a movement. You're creating something from scratch, and that takes courage, perseverance, and resilience.

It's easy to get discouraged when things don't take off immediately. When the room is empty, and the only sound is the echo of your own doubts. But that's precisely when you need to dig deep and find the bravery to keep going.

Remember, every success story started with a lonely beginning. Every entrepreneur, artist, and innovator has been in your shoes, wondering if they're crazy for pursuing their dreams.

But they didn't let fear or doubt hold them back. They kept pushing forward, even when it felt like no one was watching.

And that's what you need to do too. Keep working on your project, even when it feels like a drop in the ocean. Keep sharing your ideas, even when it feels like no one is listening.

Because the truth is, people are watching.

They're waiting for someone to take the lead, to show them that it's possible to turn a vision into reality.

So don't give up. Don't lose faith in yourself or your abilities. Keep going, even when it's hard, even when it's slow.

Celebrate your small wins, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

Take a photo of your empty room, just like he did, and remember that it's a beginning, not a failure. You are not alone in this journey. There are others out there who are starting their own lonely beginnings.

Remember, starting something new takes bravery. It takes courage to face the unknown, to risk failure, and to put yourself out there. But it's precisely this bravery that will carry you through the tough times. It's the bravery to keep going, even when it feels like everything is against you. So don't be afraid to take risks.

Don't be afraid to fail. Because failure is not the opposite of success; it's a part of success.

Every successful person has experienced failure along the way. But they didn't let it define them. They used it as an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to come back stronger.

The Power of Community: Starting something new can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, who support you, and who will encourage you to keep going.

Find your tribe, your community, your fellow lonely beginners. Together, you can achieve greatness.

Lonely beginnings are a part of the journey. They're a sign that you're doing something new, something bold, and something worth fighting for.

So don't be discouraged by the empty room. Don't be discouraged by the slow progress. Keep going, keep pushing, and keep believing in yourself.

Because the truth is, your lonely beginning is not a failure. It's a beginning. And it's worth it.

Thanks for reading! I hope you gained some valuable insights. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions - I'm looking forward to learning from you too! - Ola Ayeni

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