A lot of the things on your to-do list are stuck waiting on someone else. The builder hasn't sent the quote. The landlord hasn't fixed the boiler. A colleague hasn't sent the figures you need. Following up can feel pushy, so many people just wait, and the task sits there for weeks.
Following up isn't rude. Most people who haven't replied have simply forgotten, and they're glad of the reminder. Here's how to do it without feeling awkward.
Keep track of what you're waiting on
Write down who you're waiting on, what for, and the date you asked. Once you can see that it's been twelve days, following up feels reasonable instead of pushy. It also stops these tasks cluttering the list of things you can actually do.
When to follow up
If they gave you a date, follow up the day after it passes. If they didn't, a week is a fair wait for most things. For something urgent, like a repair that affects your home, two or three days is reasonable.
What to say
Keep it short and friendly, and end with one clear question that's easy to answer. Don't apologise for asking, and don't explain at length why you need it. A good follow-up can be read in ten seconds.
Example messages you can copy
To a garage or tradesperson: "Hi, it's Sam. Just checking in on the quote for the brakes we talked about last Tuesday. Could you let me know when you'll have a price?"
To a landlord: "Hi, I'm following up on the boiler I reported on the 3rd. It still isn't working. Could you tell me when someone can come and look at it?"
To a colleague: "Hi, just a nudge on the sales figures for the report. Could you send them by Thursday so I can finish it on time?"
What if they still don't reply?
Wait a few more days and send a second message that's just as friendly but a little firmer. Give a date, like "Could you let me know by Friday?" If there's still no answer, phone them. A call is often quicker, and it's much harder to forget.
Make it a habit
Look at your waiting list once a day, ideally in the morning. Send one follow-up if anything has waited too long. It takes two minutes, and it keeps things moving without you having to remember them all.