Every year, I watch the Tony Awards with a mix of awe, nostalgia, and—if I’m being brutally honest—a side of existential dread.
I’ve had the honor of performing on Broadway. I’ve walked red carpets, done the eight-show grind, lived the backstage hustle. But one thing I’ve never done? Performed on the Tonys.
And every year, that little fact used to feel like a pinprick in my spirit. Like I somehow missed the one train that mattered.
Even now, sitting in my Florida home with a two-year-old toddler running around and a thriving coaching business helping creatives build their brands online, I’ll catch myself wondering:
Did I take a wrong turn?
Was there a moment I zigged when I should’ve zagged?
Did I miss my shot?
Let’s talk about that “missed shot” myth. Because I don’t think I’m the only one haunted by it.
Compare, Despair, Repeat
Maybe for you, it’s not the Tonys.
Maybe it’s a Forbes list. Or someone you follow on Instagram who just landed a book deal, a TED Talk, or a brand partnership you swear you could've nailed if you just had the right lighting and slightly fewer toddler tantrums this week.
Social media is basically a 24/7 highlight reel with a megaphone. Everyone’s best day is on full display, and we scroll through it while sitting in sweatpants, comparing our behind-the-scenes chaos to their filtered wins.
That’s where “compare and despair” kicks in.
The internal narrative goes:
“They’re doing it better.”
“I’m too late.”
“I missed it.”
We turn a moment of someone else’s success into evidence of our failure. But that logic is broken.
You didn’t miss your shot.
You just changed your target.
Your Dream Is Allowed to Evolve
In 2013, I had six final callbacks for Broadway shows in one month. I was sure I’d book at least one.
I didn’t book any.
Devastated doesn’t even begin to cover it. I felt small. Powerless. Forgotten by an industry I gave everything to.
But now, years later, I get to wake up next to my husband. I get to parent a child I prayed for. I run a business that helps other creatives get paid to be themselves online.
And guess what?
This life feels better than anything I could’ve imagined in that audition room.
The problem is, we often measure our progress using outdated goals. We forget to update the dream. We forget to honor how much we’ve changed—and how beautiful that evolution really is.
If you’re holding yourself hostage to a goal you set a decade ago, here’s your permission slip:
You’re allowed to pivot.
You’re allowed to want something new.
You’re allowed to be proud of who you’ve become.
What We Don’t Post Says a Lot
On the morning after the Tonys, I also woke up to news about the riots in LA. My immediate reaction was:
What could I possibly post that matters today?
When the world is heavy, it can feel selfish to talk about content or personal goals. When you're uncertain, posting online can feel… performative. Cringe. Maybe even tone-deaf.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned over and over:
Your voice doesn’t have to be the loudest to matter.
It just has to be honest.
You don’t need to have the perfect caption or the polished graphic or the viral hook.
You just need to show up as you are.
That quiet post where you admit, “I don’t know what to say today, but I’m here”?
That’s leadership. That’s courage.
Redefining Success in a Noisy World
Our culture rewards the loudest voice, the most views, the biggest checks.
But those aren't the only metrics.
What if success looked like:
Sharing something that helped one person feel less alone?
Saying something imperfect that sparked a meaningful conversation?
Choosing rest instead of burnout?
Letting go of a dream that no longer fits and embracing the unknown with curiosity instead of shame?
We’re not robots. We’re human beings with seasons. And just like in theatre, there’s beauty in the pauses. The scene changes. The reinventions.
When in Doubt, Show Up Anyway
If you're in a season of doubt, here are three mindset shifts that have helped me keep showing up even when I’ve wanted to crawl under the covers and binge old Tony performances from 2009:
1. Micro-Momentum Beats Perfection
Don’t overthink it. Just post something. One sentence. One truth. One photo.
Tiny actions compound. They build the habit of visibility.
2. Truth Over Perfection
Say what’s real. Even if it’s messy. Especially if it’s messy.
Let people see the unfiltered version. You’re not a brand, you’re a person.
3. Focus on Who You Serve, Not How You Look
Your job is not to impress everyone. Your job is to connect with the right ones.
Don’t post for approval. Post for impact.
You Didn’t Miss It. You’re Right on Time.
I want you to imagine this: What if your best work hasn’t even been seen yet?
What if your real “shot” isn’t something you missed, but something you're in the middle of creating right now—with every small post, every honest moment, every quiet act of courage?
Your story didn’t stop when you left the audition room.
Your relevance didn’t expire when your dream shifted.
Your spotlight didn’t dim — it moved.
And maybe, just maybe, you get to redefine the stage.
Let’s Keep Showing Up
If this message landed for you today, I’d love to hear what truth you’re sitting with.
What’s one thing you thought you missed out on—but now realize was redirection, not rejection?
What’s one micro-action you can take today to show up, even if it’s messy?
Leave a comment below or DM me the word SHOW UP on Instagram — I’ll send you my free guide to help you start posting again with purpose.
And if you want deeper support, come join us inside The Show Up Club — my weekly coaching community for courageous creatives who are building a brand and a life they love.
We meet every Wednesday at noon ET. You in?
Until next Monday…
Keep showing up,
You are a star.
Bret
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