Stop Editing Yourself to Death

Aloha, Flow Riders!

This week, Doc Rock tackles the perfectionism trap that's keeping you from consistent content creation. If you've ever recorded the same clip 12 times or obsessed over edits until all the fun disappeared, this newsletter is for you!

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WHY PERFECTIONISM IS KILLING YOUR CONTENT

Ever notice how even trillion-dollar companies can't achieve perfection? Doc points out:

• Apple sells 20 million phones per model but still has a 4-5% return rate
• Major TV networks have audio sync issues during live broadcasts
• Professional sports commentators regularly mix up team names

The reality: If multi-billion dollar companies with massive resources can't achieve perfection, why do we torture ourselves trying to?

QUICK FIXES FOR OVER-EDITING

1. Embrace the One-Take Mentality

Fix mistakes on the fly (like TV commentators do) and focus on clarity over perfection. If your content delivers value, viewers won't notice small errors.

2. Use the Pause Button Strategy

Record → Pause → Breathe → Resume. This creates natural breaks without those dreaded "ums." Pro tip: Use a Stream Deck pedal for seamless pausing.

3. Stop Obsessing Over Jump Cuts

Most viewers don't even notice them. As Doc says, "If people complain about your jump cuts, your content wasn't good enough."

THE CONSISTENCY ADVANTAGE

Think about fast food chains. People don't go to McDonald's because it's amazing - they go because it's consistent.

The same applies to your content:

• Viewers value knowing what to expect
• Consistency builds trust faster than perfection
• Regular content keeps you top-of-mind

Eastern vs. Western philosophy: In Japan, perfection is seen as impossible but worth striving for (Kodawari mindset). In the West, we treat perfection as an achievable destination and beat ourselves up when we fall short.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Confidence means self-trust, and the only way to build trust is through repetition. Just like learning to swim, the more you do it, the more comfortable you become.

Remember: Your authenticity is your superpower. When people meet you in real life, they should recognize the same person they see online.

Need more help with your production process? Check out the full episode at flow.ecamm.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Mahalo,
Doc + Katie

Brought to you by our friends at Shure - makers of the new MV7i microphone that makes two-person podcasting easier than ever!