The past few days I've been suffering from a rather brutal case of writers block. Luckily I have been able to churn out my normal amount of copy for clients, but this blog has been neglected. Passing moments of "I should blog that" have occurred, but then I would start to type and one weak sentence would emerge. This is unusual for me as my mind is totally spinning with ideas and excitement recently. I want to share it all here, but part of me is holding back.
So for now, I'm going to stick with a list of stuff. I haven't listed here in a very long time. Everyone loves a good list, right? RIGHT?
1. I have a list of movies I want to see as long as my arm. Anyone want to be my movie buddy?
2. Today is my sister Jackie's 26th birthday. This makes me feel old.
3. Last weekend I spent one glorious day in Williamsburg at Smorgasburg. The views alone are well worth the 5 min L ride. You know how dogs hang their heads out the window, tongues wagging, when they're excited? Well, that was me. Bearded dudes, amazing food and fantastic weather and puppies everywhere, I mean I didn't stand a chance.
4. Bloggers don't always make the best live interviewers.
5. Lately my calendar has been filled with a lot of stuff - both personal and professional and at times it has been a bit overwhelming. It seems like people are asking a lot from me whether it be birthday gift suggestions, parties, charity events, meetings, etc. The other night I just decided to do what I can, when I can and not feel guilty saying no. It was like a weight was lifted.
6. You have to be obsessed with a problem to find a solution.
7. Don't take the first "no" for an answer.
8. How much sushi do you have to consume before it's considered a problem?
9. I'm currently so restless on the UES. Every weekend I find myself wanting to explore, explore, explore and I haven't had this much fun in years.
10. Ask someone you find interesting to coffee or a drink. It's the most efficient way to share ideas and really get to know what makes someone tick.
11. Put on mascara. I need to take my own advice.
12. Don't listen to your friends. Do what makes you happy. This goes both ways of course - no one should listen to me, I haven't got a clue.
13. Walk instead of taking the subway. Take your time.
14. If you want something, ask for it.
15. If you think someone is cute, wink at them. Just kidding, wanted to see if you were still paying attention. First smile at them, then wink. You don't want to be a creepster.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
A New Week...
So I started and stopped about ten posts over the last week. First let me say that everyone I knew running the Boston Marathon or who lives in that beautiful city are totally safe and sound. I am very, very lucky. As details emerged from the bombing I found myself completely glued to my computer. The TV news stations appeared too slow for me. I refreshed my Twitter feed like a madwoman for days on end. I was sucked into the information black hole that is the Internet. I read article after article -- witness account after witness account. I watched the surveillance video so many times I lost count. You could say I was a bit obsessed.
What I found so fascinating was how quickly information -- and misinformation (ahem CNN) went viral. A bunch of folks I follow on Twitter were listening and live tweeting via the Boston police scanner. Friday evening I found myself on line in front of Howard Stern at the Whole Foods on 57th with my sister. Here we were buying pounds of cheese and dips for my brother-in-law's surprise 30th birthday party the next day and every few moments I was refreshing my Twitter. Life was continuing to happen, yet I was so distracted that entire evening flew by like a moment.
I was frustrated that I felt a tinge of fear when I stepped onto a MTA bus last Tuesday morning. I saw a backpack that looked abandoned and my stomach dropped. I hate that. It made me feel as though those two misguided brothers had won. Feeling safe and normal and going about my life should have been the best defense -- I just couldn't shake this uneasy, sick-to-my-stomach feeling. Every time I heard of another amputee making it out of surgery I would cry. On the street, in my office, on my couch at home -- it didn't matter. Normalcy. That's all I was looking for. Watching tanks roll through Watertown was horrifying, but also made me realize there are so many countries who live like that every single day. War-ravaged areas that the 24-hour news channels have long abandoned. What will come of those people? The frustration is almost too much. I almost feel guilty that I live here. Yes, we've had some awful stuff happen in the last fifteen or so years. Yes, we have stellar first responders and I find comfort in that. When I watched the footage of the bombs going off I noticed all the people running towards to smoke. Literally into the flames and smoke and blood to help people. How amazing is that? Those people are my heroes. Instead of frustration I decided to focus on what I can control. I can be helpful and unafraid -- and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
So on Friday night, well after my midnight baking adventures were complete and the second and seemingly final suspect was in custody, I fell into the first deep sleep of the week. I woke up Saturday morning feeling relieved and proud. I was ready for a new week.
This weekend was the perfect "exhale" after such a tense week. We surprised my brother-in-law with a trip to the North Fork for a day of wine tasting with all his closest friends. We drank wine. We laughed. A lot. We huddled together all completely under-dressed for the chilly weather -- and most importantly we celebrated. As an old boss once said to me, "there is so much shit in this world, you celebrate the good stuff with all you got." A poet he was not, but I must say that is exactly how I felt. Yesterday I spent the day basically park hopping instead of bar hopping. I sat with one of my best friends on several sunny benches listening to music, people watching, sipping my iced coffee, and just breathing.
So here's to a new week, filled with laughter...and normalcy. Cheers!
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What I found so fascinating was how quickly information -- and misinformation (ahem CNN) went viral. A bunch of folks I follow on Twitter were listening and live tweeting via the Boston police scanner. Friday evening I found myself on line in front of Howard Stern at the Whole Foods on 57th with my sister. Here we were buying pounds of cheese and dips for my brother-in-law's surprise 30th birthday party the next day and every few moments I was refreshing my Twitter. Life was continuing to happen, yet I was so distracted that entire evening flew by like a moment.
I was frustrated that I felt a tinge of fear when I stepped onto a MTA bus last Tuesday morning. I saw a backpack that looked abandoned and my stomach dropped. I hate that. It made me feel as though those two misguided brothers had won. Feeling safe and normal and going about my life should have been the best defense -- I just couldn't shake this uneasy, sick-to-my-stomach feeling. Every time I heard of another amputee making it out of surgery I would cry. On the street, in my office, on my couch at home -- it didn't matter. Normalcy. That's all I was looking for. Watching tanks roll through Watertown was horrifying, but also made me realize there are so many countries who live like that every single day. War-ravaged areas that the 24-hour news channels have long abandoned. What will come of those people? The frustration is almost too much. I almost feel guilty that I live here. Yes, we've had some awful stuff happen in the last fifteen or so years. Yes, we have stellar first responders and I find comfort in that. When I watched the footage of the bombs going off I noticed all the people running towards to smoke. Literally into the flames and smoke and blood to help people. How amazing is that? Those people are my heroes. Instead of frustration I decided to focus on what I can control. I can be helpful and unafraid -- and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
So on Friday night, well after my midnight baking adventures were complete and the second and seemingly final suspect was in custody, I fell into the first deep sleep of the week. I woke up Saturday morning feeling relieved and proud. I was ready for a new week.
This weekend was the perfect "exhale" after such a tense week. We surprised my brother-in-law with a trip to the North Fork for a day of wine tasting with all his closest friends. We drank wine. We laughed. A lot. We huddled together all completely under-dressed for the chilly weather -- and most importantly we celebrated. As an old boss once said to me, "there is so much shit in this world, you celebrate the good stuff with all you got." A poet he was not, but I must say that is exactly how I felt. Yesterday I spent the day basically park hopping instead of bar hopping. I sat with one of my best friends on several sunny benches listening to music, people watching, sipping my iced coffee, and just breathing.
So here's to a new week, filled with laughter...and normalcy. Cheers!
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Friday, April 12, 2013
It's Okay To Be Unsure
For most of my childhood, I felt sort of weird -- a bit different. I liked being around adults. I never watched cartoons. Dateline was my favorite show. Seriously. Some would say I was a bit of an introvert. I was very sensitive and tended to internalize everything.
That's not to say I was this friendless, sad child. Luckily I had some great friends, but just sort of straddled two different groups of people. In my regular classes I always felt smarter than the average, yet in my honors/AP classes I felt like a small fish in a big pond. Many were light years ahead, intelligence-wise. That was really hard for me. It wasn't the competition that was frustrating -- it was my lack of competitive drive that troubled me. I was scared to really put myself out there and take on the super smart kids. Years of introspection later and that character flaw has followed me along my journey to adulthood.
The best of the best have always intimidated me. The last year or so found me meeting more and more ambitious, inspiring people. I came to realize that you don't have to be an expert. No one knows everything. A client recently said: "most smart people are idiots." Something about that really stuck with me. You know when you're a kid and you think your parents (or in my case my Dad) knew everything about everything? Well, it turns out they didn't. Sometimes I still call my parents and assume they'll have the answers. I believe that's every child's right. Yet, now more than ever before, I understand that learning never ends. If you're not curious to know more...well you're not going to know more.
I know the average person isn't as curious as I am. I've been asking countless questions of everyone I meet as long as I can remember. I'm sure a first date with me is super fun. Kidding. Sort of. The idea behind this was always, well how can I not ask if I'm curious? Is that normal? Probably not.
My feelings of "outsideness" have actually led to some of the hardest, most rewarding conversations I've ever had. The people doing the most interesting, disruptive (and I mean that in the best possible way) things aren't cookie-cutter, Jewish lawyers from Westchester (sorry Mom...and Grandma). They're weirdos like me. There are no "smart kids" anymore to be intimidated by. We are all idiots just doing the best we can and following our curiosities wherever they may lead. No one is sure. Single, married, male, female...no one has a clue. If you really think about it, is there anything more comforting than that?
This post had a point when I started writing it, but somehow I can't remember what that was. I guess I've been trying to figure out what I want out of certain relationships I've found myself in (platonic and otherwise). Which led to me to think about how different the people I surround myself now versus five years ago -- the quality over quantity argument and all that. The best of the best no longer intimidate me...in fact I find myself wanting to sit across the table from them and just listen.
It's okay to be unsure. It's okay (great even!) to ask questions. Being comfortable is nice, but comfortable never gets you to face hurting because you can't stop smiling. Trust me...let's be unsure together.
That's not to say I was this friendless, sad child. Luckily I had some great friends, but just sort of straddled two different groups of people. In my regular classes I always felt smarter than the average, yet in my honors/AP classes I felt like a small fish in a big pond. Many were light years ahead, intelligence-wise. That was really hard for me. It wasn't the competition that was frustrating -- it was my lack of competitive drive that troubled me. I was scared to really put myself out there and take on the super smart kids. Years of introspection later and that character flaw has followed me along my journey to adulthood.
The best of the best have always intimidated me. The last year or so found me meeting more and more ambitious, inspiring people. I came to realize that you don't have to be an expert. No one knows everything. A client recently said: "most smart people are idiots." Something about that really stuck with me. You know when you're a kid and you think your parents (or in my case my Dad) knew everything about everything? Well, it turns out they didn't. Sometimes I still call my parents and assume they'll have the answers. I believe that's every child's right. Yet, now more than ever before, I understand that learning never ends. If you're not curious to know more...well you're not going to know more.
I know the average person isn't as curious as I am. I've been asking countless questions of everyone I meet as long as I can remember. I'm sure a first date with me is super fun. Kidding. Sort of. The idea behind this was always, well how can I not ask if I'm curious? Is that normal? Probably not.
My feelings of "outsideness" have actually led to some of the hardest, most rewarding conversations I've ever had. The people doing the most interesting, disruptive (and I mean that in the best possible way) things aren't cookie-cutter, Jewish lawyers from Westchester (sorry Mom...and Grandma). They're weirdos like me. There are no "smart kids" anymore to be intimidated by. We are all idiots just doing the best we can and following our curiosities wherever they may lead. No one is sure. Single, married, male, female...no one has a clue. If you really think about it, is there anything more comforting than that?
This post had a point when I started writing it, but somehow I can't remember what that was. I guess I've been trying to figure out what I want out of certain relationships I've found myself in (platonic and otherwise). Which led to me to think about how different the people I surround myself now versus five years ago -- the quality over quantity argument and all that. The best of the best no longer intimidate me...in fact I find myself wanting to sit across the table from them and just listen.
It's okay to be unsure. It's okay (great even!) to ask questions. Being comfortable is nice, but comfortable never gets you to face hurting because you can't stop smiling. Trust me...let's be unsure together.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Just A Daily Reminder...
...to ask for what you want.
...to show someone how you want to be treated.
...to have the uncomfortable conversation.
...to tell the important people you love them.
...to say "please" and "thank you."
...to reconsider that quick judgement.
...to return the favor.
...and most importantly, never apologize for what and/or who you love.
...to show someone how you want to be treated.
...to have the uncomfortable conversation.
...to tell the important people you love them.
...to say "please" and "thank you."
...to reconsider that quick judgement.
...to return the favor.
...and most importantly, never apologize for what and/or who you love.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Give A Little...Take Nothing...Or So It Seems
So I've started and stopped writing this post several times since Sunday evening. On the BoltBus Saturday afternoon, one of my traveling companions (who knows me quite well since he's dating one of my very best friends) handed me The New York Times Magazine to keep me busy (and quiet) on the bus ride down to Philly. Anyone who knows me knows that this is the perfect way to keep me out of your hair -- hand me something to read. I get lost rather quickly in whatever I'm reading and would prefer not to be interrupted until I'm finished.
This past weeks' edition was spectacular and the topics ran the gamut from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (great read) to Adam Grant, the PhD in Psychology and professor at UPenn. You can read the article here...and I hate to be one of those people who highly recommends things (those people are the worst), but really read it. It sorta changed my life. Well, that's dramatic, but it forced me to look at how I work and who I surround myself with.
Adam Grant is a giver. He studies corporate psychology and has written books on the art of giving and receiving (the non-naughty kind that most of you are thinking about right now...or is that just me?). He mentors like a maniac -- his office hours after class are always packed and he almost always says yes. He makes time for coffee and calls with students and other professors. He is published regularly in the most highly regarded journals.
He argues that employees perform far better and are happier in their jobs if they see the direct impact they are making on another person's life. There are a couple of people I know that mentor a lot of people -- seemingly giving up a lot of free time to do so. These people love what they do and they love helping other people fall in love with what they do (or should be doing). I really admire that.
Not surprisingly these "givers" make wonderful networkers. Always willing to take a minute to meet someone or to make an important introduction. You can read a couple of their blogs here and here...oh and one of the best of the best is my Dad. I'm not saying that because we're related and look exactly alike...he knows how to attract opportunities like a moth to a flame.
The Adam Grants of the world are also Energizer Bunnies. They have little downtime and seem to like it that way. I also find that admirable. Lately I've had a few friends ask why I would bother helping someone and I always find that a bizarre question. Well, why wouldn't I help when I can be helpful? I would expect anyone to do the same for me. I think we could all benefit from our shift in thinking: what's in it for me to how can I help?
About six years ago, when I first stumbled into a Gabby Bernstein lecture it was all about being of service. You want to get to know someone professionally -- ask how you can be of service to them and see how quickly the opportunity to really learn presents itself. How many times a day at work do you ask a coworker if they need help? Not your boss, because let's be real its your job to help them, but a coworker who looks swamped? Think about it this way, the next time you look like you're going to cry at your desk someone may come over and say what can I take off your plate? How rad would that be??
I'm no longer making a coherent point, but just read the article and get back to me.
"The greatest untapped source of motivation, he argues, is a sense of service to others; focusing on the contribution of our work to other peoples’ lives has the potential to make us more productive than thinking about helping ourselves."
This past weeks' edition was spectacular and the topics ran the gamut from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (great read) to Adam Grant, the PhD in Psychology and professor at UPenn. You can read the article here...and I hate to be one of those people who highly recommends things (those people are the worst), but really read it. It sorta changed my life. Well, that's dramatic, but it forced me to look at how I work and who I surround myself with.
Adam Grant is a giver. He studies corporate psychology and has written books on the art of giving and receiving (the non-naughty kind that most of you are thinking about right now...or is that just me?). He mentors like a maniac -- his office hours after class are always packed and he almost always says yes. He makes time for coffee and calls with students and other professors. He is published regularly in the most highly regarded journals.
He argues that employees perform far better and are happier in their jobs if they see the direct impact they are making on another person's life. There are a couple of people I know that mentor a lot of people -- seemingly giving up a lot of free time to do so. These people love what they do and they love helping other people fall in love with what they do (or should be doing). I really admire that.
Not surprisingly these "givers" make wonderful networkers. Always willing to take a minute to meet someone or to make an important introduction. You can read a couple of their blogs here and here...oh and one of the best of the best is my Dad. I'm not saying that because we're related and look exactly alike...he knows how to attract opportunities like a moth to a flame.
The Adam Grants of the world are also Energizer Bunnies. They have little downtime and seem to like it that way. I also find that admirable. Lately I've had a few friends ask why I would bother helping someone and I always find that a bizarre question. Well, why wouldn't I help when I can be helpful? I would expect anyone to do the same for me. I think we could all benefit from our shift in thinking: what's in it for me to how can I help?
About six years ago, when I first stumbled into a Gabby Bernstein lecture it was all about being of service. You want to get to know someone professionally -- ask how you can be of service to them and see how quickly the opportunity to really learn presents itself. How many times a day at work do you ask a coworker if they need help? Not your boss, because let's be real its your job to help them, but a coworker who looks swamped? Think about it this way, the next time you look like you're going to cry at your desk someone may come over and say what can I take off your plate? How rad would that be??
I'm no longer making a coherent point, but just read the article and get back to me.
"The greatest untapped source of motivation, he argues, is a sense of service to others; focusing on the contribution of our work to other peoples’ lives has the potential to make us more productive than thinking about helping ourselves."
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
My Life In One (Or A Few) Sentences...
I'm standing in line for Starbucks and a guy approaches me and asks if I'm Samantha. He's pretty cute, so for a split second I contemplate saying Yes and being Samantha for the next hour.
How's your week going?
How's your week going?
Friday, March 22, 2013
Transparency In Healthcare...A Post Not About Boys!
Disclaimer: I get paid by healthcare professionals. I have worked for doctors (mostly) for the past couple of years and therefore this post could very well create future projects for me. Yay! That is not, however, why I am writing it. I am a social media consultant, which means I take medical jargon and put it on the Internet to help doctors manage their online presence!
Okay, so I'm about to bore some of my audience and I am completely fine with that. In dealing with my clients who are doctors (and have been for the most part) over the last couple of years I have learned a ton about being HIPAA compliant (that law that protects your medical privacy). Whenever you see a doctor you sign a HIPAA release form, allowing doctors to share your medical records with other doctors, etc. More info on HIPAA here. Anyhoo, I quite often get asked if I dispense medical advice via various social media platforms.
The answer is yes...and no. It is illegal for a doctor to discuss a patients condition and/or treatment without their permission. So, posting my diagnosis on your Facebook page is out of the question, even if you feel that's the fastest way to get back to me (and in some cases it may very well be). Obviously there are some exceptions to this group of laws, but I won't go into the specific loopholes because, let's be real, I've lost 80% of you already, am I right? For those of you still here, my job is to create and subsequently manage a doctor's social media presence. You name the platform and I have probably worked with it...or at least experimented with it. The newer the better. Part of doing this is responding to inquiries online, which come at all hours (just ask my friends who wonder why my phone is buzzing at 1am on a Saturday with a tweet from a disgruntled or sick patient). It happens. All. The. Time.
That is why I have a job. It can be too much for a doctor to manage. Patients want to feel their doctor is accessible. Being able to tweet @ them is helpful in that regard. Often times they are asking a question I can answer non-medically. Other times, I am forced to respond with a "please call this number" and I know it can be frustrating for patients. The same works for Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Blogging is a whole other animal and a great opportunity for doctors to discuss important issues in their field directly with patients. That part is my job too. Research, editorial calendars, and all that good stuff.
All of this doctors participating in social media stuff is wonderful for the rest of us. It forces doctors to be up to date. We all know what happens when people let their online presence go stale. No bueno. It creates transparency where their used to be none. You can look at these online conversations and help decide what doctor is the best fit for your needs. That's the way I like to look at it. Let's get it all out there. Without names or social security numbers of course.
As always, for more specific questions, email me shanna.cohen@gmail.com. I could talk about this stuff all day...and most days I do just that!
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