Here. We. Go.

Almost no tickets sold. 4,000 competing shows. The month of a lifetime.

I’m writing this from the airport on Monday, July 28th.

I’m about to board a red-eye to Edinburgh to begin the run of Mental at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with my good friend, Tess Tregellas.

We’ve currently sold 17 tickets out of a possible 1,150. In other words, 1.5% of our sellable capacity. Our opening night show has zero tickets sold.

But, believe it or not, morale is high! This is the Edinburgh Fringe, where a great show paired with sheer tenacity gets you a very long way. Tess and I may not have much, but we have a strong work ethic, and we’re gonna ride that for all it’s worth.

Here are eight thoughts before what will be, I guarantee you, one of the craziest months of my life:

1. Success is a lagging indicator

60 minutes just did a piece of John Oliver. They went to Edinburgh, into the theater where Oliver got his start. “All of this was empty, except for those four seats,” he said. 21 Emmy Awards later, Oliver is doing just fine.

Success is a result of doing the work now, even when it feels futile, even when no one pays attention, even when there are no results. That way, when opportunity knocks, you’re already prepared.

Edinburgh is a launching pad—you just have to figure out the controls.

2. Leave your ego at the door

Tess and I have had the absolute pleasure of galavanting from city to city doing sold-out shows. But in Edinburgh, that means nothing. Nobody knows who I am (Tess is internet famous but I can assure you I am not), and nobody knows what we’ve done.

Those sold-out shows were great for getting reps, but it doesn’t make us better than anyone—especially when all those other people are selling out their shows at the Fringe.

We’ll be killers on stage—otherwise, we’re gonna stay kind, humble, and curious.

3. Small fish, big ocean

You can be the best act in Denver, or the worst act in Edinburgh. It’s always, always worth it to start at the bottom, be inspired by the best, and work your way up.