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A Christmas Reflection: Managing Relationships

Today is that day, where we *usually* take the time to re-connect with family. Similar to Thanksgiving, but much more fun for the kids. As the day winds down and the cleaning begins, I take a moment to reflect on the value of Christmas (instead of helping clean) and its effect on my personal relationships.

As a busy entrepreneur, I seldom make time to spend quality family time outside of my immediate family (wife and daughter). So, I look forward to Christmas as a time to re-connect. But there is a problem. It’s only one day and since I’ve neglected these relationships all year, a insurmountable task greets me. Many phone calls, visits and no time to reach all those I care about.

I know this sounds like a typical geek solution, but I need some kind of system to manage these relationships, such that Christmas is not the only time for connecting. Following is a proposed framework/system that I plan to execute this coming year.

Create a list of all personal relationships (friends and family).
Make the list more manageable, by selecting the top ten relationships on the list (or some number that makes sense).
For the top ten list:
1. Plan for at least one quarterly in person visit.
2. Write two hand written notes per year.
3. Make one phone call per month.
4. Send one email per month. (or send typed mail to those who don’t use email)
For the rest of the list:
1. Send a monthly email. (or send typed mail to those who don’t use email)
2. Make one phone call per quarter.

I’m hoping this method can help me get better at managing non-business relationships.

How do you manage your personal relationships? Do you have a system? Would a system help you? Do you feel less genuine if you use a system?

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A Christmas Reflection: Managing Relationships

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