(a 2.5 minute read) So I read this article about a study on the use of Zoom video conferencing and the human psyche. It is all good and nothing against its use, before you go “Now WHAT!” 😀

I will vouch for the results as it is true to me and the 4 people I asked 😀  So the study indicated that almost everyone using Zoom, spends quite a bit of time looking at themselves. As humans, since we can see ourselves, each one is evaluating even if it is subconsciously, how am I behaving? What are my facial expressions? How does my hair look? And so on. This constant self-monitoring is actually at ZERO in a Human to Human conversation……. as we are unable to see ourselves.

The study expresses that this self-monitoring is distracting one from focusing on the other Human(s) in the conversation, as we naturally would do in an in-person encounter (not on video). Of course this applies to any Video App you happen to be using.

So here’s a suggested solution, if you would choose to remove self from focusing on me, and choose to focus on the other Human(s) in the conversation……. Drum roll pleaaaaaaase  😀

Use a sticky note, cut to size, see picture with this post, and cover “your selfie” portion on your screen. The other person will never know you did that, as they cannot see your screen. Note to self; when I hate having that sticky note covering ME, fight like hell not to remove it. FIGHT….. FIGHT, cause its gonna come….. FIGHT and DO NOT GIVE UP………… Get YOURSELF out of the PICTURE…. Pun intended.

Put your mind to rest from self-monitoring and focusing on YOU. Rather put 100% of your attention on the one you are talking with. Again, Get ‘ME’ out of the Picture.

Proverbs talks much about how we ought to behave. Why? So we are focusing on our brethren, not on oneself, and in doing so, putting a SMILE on our Creator’s Face 🙂  The funny part is, Proverbs, I believe, says that the way to accomplish the taking the focus away from me, is through self-monitoring our actions. So the self-monitoring is a must, but the “Of What!” is the KEY.

My Creator and my Maker, the hardest task ever presented to me is to self-monitor my actions to see if they are Pleasing to You, the hardest my Father. May I be able, as much as possible, to apply what I’ve learned about a Video Call, but to apply it on taking the focus off of myself and place it onto OTHERS, for I know that it will bring a Smile to Your face every time it is successful. Thank You. Amen