The beauty of the internet lies in all of the ways to quickly communicate. Herein lies the problem, because each method of communication leads to another skill set.
For many of us we were brought up on two forms of communication, writing and speaking. Because there were only two forms of communication, the nuance of each communication became more intense.
From grade school on, at least 50% of your day was spent learning these skills. Then you were critiqued, rewarded and admonished.
If you included your other classes, at least 75% of your day depended on these two skills.
Now, communication methods have exploded and changed the rule in the real world.
We could discuss the death of grammar, vocabulary and spelling but this is not the place. Your brain, if you are over the age of 25, is most likely still wired for perfection in communication. You are also afraid to be less than perfect in your technique for fear of admonishment or ridicule.
The thing is, the techniques are adapting quickly. You will not be able to be an expert in a technique that is dying. You have to think about your goal”: “Getting the baby out”
Get That Baby Out. Don’t Worry About Being Perfect or Like Others
My wife and I are expecting our first child. For medical reasons, we have no choice but natural child birth or surgery (no epidural). We attended several different classes to prepare us for this.
Each of the classes, from “Natural Childbirth” to “Pre Natal Yoga” walked us through varieties of poses. I noticed how many couples watch the other couples during this (myself included). This may be competition, self consciousness, or simply looking for direction. Really, none of these should matter
I know in the heat of battle I would not be able to remember any of these. Then I had the moment. It’s not about the techniques, it’s about getting the baby out. Concentrate on thinking how a baby comes out, and get the baby out.
You move this way and that, knowing that together the goal is to get the baby out. I will have a very basic and not pretty skill set, but we will get the baby out. It’s not going to be pretty. Given time, I would be an expert if we had 10 children (that is not in the plan). Still a natural competitiveness and a desire to see what other s are doing makes me feel inadequate. Again, that should not matter. My goal is not to feel better about myself. Whatever it takes, I am going to focus on getting the baby out, not how we are getting there.
This week, I want you to think about “Getting the baby out” when communicating on the internet, whether. social media, your website or a blog post. Don’t worry so much about the grammar, about breaking Facebook or making your tweet perfect. Your “Baby” may be communicating with the people that you really want to communicate. Your “Baby” maybe getting a blog post out per day. Think about the ultimate goal, not the technique. There is no way for you to know all of the techniques in time.
It’s not always going to be pretty. You are not going to be perfect at the techniques and people will criticize. It’s going to be a little painful if you are doing it right. Don’t worry. Think about one thing. Whatever way you can wiggle, sit or stand, get that baby out.