Hello, Yeah, It’s Been Awhile

Editorial note: Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author

I don’t know about you but it bugs me when I bump into someone I haven’t seen in quite some time and they express happiness at seeing me then in the next breath say they were meaning to reach out to me or were just thinking about me. Now, cards on the table; I’ve said both to people and meant it at the time. But in hindsight I don’t believe that makes it any less passive.

Just last night at the dinner table our family had one of our countless discussions about extroverts and introverts. How an extrovert isn’t always someone who is outgoing and an introvert needn’t be shy and retiring. An extrovert gets energy from being with people and an introvert gets energy from being alone.

Well, I identify as an extrovert and of course if you know me that won’t surprise you. And, as I’ve gotten older, networking provides me with the ideal vehicle for being with people. It enriches me personally and professionally and I rather enjoy it. I do value being able to help people when I can and have seen time and time again the “you get what you give” aspect to networking. But it’s also enabled me to maintain long-term friendships, which, let’s face it, becomes harder when you’re an adult.

For the most part, I feel as though I’m primarily a networking instigator, at least for those in my more personal, not professional sphere. I’ll be the one sending LinkedIn messages or texts, suggesting we meet for coffee. Which is why I was such a nice surprise to receive an email last Sunday that simply read “Touch Base.”

It was from an old friend who lives in town that I hadn’t seen in quite some time. We worked together more than 10 years ago and reconnected when his family joined the same synagogue as ours, where I saw this person on a fairly regular basis. But then they left to join another organization in town and we lost touch. No drama; no falling out. Just your basic, happens-all-the time situation.

I responded to this email, got a quick response back and just yesterday had coffee with this friend. We caught up on work, life. What we and our spouses were up to. What our respective kids were up to. It truly was an enjoyable time and when we both said our goodbyes we told each other we’ll continue to get together. I have every faith that we well.

Then I got in my car and started driving home, listening to NPR like I always do. Coronavirus. Stock market. Politics. Man, was it awful. But then I thought about the hour I’d just spent with my friend; about the fact that we’re enjoying a temporary blast of nice weather this weekend (in Minnesota, where I live, you treat any bit of nice weather as temporary) and it made me more resolved to keep embracing anything in my life that gives me energy, and that most assuredly will include more networking.

So, if you’re read this far and have been meaning to reach out to someone in your sphere or have been thinking about them, stop. Grab your device or laptop and schedule a time to see them. I bet you’ll be glad you did.