Take A Look In The Mirror
Growing up, I was the fat kid. I got made fun of, I was called names, and I was the easy butt of any joke.
So, at an early age, I had to begin to develop a thick skin. I also had to value qualities other than looks.
I was the funny guy, I was the nice guy, I was the good listener (to all the girls that “friend-zoned” me…Ha), and plenty of other things.
I made peace with never winning any beauty contests.
Fast forward to now…unbeknownst to me, video would become a major factor in my ability to market myself and I have (mostly) total confidence to leverage it.
Why did I tell you this story? Well, let me start with why I didn’t tell you…
I didn’t tell you this story for you to feel sorry for me. I’m plenty (my wife would sometimes say too much) confident!
I’m telling you this story to help you get over the ONE THING that may or may not change, but doesn’t matter…
Your looks!
I need you to stop and do something for me. Get up and go look in a mirror. No seriously, I’ll wait…
Did you like what you saw? I don't care how skinny, fat, old, young, wrinkled, botox’d, or whatever you are, the answer was most likely “no.'‘
Why? Because we are way harder on ourselves than we are on anyone else. The expectations we set for ourselves are ridiculous, but we give others grace so freely.
For most of you reading this…this is exactly why you struggle with video!
Because you have to come face-to-face with yourself every single time you do a video.
Well, guess what?
The person you just saw in the mirror about 60 seconds ago, is the same person your friends and the rest of the world see every time you go to work, get coffee, drop your kids off at school, get drinks with old friends or whatever else you do in public.
Why are we so brave to venture out AS OURSELVES into the world, but when it comes to being in a room alone with our phone (to do a video), we FREAK OUT?!
Isn’t that weird?
This blog is here to help you see how weird you and I both can be and hopefully help you improve.
Let’s take a quick inventory…you have mad skills!
You have gifts and abilities, you give great advice (maybe), you have a successful or at least kind of successful business, and (hopefully) you care about people.
Your people (and even some that don’t know you yet) need you. They struggle. They are hurting. They go to bed at times thinking they suck at parenting. They battle anxiety. They manage depression. Bottom line…
They aren’t who they portray themselves to be on social media.
Don’t buy that hype…do not exchange their highlight reels for your behind closed door moments.
Brief pause…I need to chase a rabbit!
People…we don’t need more lambo driving, vacation home living, three-piece suit wearing experts telling us how to live our lives. We need REAL PEOPLE. You and me. And I’m not bashing those people at all, we just have plenty of them. It’s your time (and hopefully, my time too).
Ok, I’m back…
It’s time for the so-called “NORMAL” people to rise up. You may never impact a million people (although I hope you will), but you can make a difference for enough. You can make an impact on enough people to help your business grow?
But not until you get over yourself.
Let me give you a few simple tips…
#1 - Get over your looks.
You are who you are. That’s not changing…at least not today. Don’t wait until you are satisfied with your looks….you’ll be waiting forever. Your friends love you just how you are. I promise! And if there is something specific that has you feeling nervous before a video, call it out. On numerous occasions, I’ve had a pimple on my nose, and so on my video, I just brought it up…it takes the power away from the pimple and back to me! You can do this too…
#2 - Create the habit of video.
How do you do this? Start recording something on video every single day. Don’t freak yourself out by thinking about posting it, just record it to your phone. You might never post it, but at least you’re practicing and getting better. This will you inch you closer to where you want to be.
#3- Don’t let your need for money bleed on your videos.
I watch so many people appear so desperate on video. They need money. They want money. And so they are putting the pressure on us to feel like it’s our job to “help a bro out.” Don’t let your unpaid credit card cause you to be a beggar on video…do your best to make your videos about value for your audience. You’ll grow in confidence much faster this way.
#4 - Use LIVE video and the “only me” privacy setting.
This is for two reasons…live video keeps you from having to edit videos. Editing your own videos can be your own personal hell. You have to watch yourself over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. By the end of editing, you’re the ugliest, stupidest, and most ignorant person on the planet, Haha! (this may just be me). The second part is, use the “only me” setting to do videos without the fear of anyone watching.
#5 - Come into agreement with your worth.
This may be a weird turn in this blog for some that read this…but this is why am I comfortable with video?
I know WHO’S I am! God made me unique and different. I’m one of kind. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. And whether you agree or feel differently…this is my secret weapon.
When I was a young pastor, I was shown a verse (I believe in Isaiah) that spoke about no matter what, God’s Word never comes back void. And since it’s my goal to show Jesus to people through the way I live my life, I believe that every time I open my mouth on camera, one person somewhere needed that message!
And that’s good enough for me…
PS - THIS GROWS YOUR BUSINESS TOO!
You don’t need to be famous…you just need to be remembered…by your friends and in your community! Jumping on video regularly will bring you more business than you ever think it will!
Just remember…make this a longterm commitment. It may not work right away (even though sometimes it does). It takes time. So KEEP GOING.
And if I can help, don’t hesitate to reach out! Keep your head up, you’ve got this!