I charge my cell phone every night. You probably do, too. I need mine topped off to start my mornings because I continually check in with our iMOM and All Pro Dad supporters, updating them on how they’re helping us fulfill our mission to help families love each other well. It’s great to check in with people who see value in our mission. After work, I make more calls. I’ll connect with my kids and grandsons, as well as with my friends.
I want to stay in touch with as many loved ones as possible because connection fades and relationships suffer if we don’t put in the effort. Think of the people you used to keep in touch with but haven’t talked with in a while. You’re missing out on the encouragement, support, and enjoyment you could have for each other. While it’s not possible to talk every day to all the people in our lives, there are some people we should never lose touch with. Here are 5 people to call every month.
1. Someone You Love
We all feel a little bulletproof to some degree. We don’t think about what life would be like without the ones we love, but the truth is, one day they will be gone. Ask people who have lost a parent how much they’d pay to get one more call from their mom or dad. I hope you get many more conversations with the people you care about most, but there are no guarantees. Who comes to mind when I ask who you love? Don’t assume you’ll get the chance to tell that person tomorrow. Call today.
2. Someone You Miss
It’s hard to keep in touch with people. We get so busy that weeks pass when we hardly speak to anyone. If you are starting to miss a friend, a mentor, or a family member, it means that person matters to you. So, make the call and say it. Pick someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and call to catch up. Find out his recent highs and lows; tell her she’s been on your mind. It lifts our spirits to know we matter to someone.
3. Someone You Respect
We all have people or a few in our lives whose wisdom really strikes us—people we respect, who are where we someday hope to be, either relationally, professionally, or spiritually. If we want to grow in our own wisdom, we should call them once a month. Learn from their skills, insights, and experiences. Ask for guidance in their areas of expertise. Their influence will refine you.
4. Someone Who Inspires You
Former University of Florida president Stephen C. O’Connell was an inspiration to me. He was a brilliant legal mind who cared for people deeply and inspired me to pursue a career that helped others. Calling people like Stephen is an admission that you don’t always have the answers and sometimes need inspiration. That’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you are motivated to do something great.
5. Someone Who Challenges You
Keep in touch with the teachers, mentors, and friends who have challenged you over the years. Why? They will likely challenge you again. The people who push us are a gift. They repeatedly sharpen us. They challenge us to be the best versions of ourselves. When you call them, tell them they’re helping you grow. It can be hard to let someone challenge you, but this is a risk worth taking because it’s showing you are eager to improve.
If there were one person you could call right now, who would it be? Share in a comment.
