Early in my career, I volunteered to help a Christian conference focused on media. This was back when television was a significant tool for sharing the gospel (it still is), and I had been producing the weekly TV program for a substantial national ministry. The media conference was on the ministry’s campus where I worked, so I offered to help set things up and assist with the event. One of the main sessions featured panelists, all pretty famous pastors and ministry leaders who led national media ministries.
I was actually setting up the chairs for the panel when we received word that a ministry leader’s flight had been canceled and he would miss the event. The conference directors were debating what to do since the panel was happening in a few hours, when one turned to me and said, “Why don’t we have Phil take his place?”
Keep in mind, I had never spoken publicly before, and becoming a speaker — even a panelist — wasn’t on my radar at all. But the conference director said, “Look, Phil’s producing one of the most popular Christian programs in the country, so let’s put him on the panel.”
Unexpected opportunity
So I said yes, but something happened that I didn’t expect.
All of the other panelists were preachers or ministry leaders. They all spoke from that perspective, mostly trying to inspire the audience with why media matters in ministry. But when my turn came, I spoke about what I knew – how to do it. All my comments focused on the steps audience members should take to create and produce a ministry television program.
Afterwards, each of those famous TV preachers and evangelists had 4-5 people come up to meet and take a photo.
But I had a line of about 40 people wanting to talk to me.
I realized quickly that people were desperate for actionable information. They weren’t looking for inspiration, they were looking for help.
I started teaching from that perspective, and before long, conferences, workshops, universities and other events began calling.
The value of showing up
Here’s the point: The opportunity didn’t happen because I had experience and information. It happened because I showed up.
If I hadn’t been there volunteering and helping on that particular day with that conference, they would have picked someone else.
When it comes to moving your career forward, I can’t over-emphasize the value of showing up. Get into the mix. Attend (and volunteer to help at) conferences. Network. Meet people. Join organizations focused on your area of expertise. Invest in your future.
Today, I’m invited to speak on media issues worldwide. Would I have eventually started speaking had I not volunteered at that conference?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But there’s no question that showing up on that particular day gave my speaking career a jumpstart.
Show up. It could change your future.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally published by philcooke.com.
