Putting on my “Zoom Camera” empowered me. I have been camera shy for as long as, I can recall. I was petrified when the option to add videos was added on social media platforms. There was no way in hell that I was posting videos for the world to see.
Oddly enough, I was one of the 1st people to jump on the Zoom bandwagon when it started. I sold health & wellness products and workouts were part of it. I recall joining and inviting friends to Zoom workouts for accountability but I was embarrassed to be seen working out. My shyness did not result in building great relationships. It was like, I wasn’t present.
Other reps, I knew immediately jumped on the social media video craze and their business and followers exploded because their followers felt a personal connection. Refusing to put myself out there literally cost me big time.
In 2017, in their article “5 Reasons Why Your Company Needs to Embrace Video Conferencing Now,” reason #2 stood out to me “Video Conferencing Is as Good as Being There, And Is More Efficient.”
In December of 2018, I got a job working from home. Zoom was 2nd nature to me but when we had meetings, I was so nervous to put on my camera. The managers would immediately put on their cameras, so I felt it would be disrespectful if, I did not put mine on.
After putting on my camera (regardless of what I was wearing), I realized that it wasn't so bad and it was actually more fun to see the other people's expressions and to put a face to the name.
The company, I work for has employees all over the U.S. & I have made many wonderful friends thanks to Zoom. I am learning French and my teacher lives in Colombia. It was amazing to me when she opened the window to show me the streets of Bogota.
A co-worker showed me the beautiful trees she planted, I get to see pets, kids and so much more. It’s like visiting friends and co-workers all over the country and the world (who says you can’t travel during a pandemic). I’ve been to many virtual happy hours and had so much fun.
The crazy Jetson's fantasy that a lot of people wished was real is now reality. So why are we so afraid to see new faces and engage with new people? I remember going to Chamber of Commerce meetings to network for my employer. Now that was mortifying but, I got over that too.
Embracing the Zoom camera has also helped me to teach and mentor my teammates. In March of 2019, I planned a Zoom to help 10 coworkers. Soon people asked if others could come and it turned into 20 people. I recall being a nervous wreck thinking about facing 20 people then management invited other people and 20 turned into 60 people!
I was so NERVOUS! What had, I had I done to myself? It wasn’t too late to leave they would understand but these people had taken time from earning money to learn from me. I had to get over my nerves somehow. I put my best foot forward, and did my presentation. That Zoom changed my life. Since then, I teach a webinar for the company every Friday. It is incredibly rewarding and has pushed me beyond my comfort zone.
I have overcome my fear of being on camera. I love singing, and now, I sing on video and guess where, I share? Yup! on social media, and you know what? I didn't die! I learned to embrace not just video but my individuality and that I do not have to be perfect. I am not a makeup person and so many people would tell, I had to be all dolled up to be on video. Not true!
There is nothing wrong with being yourself. Sometimes, I feel like wearing red lipstick so, I do. I wear my wacky shirts, show off my purple hair and I do not concern myself with people’s opinions. As they say “what people think about me, is none of my business.”
Covid has been a nightmare since March of 2020 and we still don't know how long the chaos will last. Zoom has been a blessing in so many ways. I recall talking about Zoom before Covid and most people had no idea what it was.
Now is a form of communication not just for BIG companies but for small businesses, new business that were created, schools, friends and family. Zoom and other video platforms have helped and continue to help people to stay connected with friends and loved ones.
Hello! TikTok is a video platform(I am there too). Had someone told me that I would post even one video on TikTok, I probably would have laughed. I don't have the time to be super active on social media, but I know that the highest engagement on any platform that, I am on based on analytics are my video posts.
As one of my workers said, "If it wasn't for these Zoom meetings, I probably would have gone crazy. I love the human connection." When we are excited or look forward to something, our brains release the magical dopamine, anandamide, serotonin and then some which induce happiness and pleasure.
I don’t know about you but I will take all the doses of happiness, I can get. When we stop worrying about what others think or how we look. We set ourselves free from worry, and negative thinking. Positivity is magnetic, contagious and great for our health. I dare you to put on your camera and watch the magic unfold. Has showing your face on Zoom empowered you? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
