You Only Need One Fan

Have you ever felt like no one really sees how hard you're trying, or how much you're holding together behind the scenes?

Yesterday, I watched a TEDx talk given by Judy Sharp, the mother of Australian artist Tim Sharp, who learned to draw before he could speak. Her Aussie accent and tell-it-as-it-is style drew me into the highly emotional feel-good story.

But the talk wasn’t all about Tim’s art. It was about what gets us through.And the truth Judy shared was simple and powerful:

“In life, you just need one fan. Someone who sees who you really are.”

Judy was that fan for her son.

And because she believed in him, Tim kept creating.

From early drawings came Laser Beak Man, a comic superhero that launched him onto the world stage.

Today, Tim’s work is a Cartoon Network series, a Broadway-style stage show, and even caught the attention of Cate Blanchett, who collects his work.

But none of that started with strategy.

It started with someone who believed in him. You may not have heard of Tim or Judy Sharp before.  But if you’re struggling with doubt, or feel like you were walking uphill on your own, you’ll understand their story.

And maybe, if you look closely at your own life, you’ll see it:

That one person who nudged you forward.

Who didn’t always agree with you, but never gave up on you.

Who reminded you of your strength, even when you forgot.

We all face setbacks. But we don’t face them alone.

There’s always someone who sees something in us, something we’ve forgotten how to see in ourselves.

And when things get tough, it’s not our talent that carries us.

It’s our character. And the quiet belief of someone who says, “Keep going.”

Character isn’t about being “good” or “nice.”  It’s not your reputation, your personality, or the version of you people see on the outside.

Character is who you are when things are hard; who you become when you’re uncomfortable. The person you become in those times, reveals your character.

Skills might get attention, but it’s character that wins trust, inspires loyalty, and shapes how people remember us.

Research shows that 78% of leaders value character traits like integrity, reliability, and resilience more than technical skills when making long-term hiring decisions.

A Contemplation For You:

Who has been your fan; your Judy Sharp?

And who might need you to be theirs right now?

In Monday Meditation, I’ll be talking on how character gets built through the moments of discomfort based on the choices we make, and how meditation plays a powerful role in how we show up.

Skills might open doors, but it’s our character (not our skills) that keeps them open!