When I was a kid, Saturday mornings meant watching cartoons and please don’t judge, professional wrestling 🤪. I was glued to the TV watching larger-than-life characters flying off ropes, arguing with referees, and holding championship belts like the fate of the world depended on it. Back then, it was real to me. Every rivalry felt personal, every win felt heroic and every loss felt tragic.
Then somewhere around middle school, I “outgrew” it. Life moved and interests changed. Wrestling faded into the background like so many childhood things do.
Fast forward to last year.
My oldest son invited us to go to a live World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) event in our area. Now, when your grown kids want to spend time with you, the answer is “Yes.” No hesitation and no schedule check. Just yes.
So, we went. And just like that, my wife was hooked (she’s going to read this and say I’m the one that is “back in the game”, but we all know I’m just here to support her 😉).
Fast forward to this year.
Wrestling came back to our area again and he invited us again. So, we went and not just because we wanted to spend time with him, but because we remembered how much fun we had last time. There, I said it. We’ve turned into wrestling fans. 🤪
No, we’re not those crazy and silly die-hard fans. We’re not memorizing stats. But we got pulled into the stories, the drama , the characters, the athleticism and the danger. Yes, it is risky. Yes, it is real, to a point.
But it’s also scripted entertainment. And yet, it still works.
What really drew me in this time wasn’t the moves. It was the commitment. These athletes play a role in one of the most physically demanding environments out there. They don’t want to lose as true competitors never do. But when the script calls for it, they play their part for the bigger story.
That world has a name for it. “Kayfabe”. In the most simplistic terms, it means the commitment to the story, staying in character protecting the narrative.
And whether we admit it or not, it’s kind of fun to follow.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
No, business isn’t scripted entertainment, we’re not pretending and we’re not creating fake drama. But there is something powerful here.
Because in business, just like in wrestling, there are days you have to play the part. Not in a dishonest way. In a professional way.
You show up confident when you feel uncertain. You stay calm when things go sideways. You encourage others when you’re tired yourself. You keep the long-term story in mind, even when the current “scene” isn’t your favorite.
That’s not fake. That’s leadership and that’s good business.
Here’s Why This Mindset Matters In Real, Practical Business Terms
- Consistency Builds Trust. Your audience, customers, and partners don’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be reliable. Showing up regularly, even on off days, tells people they can count on you.
- Professionalism Creates Stability. When things go wrong (and they will), your ability to stay composed and solution-focused keeps others calm. Leaders set the emotional tone.
- The Long Game Beats The Bad Day. One slow week, one failed launch, or one tough conversation does not define your business. Staying committed to the bigger picture keeps small losses from becoming big quits.
- Confidence Often Follows Action. You don’t always feel ready before you act. Many times, stepping into your role first is what builds the confidence you thought you needed beforehand.
- Your Audience Is Watching How You Handle Challenges. People learn as much from how you navigate difficulty as they do from your wins. Your response under pressure becomes part of your brand.
Entrepreneurs especially live this every day. Nobody sees the missed shots, the late nights, the learning curves, the self-doubt. But when it’s time to step in front of a client, publish that post, record that video, or hit “launch,” you step into your role as the problem solver, the guide and the professional.
You don’t quit just because this “episode” is tough. You understand sometimes you “lose” a deal, sometimes a post flops and sometimes the plan doesn’t work. But that doesn’t make you the loser in the bigger narrative. It just means this part of the journey is building toward something else.
Business requires composure, consistency and commitment to the long game.
In a strange way, that’s our version of Kayfabe. Not pretending but choosing to act in alignment with the professional we are becoming, even when we don’t fully feel it yet.
Because the story isn’t over and the people are watching. Your customers, your audience, your family are following your journey, not just one scene. We may not be jumping off turnbuckles, but we are stepping into the ring every day in our own way. We show up, we play our part and we stay committed to the bigger story.
Because one day you’ll look back and realize the tough “episodes” were the very ones that built the strength, resilience, and credibility that earned you your championship moment in business.
And trust me, that’s a storyline worth sticking around for.
If you are serious about building something of your own, there are going to be days when you do not feel like showing up. Trust me, I have had plenty of them. That is exactly why I partnered with the Internet Profits Academy. It gives you the tools, the guidance, and the people around you to keep going when you would normally tap out. So if you are ready to stop sitting on the sidelines and actually get in the game, go take a look and see if it is the right fit for you.
Before you go, let me ask you this. Are you showing up and playing your part right now, or are you thinking about tapping out? Be honest. Drop a comment below and let me know. I would love to hear where you are in your story.
Wait, did my wife just turn wrestling on TV? She’ll tell you and she’s watching it for the storyline, but we all know the truth. I better go support her, not that I’m interested in any way. 🤪
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” — Albert Einstein
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
I tried wrestling once. It turns out the only move I know is tap out and order pizza.
I entered a wrestling match with no training. It turns out my finishing move is called “Emergency Room.”
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
**If you are curious about building and maintaining a healthy online business, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter here and continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I have long desired, but also to share what I am learning with others who are working toward the same dream.
Hey Ernie,
I can definitely relate to this. Building something online comes with a lot of pressure… People don’t always see what goes on behind the scenes. Some days you question yourself, overthink everything, or feel like you should already have it all figured out. It doesn’t work that way.
I loved the reminder that the tough days don’t mean you are failing. They’re part of learning, growing, and staying committed to the bigger story. That’s what I try to remind myself all the time.
Funny timing too, because my son just went with a friend last night for the first time to see MMA wrestling and he said he really enjoyed it.
Great post and thanks for the reminder to keep showing up and not tap out just because one “episode” feels hard. Have a great week!
Hi Meredith – This really meant a lot to me, thank you. You captured the heart of the message perfectly. Those behind-the-scenes moments you described are so real, and you are right, most people never see that part. The questioning, the overthinking, the feeling that we should be further along than we are. That is exactly where growth is happening, even if it does not feel like it in the moment. I love that you are reminding yourself to stay committed to the bigger story, because that is where the real progress lives.
And I had to smile at the timing with your son. That is how it starts, right? One event, one experience, and suddenly you are a little more intrigued than you expected to be. I am glad he enjoyed it. More importantly, I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and connect it back to your own journey. Keep showing up like you are, it matters more than you know. Hope you have a great week as well!
Hi Ernie,
Have to say, I learned something today by reading your blog entry. I didn’t know it had a name but “Kayfabe” does somehow ring true.
Growing up, I remember watching the wrestling matches – although I never got into it, I definitely can relate to how it’s an important aspect of “keeping up appearances” and, ironically enough, sticking to it when things aren’t going exactly to plan.
Keeping the focus of what needs to be done even when things aren’t shaping up to be a “win” can be disheartening but once you get that win, oh boy! There’s nothing stopping you.
Thanks for the reminder because thinking of it now, I kinda wish I had stayed watching the great matches – and life lessons they showed!
Cheers!
Hi Marc – I really appreciate this, thank you. It is funny how something like that can sit in the background for years and then all of a sudden it clicks in a completely different way. You nailed it with the idea of keeping the focus even when things are not going as planned. That is where the real test is, not when everything is going right, but when it is not. And you are spot on, those wins feel a whole lot sweeter because of it.
I also got a kick out of you saying you wish you had stuck with it a bit longer. There are a lot more life lessons in there than we probably gave it credit for back then. I am really glad the message connected with you and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Cheers to staying in the match and enjoying a few more wins along the way.