Busy Professional: 10 Great Ways To Stay Connected With Faraway Friends/Family

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“Making a big life change is pretty scary. But, now what’s even scarier? Regret.” ~ Zig Ziglar

One of my favorite times of the year is when seasons change from winter to spring. As the wind chime gently rings, the breeze swirling through it feels a little warmer today. I can hear birds cheerfully chirping and know the buzzing sound of hummingbird wings will soon be heard. Butterflies will soon float along the grass that will turn a deep shade of green. Any remaining ice from past winter storms will fade away in our memory. Ultimately giving us a new sense of hope for renewal felt deep within our souls.

Just like changing seasons is a constant, so is life and career transitions. As a result, relocation is a fact of life for many.

Moving up the corporate ladder may come with having to relocate to get the promotion. Or to change jobs with the same or higher level of responsibility means to move physical locations because the local opportunity is minimal. Rapidly changing industries such as healthcare undergoing transformation are anticipating increasing executive transitions in future years.

Whatever the case, it may mean having to move away from trusted friends and family.

The new job will require your never-ending attention and visiting long distant friends is not going to be easy. While developing new friendships will occur, staying connected to faraway friends and family is also important for your own overall health and wellbeing. Afterall… those are long-time trusted people who stuck with you during life milestones, school friends, past work friends, and your ultimate life cheerleaders.

Here are 10 great ways to stay connected with faraway friends/family:

Every friendship is different and has different connection needs. This list is meant to kick off ideas. Perhaps this list will create some different thoughts on how to connect with people remotely.

Read a book together

Or listen to an audiobook on your commute to and from work. I did this with a friend, and we would either email or call each other to talk about what we read. It was a great way to bring us together and learn something new at the same time.

2. Watch a movie or weekly show together

Chat about it via text or Facetime each other on your cell while watching.

3. Send random pictures with your text messages

It’s not just about texting messages but also sharing experiences that are missed when we move away from friends. Sharing pictures can go along way of keeping life experiences real.

4. Skype or Google hangout a virtual cooking event

Or host a virtual brunch where you just enjoy eating food together albeit at a distance. Online tools such as Skype or Google hangout make seeing each other long-distance easier. These are tools recruiters use regularly to screen job candidates without the travel expenses.

5. Go beyond online Facebook greetings

Send an actual birthday card. You know, the kind that requires a stamp and an envelope. Even better, write a note and list three things you like the most about your friendship.

6. Send each other care packages

Be creative and fun (and safe). Can your friend use a winter readiness kit complete with hot chocolate, tea and a mug? How about a “get well” package to combat the cold, flu or something else? What about a “food” package that includes your favorite munchies. Or a personal kit that includes meaningful pictures of where you’ve been together.

7. Schedule regular “catch up” calls

Keep the schedule is just as important too.

8. Online video games

Video gaming has come a long way since Pac Man first came out. I may have just dated myself. Nonetheless, online gaming has a way of bringing people together virtually and can share tips and strategies together. One of my favorites is Words with Friends.

9. Meet half-way

Have a conference coming up that you are attending? Any chance you can meet halfway somewhere for a quick cup of coffee?

10. Plan a trip

Plan a real trip to someplace fun. It’s not just the trip itself but also planning together that makes it fun.

Your future self will thank you for making the effort. Life is short. Your health and wellness are key to a good work-life balance especially for the busy professional.

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Tresha Moreland

Tresha Moreland is a 30-year organizational effectiveness and strategic workforce planning expert. She partners with business leaders to develop workplace strategies that achieve best-in-class results. She has held key organizational leadership roles in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Tresha is the founder and principal consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC (www.hrcsuite.com). HR C-Suite is a results-based HR strategy resource dedicated to connecting HR with business results. She has received a master’s degree in human resource management (MS) and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). She has also earned a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP) Certification. She is also recognized as a Fellow with the American College Healthcare Executives with a FACHE designation.