The first thing I learned about video is not to take myself too seriously. It is a great medium and I love it. I admit it. I am somewhat of a ham in front of the camera, on stage, well, anyplace I have an audience. Growing up, I was painfully shy. I learned to get over my shyness (fear of rejection) by acting. If I could be someone else, then it didn’t matter if people did or didn’t like me. It wasn’t me they were connecting with, it was my character.

Fear of Rejection isn’t Fatal and it doesn’t have to be a life sentence

But what about showing up as myself, not as someone else? I can still remember being in front of my speech class in junior high. I thought everyone could see me trembling, knees knocking together in fear. It was a revelation that no one but me knew I was nervous. I learned to take my fear and re-channel  it into excitement about my message. Shifting my focus from myself to the people in the audience who chose to come and see me and doing my best to deliver an entertaining and educational experience.

I am not suggesting that this reframing was instantaneous. It was a gradual process for me. I come from a family of shy people. I didn’t have outgoing role models in my immediate family. I craved connection, so I had to get over my fear.

When I saw this video, it made me laugh.

It is a hoot and it also makes some good points about why people enjoy video.

Video is a great tool for marketing

Video content is growing at an exponential rate. YouTube, Vimeo, iTunes are probably the best know channels for online video. There is video email too. Face it, video is an important communication tool. Just yesterday I was introduced to a new product via a demonstration video. As access to tools like smart phones and tablets with video capture has expanded, so too has the number of new content creators. I use a variety of video capture tools, from the easy ones like iMovie to the big guns in the Adobe Production Premium Suite (Adobe Premiere, After Effects and Encore).

But what if you are self-conscious, shy or don’t like how you look, or are afraid to speak in public? What then? There are many ways to “skin a cat.” I had the help of a mentor. I sought out ways to challenge myself and as I got out into the work world, I met amazing people like Susan RoAne, author of several great books on networking, and my good friend, Joan Gale Frank. Joan created “Instant Guts” an audio program that gives step-by-step inspiration and practical exercises to help overcome fear and turn it into action. It is fun, funny and it works.

Become a Top Cat

Action Steps

1. Prepare some talking points to open a conversation
2. Rehearse what you intend to say in a relaxed setting
3. Join a networking group where you have an opportunity to speak on a regular basis
4. Join a group like Toastmasters where you learn to think on your feet
5. Don’t expect perfection
6. Be authentic, it is more valuable than being perfect
7. Focus on your audience

 Storyboards

As you saw in the cat video, storyboards help you prepare and organize the information you intend to share. Here is link to a great free resource for storyboard forms. Did you know, Walt Disney is the father of storyboarding? Cinematographers have used storyboards to map out their films. You can use it for creating a visual map for your live presentations and for your next great video production.

 What I learned from Cats

I still have days when I am more introvert than extrovert. Lucky for me, I have an in-house relaxation coach, my cat Simba. He has his priorities straight: eat, sleep, get hugs and love every day. And he is never camera-shy.

 

I was reminded of the eloquent and inspiring words of Dr. Nelson Mandela today. I want to share them with you.

“Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not be be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God
that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural Speech

Today, face your fear and do what you were meant to do.
If it is fear of public speaking, talk to a stranger as you wait in line.
If it is fear of rejection, find someone you can accept into your life, if only for a few minutes.

Be your own hero.

Fear can paralyze us. Only doing what we fear can transform “false emotions appearing real”.