[00:00:00] Dave Polykoff: I am so excited to, introduce my guest today. he is the leader in cultivating company culture.
[00:00:06] Dave Polykoff: He's now taking his motivational industry experience and life story to drive his mission forward through public speaking events and his book, the confetti culture playbook, how to boost your team's contribution and impact. And there was online personal brand with motivational educational content
[00:00:23] Dave Polykoff: So I'm excited today to introduce my guest, James Ferguson.
[00:00:25] James Ferguson: the greatest things in life are on the other side of fear. I was scared sh*tless to get on that stage. But if I said no, who knows if I'd be where I am now? the book allowed me to leverage building the community, leverage getting people's interest and attention and leverage the opportunity to be in the role I'm in today and to be a speaker. it's the fear of all this comparison that we have of others, but really the game is you against you.
[00:00:47] James Ferguson: and I said to myself after that i'm like
[00:00:49] James Ferguson: i've been the reason that this feeling Has not happened yet.
[00:00:54] James Ferguson: But what I learned is, which is so interesting, is that
[00:00:58]
[00:00:58] Dave Polykoff: [00:01:00] I want to start with this idea that we all face this concept of imposter syndrome. you literally wrote a playbook on everything you've learned.
[00:01:10] Dave Polykoff: What was kind of the mindset and the process into deciding to write that book? And did you face any of that kind of imposter syndrome and how did you overcome that?
[00:01:19] James Ferguson: That's a great question. To answer it quickly, yes, I absolutely face that. But I will share this, that the greatest things in life are on the other side of fear. Thank you through my journey I've, I've learned that, but I'm continually learning that. So let me start where it kind of started.
[00:01:36] James Ferguson: I, um, you know, I've had writing a book on my vision board since 2014 or something like that. I always wanted to do it, but just never either felt like I had the right thing to say or the really made the time to do it. And, uh, in 2017, I was laid off from a role. I said, all right, this is the time. I got time on my hands.
[00:01:55] James Ferguson: Let me start writing it. But I just didn't have enough to say yet. I didn't go through enough in my experience [00:02:00] to write my own book. I could have written a book I'd already read, but I wasn't gonna write my book. And so with that time, I decided to create a playbook for myself to sell myself off for success for the next role.
[00:02:09] James Ferguson: And by doing that, I basically created almost like a training binder that allowed me to be able to use that not only to mentor others, but to mentor myself. And again, set myself up for success and sharpen, my tools so that when I got the next job, I could crush it. so then 2020 hit and we all got hit in the face and um, You know, I said, Look, I'm not going to have this kind of time again. I have two kids or one on the way and one already, you know, I'm really not gonna have much time on my hands again. And this may be the one chance that I get. And I feel a little bit more confident about what I could tell.
[00:02:41] James Ferguson: So, I think the biggest reason I got started truthfully, Dave, is that I put it out there in the world. you know, Like I said a minute ago we, we make time for what matters to us. And a lot of times when, when we do make time, that's truly what it, what matters to us at the time, whether it's good or bad.
[00:02:58] James Ferguson: And in this specific case, I said to myself like, [00:03:00] I didn't want to. Lose trust and respect for myself by saying I was going to do something and not do it. And so I said, the only way to truly put pressure on myself in this moment in 2020, when no one's spending time with one another and truly supporting people in the way that we're used to, as I said, I'm going to put it on Instagram and tell people what my plan is to do.
[00:03:19] James Ferguson: And so on Instagram story, I wrote, I'm going to write a book by this date. I'm going to put it in bookstores by this date, and I'm going to become a speaker. By this date, fast forward within 1 year, my book was published. I was doing book signings at Barnes and Noble and I started speaking gigs. So, I think the biggest thing that I learned through that process to truly answer your question is, people always think about like, I don't have a platform.
[00:03:48] James Ferguson: I don't have people that really care about what I have to say, but I wanna challenge that because you can build a platform. And you do have things that people want to say because what your story is, whatever that [00:04:00] may be through your experiences, whatever is something that someone can relate to has been through or is going to face and they're going to need your resources, your insights, your inspiration to get through that on their own.
[00:04:12] James Ferguson: And sometimes we have to believe in ourselves first so that we can build belief in others. And again, you know, it doesn't mean that there's an absence of fear. It just means that we face it and push forward regardless.
[00:04:26] Dave Polykoff: I think that's what's key there is you mentioned that you don't necessarily need to have a platform. When you were creating this book, did you have a large community that you knew you could already tap into? Or were you like, listen, I need to get this created out of my mind and into something tangible and then kind of build community afterwards.
[00:04:44] Dave Polykoff: Cause I think a lot of people, as you were saying, It's like, well, I can't make any money. I'm nobody to be creating a book because I don't have the audience yet. So kind of, where were you with the audience, I guess, side of things of what you could tap into when you were creating this book?
[00:04:59] James Ferguson: Zero, [00:05:00] none. So and I think that's the scariest part, right? Is that if I don't have an audience, no one has, no one's gonna listen or read and therefore what's the point? And it's funny because through my, my experiences, you know, especially getting into the speaking. Stuff. So many people say we started speaking first, then we wrote the book and then we got more speaking and it just build on itself where I did the opposite.
[00:05:20] James Ferguson: I wrote a book, then started speaking, but
[00:05:22] James Ferguson: the book allowed me to leverage building the community, leverage getting people's interest and attention and leverage the opportunity to be in the role I'm in today and to be a speaker. it's the fear of all this comparison that we have of others, but really the game is you against you.
[00:05:38] James Ferguson: Right. And, And I, I joke, you know, it sounds cheesy, but you against you is yay. And we need to start to celebrate ourselves along the way. It's not about having everything prepared for us in front of us. It's about just taking one step forward every single day, right? And like, I, I thought about this before we did this podcast and I think you like Wolf of Wall Street too.
[00:05:58] James Ferguson: Do you like that movie?
[00:05:58] James Ferguson: Uh,
[00:05:59] Dave Polykoff: who [00:06:00] doesn't?
[00:06:01] James Ferguson: so anybody listen, if you've seen that movie, there's a scene in it where Leo says something along the lines like, are you behind on your, your cell phone bill? Good. Pick up the phone and start dialing. That's the same approach I've taken with everything that I've done over the last few years is that I don't have anything.
[00:06:21] James Ferguson: So I can only go up from here. And if I allow these things that are kind of Very surface level and really in my mind to prevent me from taking action to gain traction. I'm only gonna hurt myself. And it's like going to the gym, man. It's a compound effect. You just keep creating, keep building, keep doing and things will start to happen.
[00:06:39] James Ferguson: That platform will get built, the audience will get built. And things start to happen for you.
[00:06:44] Dave Polykoff: you just got to figure it out along the way, I think.
[00:06:46] Dave Polykoff: And that's the big thing I've learned too, is. There is no like cheat code to go from zero to a hundred everyone wants that kind of like that magic bullet Whatever but like really going through the crap, you know for the first year two three [00:07:00] years. It's like where you learn And figure it out.
[00:07:03] Dave Polykoff: So a hundred percent and you mentioned you kind of manifested this whole thing with I'm going to create a book and I'm going to become a public speaker. So is that something that you were looking forward to and working on at the same time? Or did the book allow for public speaking?
[00:07:20] Dave Polykoff: What kind of, what was the chicken and the egg there?
[00:07:22] James Ferguson: Yeah, I mean, I would love to say that I had it all figured out and outlined and prepared, but I really didn't. I started with the book and you know, truthfully, I never wrote the book to make money and I don't think anybody really does. It's not for that. It's about impact. And, I didn't care if I had 10 people or 200, 000.
[00:07:39] James Ferguson: Like it was just about trying to give value to others. And, you know, You know, by doing that, when you do that regularly, when you're just simply trying to add value, whether that's motivation, inspiration, solving a problem, insights, whatever, when you do that, it gets returned to you tenfold. And again, by creating that book, putting myself out there, putting what I've been [00:08:00] through out there for others to read.
[00:08:01] James Ferguson: It began to catch attention in different ways and well beyond my niche that I was focused on and those are things that I didn't even think about going into it Like again to say that I had it all figured out would be a complete lie But I will say this Is that writing a book is not as hard as we make it out to be and you had said something in the beginning here that, this is a physical copy of kind of your life's work almost is kind of what you said, right?
[00:08:29] James Ferguson: And I think we put too much pressure on what it has to be instead of just making it what it is. It is and who and using who we are to do it. again, I'm no writer. I mean, You know this firsthand. I didn't even finish college. So, you know, I think to say that you have to have a certain degree of expertise or be a writer at all.
[00:08:49] James Ferguson: It's just it's none of it's truly valid. It's just about putting pen to paper and finding the value that you can add and then presenting it to the world and letting it take off.
[00:08:58] Dave Polykoff: For sure. [00:09:00] And what I've seen to throughout your career now is that it's opened up some doors with when it comes to public speaking. And that's where I really find interesting because a lot of people when they start their personal brands online, they're looking at it through the lens of social media, right?
[00:09:15] Dave Polykoff: How do I create content, publish content consistently? And then I'll monetize. My Instagram account through like a digital product or something like that, but I feel like full well rounded personal brand is outside of, of the digital space too. And really once you have something to say, being able to have those kinds of public speaking events is something just as crucial.
[00:09:36] Dave Polykoff: And I think also financially something that people don't understand is actually pretty fruitful as well. So can you talk me through how'd that first speaking event come? How'd you find it? Did they reach out? Were you reaching out to people? And then, you know, was it, was it paid? Are you starting to get paid for these things?
[00:09:53] Dave Polykoff: And what can people expect if they do get into public speaking, that kind of financial end of things? Okay. [00:10:00]
[00:10:14] James Ferguson: And I was scared shitless and everything in my body told me, don't do it. You're not ready. You don't know what you're doing. It's going to be scary as hell. And I said, you know, I'm doing it. and again, like the same thing, like imposter syndrome, like you, you think that you don't have the resources, the wherewithal, the experience to go do this thing in front of all these people, they're paying to be there.
[00:10:33] James Ferguson: What are you doing up on the stage? What kind of value you're going to add? But, in that particular case, I'd written a book. So I took the structure of that book and created into kind of an outline to what uh, like a workshop would be to share insights and inspire the team Better support their teams and put employees first.
[00:10:50] James Ferguson: And after being on that stage, man, I was like, holy shit Like I love this of course There were so many things I could do better right like [00:11:00] in anything we do like I was like I could do this a hundred more times and like People came up to me afterwards. I was like, I know it landed. And it just really helped me understand.
[00:11:11] James Ferguson: I said that thing, you know, I said at the beginning of this podcast is
[00:11:13] James Ferguson: the greatest things in life are on the other side of fear. I was scared sh*tless to get on that stage. But if I said no, who knows if I'd be where I am now?
[00:11:22] James Ferguson: Honestly, that decision, right? Our decisions dictate our direction, so that decision could have changed everything.
[00:11:28] James Ferguson: The trajectory of where I'm at now. So, again, I think, for those that are considering it or potentially if someone reaching out, you're like, I don't do that. Just go for it. Like you literally have nothing to lose only to gain because even if you mess it up, even if you make mistakes or whatever, there's an upside to that meaning you can learn from it and when you learn from it, you can build from it and there's just so much value in that and I think so many people are scared to make mistakes to put themselves out there to fail and it's fear based and I really encourage people [00:12:00] to get out of their own way and just go take action to gain traction.
[00:12:04] Dave Polykoff: One little tidbit that people don't know is that you actually have a music career or had a music career and have an album out on Apple music. So we want to plug that we can, but how I
[00:12:18] James Ferguson: do.
[00:12:19] Dave Polykoff: want to link this is, you've performed before, musically, and I've seen, you know, you've done it on stage and such.
[00:12:26] Dave Polykoff: Is there any correlation there in terms of like the confidence that you could the music side of things into more so like a public speaking stage presence.
[00:12:35] James Ferguson: I'm actually, that's a really good question. I'm glad that you asked that because sometimes people ask questions and you don't realize things connect when they do until that question is asked. But I do have a rap album out there. You want to check it out, look for it.
[00:12:46] James Ferguson: But. I think the same thing is the speaking. You guys had just shared a moment ago. I think the biggest fear I had when doing music was the fear of getting up on stage and performing it. And it wasn't really the concept that people wouldn't [00:13:00] like the music. It was more that I might make a mistake up there and be judged for it.
[00:13:05] James Ferguson: And so I spent a lot of years doing music. I mean, You know that from, early kutztown days,
[00:13:10] James Ferguson: right? So
[00:13:11] Dave Polykoff: your first, was your first manager.
[00:13:13] James Ferguson: It's very true I think that was my biggest fear factor in music and it prevented any progress whether I wanted to become something or not, you know, and now it's really doesn't matter but You know, if I was truly committed to that, I was going to always never get as far as I could because I didn't get Up on stage and present.
[00:13:29] James Ferguson: So, anyway the first time I got on stage doing that dude I got off that stage and I felt like I could run through a fucking wall Like I I it was it was the craziest feeling I had people chant my name like it was wild
[00:13:41] James Ferguson: and I said to myself after that i'm like
[00:13:42] James Ferguson: i've been the reason that this feeling Has not happened yet.
[00:13:47] James Ferguson: Nobody else me Like, how crazy is that? That kinda opened my eyes to like, oh, if I can do that what else can I do that I'm maybe thinking I can't. And I think that experience helps give me a little more confidence with the next steps that, a [00:14:00] couple years later would lead to the book and everything else.
[00:14:02] James Ferguson: But again, that was A different thing to perform music that you've written. It's a little bit different than speaking because one is for fun and enjoyment. And one is for adding value and insights. And if people don't feel like they get that when they walk away on the latter half, you kind of failed.
[00:14:21] James Ferguson: And that's a little scarier, but, again, we have a lot. We all have a lot of value to add to others. Our stories are all different and all relate and have purpose that will impact others and again, those listening, I just encourage you guys to get again, get out of your own way and go do the thing that scares the out of you.
[00:14:40] Dave Polykoff: What I love about your branding is you've really kind of found this niche. You've taken an approach where you've had this branding around confetti Which I love.
[00:14:50] Dave Polykoff: You got your confetti, culture playbook, and posts that you have on LinkedIn have this kind of confetti branding, so it's very eye catching and very on brand. [00:15:00] Where did the confetti come from and how have you incorporated that into your personal brand? And then also I see you also incorporated into the day to day activities you have with your staff.
[00:15:08] James Ferguson: Confetti kind of started at the, uh, one of my hotels in Jersey and we used it. Quite often in recognition and reward and, a lot of the things that I learned and have in the book come from my experience there, where I was just really given a lot of freedom to try things, learn things, make mistakes, all that.
[00:15:28] James Ferguson: And, um, that tool, as I share in the book, it's a tool that represents the transforming power of recognition, reward in a company culture. And for me, it's obviously grown in meaning and I think we'll probably get into that a little bit more soon. But, again, going back to like having it all figured out to say that I was like, this is my lane and I figured it out.
[00:15:51] James Ferguson: The thing that nobody else has, I'm gonna like, it wasn't that, I just said, this is what I know, this is my story. I'm going to share it the best way I [00:16:00] know how and if it connects and adds value if it doesn't And it hasn't the whole way i've had to pivot in many ways. Then i'll do that. But you're right, I feel very fortunate that it's just something that no one's really done And I don't know why I got lucky in that way.
[00:16:18] James Ferguson: It's, again, I'd love to come up here and say, I had it all figured out. I'm strategically playing this out for two years. And here we are where I, said I was, it's not, it's just, it's the progress that taking a step forward every day using what I know and sharing it. And again, that tool helped me build a strong culture there that ultimately won top workplaces.
[00:16:36] James Ferguson: And that inspired, kind of everything that's in the book. And then it's kind of inspired who you see today. you know, I honestly I truly live it like it's who I am and that is kind of actualized more recently than than before in more ways than one not just in the culture aspect, but in my life and You know, I wouldn't change it for the world But again, not to say that I have it all figured out like it's just not accurate But I [00:17:00] think again the biggest thing is to stay true to you You Don't try and find what people want to hear what people like, figure out what you like.
[00:17:06] James Ferguson: I heard this the other day and i'm gonna probably butcher it, but the concept was basically that You an artist that creates art for someone else will fail if you create a movie because you think someone else is gonna like It no one's gonna go see it. But if you create a movie that you love that means something to you Everyone will love it.
[00:17:23] James Ferguson: It's kind of like taylor swift man. Like our house is a is a taylor swift house I got all the love for tete right and
[00:17:30] Dave Polykoff: you.
[00:17:30] James Ferguson: Everything she writes, whether people like it or not, is her authentic experiences. You don't have to like her for it, but she's sharing her story. And so I think the more that you just focus on what you know, what you've been through and share that the more authentic, the more you'll be able to be guided to the thing that's going to get you that leverage and that, focal point and niche that you're looking for.
[00:17:52] Dave Polykoff: Yeah, what I love about this, everything you're saying here is that key message here is you didn't have it figured out, but you had a goal that you were trying to [00:18:00] reach and you knew, I'll figure it out along the way,
[00:18:03] the honesty and humbleness to say wish I could uh, could claim this was all part of the plan.
[00:18:11] Dave Polykoff: In theory the plan was set, but the steps along the way, you just figure it out. But the get, getting started, it seems to be the main thing for you.
[00:18:18] James Ferguson: Yeah, absolutely. That's what it's all about, and I think that's what people Get stuck on is having it all figured out. It's like the gym, right? And I mentioned that earlier so many people get caught up in trying to have the perfect regiment knowing all the lifts and What to run and where to go and all these things and that idea having that all outlined prevents them from even stepping foot in the gym And it's like that is your worst enemy.
[00:18:39] James Ferguson: Just go to the gym, get started, figure it out. If it doesn't work, adjust, but keep going to the gym. The same thing here, whatever your goal is, just keep doing it. Keep creating content. Keep, you know, writing, keep making videos. I mean, You've seen it, my videos in the last, I don't know, 60 days. I was like, and now I'm like, yo, what's up?
[00:18:59] James Ferguson: [00:19:00] You just have to keep trying, keep going. And again, compound effect you'll get there.
[00:19:08] Dave Polykoff: like that. And So you're coming from the kind of tangible, hard. Book writing world and in person public speaking world into the digital space how has this transition been for you for, you're coming from maybe 45 minute, hour long, prepared public speaking world?
[00:19:36] Dave Polykoff: Speech into maybe a 30 second long, thinking about lighting and backdrops and audio and all that kind of stuff. What has been your journey so far, as you mentioned, there's been great progress. What was that first video? Like, why did you want to publish that first video?
[00:19:52] Dave Polykoff: And what's been that 60 day process been like for you in terms of what you've learned along the way.
[00:19:57] Dave Polykoff: Yeah, it's been a journey and I think, just to [00:20:00] start this part off, like you have to fall in love with the journey, there's no destination, there's no finish line, right? So you have to just fall in love with the process. We're from Philly, right? We trust the process. You have to love that.
[00:20:14] Dave Polykoff: You have to if you don't you'll fall out of love with whatever you're trying to pursue So I have fallen in love with the yucky unfun Uncomfortable pieces and i've gotten comfortable with being out there Not at my best just because I know that it'll be out there for people to consume and get something out of it and if nothing else even if it's trash my face is on somebody's phone somewhere and that's good for me so You know, I think the video thing this year, I've really like I wanted to commit to that, you know, I just wanted to really start to create more video content.
[00:20:47] Dave Polykoff: It seemed like the most impressions are coming from, video content on every single platform. And it just seems to be the way that people want to consume information right now. Reading is actually, I would say, less of an interest. People are listening to audio books or even listening [00:21:00] to just videos, not even watching the video. So I'm like, I need to up my content to have some of that in it. Doesn't mean that I have to have videos every day. It just means I have to be able to sprinkle that in once, twice a week to just, Switch it up, you don't want to have the same form of content every single time Otherwise it gets stale and old and people stop watching or paying attention So yeah start of the process was you know, it's definitely rough around the edges I use my phone you know since I started I actually got a camera and have not learned it well enough to even touch it You know, it's so much more complicated than I think people realize and you know again going back to that Like just start like we all have this just Use it and go film yourself.
[00:21:41] Dave Polykoff: you know, I love your videos because you're creating videos right now that just clearly spell out step by step best approaches to doing some of this stuff. And honestly, your pointers have been a huge help with me because I'm over here like studying your videos and I'm saying, Oh, I can do this.
[00:21:57] Dave Polykoff: Or, Oh, I'll cut out here, get all the [00:22:00] ums and uhs out. And then it just sounds so much cleaner. And again, people want to digest very quick content. Now, like you got a few seconds to get their attention and then only a few things that you can say. And I think, as you mentioned with speaking in this, speaking and this has been a really hard thing for me to do.
[00:22:18] Dave Polykoff: And I say this in my book, yeah. So many people go to so many conferences and read so many books to get two pages of value out of 150 or they go to a conference and they're energized, but they're empty handed. And so when I started to speak, I'm like, there's no way I'm going to leave any of these people empty handed.
[00:22:37] Dave Polykoff: I'll give them energy, but I'm also going to give them something to take away.
[00:22:40] James Ferguson: But what I learned is, which is so interesting, is that
[00:22:45] James Ferguson: People don't want to be overloaded by information. And so the interesting about making videos is, and there's a quote, it says the more you say, the less they hear. And so the same thing applies for [00:23:00] speaking gigs.
[00:23:00] James Ferguson: If you try to overload people, information, multiple slides, multiple bullets, and just like word vomit at them, they're not gonna remember any of it, like literally any of it. And then you think you're adding all this value, but it's not. So you really have to simplify your form of what you're going to talk about, figure out the three key things that are going to add value and then just build everything around those three things.
[00:23:22] James Ferguson: And that just goes right to these videos that we're creating is you're saying, here's the three things. They're going to do this for you. And so for those that make videos, you can actually get right into speaking because you're, you're already building out something in the framework that is actually perfect for speaking and adding the most value.
[00:23:42] James Ferguson: Because again, the more you say, the less they hear.
[00:23:46] Dave Polykoff: I've been learning that even myself over the last couple months is this idea of like simplifying and not even just like What, what, well, this is a famous, I mean, it's an apple quote, Steve, [00:24:00] Steve jobs quote, but the idea is like simple doesn't mean easy, simple is actually very difficult because to refine down to like it's basic necessities, but knowing what those necessities are and making sure that you still deliver on them is very hard.
[00:24:16] Dave Polykoff: And so that's why, yeah, like you're saying you have these, this 30, 60 second, they're actually now we're about to extend reels to about a three minutes, I think, but
[00:24:26] James Ferguson: wow, I didn't even know that.
[00:24:27] Dave Polykoff: Yeah, so apparently longer reels perform better, but I don't know. I've seen differently anyway. So, really every word counts when you're creating video content and especially what you say, how you say it, how you deliver it.
[00:24:43] Dave Polykoff: And it could mean, 10, 000 views versus 10 views. And it's, it's almost like a game and it's, it's fun in that way, but it's almost a great writing practice. Because I'm a person who likes to ramble. I have a lot of thoughts that go in here. And for me, when I'm [00:25:00] creating content, I need to filter what I want to say into content and into a script that is so just bare bones basic that they say, you know, right for a fifth grader, fifth grade level and lower should really be it.
[00:25:18] Dave Polykoff: So it's not even just like how much you're saying, but how you're saying it and the words you use. Also needs to go into what you're saying online
[00:25:27] James Ferguson: Yeah, it's completely accurate, but you like, yeah, you go into it and you're like, you think one way, but then you learn through the process. But again, some people don't even take that first step. So you really have to be comfortable with knowing it. You're going to mess up that you have a lot to learn.
[00:25:40] James Ferguson: But yeah, it's true. You have to like. Simplify it and it's an uncomfortable process because your mind is no, give them all the value, all the insights up there and then you put on paper and to your point, even when we make these videos, it's like you think you have to have the perfect structure, the perfect script, and then you almost want to read a script.
[00:25:58] James Ferguson: But like, Then [00:26:00] it's less authentic. It's the same way I do speaking either you put a picture up or one bullet sharing what you're going to talk about and then you have to take it to where it's going to go. If you use too much of a script, you lose the connection engagement side.
[00:26:13] James Ferguson: And that again pertains to both speaking and video content.
[00:26:16] Dave Polykoff: that's the authenticity side of things which is like you're trying to balance authenticity with making sure that you're getting in the right words because having a succinct real where you only get 30, 60 seconds and you want to make sure it's impactful, every second is impactful.
[00:26:35] Dave Polykoff: And you don't want to be someone who's just like, um, in and on and thinking about what they're going to say and all that kind of stuff. So you want to know what you want to say, which then leads people to say, okay well, I need a script. And then it's like, okay, if I need a script, then I need a teleprompter.
[00:26:47] Dave Polykoff: These are all things I'm going through right now. Cause I am someone who like the gears turn a little too fast sometimes for me. And I'm like, Give me the words that are in here. I need to, I need that [00:27:00] succinctly on something that I can make sure I'm hitting those beats. But then, yeah, you lose the authenticity side of things.
[00:27:06] Dave Polykoff: And I think that's a large element to it is like, there's little quirks to us that don't come out when we're reading a script, right? Because like, we don't
[00:27:17] James Ferguson: why my videos are so different. Bye.
[00:27:18] James Ferguson: So I do still kind of use a script in a certain sense But I think that's you know Even my wife said you're just so much more relaxed Where in the other videos i'm like hi You know and now i'm like yo, and again, I think that's but you have to do the first part To get to the second part, like you have to try it, say, Oh, this isn't going to work and then find what your voice is to get there.
[00:27:42] James Ferguson: Um, but yeah, it's, it's a, it's a process.
[00:27:45] Dave Polykoff: What I wanna know. 'cause this is uh, kind of the, the funny behind the scenes side of things that people don't really ever get to see is on the note of curating a perfect image of you on video is kind [00:28:00] of okay.
[00:28:00] Dave Polykoff: How do these videos come together? I know you have kind of a, a, a fun setup yourself. Can you kind of walk me through what. What you're, set up and behind the scenes is when you're creating a video.
[00:28:10] James Ferguson: Yeah. So, you know, Obviously the setup isn't the same as it normally is when you see my videos. Uh, And that's because dun, dun dun. The location where I do my videos right now is in the middle of my living room. And can't do that because I have three kids that wanna play it with toys right around there.
[00:28:28] James Ferguson: So when I make my content and again, you make time for what matters. At night they go to bed. I you know, again, I prepare for it. So, It's a certain night of the week and all that stuff, right? But it's a small bookcase that's sitting in my living room. I drag their kiddie table over. I take their little kiddie seat and plop it down on the floor.
[00:28:50] James Ferguson: I sit in said seat at said table and I put the camera in front of me. Now, the camera only shows Me half of me the table. It looks like i'm sitting at [00:29:00] any other table but for me i'm looking real goofy in my house in the middle of my living room surrounded by toys that nobody sees but again, I think i'm glad you asked that because that I'm sharing that being most authentic as possible so that you know that you don't have to have the perfect setup.
[00:29:17] James Ferguson: Again, you just have to be willing to go give your insights away, add value to others and just start doing it. And whether that looks pretty or it's in the middle of your living room, it just is what it is. And again, going back to my content, like You'll notice this if anybody watches my videos after this, you know, the first few I made, I almost was like whispering because my kids are asleep and I'm in the middle of my living room.
[00:29:39] James Ferguson: you know, I kind of decided that, you know what, if I'm going to really make these videos, I have to kind of risk. Whatever happens upstairs happens upstairs as they're sleeping. So I've gotten a little bit more animated and just said, you know, it's worth the risk. They wake up, I'll just go, you know, kiss them.
[00:29:53] James Ferguson: Good night. And it'll be just fine. And again, you just have to make a time and go figure it out. even right now like, [00:30:00] You should see where I'm at. I'm sitting on a bench. This is on my bed. This isn't perfect. It's not supposed to be Um, but again, hopefully the people listening and maybe potentially watching this will get value from it.
[00:30:10] James Ferguson: And that's what it's about It's not about having the perfect setup. It's just about adding value
[00:30:15] Dave Polykoff: it's fun seeing kind of the behind the scenes of people's setups, because I've seen a lot of videos of people who are like, I'm in this small 400 square foot apartment, it's my bedroom and I have a kind of a desk in the corner. And he just kind of angle the phone, and. You can have like a nice kind of backdrop to you. So it's like those excuses we kind of put, you know, I did this, the excuses we put in front of us like, Oh, possibly record videos because I don't have this beautiful backdrop. Like my favorite influencer has, and I don't have those lights and, fancy equipment and all that kind of stuff.
[00:30:53] Dave Polykoff: So we just say, you know what, I'll wait until I get that kind of stuff, or, you know, I had that money to buy that, those types of things [00:31:00] until I start creating content, but as you're saying. you really just need, you know, if a vertical video you see like this much of the backdrop, right? You just that.
[00:31:11] Dave Polykoff: Uh, and there's, And there's even ways nowadays with like AI generation where you can crop yourself out and put AI backgrounds what have you. So you don't even have to worry about that, like you're saying, just get a cam, get your uh, your phone and just find a place where this art right here, looks good enough for your eyes and then,
[00:31:29] James Ferguson: Yeah, and don't get me wrong. I'd love to have a great setup, even like yours, and it's just, eventually it might come, but if I wait for that day, then, my opportunity for, again, the compound effect. It'll take me that much longer once I start. So, you know, I've really been trying to just dive in and, to your point, my, my house is a house that doesn't have that many rooms.
[00:31:49] James Ferguson: I don't have a separate office that I can set stuff up and all that. So I've had to get creative. But again, what you do when you don't have to determine who you'll be when you can't help it. [00:32:00] And so I've been just trying to focus on taking the action and then, again, learning along the journey and being okay with some of the.
[00:32:07] James Ferguson: Less comfortable stuff because I know long term it will will add up and make a positive impact on what I'm trying to accomplish
[00:32:15] Dave Polykoff: Love it. All right. If I was to summarize today, I would say a key message here is you don't need to be ready, but you do need to have a goal that you are just steadfast on reaching and just pressing go and you'll figure it out along the way. Is that kind of how you would define your, the last four years of your life?
[00:32:39] James Ferguson: Yeah, for sure. I'll share a quote in closing on my end um, that I think I actually just recently posted which is what you do speak so loudly. I can't hear what you say. So don't tell me that you want to start creating video content. Don't tell me that you want to build your brand. Show me. [00:33:00] Go take action to gain traction and make sure that what you do today creates a better tomorrow.
[00:33:07] Dave Polykoff: Love it, James. I appreciate you taking time and I know you probably got some kids that are missing dad right now, so don't want to, don't want to hold you up any too longer, but honestly, this was great.
[00:33:18] Dave Polykoff: Thanks for coming on, man.
[00:33:18] James Ferguson: Yeah, thanks for having me.
