Tip 1 Overcoming Telephone Reluctance

Afraid to pick up the phone?

On several occasions I've worried all day and phoned only to find that the person I wanted was on holiday or and if I'd phoned earlier I'd have saved hours of worrying. Often the thing you are afraid of never happens.

1 Plan the conversation. Your one-minute elevator speech. Remember you may get an answering machine.
2 Smile. It improves the tone of your voice. You feel better, too.
3 Relax.
4 Check the name of the person you are calling.
5 If you don't get through, chat up the secretary.
Make a list of phone calls and work through them.
If you are too scared, just ring to check the name of the person you are calling. Often once the phone is in your hand and the number is dialled and somebody answers - you're there.

Loads of other tricks:
Imagine the other person is naked or in bed.
Think how scared they are when they answer the phone to you and re-assure them.

Remember that if you have a list of 100 phone calls, every one brings you nearer to going home time. And success!

Any more tips? Please send them to me.