“Allow yourself to be a beginner. No one starts off being excellent.”
I spent 15 years working at nonprofit organizations. I have worked at large organizations (50+ on staff) and small ones (5 on staff). I have volunteered at countless others and I continue to do so today. I have seen nonprofits function in all types of environments with all types of goals.
And I have seen one common trait unite them all: a constant need for volunteers.
In fact, I have never worked at a charitable organization that wasn’t desperately in need of volunteers. There is so much good that needs to be accomplished in our world, but the resources (financial and human) are almost always lacking. At one company, we used to have a saying that went like this, “If you’re available, we have a need. No experience required.”
Sometimes, the only requirement is availability. And sometimes, the most important step is to just show up.
Six years ago, I began writing about minimalism on a blog called Becoming Minimalist. It was free through WordPress and took only minutes to set-up (I have since upgraded to Bluehost).
At the time, I had no experience in minimalism, I had no experience blogging, and only a little experience writing. I only knew I wanted to own less and write about the journey.
What I lacked in experience and reputation and talent, I made up for by simply deciding to show up and get started—which reminds me of my experience at nonprofits: If you are available, we have a need.
I know there is a good you want to accomplish in this world (those who live for only personal gain have long since given up on this blog). There is a positive influence you desire to create, grow, or harness. That being the case, never underestimate the importance of just showing up.
- Are you trying to declutter your home? Remove one large bag of stuff.
- Are you working to build an organization that will accomplish good? Take the next step.
- Are you hoping to have a positive impact in your community? Start by being present in it.
- Do you dream of making a difference through your church, charity, or club? Offer to volunteer.
- Do you desire to align your career with your passion? Start slowly.
- Do you want to change the world? Become the change you desire to see.
Just become available. The experience will come. The talent will grow. And the opportunities will increase.
But first, you need to show up.
Editor’s Note: I am a Bluehost affiliate which means the company offers me a commission every time someone signs up via one of my links. This does not influence my recommendation. I have used Bluehost from the very beginning for this blog and continue to do so today.
Thank you Joshua,
Your posts are always take me back to the true reasons I became a minimalist in the first place and inspire me a great deal.
I’m retired and at 67 years old, I started taking piano lessons for the first time. I’m enjoying so much. There is always a first time to try something new.
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now. It’s always thought provoking, and yet I never reply. This post really spoke to me on many levels, and so I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for this post and all of the others. They do make a difference to me.
You are simply inspiring. I just found your blog recently and find myself searching for your pearls of wisdom whenever I can. Thank you for showing up and figuring it out.
I get the feeling from some folks who are following a minimalist lifestyle and are trying to take the busy out of their lives as part of that lifestyle, that volunteer work is part of that busy. I certainly hope everyone can make a little time to help others. I truly believe that this should be part of any lifestyle. Thanks for a great article.
Nifty– I enjoyed this encouraging post. I was just encouraging someone to take the first steps in heading back to school, but they seem fearful to even look at the options. I’m glad my hubby and I took that first step and are both on the path to more fulfilling jobs :)
Just show up :) How novel.
Thank you for this timely post! I don’t believe in accidents. I believe everything happens for a purpose in the spiritual realm even things we don’t understand. That said, I’m a teacher and this year has been a difficult year. There are many days I just want to call in sick and stay in bed, yet I show up everyday because a good friend and co-worker told me once the hardest part is showing up. It’s not easy, but I went into this profession to be the teacher I desire for my own children, which means just showing up even when I don’t “feel” like it. Some days I just have to work my way into a feeling…
This is a message I will share with my students as we embark on a new school year. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks so much for this. Just the words I needed to hear today :)
Joshua,
I posted a blog piece this morning all about showing up. It is about a personal experience, but it is certainly in line with what you write about here. We have given ourselves too many resources to explain away our absence and not enough to assure our presence. Well done and thank you for showing up. Here is my piece: http://wp.me/p4FLcS-dJ
Present and showing up!! Thank-you for your inspiring words!
Love. Love. LOVE!
Show Up and Shine. You can’t shine if you never show up.
Keep showing up, Joshua. You are making a positive difference.
Very encouraging article. Often time I find myself needed to “simplify” in my work, and what I miss is that I need to simplify all around. You definitely have a new reader!
Amen!
How can I possibly be a minimalist if I “show up?” If I show up, there will just be one more thing cluttering up the place.
Me.
So true…For a couple of years I was a volunteer at the school here in the little town where I live. Before I knew it I was asked to apply for a job. After a decade of being a stay-at-home mom, with nothing to put on a resume anymore- I stumbled on work so wonderful and worthwhile!
How true! I was an active volunteer at a local non profit and was hired in January to pull off one of their major events–it’s this weekend and we have 170+ vendors and are expecting 7,000 people to attend. I’m a lifelong volunteer and now I’m being paid to do it!
We started giving ourselves and our kids “I showed up” medals after feeling left out of pretty much every award ceremony at school ever. Just turning up for school every day is an achievement for our anxiety ridden family. Or showing up at formal family functions, etc. I support what you’ve written in this blog.
This principle applies to relationships too. “Just show up” and keep showing up I might add. Be there, with the people you care about. No fancy clothes, food or knowledge required. Show up and pay attention to those you are with. Thanks Joshua.
Love this post – thank you!
The first step is always the hardest – but also the most necessary for getting anything done.
This is very profound post. This brings back my old memories where I did my first volunteer work at Habitat for Humanity back home. Honestly,it was a hard work for a teenager like me back then.And we’re only compensated by having free potluck meals shared by everyone and fun doing it especially for homeless family. It feels great when you do something good and don’t expect anything in return.
Brilliant post. I think this is one of main reasons people don’t go into blogging. People feel they have to be someone special to start a blog. In fact this is true about any business. They have to realize that the perfect moment that they are waiting for is never going to come. You just have to dive into it. The Ready, Fire, Aim approach is the one that has personally worked for me.
Just show up. I volunteer at a small humane society. If we had 4 people willing to give 2 hours/calendar quarter to do vet transport or dog walking or picking up supplies, what a load that would take off our few regular volunteers. Of course, we hope for volunteers willing to do more hours and more emotionally involved work, but just helping with these few listed tasks will be such a blessing.
Everybody can drive a car or walk a friendly dog, no special skills involved. I am sure other charities have similar, basic tasks they need help with.
I’m reminded of Woody Allen who said “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” So true. You and other minimalists have inspired our household. Recently we sent off about twenty garbage bags full of “stuff” to the Sally Ann and gave away or sold numerous large items of furniture. After giving it away, I am hard pressed to even remember what it is we gave away! Anyhow, thanks so much for your site and this post. Indeed, it all started with our commitment to just show up (with a bunch of garbage bags) and go for it!
Cheers,
Peter in Vancouver, BC
The reason I love your posts are because they are about such simple, but profound ideas. This reminds me of a surfing lesson I booked after much apprehension. I felt like cancelling the lesson due to fear but Thenix prodded me to just show up. You can always leave if you don’t like it, but you have to try at least once.
When I first started my photography business four years ago my mentor told me. “Reach out to other businesses and organizations. Ask what you can do for them .” So I reached out to our local animal shelter. They were in need of quality photos of their homeless pets. It is a well know fact that a good portrait gets an animal noticed. So many have been saved . Some who sat in kennals for over a year were suddenly wanted. My love for animals and photography came together for a beautiful purpose. Flash forward to today and by business has grown. And at its cornerstone in the volunteer work I do for the shelter. And continue to do. Anything worth doing takes time . And as you said so beautifully. Just showing up is the first step. I love your posts . They inspire me every single day!
And this inspired me as well!!!!
Thank you for your time in assisting the little curries to find their forever home. God bless you.
Oops, furries not curries
Awesome! What a great way to pay it forward!
And our endless, fear-fueled excuses siphon off that precious energy we need to move ahead …
Wow Linda. What a beautiful and true statement that really speaks to me. I wrote in down on a sticky note!
same here! great succinct statement.
Thank you, Joshua. Great post. Just to share one little thing I do…as I walk my dog, I pick up one piece of litter a day. Doesn’t seem like much, but I often think that it’s 365 pieces of trash in a year that doesn’t litter my community and makes its way to the recycling bin. Also, I feel the wildlife deserve better. They don’t need to live with our laziness and lack of respect. I always wonder…”Who pitched this?!” Seems so disrespectful. Especially in rivers/lakes for some reason. My pet peeve.
There is an amazingly creative gentlemen that lives in my community who collects the rubbish along the side of the main road (20,000 or so cars use a day) and turns the rubbish into a piece of artwork for all to look at as they drive to work. Such a small thing to do with such an amazing impact on so many people. I know I certainly appreciate his efforts as well as his artistic talent!!
Do you by any chance have a picture of his artwork ? Just curious ;)
I’ve been thinking about this concept a lot lately. “What does it take?” One foot in front of the other….. Great insight!
“Become the change you desire to see”… that kinda sums it all doesn’t it? My family and I cultivate the Tao. It is a long and often misunderstood road and many do not understand how we could possibly give up so much, how we can give so much of our time, how we can chose to be happy with less. But we do, and we do and we can… and by showing people it’s possible, we make the biggest impact because it gets them thinking!
Wonderful post!
I totally agree with Yanic that it all starts with us. And nothing is more powerful than having your own story showing to others than you have been there and done that, and that if you can do it, so can they.
Very inspiring post, thank you!