Hey, Remember Me?

I was in the grocery store the other day and a couple of isles over saw a face that was familiar.  I knew it wasn't a recent face - several years or more since I last saw him.    I am normally great with names, faces, useless trivia...in a word...brilliant!  Normally.    This time, I was stumped.  I walked slower to give myself more time to bring it from memory or make the decision to avoid the casual run-in.  Then in a flash my supercomputer delivered me to a complete download. I remembered his name, his wife and children, where we met and the specific conversation.  He had attended a training event I did back in 2007 and we had a direct conversation about his struggles in sales and insurance. I recall giving him encouragement and advice.  He even emailed me a year later to tell me how things had gotten better for him and about his success.  I felt all warm inside recollecting my impact on his life, and then hurried to catch him "accidentally" at check-out.  I greeted him by name and extended my hand.  He shook it warmly and as I went in for the bro hug, he looked at me quizzically and said, "You look familiar...what's your name?"    How could he forget?  I impacted his life.  Helped him avoid foreclosure and financial ruin.  I singlehandedly changed his life...for the better.  His words, not mine! I told him my name and reminded him of the interaction almost 8 years ago.  He did a complete 180.  He jumped up and down, then proceeded to tell me how that day changed his life...for the better.  He called his wife on his cell phone and I talked to her...she actually cried.  So did I. He didn't forget me...he just needed a reminder.  We had not talked in 7 years.  Unless you are brilliant (like me!) it is not fair to think people you have not talked to in a long time have you on their mind or remember you. Made the connection yet? Just yesterday, I had a sales person ask me how to reach out to all their clients, but they have not touched base in almost 3 years.  I gave them the "shame on you" speech and told them how they had lost repeat business, referrals and their place as a trusted advisor. Then I remembered my grocery store encounter.  I stepped down off my soap box (and high horse!) and told the agent all is not lost.  You can regain that status.  We will review more about re-connecting the next couple of days, but it simply begins with a call...     Hey, Remember Me? Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!