Much of life's success is just showing up--making choices about how you plan to prioritize the 24 hours you have now. No matter what title someone carries or how much money they earn (or not earn), no one has more than 24 hours.

Easy enough.

But showing up like you mean it sends a different message to people. It tells people that you made a conscious decision to be there, whether you're spending time with a loved one, attending an event, or participating in a meeting. It's about fully engaging all parts of yourself.

The critical difference is the type of energy that you bring to the table when you show up like you mean it. It clearly differentiates you from those who just show up.

With all the focus on personal branding these days, why not consider shifting your energy to a level that says I'm here because I choose to and I expect powerful things to happen.

In the last three weeks I've been reminded of this four different times, so I figured it was time to share:

1) I helped a neighbor's teenage son toss around ideas for a speech assignment he had to complete--telling his "story" in five minutes using PowerPoint slides. We came up with a theme centered around his passion for building homes one day.

"Whatever you do," I advised him, "give it your best shot. You never know who might be in the audience."

He dropped by this past weekend to let me know that his class and the teacher really enjoyed his story. As it turns out, another teacher dropped in to hear the presentations and happened to catch his. He had a strained relationship with this teacher, but after hearing his story she thanked him for "Letting me get to know you.

2) As a guest of Steve Yamaguma, I attended an evening gathering and pot luck dinner with Silicon Valley's Engage Her members. Steve's company Design2Market has been instrumental in supporting the non-profit's efforts; however, I almost skipped the meeting because I was feeling drained from the day and still hadn't prepared a dish to bring with me. Instead, I took a 20-minute nap and picked something up from the deli.

The energy of twenty-six women and men who showed up like they meant it was amazing. I had spirited conversations with dynamic, creative women on health care, motherhood, art, social media, and politics. A common theme of those participating that night had to do with reinventing themselves--personally and professionally.

I've been invited to facilitate a discussion on reinventing yourself during the group's next gathering.

You never know who might show up.

3) I attended a book publishing workshop in San Francisco and was pumped to spend two days learning something new. I walked in expecting great things to happen. Now, this is an example of when things can move in a direction that we don't expect or even hope for, but that can still hide a gem in the rough.

The event took a downturn for me after lunch on the first day, but not before a woman who had been sitting in the crowded front rows came and sat next to me in the back. As it turns out, Nettie Hartsock and I have quite a bit in common and are already planning next steps for how we can help one another in business.

You never know who's in the audience.

4) I moderated a panel Innovation and Tech Career Reinvention for the 2nd Annual TeleSummit for Women in Technology. The preparation and lead up to the event was intense, including content development and practice drills with my high-powered panel.

Fully committing wasn't just about me. It was about representing my panel in the best light possible and ensuring that participants got what they paid for, particularly those who were expecting great things to happen.

Showing up like you mean it often builds momentum.

Think about this the next time you decide to show up--raise the bar for yourself and show up like you mean it!