Why Showing Up Matters More Than Getting It Right
Fiona Campbell Arrand
January often arrives with a quiet pressure to start strong. New plans, fresh intentions, bold goals. And while there’s nothing wrong with aiming high, it can sometimes feel like we’re supposed to have it all figured out – right from the beginning.
But real progress doesn’t come from getting everything perfect. It comes from showing up. From committing, trying, and taking that next small step, even when the outcome isn’t certain.
That’s what endeavour really is.
I’ve always loved that word – not just for what it means, but for what it evokes. HMS Endeavour, the ship famously captained by James Cook, set sail in the 18th century into completely uncharted waters. There were no guarantees. No tidy route. Just exploration, persistence, and the courage to keep going. In many ways, that same spirit is alive in our everyday lives – when we step into the unknown, commit to something meaningful, and stay with it through the ups and downs.
Over the past three years, my colleague Phillippa Hart and I have been working (on and off) on launching our new podcast, Working with Leaders and Coaches. We had the idea. We had the name. But life had other plans.
Between projects, priorities, and personal ups and downs, it took much longer than we expected. There were times we nearly put it aside altogether. But something kept pulling us back – conversations, notes, voice recordings, small nudges forward.
And now, in early 2026, it’s finally launching.
Not because we got it perfect. But because we kept going.
That’s the nature of endeavour. It’s rarely quick or tidy. Often, it’s just about coming back to what matters – again and again – even when progress feels slow or uncertain. It’s the quiet decision to begin, return, or try again that builds momentum over time.
I see this in the people I coach, too. A manager caught in overthinking. A parent returning to work, unsure where to begin. A creative professional hesitating to share their work. What helps most isn’t a perfect plan—it’s the moment they stop waiting for the “right time” and take the smallest next step.
And endeavour isn’t limited to work. It shows up in how we manage change, rebuild after loss, find our voice again, or allow ourselves to rest. It’s about continuing, even when the future feels unclear.
So, if you’re stepping into a new year feeling the pressure to get everything right, take a breath. You don’t need to have it all sorted. You just need to begin.
Because whether you’re launching something new, supporting others, or navigating your own next chapter – success isn’t about perfection.
It’s about the courage to keep going.
Fiona Campbell Arrand is an Author, Executive and Business
Coach, Corporate Trainer, and NLP Business Coach Trainer
fiona@theprofessionalgrowthcompany.com
www.theprofessionalgrowthcompany.com
