Go Pro To GoPro

I want to buy a new video camera.

Specifically, I want the GoPro Mission 1 PRO ILS.

I've never owned a GoPro.

I already have a Canon G7X Mark II, a DJI Osmo Pocket 3, a Sony a6700, an Insta360 x4, an Insta360 x6, an Insta360 Luna Ultra, an Insta360 Go 3S, and an Insta360 Go Ultra.

And my iPhone 16 Pro Max.

And three drones that can shoot in either 4K or 8K.

Oh and the Sony ZV-E10, forgot about that one.

Oh and a 4K Elgato webcam w/ teleprompter.

Out of all the video cameras I own, I pretty much only use my phone...

...and I pretty much only use it for snapping photos.

So why am I itching to buy this cool mini cinema camera that doesn't have auto-focus?

Is it because I saw some YouTubers posting nostalgic, vintage-looking footage that they took with it that I really vibed with?

Is it pure inspiration?

...or am I perpetuating this misconception that, if I just buy the new shiny fancy stuff, then I'll start recording videos consistently and launch and build the YouTube channel that I've wanted to build for like 10 years now?

Inspiration or Fear?

Mutually exclusive or not?

I think both could be true.

My inspiration, fascination, and awe feel real.

So too does my fear of being judged.

Every time I unbox a new camera there are all these little accessories, doo-dads, extra parts, instruction manuals, and cables in the box.

You know what isn't in the box?

Video ideas and real action toward filming those ideas.

The video ideas don't even have to be good.

My action toward recording, editing, and uploading doesn't have to be good either, especially not at the very beginning.

Maybe I need to earn my new GoPro camera by proving to myself and to the Muse/Universe/God that I am willing to put in the effort to bring ideas to the table and take action toward record and upload videos.

But that sounds like work.

It also sounds risky.

What if people judge me?

What if they see that what I created was trivial, redundant, or useless?

For sure some people will feel that way about whatever I do.

So then the real question is, what if the opposite happens?

What if people judge me positively?

What if they're blown away, inspired, and grateful that I shared some future video that I haven't even conceived of yet?

What if their lives are changed in a truly wonderful way from my videos, regardless of what camera I used to film it?

I think there's a part of me that wants to buy the new camera because if my footage looks super vintage and vibey, then people I can force everyone who sees my videos to like me because my videos will now be perfect, so perfect that nobody could ever disapprove of them.

Deep down I am, for sure, at least partially motivated to make yet another camera purchase out of fear.

If I want to earn that new GoPro cinema camera, I will face my fear by grabbing one of the cameras I already own and start recording and posting videos to my YouTube channel with it.

The camera doesn't matter.

What matters is if I can come up with video ideas (it's okay if they kinda suck in the beginning), record them (also okay if they kinda suck in the beginning), and repeat that process daily–trying to get a tiny bit better each day.

Over time my video ideas will improve.

Over time my recording, editing, thumbnails, and titles will improve.

I just gotta get through my first 100 sucky videos so that I can start working on the next 100 videos which will suck less.

Heck, I don't even need to come up with any new ideas for videos to record daily!

I write a dang essay every single day!

I can just talk about whatever I write about.

So then, to prove I deserve this new camera that I want, I need to take the following actions daily: set up one of my current cameras (5 minutes), record myself talking about whatever I wrote that day (10 minutes), edit the footage (15 minutes), prepare the title & thumbnail for the video (15 minutes), and then post the video (5 minutes).

This is a good time to remind myself that, this early on, the goal is not to launch a perfect YouTube channel, where every video has perfect production quality.

This early on, I need as many reps as possible.

I need to get comfortable being on camera.

I need to reinforce my identity as a YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, creator.

I can only reinforce that new identity by posting videos as often as possible.

My goal will be posting every single day.

For less than 1 hour each day, I can walk the path of an up-and-coming YouTuber, getting my reps in, making videos, putting them out there, and getting a little better each day.

There are 103 days between now and Christmas.

If I post 100 videos on YouTube by December 25th, 2026, then I'll buy myself that new camera that I want.

YouTube Shorts do not count toward this challenge.

If I fail this challenge, then I will skip buying the GoPro camera entirely.

If I want the GoPro, then I have to "Go Pro."

A professional does the work.

Challenge accepted.