How to Organize Your Contacts Using a Spreadsheet Address Book.

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Making friends is somewhat easy. Maintaining your friendships and keeping in touch is the challenging part.

It is our observation that many people use social media to keep in touch with friends and family. It's easy to "add friends" and "follow" people on social media. However, using these services to keep in touch with friends is not ideal. There are also many safety concerns using online gaming, social media and various cell phone apps.

Click for internet safety concerns

Not everyone uses the same social networking apps in the same way. There are so many different ones and people use them for different reasons in different times, if at all. Using them to contact people is also challenging since the message may go into their "spam" folder.

Create an address book using a spreadsheet to keep in touch with friends and family

Everyone has and uses a phone number. You can see and edit your contacts in an organized way using an address book spreadsheet. It also acts as a backup incase your phone gets lost or broken.

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Friending people on social media allows for a counterfeit friendship

Since you are exposed to their photos, you are listed on their friend list and you "see them" often online, you are "friends". You know how their last vacation went. You can see how much fun they had when they visited a farm to pick apples. You commented "congratulations" on their recent accomplishment. You never actually have to meetup and interact with them in person. This is not a real relationship. It's a counterfeit.

Stalking is not friendship. This is a passive way to allow someone to know things about you and your life without the real work of a healthy relationship. If they want to know how you are doing, they should text or call you instead of clicking your name on facebook for your latest story. You should do the same. Next time you are thinking about someone, send them a text or email instead.

People need genuine interaction. Social media has taken over social interactions like a crutch making our culture reclusive. Your public sharing of information, chat and comments with your friends really should be done in a private text, email or phone call. Take your relationships seriously by texting, mailing a card sometimes, sending a e-mail or calling your friends and family occasionally. Host a meetup like a playdate, double date or mom's night soon!

When someone asks to "friend me" on Facebook, I send them this message.

"Hi, Thanks for the friend request. However, we do not friend anyone on Facebook. We decided to only use Facebook for certain groups and pages. We keep in touch with friends using an address book on excel. We are always up for a meetup."

The door is always open: Removing a friend is a very public and passive way of saying I never want to speak with you again, even if that is not your intention. This is not the case In a healthy friendship using phone numbers.

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Tips on making your address book

First name	Last name	Address	Phone number	Notes

• Make different spreadsheets for your contacts. Some suggestions are neighbors, friends and family, Church contacts, out of state contacts for Christmas cards etc.

• Keep notes of allergies, birthdays

• I put the information in my address book as soon as I am able. What is the point of exchanging numbers if it's just going to sit on a text in my phone?

• Make a business contact address book spreadsheet.

  • Your dentist, handyman, doctor, hair salon etc. should have their own page in your spreadsheet so you can contact them without searching for their information through your phone or googling the phone number. You may consider Including business hours, your insurance information and other important notes so it is easy to access if needed.

  • Networking is an important life skill. You might need a reference for volunteering. If you or your teen is an entrepreneur, it is important to keep your professional contacts organized and accessible.

Making and sending Christmas cards is an act of kindness. Use your address book to mail cards this year!