As professionals, many of us rely on customer relationship management (CRM) tools to keep track of client interactions. These systems allow us to log notes, remember key details from past conversations, and schedule follow-ups. Whether it’s recalling a client’s preferences, noting their upcoming milestones, or simply remembering to check in periodically, CRMs help us build stronger, more personal relationships with the people we serve.
But why stop at clients? What if we applied the same level of organization and intentionality to our personal relationships?
Treating Personal Relationships Like VIP Clients
Life gets busy, and it’s easy to lose touch with old friends or delay catching up with family members. A quick text like, “We should get together sometime!” often gets lost in the shuffle. However, if we’re already in the habit of using tools and systems to track professional relationships, we can extend this approach to our personal lives. By doing so, we might rekindle connections and make more meaningful moments with the people who matter most.
Imagine logging a note after a phone call with a friend:
- “Talked to Alex on January 20. She mentioned starting a new job and planning a trip to Italy in April.”
With this simple note, you’ll be reminded to follow up in a couple of months to ask how her new role is going or hear about her travel adventures. Similarly, you could set a reminder to check in with a cousin you haven’t spoken to since the last family reunion or schedule a coffee date with an old college roommate.
Why It Matters
Building and maintaining personal relationships often requires effort, but the payoff is enormous. Just like with clients, a little preparation goes a long way. When you remember small details about someone’s life—or even just make the effort to stay in touch—it demonstrates care and strengthens bonds.
For those of us who feel the strain of busy schedules, having a system to track and prompt these interactions can be a game-changer. It shifts the burden of remembering every detail to a tool we already trust, leaving more room in our mental bandwidth for meaningful conversations when they happen.
How to Get Started
You don’t have to use a professional CRM to apply this idea. Here are a few simple ways to start tracking and nurturing your personal relationships:
- Digital Notes: Use your phone’s notes app or a simple spreadsheet to log key details after calls or visits.
- Reminders and Alerts: Set calendar reminders to follow up on significant dates, like anniversaries, birthdays, or events your loved ones have shared with you.
- Dedicated Apps: If you prefer something more structured, apps like Notion, Evernote, or even personal task managers can serve as informal CRMs for your personal relationships.
- Paper Journals: For those who love writing by hand, keeping a journal of personal interactions can work just as well.
The Ripple Effect
This approach isn’t just about staying in touch—it’s about being proactive and intentional. By creating a system to track and nurture your relationships, you may find that you reach out more often, deepen connections, and even feel more fulfilled yourself.
After all, clients come and go, but the relationships we build with friends and family are the ones that truly enrich our lives. If we can manage to keep track of hundreds of clients, surely we can do the same for the people who’ve shaped our personal worlds.
Why not give it a try? Treat the people you love like VIP clients—and see how it changes the way you connect.