Make the Call

I recently received a telephone call from someone dear to me—it had been more than four years since I’d heard from her. She said that she’d wanted to call, but it had been so long since we had spoken, well … you know how it is.

Of course you do—time feeding on itself, devouring friends, family, colleagues and even customers, suppliers and other business relationships. I’m not talking about everyone you ever knew—just people with whom, in retrospect, you wished you had maintained relationships or had occasional correspondences. And there are those one-shot deals—people whom you want to tell how you turned out, after all.

For reasons big and small, we lose people in our lives, but not really. We could find them if we tried hard enough—especially nowadays with Google or Whitepages.com. All it takes is a little time and courage to make the call.

But, usually, the real reason why we don’t call is because we feel that too much time has slipped away. We fear some retribution: some wrath for the communication ball dying in our court from a thank you note we didn’t send, a promise we didn’t keep. Or we are embarrassed for letting a whirlwind of events insert months or years into a relationship.

What we’re ultimately doing, however, is cheating ourselves out of an enriched life, a better career, a more profitable business.

My experience has affirmed that there is no downside to re-initiating a relationship, or for simply saying thank you for a moment of inspiration, teaching or introduction to someone who proved valuable. How many teachers, coaches and mentors have had tremendous impacts in your life but don’t know it? How many associates might still be interested in doing business with you, but they too have been caught in their own whirlwinds?

Let me tell you—the person receiving the call just might need to hear from you. When was the last time you had a lack of inspiration or just a really bad week? Your call could be just the right medicine. Also, when you’re having one of those weeks, being the one who calls is good medicine for you, too.

As you were reading this column, you may have thought of a person whom you would like to hear from again. Take one moment and make the call. You, and that person, will be glad you did.

Send your questions and comments to: Michael.Ivanovich@reedbusiness.com