December 10, 2024
Overcoming Call Anxiety: How I Found My Voice in Sales
Have you ever felt your heart racing just before making a sales call? That feeling when your hand shakes as you reach for the phone? I’ve been there. This is my story of how I went from being terrified of making calls to actually looking forward to them.
That Scary First Phone Call
I’ll never forget my first cold call. It was a regular Tuesday morning. My coffee sat untouched on my desk as I practiced saying “Hello” for what felt like the hundredth time. Around me, other salespeople were talking confidently on their phones. Meanwhile, I sat there, holding my script like it was a life jacket, wondering if others could hear my heart beating.
Let’s be honest – call anxiety isn’t just about being afraid of hearing “no.” It’s about many things:
- Worrying about sounding stupid
- Being scared of annoying people
- Fearing angry responses
- Stressing about sales targets
- Trying to stay positive after rejections
For my first three months, I started each day with butterflies in my stomach. Every phone call felt like climbing a huge mountain. Each rejection felt like falling down that mountain. But you know what? This tough time taught me the most important lessons.
The Day Everything Changed
My big change came after my worst day ever. I had heard “no” so many times that I lost count. During lunch break, I sat in my car, ready to cry. That’s when I realized something: I was trying too hard to sound like a “perfect” salesperson instead of just being myself.
Then something interesting happened. I was so tired that I stopped trying to sound perfect. I made a call just being myself – no fake excitement, no memorized speech. And guess what? The person on the other end actually wanted to talk! They could tell I was real.
Why Our Brain Makes Calling So Hard
Understanding why calls make us nervous helped me deal with it better. When we’re anxious about calling, our brain thinks we’re in danger (silly brain!). This is why:
- Our heart beats faster
- Our hands get sweaty
- Our voice shakes
- We forget what to say
But here’s something cool: these same feelings can mean excitement instead of fear. It’s all about how we think about it. When I started telling myself “I’m excited” instead of “I’m scared,” things began to change.
How I Found My Real Voice
My journey to becoming comfortable with calls didn’t happen overnight, but here’s what worked for me:
1. Accepting My Feelings
Instead of fighting my nervous feelings, I accepted them. Every morning, I took five minutes to remind myself it’s okay to be nervous. It meant I cared about doing a good job.
2. Changing How I Think About Calls
I stopped thinking “I have to make a sale” and started thinking “I get to help someone today.” This small change made a huge difference.
3. Creating Simple Habits
I made a simple routine before each call:
- Take three deep breaths
- Remember why I’m calling
- Drink some water
- Smile (it really works!)
4. Using Technology to Help
Modern tools, like automatic dialers, became my friends. When I didn’t have to worry about dialing numbers manually, I could focus on having better conversations.
From Scared to Confident
Today, making calls feels natural to me. Sure, I still get nervous sometimes, but that’s okay. I learned to work with my nervous energy instead of fighting it.
Here’s what I discovered:
- Being real is better than being perfect
- It’s okay to show that you’re human
- Making a connection matters more than making a sale
- Every “no” helps you learn and grow
- Good tools help you be more human, not less
From Scared to Confident
If you’re reading this and feeling nervous about making calls, remember: you’re not alone. Being nervous means you care about doing well. You don’t need to get rid of the nervousness – you just need to learn to use it to help you.
Start small:
- Make one call first thing in the morning
- Be curious about the person you’re calling
- Celebrate making the call, no matter what happens
- Use tools that make calling easier
- Talk to others who understand how you feel
Finding Your Own Way
Getting better at making calls isn’t just about selling more. It’s about finding your own comfortable way of talking to people. The best tool for sales isn’t a perfect script – it’s your real desire to help others.
Remember: Every great salesperson started exactly where you are now. They weren’t born confident – they learned it, just like you can.
Your way of talking to people matters. Your story matters. And somewhere out there, someone needs to hear what you have to say, in your own unique way.
