It started out like any other day in third grade… I was maybe 9 years old – very shy, very sensitive and painfully introverted.
I did, however, have the longest hair in my class at Forest Park School. I fancied myself a rock star in a class where most of the boys had Marine haircuts. I was different, and that wasn’t always a good thing.
One Friday, when it was “Bring a Record to Class” Day, I chose The Beatles new album, “Let It Be.”
It would be The Beatles last release, and the last time I ever brought a record to school.
Most kids brought in children’s albums or artists like The Carpenters and The Fifth Dimension, but I went with The Beatles…
My conservative teacher was not amused. When I presented the “Let It Be” album as my selection, she proceeded to berate me for my musical tastes – asserting that The Beatles were hippies and “druggies,” and not an appropriate choice for a third-grader. The teacher humiliated me in front of the entire class, who had a good laugh at my expense.
I was crushed.
But the day would only get worse, since after school it was haircut day. I never looked forward to my involuntary trips to the Barber, and this one would be particularly traumatic.
Unfortunately for me, I got Stan, the old-school barber who pretty much knew one haircut: The crewcut.
I remember running home from the barber shop in tears and racing right to my bedroom where I hid under the sheets all weekend. I was inconsolable.
My mom tried to talk me down, and my best friend even came by to reassure me that it would grow back. But there I stayed, under the sheets, with my horrible haircut. For three straight days I hid in my room, slipping out only to eat and to check the mirror to see how bad the damage was.
Of course, once Monday morning came along I had to ‘suck it up’ and face the music at school. Between Friday’s music-shaming and my new, short hair, I was a mess… But I somehow survived third grade.
Let’s face it…. Appearances matter. Whether you’re a kid in third grade, or a business owner building a brand and promoting your services.
Appearances especially matter when it comes time to shoot your videos. It’s easy to be self conscious.
That’s why we do “Shut Up & Shoot” Video Accountability Days as part of our Green Room coaching club. We’ve built a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs who lift each other up and encourage us to get those videos done!
Inside the Green Room, we also help you put your best foot (face) forward, even if you don’t like being on camera.
Video marketing is simply a part of doing business today. So if you want help, support and accountability, check out the Video Green Room. It’s definitely a no judgement zone! We’re here to help you succeed…
Hope to see you there,
Lou, Introvert, and survivor of third grade
P.S. BTW, I still have that original “Let It Be” album! Not sure what ever happened to my uptight teacher…