“Human beings never become something without pretending to be it first.”
— W.H. Auden
After my first two years of college, I was unhappy with my academic performance. Not entirely sure how to improve, I started observing the leaders in my classes in hopes of learning what set them apart. The first thing I noticed? They all sat in the front row.
It’s obvious in hindsight. The high achievers position themselves for success. I thought to myself, “Could it be that simple?”
The short answer: Yes.
Sitting in the front row was more than just a logistical choice—it was an identity shift. If I wanted to perform like a front-row person, I needed to start acting like one. I took notes like a front-row person. I studied like a front-row person. I managed my time like a front-row person. And eventually, I made the dean’s list, just like a front-row person.
This lesson extends beyond the classroom. In every aspect of life, success starts by positioning yourself for it. You don’t have to wait until you feel like a healthy, disciplined, or engaged person—you become one by consistently showing up and acting the part.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up. Take the first step. Sit in the front row of your own life.
— Joe