Tag, You're It! Five Steps For Staying In Touch

[Genny]

Phone tag. Who doesn’t play? Life seems to be getting busier and busier and finding time to chat is getting harder to do.

Do we simply lose touch then?

Hopefully not. We need each other. Who doesn’t feel good after talking to a friend, even if it’s just for a few minutes? I know I do. And that's why I thought I’d share some tips that've helped me to stay in touch with the people in my life. Nothing earth-shattering or revolutionary. Just some ideas for staying connected…

1. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. Sure, if I haven’t talked to a friend in a while, I’d love to wait for “just the right time” to call so we’ll have an hour to catch up. But what if that time never comes? What if we only have a few minutes? I’ve learned to call anyway. It’s better to say a quick “hi” and “I miss you” than to not talk at all.

2. Use email. I have friends and family who live in different time zones and sometimes when I think to call them, it’s too late where they are. Sending a quick note in email, rather than going longer without connecting, lets them know I’m thinking about them.

3. Leave a message. As sad as it sounds, sometimes voicemail may be the only way we can catch each other. Instead of simply saying, “Call me back when you get a chance,” how about leaving some detail? I’m amazed at how many back-and-forth “conversations” I’ve had, simply through voicemail. But if it keeps us connected, that’s what counts.

4. Send cards. This may sound old-fashioned, but who doesn’t like to get a card in the mail? The next time you think of someone, write them a quick note and mail it. Keep a box of cards handy to make this easier to do. It can mean a lot to the person on the receiving end.

5. Get together. Recently, a friend and I made plans to meet for coffee. The day before we were supposed to get together, we both had something come up. But instead of cancelling, we decided to meet anyway. It was only for forty-five minutes, and it went by way too fast, but it was long enough for a hug, a few laughs, and a tasty mocha.

Everybody knows it takes effort to keep relationships strong. But it’s these relationships that make our lives rich. So even if we have to play a little tag in between the homework and carpool and career, let’s keep playing. Because in the end, it’s the friendships that last over the years and the close family ties that we’ll win.