Feel the fear and do it anyway

At the weekend, I did something that I found really scary. I am the Queen of Self Doubt, but hell, sometimes it’s good to put yourself out there. “Feel the fear and do it anyway” to quote Susan Jeffers.

I spoke at a blogging conference about working with brands. Now, I am no expert at working with brands, but I have experience and opinions (loads of opinions). I did my research and encouraged bloggers in the room to share their views and experiences too. I was lucky enough to share session with a lovely PR called Mel, who works for Trunki. Beforehand, we were the nervous twins.

Previously, I’d run a workshop on Twitter at another conference, so I had some experience. Again, I put myself out there, with little to go on, did my Twitter homework. I like communicating, I know I have the ability to convey to others how to get more from social media. That event was round table. Standing in front of a crowd, albeit small and friendly, was something different.

In a previous life, I used to regularly Chair and attend meetings with professionals, community leaders, various challenging individuals. Conversely, I’m happy in a meeting setting, advocating and influencing but make me stand and ‘present’; that horrifies me. So why did I agree to speak at a conference? Several reasons; because like many bloggers, I spend too much time at home communicating with a computer, a child or my partner. Because, I lack opportunities to stretch myself and put myself out there, when one came along I grabbed it. I thought I might enjoy it, and I did. I reminded myself of the things I’ve done via blogging which at the time felt huge and now I take for granted.

The nerves at my first brand event, the trepidation at the first conference I attended. Do you remember pressing publish on your first post? There was a knot of fear and dread in my stomach. Would anyone read it? Occasionally, I hesitate before clicking publish on certain posts, wondering if I should share the contents. I often wonder if what I am writing here is absolute twaddle.

As bloggers, we are our own editors, occasionally it is good to get a second perspective, or come back to a post before clicking ‘publish’. Time or a second perspective isn’t always available, we have to make our own call, it takes a certain amount of deftness. Most of us have had friends say: “Oh, I might start a blog and get some free stuff”. Actually, the reality and the work that goes into a blog, isn’t for everyone, it isn’t easy. We are publishers, with a range of skills; social media, technical, writing, photography. We negotiate with brands, we manage our time, create content and inspire others; the list goes on. We frequently, put ourselves out there and I frequently forget all that, the Queen of Self Doubt. At the weekend, I did the session and it went very well, with lots of positive comments afterwards. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

About Gemma M

Gemma blogs at Helloitsgemma, see link below She is an older not wiser, mother of one small boy. Gemma always has painted toe nails and enjoys cake.

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