“Showing up is half the battle” – that’s what they say anyway. I know it applies to exercise. If I can just get my shorts on and get out the door the rest is easy.

Showing up matters in other contexts as well. It makes a difference when it comes to going to networking events. It matters with respect to visiting clients in their homes and offices. It makes a difference when you have employees in remote locations.

I spent the day in Charlotte on Friday. We have an office down there and I try to go as often as I can. I’ve learned from experience that getting my rear end out of bed and heading down there every so often makes a big difference.

We’ve been in Charlotte for years and there are times when I didn’t visit for more than six months. During those long periods between visits I keep in touch. But things never go quite as well as they should.

During my breaks from visiting I keep in touch as well as I can. I talk to our managing attorney (he’s based in Charlotte) every day by phone. We also instant message and text quite a bit. We both have webcams and sometimes we use those. We even have a Polycom video conferencing system that we use for longer meetings.

But there’s no replacement for face to face, in-person, communication. It makes a BIG difference. Being together allows us to build our relationship. It solidifies our connection. It gives us the balance we need in our emotional bank accounts when something goes off the rails and conflict rears its ugly head.

I’ve been going to Charlotte a lot lately. The office is performing really well. Chicken or egg? I don’t know, but I’m going to keep going. I’m going to keep reminding myself that “showing up is half the battle.” They may get really tired of me.

Just as an aside, I went to Charlotte last week on the Amtrak. I left my house at 6:45 and was sitting at my desk in Charlotte by 10:15. Fantastic ride, power outlets at all seats, free coffee and I had my Verizon Mifi for internet access. Yes, I’ll be spending more time in Charlotte.