You’re the Least Experienced in the Room - SHOW UP ANYWAY

Written By Developer Designer

Growth rarely happens where we feel comfortable. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is walk into rooms where we’re the least experienced person there.

My mom sent me a text the other day that made me stop and smile.

She wrote, “I just read a quote that I know you would love.”

Then she sent it.

“Run with the big dogs or stay chained to the porch.”

She said she came across it in Hoda Kotb’s book Jump and Find Joy. We both HIGHLY recommend this book by the way.  So good!

My mom has always done this. She sends quotes, poems, and articles she thinks I’ll appreciate—little reminders about mindset or courage or perspective. Somehow the timing is often perfect, almost like she knows exactly what I might need to hear that day, even though we live hours apart.

This particular quote really stuck with me.  I caught myself immediately reflecting on my life and I realized something interesting.

Even when I was a little girl, I was constantly putting myself in environments where the people around me were better, more experienced, and more accomplished than I was.

As a seventh grader, I was playing on teams with juniors and seniors in high school.

Later, I went off to Duke and found myself surrounded by national champions, Olympians, and some of the best athletes in the world.

And now, in my work as a speaker and mindset coach, there are moments when I look around the room and still think…

How did I get here?

Recently I found myself learning alongside Dean Graziosi’s team and recording a video in Tony Robbins’ studio.

Tony Robbins’ studio!! WHAT?!?

Even saying that still feels surreal.

When I think about it, there has been one consistent pattern throughout my life:  If I wanted to grow, I had to surround myself with people who were already operating at a higher level.

People who knew more. People who had done more. People who had already achieved the kind of impact I hoped to create someday.

If I wanted to grow, I had to be willing to be the least experienced person in the room.

And that required something important: a beginner’s mindset.

Now let me be very clear—this was never easy for me.

Most of the time I felt anxious, nervous, and unsure of myself. I was often quiet, reserved, and trying to take everything in.

There were plenty of moments when my inner critic started whispering:

You don’t belong here.
Don’t speak up—you might sound stupid.
Everyone else is so much further ahead.

Fear of judgment.  Fear of not fitting in.  Fear of saying the wrong thing.

But I showed up anyway.

Over time, I realized I had a choice in those moments.  I could walk into those rooms and feel intimidated by what others had accomplished or I could walk in with curiosity and ask a better question:

How did they get here?

And even more importantly:

What can I learn from them?

That shift changed everything.

Instead of shrinking in those environments, I became a sponge. I listened. I observed. I asked questions. I paid attention to how successful people thought, worked, and navigated challenges.

Little by little, those experiences helped shape the person I was becoming.

Which leads to a truth I’ve come to believe deeply:

If we want more in our lives—more growth, more opportunity, more impact—we have to be willing to step into rooms where people already have more.

Rooms where we might feel slightly uncomfortable.   Rooms where we are not the expert.  Rooms where we still have a lot to learn.

Here is the thing…proximity matters.

When you surround yourself with people who are doing the things you hope to do one day, you shorten the distance between where you are and where you want to go.

Of course, your inner critic will have something to say about this.  It will 100% try to convince you to stay safe.

Don’t go.
You might embarrass yourself.
You don’t belong there.

But here’s the interesting thing…that voice of fear can actually become a signal.  A signal that you’re stepping into something meaningful.

When fear shows up, you can acknowledge it—and then choose courage anyway.

You can say:

“I hear you, Inner Critic. But today I’m showing up anyway.”

Scared.
Uncertain.
Nervous.
Maybe even a little nauseous.

But showing up nonetheless.

Because every time you enter a bigger room, you open the door to possibilities you didn’t even know existed.

Fear Means It’s Go Time - Action Step

If you want to grow, here’s a simple challenge.

Ask yourself one question:

What is one room I could step into that would stretch me?

Maybe it’s:

  • Attending an event where you don’t know anyone

  • Reaching out to someone whose work you admire

  • Joining a professional group or mastermind

  • Speaking up in a room where you usually stay quiet

  • Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to think bigger

Then take one small step toward that room this week.

Conclusion

Sometimes the most powerful move we can make is simply showing up because once you’re in the room, possibilities expand.

Fear may tell you to stay on the porch but courage says it’s time to run with the big dogs.

And remember…

Fear might just be your signal that it’s GO TIME.

It’s Time To Courage Up! 
-Missy 

P.S. Many of the women I work with are high-achievers—female professionals navigating career growth and collegiate athletes learning how to quiet their inner critic and compete with confidence again. If you're feeling stuck, unsure, or ready to take a bigger step forward, coaching can help you gain clarity and move ahead with courage. Set up a free inquiry call HERE and let’s see what's possible 

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