Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do… sounds simple, right? But that’s the whole point. It’s about showing up when every fiber of your being is screaming to run and hide. This is the foundation of real courage.
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Meaning
It means that courage isn’t always about grand gestures; it’s often found in the simple, difficult act of being present, especially when you’re scared or vulnerable.
Explanation
Let me tell you, I’ve seen this play out so many times. We have this Hollywood idea of bravery—you know, the hero charging into battle. But the real work, the stuff that actually changes lives and builds things that last, happens in the quiet moments. It’s that meeting you don’t want to go to because you’re afraid of being judged. It’s having the hard conversation you’ve been avoiding. It’s getting out of bed on a day when the weight of everything feels crushing. Showing up is the active choice to be seen, to engage, to be in the arena even when you have no guarantee of the outcome. And that’s where the magic happens. That’s where you build trust, where you learn, where you grow. It’s the absolute bedrock of everything else.
Summary
| Category | Personal Development (58) |
|---|---|
| Topics | courage (14), effort (3), presence (7) |
| Style | minimalist (13) |
| Mood | encouraging (10) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from the research of Brené Brown. It’s a central theme in her 2015 book, Rising Strong, which came out in the US. You might see it floating around the internet misattributed to others, but this is pure Brené, born from her studies on vulnerability and wholehearted living.
| Author | Brene Brown (9) |
|---|---|
| Book | Rising Strong (5) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brene Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves.
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |
Where is this quotation located?
| Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up |
| Publication Year/Date: 2015; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780812995824; Last edition. Number of pages: 336. |
| Approximate page, The Revolution section |
Context
In Rising Strong, this isn’t just a nice sentiment. It’s part of her “rumble” process—that messy, middle part of a story where you’re grappling with failure or disappointment. She frames showing up as the non-negotiable first step to getting back up. You can’t rise strong if you don’t first choose to step into the struggle.
Usage Examples
Think about this in real terms. Who needs to hear this?
- The Burned-Out Leader: Telling them that just being present and listening to their team, even when they don’t have all the answers, is an act of leadership courage.
- The Anxious Creator: Encouraging them to hit “publish” on that blog post or share their art, even with the voice of self-doubt whispering in their ear. Showing up means sharing your work.
- The Person in a Tough Season: Reminding them that getting to the gym, or just making dinner, or calling a friend when they feel isolated—that’s them being brave. That’s them showing up for their own life.
To whom it appeals?
| Audience | leaders (133), parents (44), students (198), teachers (83), teams (2) |
|---|---|
This quote can be used in following contexts: school assemblies,leadership training,motivational speeches,coaching programs
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FAQ
Question: Isn’t “just showing up” a pretty low bar?
Answer: It only seems low until you’re the one who has to do it when you’re terrified. In those moments, it feels like the highest bar imaginable. It’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Question: What if I show up and I fail?
Answer: Then you’ve already succeeded in the most important part. You were brave. Failure is data. Hiding is a dead end. Showing up gives you the data you need to eventually win.
Question: How is this different from just going through the motions?
Answer: Great question. It’s all about intention. Going through the motions is passive and disengaged. Showing up is an active, conscious choice to be present and engage with whatever is in front of you, with all your vulnerability.