You are not alone with the fear of using the phone. There are many reasons why people are not used to picking up the phone. You can do this against uncertainty.
Fear of telephoning – why?
“Always this writing,” representatives of older generations like to say. You are of the opinion that things can be clarified faster and more personally with a phone call. And certainly one or the other knows that it is easy to misunderstand one another in writing. A good old call like that would solve a lot of things in no time. But somehow there is an inhibition to pick up the phone. Where’s it from?
Unlike chatting, there is little time on the phone to come up with quick-witted answers. A spontaneous reaction is required, which deters some people. Just making an appointment with the doctor or canceling your subscription to the newspaper publisher often requires a phone call. However, some people with phone phobia fear speaking to complete strangers.
There is also the risk of not understanding the other person, speaking too quickly or packing too much information into one sentence. Some people are just more proficient at making calls. If you are not, you can quickly make a fool of yourself by speaking slurred or stuttering. Even too long pauses in speaking can be quite uncomfortable for some conversation partners.
Here’s how you can deal with fear
With the online age, talking on the phone is becoming increasingly unfamiliar for many people. We can control many things from the computer or smartphone. It is all the more important that there are a few useful tips for this unfamiliar situation. The first tip may sound strange at first glance: phone, phone, phone. Of course, people who are afraid of the phone try to avoid every possible situation, but in order to become more confident, you have to face your fear. Practice creates masters!
Also: Planning is half the battle! Write down everything you want to learn and discuss. Leave enough space for notes that you make during the call. The notepad can be placed right next to the handset where it is clearly visible. The following applies before and after telephone calls: switch off the thought carousel. Nobody thinks you’re funny, probably nobody will notice your nervousness either. These thoughts alone reinforce your fear.
Especially at work, sometimes you just can’t avoid making phone calls. Telephone training, specially adapted to your job, can help here. This is certainly not only useful for you, but also for your colleagues. Just talk to your boss about it. Finally, as with all fears, relaxation and breathing exercises before the direct confrontation also help with telephone phobia.
