Making phonecalls

[Gem]

Does anyone seriously hate calling people? Every time i have to my heart beats fast, i get all clammy and forget my words. Im looking for a job at the moment and its such a nightmare going through that feeling soo much  I prefer doing it in person, very weird. Im worse with strangers but it can be just as bad with someone i know too.

[BruiserBear]

Never really experienced that myself Gem.  But I will tell you something you might already know.  The more you avoid calling people, and building up the fear before you do, the scarier it's going to be for you.  The best thing you can possibly do is just call people, and call people as much as you possibly can.  Each time you walk right through that fear, you're going to feel more power over that fear, until it doesn't even scare you anymore. :)

[tearemedy]

I have this issue when calling strangers. Since this person isn't a friend and I am not caling to chat, I usually have something specific to say during the phone call. In this case, it helps a lot to write down what I plan to say beforehand. I do this because, while on the phone, my anxiety makes mind go blank. Even if I wind up not using what I write, it helps just to know it is there if this happens.

[puntnf4]

But I will tell you something you might already know.  The more you avoid calling people, and building up the fear before you do, the scarier it's going to be for you.  The best thing you can possibly do is just call people, and call people as much as you possibly can. 

^Bruiser's right on target. I sincerely believe that, as uncomfortable as it may seem, that there is only one way to get over a fear of calling people: and that is to keep doing it, whenever you can (as in, whenever your comfort-zone can make that tiny 'stretch').

I used to be afraid of calling waiters over (for whatever reason; I suppose I was afraid of getting rejected or bothering someone else). I was only able to get over this fear when I moved out of my home for the first time. I mean...it's calling the waiters over or... -starving-, you know? Daddy's not gonna do it for me this time.

[sixpack]

I used to be afraid of calling waiters over (for whatever reason; I suppose I was afraid of getting rejected or bothering someone else). I was only able to get over this fear when I moved out of my home for the first time. I mean...it's calling the waiters over or... -starving-, you know? Daddy's not gonna do it for me this time.

for me it was when I had to make my own doctors appointments and then going by myself when I got to be 18.  Ya know that was my mommy's job

[Gobius]

I always have that problem at a new job or about something I am not REALLY familiar with... or a new customer. I use it as a way to educate myself (research before I make the call so I am more familiar about the subject) or I just have to force myself to do it. Its hard, I know. I just started a job two months ago and I'm just starting to feel comfortable calling people.

My wife has that issue too, but she doesn't work so I used to make her call when we ordered food to help her get over it 

[puntnf4]

for me it was when I had to make my own doctors appointments and then going by myself when I got to be 18.  Ya know that was my mommy's job

I always have that problem at a new job or about something I am not REALLY familiar with... or a new customer.

Actually funny you mention this. For me, working at -retail- really improved my social anxiety. I mean, it really kind of teaches you how to...well...-talk-. Things were a bit tough at first, however.