The log of talk time on telephones is spiraling upward in our society. We
spend more time talking on telephones than ever before. Cell phones are buzzing
all day around town as I watch people driving and talking, walking and talking
and sitting and talking.
However, generally speaking, whatever they are
talking about it can’t possibly as important as making the phone call.
The phone call might include:
- A call to your customer
whose order was delivered damaged and late.
- A call to your favorite salesperson
whose company’s pricing is no longer acceptable.
- A call to resign from
a volunteer organization that you have been involved with for five years but no
longer have the time or energy to give away.
- A call to 5 prospects who
said no before but might be able to say yes now.
- A call to your sister
that you have not spoken to in four years.
People aren’t
making these kinds of calls because they are surrounded with anxiety and fear.
The act of making the phone call may just be the first step in setting
yourself up for rejection and disapproval by the person on the other end.
Fear of rejection is often the ball and chain for holding back personal and business
progress. Telephone Call Reluctance is as common as a cold in January.
Our reluctance to make important phone calls may be deeply rooted in a bad experience
that happened in the past.
As an example, ask any teenage boy what it
feels like to muster up the courage to call that special girl for a date who promptly
declines because she has to wash her hair that night. Ask any adult male how well
he remembers that experience 20 years later.
Or as another example, bad
news delivered over the telephone can taint memories for years. The telephone,
of course, was only the method of communication. Bad news could have been mailed
or delivered in person. Unfortunately, the association with the telephone gets
made and the telephone carries the stigma.
It’s a silly association,
but is seriously imbedded deep in the brain.
So
how do you break the curse of telephobia? - You are motivated to
achieve your goal. The phone call is just a method to get it done quickly. It’s
a challenge of learning to relax and taking calm action to create the results
you want: Prospecting, Sales orders, Problem resolution.
- Your reluctance
to make a phone call is just your fight/flight genetics reacting to your “learned”
response to threats and danger. I’m certain you’ve gotten over other fight/flight
situations; you can get over telephone call reluctance, too. In the spirit of
the “Wizard of Oz”, take off your cowardly lion suit and remind yourself, “ I’m
not afraid. . . ”
- Remind yourself that the reason for overcoming telephobia
is to end the procrastination cycle.
My advice to
you this week is to get ON the phone and get it done!
Using
the telephone to market methodically is one way to create the business you have
always wanted!! There are eight strategies I can teach you as a small business
owner to help you achieve your goals. Would you like to know more? click
here
