Social Media – how much is too much

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

Social media is a phrase commonly used today in business, but as a concept it is often misunderstood. The recent technological advancements in this area have changed the traditional way of doing and advertising business.  The avenues encompassed within the meaning of social media are growing at a rapid pace.  LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook used to dominate this arena in the last year. They have now been joined by ever-increasing in their popularity platforms such as Google+, Pinterest, Foursquares, Tumblr, YouTube, Kred, Klout, and many others.

Many people and companies are still failing to properly use social media as they do not grasp how to, the value of it and, the concept most businesses are most concerned about, its ability to provide return on investment.

It has been widely agreed within the worldwide business community that social media presence is a must for any brand if the brand wants to keep up with the times, increase brand awareness, stay current and not lose its customers. However, choosing the right social media platform and, more importantly, being able to keep up with it and produce the relevant content, is an ongoing challenge.

Social media is a communication outlet, which, unlike the traditional types of media in the form of radio, television and newspapers, produces a two-way communication channel allowing customers to provide feedback not just to the company but to the world at large.  It is capable of global reach and can be edited in real-time. Each platform offers a different way of providing the brand’s offering to its customers, and targets different groups of people.

The question then posed by most companies is how many platforms of social media they need to have a constant presence on and which platforms are most effective.  This in itself is a million dollar question.  Different social media experts advocate for different platforms, and depending on the type of business, some platforms may not be suitable for a specific brand.  In saying that, just having a passive presence on 10 or more social media sites does not create more business or more brand awareness, it may have the opposite effect.  The targeted and thought-out approach is required, together with the use of some social media monitoring tools and PR management.

You will find that majority of content on the internet provides for sharing of it in the main social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  These are the three power houses which still dominate the online space.  However, the newer entrants such as Pinterest are increasing their presence and value produced very rapidly.

In any event, before venturing into the online world, businesses have to pause and consider their social media strategy, possibly with some help from the experts in this area. Once such strategy is created, outlining some goals and outcomes sought, the world is your oyster.

Do not be scared of the new technology and social media.  These days the world is built on technology.  Embrace it and learn to use it properly. The potential is endless, so start conquering the world one social media platform at a time.

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Coffee – an addiction or a small pleasure of life

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

The smell of freshly brewed coffee gives the most surreal feeling and adds energy to any grey day.  Buying a cup of coffee each morning from my favourite barista wakes me up and brings a smile to my face, allowing me to face the day with a positive outlook.

These days, in such a fast pace world, there are only a few things that could be enjoyed daily. Coffee is my weakness, one addiction that I have allowed myself.  It is also one of the most popular beverages with most of the world’s population.

Some medical studies even attribute coffee with health benefits, such as reducing the chances of stroke, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. But that is not why I drink it.  Coffee is an experience for me.  The aroma, the art, the energy, the feeling of being able to conquer the world…

Everyone needs at least one thing in life which they look forward to each day.  Mine will be waiting for me tomorrow morning.

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Great depression or the inevitable evil

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” – Laurell K. Hamilton

There is not one person that has escaped the inevitable evil called depression.  Whether witnessing a loved one go through some form of it or having a personal experience with it, depression can leave emotional scars if not treated properly.  It can take a mild form of “I am not feeling like doing anything today” or an extreme form when existence and living no longer seem as a viable option.  More deep forms of depression are classified as an illness  and need to be treated with specific medication under the supervision of a doctor.

Any occurrences in life could trigger depression, such as job loss, break down of a relationship, general state of unhappiness with the person’s life path, inability to survive financially, giving birth to a child (post natal depression) and dealing with sudden changes of circumstances.

Those suffering depression require the help of their circle of trust. Unfortunately, there is often lack of care or not wanting to face the issue by the people surrounding the depressed one.  The early tell signs are missed and the affected person spirals out of control. Depression tends to make people fearful as it is unseen and often unheard.

There are many signs of depression, including mood swings, withdrawal from the outside world, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, loss of appetite and weight or increase of appetite and rapid weight gain, as well as increase in fatigue and disrupted sleep.  Many people put on a brave face and do not let on that they are suffering.  Even worse, most people experiencing depression are in denial about it, letting depression consume their lives.

If you come to realise or at least suspect that you may be suffering from depression, the best and the only thing you can do is seek help: both professional and personal.  See a doctor, talk to someone you trust, express your emotions and start dealing with the problem.  Work out the plan of action and win the battle.

In turn, if you know someone who you think may be suffering, do not keep quiet.  Offer your help and a friendly ear.  Strongly suggest seeking medical help.  Remember that acknowledging the problem is half way to resolving it.  In the words of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama – “The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.” Start caring! The world will be a much better place if we learn to care about others’ state of mind, therefore enriching our own existence.

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Spring

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

Spring has quietly replaced winter without much of an announcement, giving the earth small  embraces of the sun and the smell of freshness that cannot be compared to anything. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping with much more enthusiasm, and the people…well the people are smiling more openly and enjoying the long anticipated sunshine.

It is amazing how spring affects people’s mood and well-being.  Spring is the magic time when we embrace the nature and come out to bask in the light of sun rays. Kids’ laughter fills the parks, the beaches become crowded with people running, walking and having a good time.  Spring has also been attributed to be the season when people fall in love and start a new life. It brings new beginnings and new hope.

There are no downsides to spring.  The freshness of the air and the unseen feeling of happiness that is floating as an invisible cloud around us makes it the season of choice.  It brings the underlying excitement and anticipation of what is to come.

Ready or not – spring is here with all its glory!

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Turn the page!

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

“Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

Everyone endures various degrees of hardship in life.  If you do not learn the skills of how to get up after falling down, you may find it almost impossible to move on each time there is a hurdle in your way.  There is a saying ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’. So, if you are still breathing and standing, then you need to fight and get passed it.

It is almost impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you are at your lowest point.  However, hardships define our character and teach us very important life skills of patience, endurance and, surprisingly enough, kindness.

Sink or swim is life’s way of teaching us to move on. Sometimes we need to approach life as a business transaction to be able to move on.  Sit down and assess your life in its current state.   Ascertain what needs to be done to get from where you are to where you want to be.  Make a list of steps to be undertaken and people who can assist you in your journey. When making  your list, be realistic but learn to be resourceful. You would be pleasantly surprised at other’s willingness to help when you have a clear picture in mind.  A lot of people have experienced some form of hardship.  Therefore, they would understand what you are going through and would offer a helping hand.

Most importantly, learn to turn the page! If you keep looking at and living in the past, it is almost impossible to make a smooth transition into the future.  “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Importance of Remembering Your Heritage

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

Living in a country, which embraces all races and religions, we often forget about our heritage and background.  Some of us even shy away from our roots, mother tongue and traditions.

What many tend to forget is that our heritage will always be part of us.  It enriches us as human beings as well as allows us to have the extra skills, which others may not possess.  For instance, speaking a second (or third, forth, etc) language provides a real advantage. It comes in handy when you travel. It aids in your ability to reach the members of a particular community and to engage with more people both in social and professional circles.  In the current globalized world, knowledge of more than one language and understanding of other cultures provides an array of opportunities.

Another major contributor to our heritage is keeping of the traditions which have evolved from generation to generation.  Susan Lieberman once said that “Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world.”  Whether it is celebrating a religious holiday, gathering as a family for dinner every Friday or Sunday night, or teaching your children about the history of your nation, traditions allow for better family interactions and contribute to raising well-adjusted children.

So what are you waiting for? Go and explore who you are and where you come from.  Dig deep into the past of your ancestors and you are bound to discover fascinating facts.  If you speak more than one language, try to keep your knowledge of your mother tongue alive and pass it on to you kids.  Acknowledge and celebrate your heritage at every opportunity as it one of the largest contributory factors to who you are as a person.

“A person without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” – Marcus Garvey

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Lessons of Motherhood

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

Being a mother is a 24/7 gig. You hear it all the time, but you only realize the truth of the matter once you actually become one. You sign up to a job that lasts a lifetime.  There is no annual or sick leave or time off.  Even if you manage to leave your children with someone close to you for an evening or a few days, you do not stop worrying and thinking about them.  Even your body clock often readjusts to be in synch with your children’s sleep schedule.

Motherhood is overwhelming at the start, but one of the most rewarding life experiences.  Becoming a mother opens your eyes to a very different world.  You discover that you can survive on eating cold lunch and dinner, if you actually remember to eat at all.  You learn to do at least 3-5 things at any given time.  Your negotiating skills get a workout and you manage to survive on very little sleep.  Further, your creative side, whether you have one or not, develops.  You learn how to mask vegetables in food, so that your kids have a healthy diet, and to invent educational games that kids will be interested playing in order to occupy them and also to teach them something valuable at the same time.

You start looking at people in a different way, as your approach is now that of a parent.  All of a sudden, you are more distant with some of your closest friends and closer with people you previously hardly spoke to due to the difference in parenting styles.  You no longer cringe at a sound of a baby crying or children running a riot in a cafe. Funny enough, you often breathe out with relief when a child calls out for their mum and you realize that it is not one of yours.

Daily dealing with children brings you a completely different perspective on assessing and dealing with people, as children do not care if someone is pretty or smart in order to play together in the playground.  If they fall, they cry for a bit and then get up and move on to doing something else.  They speak their mind without any filtering and are not afraid to show their emotions to others: to cry, to laugh, to dance and to sing in public.  The best quality in all children, as a general rule, is their belief in the bright future and, at the same time, ability to live in the moment.

Juggling kids, work, family and social life is hard work for any mother.  That time of peace and quiet in the evenings when the children are asleep is always cherished.  However, you would not have it any other way. At least this is true for me.  There is an old saying that the older the children, the bigger the problems encountered by their parents.  I say – bring it on.  Motherhood is the best possible job and I would not trade it for anything else.

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Life in the fast lane or peace and serenity

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

Life in a big city, with work and personal commitments, sees us constantly moving. Working, taking care of family and other commitments sees us run around life like headless chooks.  No time to stop. No time to reflect. Hardly any time to think other than about the daily tasks.

Then, one day, you take a break and find yourself in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the wilderness, the picturesque nature and the fresh air. The only sounds surrounding you are those of the chirping birds and the waves of the water somewhere far, yet so close that you can hear it. The sun rays try to break through the thickness of the tree branches. What a serene setting!

Suddenly, you realize that you are not missing the hassle and bustle of the city. You are just happy to be breathing in the nature in all its prime state. It may be the first time in ages when you are actually able to breathe, not just enhale oxygen for survival. You look back at your life and the rat race you usually find yourself in and understand that something has been missing.  It is hard to verbalise, even to yourself, what exactly has been absent in your existence all this time. However, you clearly see that there’s a gap that needs to be filled.

Taking a long walk through the forest, you slowly let your brain relax, whilst your legs are taking you on a long trip around the little pathways through the beauty contained within the aged trees.

There’s a good saying that you should always be able to stop and smell the roses. Well, it becomes clear as you keep walking that having ‘time-out’ to relax, reflect and rejuvenate is a must and should be done more often.  You even start to question the need for continuing being part of the rat race. “Is it worth it?” you find your brain asking. “Should I just pack my life and move somewhere so peaceful to find sanity”.

The answer is not as easy as you may have initially thought. There’s an enormous attraction in living somewhere quiet and secluded. However, as you think further about it, you conclude it would not make you happy long term. This is because you still need to work to provide for yourself and your family. You still need those close to you to be near. You need more than being around nature to fulfill you.

So what is a happy medium and is there one? As you walk out of the woods onto the beach, looking at the waves caressing the sand, you understand the medium is to repeat this experience on a regular basis.  Take time out and reconnect with the nature. Find a place where you can rest your thoughts and rest your soul. Sleep. Read a book. Disconnect your phone for a few days. You will be surprised how much better it will make you feel and how much more energy you will have when you return to your ‘normal’ life.

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Airport

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

Airport is a unique place where people experience all sorts of emotions. Some wait to reunite with a loved one or a friend. others wait to commence or continue their travels, looking forward to a holiday. There are always crowds of business travellers, jetting between cities and meetings, anxiously waiting to finally get on the plane.  There are also those sad and heartbroken ones who are saying goodbye to someone dear to their heart, whether for a while or forever.

Sitting in the airport lounge, makes you realize just how many different people, with completely different lives, backgrounds, countries of origin, priorities and feelings come under one roof.  All these people have one thing in common – they are waiting for a flight. The lounge is filled with anxiety, excitement, sadness, determination to get to a destination and general buzz of people waiting. There are kids running around, women reading magazines, business people on their iPads and others who are just happy to calmly wait until boarding.
Airport is good place to reflect on the past and think about the future. All sorts of thoughts enter your mind, hopes are born and pages in life are finally turned over.
As I am patiently waiting to board, I realise that this is the first time in many years where I am just happy to be here, looking forward to getting off the plane in a different city so that I can spend a few days unwinding and enjoying ‘me’ time.
The boarding call for my flight has been announced. Everyone jumps up and rushes to form a line. I’m casually strolling and smiling… This time airport evokes only positive emotions in me.  ‘Me’ time – here I come…
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Great expectations – you are your own worst enemy

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jane Garber-Rosenzweig

After having a discussion with a friend about people’s expectations in life, I have come across a quote by Lisa Kleypass, which totally summarised my position: “You are your own worst enemy. If you can learn to stop expecting impossible perfection, in yourself and others, you may find the happiness that has always eluded you.”

Reflecting on the topic later that evening, I played the devil’s advocate and looked more closely at this subject.  There is a common saying “do not expect and you will not be disappointed”, which also resonates with me.  That is not to say that you should lower your expectations to accommodate someone. Not at the slightest.  If you have formed an expectation, by all means keep to it.  The only problem will be the hard emotional fall if the expectation is not met.

Thinking further, are there subconscious expectations in our minds in regards to friends, partners and loved ones? No doubt there are.  We create a perception of others based on our past experiences, the norm within the society and other factors.  That becomes, in most cases, our downfall, as the expectations are often not met.

A few months ago and as a result of past disappointments, I made a conscious decision to live my life without any expectations and to accept people as they are.  Since then, I have embraced helping others and being there for friends as a first priority.  Nothing is required in return.  Enjoying sharing some laughs and having a chat in good company is enough of an emotional reward for me. If something good is ever meant to find you, it will find a way.  Jack Farris cleverly stated that “you don’t ask nobody to give what they can’t give, or be what they can’t be. You’ve learnt that, you got a head start on heartbreak.”  I have definitely learnt that.

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