Introduction
A few years ago, I had a client purchase one of my “All About Me” video packages.
The concept was simple. Before we met on Zoom, I sent her a list of questions about her life, her work, and why she does what she does. Then we’d sit down together, I’d ask the questions, and she’d tell her story.
I’ve always enjoyed these sessions because people are often sitting on a lifetime of experiences and wisdom they don’t realize are valuable. Sometimes all they need is someone to ask the right questions and give them the space to answer.
This particular client was intelligent, articulate, and knew her business inside and out. If you met her at a networking event or sat down with her over coffee, she could easily talk about her work and the people she served.
But the day we met wasn’t her best day.
When You’re Focused on Getting Through It
Something had happened at the office. She was stressed, distracted, and carrying the weight of the morning into our session.
As soon as we started recording, I could tell she wasn’t really present. She wasn’t focused on sharing her story. She was focused on getting through the process.
And honestly, I think most of us know what that feels like.
We don’t always approach opportunities with excitement. Sometimes we approach them with a desire to simply survive them.
Just get through it.
Check the box.
Move on.
I’ve seen that mindset show up in video recording sessions countless times over the years. People tell themselves they just need to get it done. The faster they finish, the faster they can stop feeling uncomfortable.
The Missing Ingredient Wasn’t Skill
So we recorded her answers.
Then we did another round.
I encouraged her to slow down a little. I reminded her not to feel trapped by the questions. One of the techniques I’ve taught for years is to take the question, turn it into a statement, and then simply talk as though you’re having a conversation with a friend.
Almost immediately, things started improving.
Her shoulders relaxed.
Her voice softened.
Her answers became more natural.
She sounded less like someone trying to pass a test and more like herself.
A few days later, she contacted me.
“I don’t sound like myself.”
The information was correct. The story was accurate. The video was professional.
But something was missing.
Her presence.
The Myth of the First Take
Somewhere along the way, many people developed the idea that they’re supposed to hit Record and get it right immediately.
I don’t know where that expectation came from, but I wish we could retire it.
I’ve worked with business owners, nonprofit leaders, veterans, authors, coaches, speakers, and people creating legacy videos for their families.
Very few people do their best work on the first take.
First Takes Are Warm-Ups
The first take is often where you’re getting used to hearing your own voice.
The second take is where you’re starting to settle in.
The third take is where you’re beginning to forget the camera is there.
And somewhere along the way, the real you starts showing up.
The Camera Was Never the Real Obstacle
As a creative director, I’ve learned that my job isn’t simply helping people make videos.
It’s helping people get comfortable enough to tell the truth.
Not “the truth” in some dramatic sense.
I mean the truth of who they are.
Their experiences.
Their stories.
Their perspective.
Their personality.
Because that’s what people connect with.
Not perfection.
Presence.
The Evolution of Weezy
Looking back over the years, I can see that my own work has evolved.
When I first started helping people with video, much of the conversation focused on cameras, lighting, editing, framing, and production.
Those things still matter.
But something interesting happened along the way.
The conversations started changing.
People weren’t coming to me just because they wanted to make a video.
They wanted help figuring out what they wanted to say.
The Story Behind the Story
Before we ever press Record, we’re often talking about questions like:
- What matters most?
- What have you learned?
- What do you want people to remember?
- Who are you trying to help?
- How do you want people to feel when they hear your story?
Those are creative direction questions.
Those are storytelling questions.
And I’ve discovered something surprising.
Once people become clear about their story, the camera becomes a whole lot less intimidating.
Presence Over Performance
This idea has become one of my core beliefs:
Presence over performance.
When I first started saying those words, I thought I was talking about video.
Now I realize I’m talking about something much bigger.
We’re living in a world where content is everywhere.
Videos.
Reels.
Podcasts.
Graphics.
Articles.
Artificial intelligence can create more content in an afternoon than most of us could create in a year.
But all that content has created a different challenge.
People are hungry for genuine connection.
They’re looking for real people.
Real experiences.
Real stories.
Real conversations.
Why Presence Matters More Than Ever
People don’t need you to be perfect.
They need you to be present.
They don’t need a polished performance.
They need authenticity.
They need honesty.
They need the version of you that shows up after you’ve taken a breath, relaxed your shoulders, and stopped worrying about getting every word exactly right.
The Recovering Turtle Approach
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me refer to myself as a recovering turtle.
That’s my humorous way of describing the tendency to retreat into the shell when things feel uncomfortable.
A lot of the people I work with are turtles too.
They tell themselves they’ll make the video when:
- They lose ten pounds.
- They get a better office.
- They buy a better camera.
- They write a better script.
- They feel more confident.
The list goes on and on.
But confidence rarely shows up before action.
Confidence is usually the reward for taking action.
Not the prerequisite.
Plan. Prep. Practice.
That’s why I teach:
Plan. Prep. Practice.
Planning gives you direction.
Prep reduces uncertainty.
Practice builds familiarity.
And familiarity slowly begins to quiet the fear.
No magic.
No shortcuts.
Just steady progress.
A Different Kind of Independence
As we celebrate Independence Day this month, I’d like to offer a different kind of freedom.
- Freedom from perfection.
- Freedom from believing you have to get everything right the first time.
- Freedom from waiting until you’re completely ready.
- Freedom from the idea that your story has to be polished before it’s worth sharing.
What if your first take was allowed to be a warm-up?
What if your first draft was allowed to be imperfect?
What if your first step was simply a step?
Not a masterpiece.
Not a performance.
Just a beginning.
Final Thoughts: Your Story Matters
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of helping people tell their stories.
The people who make progress aren’t necessarily the most talented. They aren’t necessarily the most polished.
They’re simply willing to start before they feel fully prepared.
They press Record.
They tell the story.
They learn.
They improve.
And little by little, confidence begins to grow.
Maybe that’s what growth looks like.
Not becoming someone else.
Becoming more of who you already are.
Your story matters.
Your experience matters.
Your voice matters.
And if you’re ready to share your story, refine your message, or become more comfortable showing up as yourself, I’m here.
I’ve walked that road myself, and I’ve helped a lot of other recovering turtles walk it too.
When you’re ready to evolve, I’m waiting.