I decided to do something a bit different today and vlog my reflections of yesterday’s #PKMChat on Working Out Loud.
The question that was running around in my head was, “Have I been working out loud all through my career?”
The answer was enlightening because it all stemmed from one thing only.
Here’s my reflection.
I hope that you can join us for the #PKMChat next week where the conversation continues!
Not sure I’ve commented here today. Let’s try.
My typical day starts with a cup of coffee and listening to the radio. Everyday I’m disappointed by the quality of the information served to us. Today I switched on Helen’s radio. I completely skipped the radio sequence.
From your videos, I kept two things.
1) The fear of putting ourselves forward. Going against years of education that others people do better then us (ref above radio) and that it’s a lack of tact to put ourselves forth. Now the thing is as i experimented myself yesterday: After hours of broadcatsting the fear goes away. Jeff asked me “what unexpected benefit did it bring to you? “. My answer was “I feel I gained something,maybe being confortable at it, some let go”. What will be your answer a day after?
2) The more this fears away, the more the natural comes back. We as viewers feel the same. watching someone too careful about showing a good image is also kind of stressful. In another word the lack of natural is communicating to the audience. Maybe that’s what impress us when we watch professional youtubers. I think we can get it as well.
Last one for the fun. Since I didn’t listen to the radio at all, I didn’t realize it’s a holiday here. It’s only outside, on my way for shopping, that someone remind me that everything was closed.
Thank you for mentionning #PKMChat
Thanks for the comment as always Bruno, greatly appreciated. I had to smile when you mentioned that it was ‘my radio’. Funny that. Every morning I do the same thing but instead of radio, it’s Casey Niestat’s vlogs. Just short, sharp and insightful that is a good start to my day. You’re right about doing something often so that it becomes more natural. I *think* I’m becoming more comfortable in front of the camera. My problem is that I get tongue tied. My mind races a thousand miles an hour but what comes out of my mouth is not articulate, smooth or evocative. Some people have the skill of language and being able to paint a picture with words so that the listener can get an idea of what they’re talking about. I wish I had that! Enjoy your holiday!!
Nice job putting yourself out there on video. I had no problem following your train of thought. I appreciate your discussing fear as – it’s a huge thing holding me back as I am worried about my company not being appreciative of me discussing work projects (even in general). I do think though that I need to get over it because I need the help of the community and also think what I am struggle with others are too – just like you said ; )
Thanks Kate, I totally understand where you are coming from. After years of being in the ‘corporate life’ there’s a undertone of what people (and managers) expect us to do and conform and this touches a lot of buttons for many people. It took years to muster up the courage to have a professional blog and I also noticed that to many people, they value your thoughts, inputs and insights if it means that what you’re sharing they can put to some great use for themselves but there will always be a small minority that regardless, this will still be an issue and will try to control their staff not to be as open in their learning for fear of placing the organisation in disrepute. Maybe consider ways of how you can present the message across as reflections? Or else, more like articles or how to’s ie instructional thereby negating the need for any personal or reflective angle to the message? Good luck in your journey too.