Better notes ... better friendships

If you have been following my blog since the beginning, you might have read my very first blog "The secret to life... better notes".  I bring this up because I whole-heartedly believe that good notes make my life so much better.  I wanted to expand on how notes also make me a better friend.  

All of us hear comments from our friends that we know we should follow-up on.  For example, a friend says, "my sister is suffering from cancer" or "I am going in for surgery next month".  In your mind, you think, I need to remember that and ask about her sister or ask how surgery went.  

Remember ... your mind is a terrible place to store a note or task.  

Your mind only seems to remember to remind you about your friends at 2 a.m. or while you are in the shower.  It never reminds you when you are sitting at a computer and could send an email, or when you are on the phone with them or visiting with them.

This is where a note comes in.  When I hear or see something from a friend that is important, I create a task to follow-up with them.  If it is a phone call or personal discussion that needs to happen, I create a note "@Linda".  I fill the @Linda with items that I need to talk about with Linda, in person, next time we are together.  When I see her - I pull up that task and then I am assured I won't forget an important topic.  

If your friend is doing something longer-term, create a task that is recurring.  For instance, if your friend is job hunting, set a reminder to check in on them weekly or monthly to see how the search is going.  Let them know you are thinking of them.

There is no shame in admitting that your mind is horrible at reminding you of important things. As a good friend, it is not important how you remembered to ask about something ... just that you did remember.