Where the Fear of Judgment Comes From and How to Crush It

I get it. I really do. And before we go any further I want to say that the fear of judgment is real and you’re not broken if you find it getting in your way. But, that doesn’t mean you have to let the fear of judgment win.

In this video, I share my personal experience and insights on how to conquer the fear of judgment when making videos. I know that many entrepreneurs are afraid of being judged when they get on camera, and it can be a huge obstacle to overcome. But, it’s essential to learn how to face this fear if you want to grow your business and make a real impact.

What Causes a Fear of Judgment?

Firstly, I reveal where the fear of judgment comes from. As human beings, we have been programmed to fear judgment for centuries. In the prehistoric era, our survival was based on being a part of a community. Those who were ostracized were more likely to starve, succumb to illness, or be eaten by predators. So, being accepted by the group was vital for our survival. This need to fit in has been woven into our DNA, and we have been conditioned to want to be accepted for a very long time.

Even though we no longer require the community for our survival, we still crave it for love, comfort, companionship, connections, and collaboration. This sense of belonging is ingrained in us, and it feels important, even though it’s not life or death. For many of us, this conditioning was reinforced through our upbringing, as it was for me.

I grew up hearing my mother’s words of caution about what the neighbors, teachers, or her friends would think of us. She believed that others’ opinions could significantly impact our ability to fit into the community. This ancient conditioning was fostered and became my fear, which I also started to project, as did many people around me.

So, it’s no surprise that our fear of judgment is deeply ingrained and can hinder us on the entrepreneurial path. But what can we do about it?

Dissect Your Fear of Judgment to Get Over It

The next step is to get intimate with that fear of judgment. We need to figure out where that fear comes from for each one of us. We often cling to the blanket term of fear of judgment because it’s so common and accepted as a legitimate excuse. But, if we want to overcome our resistance to making videos, we need to dig deeper and be more specific.

What exactly are you afraid people are going to judge you about in your videos? Is it that they might see that you’re not perfect? Are you afraid that they will judge the way you look, present yourself, or talk? Are you afraid that they will judge your intelligence?

All of these things can be scary. I know this because this is my personal list. After years of supporting women in building their video confidence, I’ve heard all sorts of fears and excuses. But, the truth is, we need to face these fears head-on and get intimate with them.

So, once you’ve identified the specific fears, it’s time to move onto the final step – a simple way to conquer your fear of judgment. And, that is to focus on your message.

Shift the Focus From Your Fear of Judgment

Your message is what’s important. It’s what you’re passionate about, what you want to share with the world, and how you can make a difference. When you focus on your message, you’re less likely to worry about how you look, how you sound, or what others think of you.

Instead, you can put all your energy and attention into delivering your message authentically and passionately. When you do that, people will listen to what you have to say, and they will be more likely to engage with you and your business.

Of course, there are some technical aspects to consider when making videos, such as lighting, sound, and editing. But, those things are secondary to your message. So, if you’re feeling nervous about getting on camera, remember to focus on your message and why you’re doing this.

In conclusion

Overcoming the fear of judgment when making videos is essential for being visible and discoverable. It’s essential for you to grow your business. So, at some point you are going to have to get past it if you want to increase your impact and grow you business. It might as well be now.

There’s one more thing that I find helps with the fears around video and that is to have total clarity about what you’re plan is. That’s why I offer free 30-minute Video Marketing Mapping Session. I want to see you get past the uncertainty and the fear with a solid video plan. You can snag one of those free sessions by finding a time on my calendar.

Go ahead, I’m not that scary! Let’s get your video strategy all mapped out. Click here to access my calendar.