snoop dogg “be the first to show up.”

When the Dallas Cowboys are 6-1 so early in the season, I’d really like to take this moment to go on and on . . . but I won’t. It is hard to resist though (big smile)!! While I am a Cowboys lover, it’s not their team that I want to talk about. No, I’d rather talk a moment about the Denver Bronco’s.

I don’t even want to talk about Peyton and the incredible record he set Sunday night. However, he is amazingly talented and a leader we can learn from.

But rather . . . I want to talk about Snoop Dogg, Ronnie Hillman, and you.

Let’s talk Snoop Dogg.

I have to say up front I don’t know much about him. Can’t say I’ve been a fan. But there was this moment Sunday night in the game when I wanted to know more about ol’ Snoop.

The commentator’s were talking about a few incredible plays by Ronnie Hillman when they mentioned he began playing youth football in a league that Snoop Dogg coached. The thought made my mind pause for a lot of good reasons.

The commentator’s went on to say that Hillman remembers the best advice he got from Snoop, which was to “always be the one who shows up first.”

I love me some football for sure, but when you can get leadership lessons tucked away between plays — be still my heart!

So no matter what you think of Snoop, let’s just agree that that is some awesome truth. Show up!

Always be the one who shows up first!

Too many times we let life’s opportunities pass us by because we are too afraid to step out. We linger. We doubt. We aren’t even sure if our talents make a difference. We wrestle these thoughts down and before you know it the moment to shine has passed us by.

But when we have the mentality that says, “I’m going to show up first” we’ll be ready when opportunities come. We will be all right not knowing how it will turn out, and settled on the fact that we have so much to offer.

Showing up first empowers. The action itself says, “I have something to offer. Here are my skills and talents. I’m ready, use me!”

It’s not lack of skill, but lack of confidence.

As the commentators continued talking about the greatness of Ronnie Hillman it was amazing to hear how they could see the drastic improvement in this player. I personally don’t know much about Mr. Hillman (probably because I’m too busy watching the Cowboys), but any time there is a success story I love hearing about it.

I want to learn what made the difference. How the person stepped in to the sweet spot of their game? (no pun intended)

Finally one of the commentators ended with, “It was never about his skill, but rather his lack of confidence.”

That word confidence.

I don’t know about you, but some days it is just hard to step in to the confidence you have. You look around and it seems that everyone else is better gifted than you are and you walk away with you head hung low.

Other days, you walk in with you head held high thinking you have this and that you are unshakeable and before you know it something happens that makes you feel like you messed up. Confidence shaken. Head bowed low again. Exit scene.

Yes, it would be easy to just talk away about the Cowboys right now. And even easier to just camp on what I learned from Snoop Dogg and Ronnie Hillman, but the lesson lies deeper for you and I. It’s a great thought to reflect on.

What has shaken your confidence recently?

Do you know what you are gifted and skilled to do?

It’s time to start fresh, friend.

Be the first to show up knowing that your skills matter and make a difference. Yes, step in to the confidence game. Others are counting on you.