It’s Easier Than You Think to Reconnect

Have you ever thought about an old friend or colleague but hesitated to reach out?

Maybe you worked together years ago, had a great connection, and then life got busy.

You want to reconnect, but … it feels awkward!

One of my clients recently asked me this exact question. He had just rejoined his firm and wanted to reconnect with someone he hadn’t spoken to in years.

“How should I reach out?” he asked.

My answer? Don’t overthink it.

Keep It Simple

When reaching out to someone after a long time, a simple message works best. Here’s what I told my client to write:

“I thought of you, wondered how you’re doing, and would love to catch up!”

That’s it. No long explanation. No need to apologize for the time apart. Just a friendly message that shows you care.

Our brains tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. We imagine worst-case scenarios.

What if they don’t remember me? What if they don’t want to talk?

But most of these fears aren’t real. They’re just our brains playing tricks on us.

The Fear of Rejection

One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to reach out is fear of rejection. We worry about what the other person might think. But here’s the truth: most people appreciate being remembered.

Instead of focusing on the worst-case scenario, think about what’s most likely to happen. Let’s break it down:

70% chance they respond with excitement and want to catch up.
25% chance they take a little longer to reply but still get back to you.
5% chance they don’t respond because they’re busy or distracted.

In business development and life, most situations have a high probability of positive outcomes.

Think in Probabilities, Not Absolutes

Our brains often think in absolutes. All or nothing.

They’ll either love this email, or they’ll ignore me forever.

But that’s not how life works.

In reality, most situations fall somewhere in between. When we shift our thinking to probabilities, we can make smarter decisions. Instead of assuming the worst, we can recognize that there’s a high chance of a good outcome.

This mindset isn’t just useful for reconnecting with people. It’s a great way to approach business development and life in general.

Take the Shot

If you’ve been thinking about reaching out to someone, don’t wait. Take the shot. Send a simple message and see what happens.

Even if they don’t reply, you haven’t lost anything. But if they do, you’ve reconnected with someone who might become a valuable part of your network again.

And you know what’s cool?

Reconnecting with what scientists call “dormant” or “weak ties” has multiple benefits, ranging from new ideas to more creativity, feel-good meetings, and even a better chance to grow a business.

So, don’t overthink it the next time someone comes to mind.

Just reach out. The odds are in your favor!