Last week as I was reflecting on some difficult conversations, I started thinking about my favorite college professor. The last time we emailed each other was probably about ten years ago. I have a different email account now and was worried I didn’t have his contact information, so I googled him.
As I googled, I noticed he was recently featured in the University of Iowa alumni magazine during a meet-up with another former student. It was fate! So, of course, I was totally encouraged to reach out to him. I found his email address and quickly started composing a note to him. Here’s what I wrote:
I had recently read a newsletter from You Are Doing A Good Enough Job (Sophie Johnson) and was encouraged to tell him what he meant to me and how his teaching and guidance have impacted me for good. It wasn’t Shakespeare or even a well-written email, but I felt compelled and I did it. Even IF he was the English department chair and I WAS a little worried I would be judged.
Did I feel guilty that my email was kinda short, flighty, and not very meaningful? Yes, 100%. Did I send it anyway? I sure did. I’m sick of judging and censoring myself before the thought sees the light of day.
And then the most wonderful thing happened — he wrote back! I wasn’t sure he even checked his university email, as he was technically retired. But I had a message in my inbox within a few hours and was completely thrilled to hear back. I think you too might enjoy his note! It doesn’t really contain anything questionable, just good old-fashioned catching up.
John’s email was so much more than mine! More detail! More structure! More storytelling! I felt bad for a minute. Bad that I hadn’t written a better email and bad that I had let him down.
But then I thought about that feeling. I didn’t let anyone down and he wasn’t judging me or my email. He was just glad to hear from me! As most people are when you write them after having not communicated for a while for reasons other than a falling out.
I was so good to hear from him and know he’s well. It is really important to me that John knows how much he has impacted my life. And that, y’all, is the power of the random reach out!
Now, if only I can muster the time and energy to write him a nice and appropriate email back…
Ask someone to lunch
A magnificent example of the power of the uncensored random reach-out! And also the power of thanking a valuable mentor for the positive impact they had. :)