Hey Reader,
I hope you're staying warm as we ‘shiver’ into the New year!
If you've read my guide, “From Mic Shy to Camera Confident.”
(If you haven't, you can download it directly HERE)
The most important lesson is getting used to “You”.
That means recording yourself… a lot!
See… Your brain is a terrible liar.
It sees you on video and screams, "ABORT MISSION." It tells you that you sound nasally, look awkward, and should probably delete everything and move to a camera-free cabin in the woods.
Here's the thing, though: your brain isn't reacting to how bad you are.
It's reacting to how “unfamiliar” you are.
You've spent your entire life hearing your voice from inside your skull.
You've seen your face in mirrors where everything's flipped.
So when you finally see yourself the way everyone else does, your brain treats it like a glitch in the Matrix.
"That can't be me. I don't sound like that. Do I really make that face when I talk?"
Yes. You do.
But guess what? Nobody else thinks it's weird because they've never known any other version of you.
The cringe you feel isn't a sign that you're terrible on camera.
It's a sign that you're new to seeing yourself this way.
And “new” always feels uncomfortable.
You know what fixes “uncomfortable”? Repetition.
“Repetition is the Mother of Skill!”
Not motivation. Not a pep talk. Not waiting until you "feel ready."
Just doing it over and over until the weirdness wears off.
Record yourself talking about your morning coffee. Record yourself explaining what you do. Record yourself reading a grocery list if you want. It doesn't matter what you say. What matters is that you're teaching your brain that this version of you is normal.
You’re getting used to “You”!
I can't emphasize this enough… Never Watch Your Recording Right Away!
Give it a day! (or at least a good night's sleep.)
If you watch your ‘takes’ right after recording them, I can guarantee you’ll look uglier, more nasally, and maybe fatter than you truly are!
Because here's the secret nobody tells you: confidence doesn't show up first. “Familiarity” does.
You don't get good at being on camera by avoiding it.
You get good by making it boring.
By recording so many times that your brain stops treating it like a ‘crisis’ and starts treating it like Tuesday.
The camera isn't your enemy. Your “newness” is.
And newness doesn't last.
It’s Not a Flaw—It’s a “Phase”.
Stellar Quotes
“I cringe. I hide. I don’t like seeing myself.”
Nicole Kidman
“You see everything you did wrong. It’s not pleasant.”
Tom Hanks
Never let another DJ watch your house!
I know this, because I've been on the “perpetrator” side. By nature, most jocks are goofballs.
Carl was our Midday guy. He was leaving for his honeymoon.
He made the mistake of accepting our program director's invitation to watch his apartment while he was gone. (He's known as a Lifetime Practical Joker.)
Standard stuff: “water the plants.”
When Carl brought his new bride home, they were both in for a surprise!
We had all day Saturday to “concoct”. We're not talking ‘rearranging’ furniture… That's amateur stuff.
No permanent damage, of course. He WAS renting after all, Reader.
Here's some highlights: We hid 4 “digital crickets” around the place.
Just like a “talking greeting” card, they make “chirping” sounds.
It sounds like you have random crickets in different rooms.
It’ll drive you crazy!
His new wife would also come home to condoms wrapped over the tops of bottles in the refrigerator. (Mrs Butterworth's was my favorite!)
We used double-sided tape to secure bubble wrap to the bathroom floors.
A deflated blow-up doll between the mattress in the pull-out couch.
(took him two weeks to find that!)
My personal favorite, the “Kool-Aid shower head trick!”
You unscrew the shower head, put the drink powder (preferably cherry) in the head, and screw it back on.
When someone turns on the shower… It makes it look like BLOOD is coming out!
To top it all off, we FILLED his apartment with 100 helium party balloons!
(Thank heaven for interns!)
It took two of us to get the last 10 balloons inside and close the door!
After coming home, I'm sure his new bride was wondering,
“Who the hell did I marry?”
Diversions
Your Thoughts
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Free Coaching!
I'm offering a totally free 30-minute coaching call. Normally, I’d charge a hundred bucks an hour, but this one’s on the house.
For the first 20 minutes, ask me anything about improving your "Vocal Confidence", marketing your podcast, etc.
In the last 10 minutes, I’ll toss you a couple of quick questions.
Things you're struggling with, where you like to hang out online…
You'll leave with (at least) one solid, profitable insight. And nope, there's no sales pitch.
We can do it by Zoom or phone, whichever you prefer. https://calendly.com/roycethewriter/royce-coaching-call
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