When I talk about social media I usually describe my earliest entree in to Twitter as ‘monkeying around.’ An innocent flirtation with no real endpoint. The point is that I didn’t know what it was or how I might use it, but I was curious. Recently a skeptical physician-friend approached me after a talk and said with a smirk, “So that’s what you do on Twitter, you monkey around?” I thought for a moment and replied, “Actually, yeah…”
Through my flirtation I’ve come to understand how something like Twitter can work for me. It’s now a tool, not a curiosity. But it started with experimentation. Good things happen when I try new things.
As doctors I don’t think we monkey around enough with things, really. It’s how we understand things. It’s how we come up with ways to make things better. It’s how we take something like YouTube and make it into something that improves the care of our patients.
But we’re conservative by training and culture. Most of us are just too busy being busy.
I miss monkeying around with Twitter as I once did but I guess that’s the natural order of things. Twitter will remain an important part of my workflow but I’m finding new things to play with.
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Is this good-bye, or just good-bye to monkeying around on Twitter for you? @Kind4kids
Thanks, Terry. I tweaked the last sentence to clarify that I’m not going anywhere yet!
Well…..are you going to continue the tease, or tell us about your new toys? Share, and share alike:)
I’m having fun with Pinterest. Thinking how it can be applied in my world.
Interesting!:). Getting in touch with the artist within? If so…..it can only be helpful to your field of vision. I appreciate this tip.
Funny you should mention artist, Alice. It seems that the vast majority of Pinterest users are women. Either way, I like it. Check it out…
Monkeying around or not monkeying around, what’s important is that you were “curious” and observant in those early days. Open-mindedness and experimentation can – as it appears to have done for you – open doors in many ways and lend themselves to serendipitous discoveries. (The story of early medicine, no?) This also applies in many parts of our life, not only in our professions.
I also often wonder if the hamster-wheel demands of medicine keep intelligent and creative doctors from innovating. As you say, “most of us are just too busy being busy.” Seeds of ideas rarely have room to grow in this cramped environment.
Regimented goals, strategic plans, and strict formulas are obviously useful, but they can be limiting. In my opinion, thinking outside of the box almost always requires a little “monkeying around.”
So here’s to more of it!