I’ve recently started the habit of recording conversations between my clients and I. It’s an advice I’m trying out from an online speaking coach and in some ways, it feels similar to the way I’ve been recording my lifts for the last few years. It starts off uncomfortable, but eventually you forget the camera’s even there.

I’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter as long as you aren’t getting in anyone’s way. Bonus points if it’s on top of good intentions with a genuine desire to improve. Personally, it’s to provide a better version of myself to the people around me.

In that spirit, I’ve been analysing the way I speak by taking notes and catching patterns. I’m saying this because I’ve realised that I’m an active speaker, as my body does half of the talking. It’s useful when I’m speaking in-person, but it makes me look fidgety as heck on screen. I also feel awkward about receiving compliments, but I’m good at matching energy, and analogies seem to land well with most of my clients. Sometimes, I do get carried away with it and for some reason, I often use cooking as examples.

Most times, I don’t tell my clients that I’m filming (until the end of the call), so it feels like a one-sided podcast. Thankfully, most of them are supportive of this as long as I censor the important bits. That aside, it’s rawer than my usual content but if it helps creatives out there understand what it’s like to talk the talk and walk the talk, then mission accomplished.

It’s something I used to struggle with. Hiding behind the scenes and completing the work is easy, but stepping forward to talk about it once it’s done takes practice. I’m still figuring things out, but it’s gotten a lot better. At the same time, I believe this is where us creatives shortchange our potential.

Doing the work? Good.
Doing, and presenting the work? Great.

Apart from that, I’m starting to see why it’s a great way to create social proof cause I follow some professional salesmen online and they record their calls live. It’s interesting and so, I’m experimenting with that approach in my work too.

That aside? Wall balls, man. They fucking suck.
The next person who tells me it’s a good idea to squat heavy before doing wall balls is toast.