Keep practicing…

I’ve been talking in front of groups for decades, and in front of virtual audiences for years, but there’s something different when there’s an actual camera in my face. My coworkers, students, and audiences all know that I am very physical when I present in person. I move around and I probably use too many gestures. Virtually, I’m very comfortable talking to that little camera attached to my computer. I can make deep eye contact with it and feel grounded with my feet nestled under my desk and my arms leaning on top of it. But when I am asked to sit in and talk in front of an actual camera, I get unnerved.

I know what I want to say, but somehow my personality gets lost in the space between my brain and that lens. I know that I need more practice. So, when I got a call on Tuesday night to film a spot on Thursday, I said yes and jumped right in. Did I ask for a second take when I knew I could do better? Yes. Did I ask for feedback and listen when coaching came? Yes. Did I learn? Yes. Will it come out exactly like I want? Probably not, but it never unless I keep practicing.

I snapped this picture of my view to remind me (and you) that we have to keep signing up to do things we aren't great at so we have a shot at getting better.