Stay close, stay top of mind

The underrated rule of luck: just be around

My partner, my cat, and I once missed a connecting flight due to a luggage hiccup. The staff got us replacement tickets for another flight 12 hours later. Maybe we could catch an earlier flight if there was space, they said.

That was a possibility we were eager to explore. So I walked to the gate with the next flight out, and asked if there might be standby tickets for the three of us. They were in the middle of boarding, so they weren’t sure yet. I waited far enough not to intrude, close enough to stay top of mind.

After a couple of tries, the staff found space for us on a flight. It took no more than an hour or two.

This experience comes to mind often. At a medical office, the staff told a couple they had 15–30 minutes until their appointment, maybe they could get a coffee nearby. Not long after, their appointment was ready ahead of time. While one staff member called their phone frantically, another called the name of a person who was in the waiting room. Stay in the waiting room, stay top of mind.

Of course, this simple principle applies to all sorts of opportunities beyond flights and appointments. Regularly meeting with friends, acquaintances, and business contacts can have the same effect. Make yourself available, and stay far enough not to intrude (metaphorically and literally), and close enough to stay top of mind. If you want to build a relationship with someone else, keep them top of mind.

P.S., If you find yourself always available, and people not responding, maybe they’re just not sure how you can contribute yet. How can you demonstrate that to them?

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I originally published this at https://herbertlui.net on April 2, 2025, where I write every day.