of no longer caring if people return my emails or texts. I used to give “them” three tries. Then two. And now, maybe two, but usually just one try.

Does this look familiar?

“I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you. I’ve been really busy.”

Everyone is busy.

I knew it was a big problem for many of us, but it wasn’t until I saw that a well-known composer is experiencing this same thing. They’re someone you would know instantly. Someone, if they wrote to you, you would respond immediately.

It’s clearly an epidemic.

Of course there are exceptions. But, I now make those exceptions selectively when I realistically believe there could be powerful collaboration in the future.

There’s always the possibility of a death in the family, divorce, sickness, or something else. We may never know, but it’s a reasonable possibility, and we are compassionate people.

Sometimes, I write back and ask, “Please tell me what I need to do differently to hear back from you.”

Or, “I haven’t heard back from you. I hope everything’s okay. Please tell me what you think about my previous email message.”

Someone once suggested writing: “I’m disappointed that I haven’t heard back from you. I hope everything’s okay.”

I summoned the courage to try this last one a couple of times, and I got an immediate response both times. Perhaps the “I hope everything’s okay” tempered the tone of “I’m disappointed.”

And then there was the time I left out a “k” in the email address, and sent the message to a train conductor in New Jersey, instead of the conductor of an orchestra in Jacksonville, Florida.

Sometimes, I’ve experimented with the email subject line and headline for content I post on social media.

I’ve followed the advice of others to only state the facts, so that the reader clearly knows what the topic is. (I previously thought that this was too bland, and wouldn’t inspire interest or a click.)

I’ve tried being clever, mysterious, and alluring in the subject line with the goal of being intriguing — and to get an immediate click. (I’ve seen that work as well.)

“Time sensitive” in the subject line seems to have had some success,

* * * * ***

Here’s another reality when you’re not getting you’re trying to figure out why your texts and emails are not being returned.

And how about this thought from a colleague and mentor:

“David, have you ever considered the possibility that those non responses mean that it’s real sh_t show over there?

Do you want to work for a sh_t show?”

Either way, it’s a good idea to have a limit of two - three tries. You make the call.

Letting it go after that 2nd or 3rd efforts, and not caring that much, has definitely lightened my load. I think that’s because, I have more time to focus on true, valuable relationships — where there is shared trust, integrity, and values.

Happy anniversary to me.

***** ***** *****

As a challenge to myself, and to ensure I practice what I preach, I try to summarize what I write here in 2 - 3 sentences.

Move on after the 2nd or 3rd follow up to an email or text, let it go. Find others who share your values, interests, and integrity, and spend time with them. That’s when the work, and the joy of doing what you’re passionate about, happens.

The day I stopped giving a ____. Celebrating my Sixth Month Anniversary

of no longer caring if people return my emails or texts. I used to give “them” three tries. Then two. And now, maybe two, but usually just one try.

Does this look familiar?

“I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you. I’ve been really busy.”

Everyone is busy.

I knew it was a big problem for many of us, but it wasn’t until I saw that a well-known composer is experiencing this same thing. They’re someone you would know instantly. Someone, if they wrote to you, you would respond immediately.

It’s clearly an epidemic.

Of course there are exceptions. But, I now make those exceptions selectively when I realistically believe there could be powerful collaboration in the future.

There’s always the possibility of a death in the family, divorce, sickness, or something else. We may never know, but it’s a reasonable possibility, and we are compassionate people.

Sometimes, I write back and ask, “Please tell me what I need to do differently to hear back from you.”

Or, “I haven’t heard back from you. I hope everything’s okay. Please tell me what you think about my previous email message.”

Someone once suggested writing: “I’m disappointed that I haven’t heard back from you. I hope everything’s okay.”

I summoned the courage to try this last one a couple of times, and I got an immediate response both times. Perhaps the “I hope everything’s okay” tempered the tone of “I’m disappointed.”

And then there was the time I left out a “k” in the email address, and sent the message to a train conductor in New Jersey, instead of the conductor of an orchestra in Jacksonville, Florida.

Sometimes, I’ve experimented with the email subject line and headline for content I post on social media.

I’ve followed the advice of others to only state the facts, so that the reader clearly knows what the topic is. (I previously thought that this was too bland, and wouldn’t inspire interest or a click.)

I’ve tried being clever, mysterious, and alluring in the subject line with the goal of being intriguing — and to get an immediate click. (I’ve seen that work as well.)

“Time sensitive” in the subject line seems to have had some success,

*** *** *** *** ***

Here’s another reality when you’re not getting you’re trying to figure out why your texts and emails are not being returned.

And how about this thought from a colleague and mentor:

“David, have you ever considered the possibility that those non responses mean that it’s real sh_t show over there?

Do you want to work for a sh_t show?”

Either way, it’s a good idea to have a limit of two - three tries. You make the call.

Letting it go after that 2nd or 3rd efforts, and not caring that much, has definitely lightened my load. I think that’s because, I have more time to focus on true, valuable relationships — where there is shared trust, integrity, and values.

Happy anniversary to me.

As a challenge to myself, and to ensure I practice what I preach, I try to summarize what I write here in 2 - 3 sentences.

Move on after the 2nd or 3rd follow up to an email or text, let it go. Find others who share your values, interests, and integrity, and spend time with them. That’s when the work, and the joy of doing what you’re passionate about, happens.

* * * * ***