Confidence / Overcoming Nervousness / Lesson 29

LESSON 29 · OVERCOMING NERVOUSNESS

Before an Important Phone Call

Thirty easy ways to get ready before an important phone call, so your voice sounds calm and clear.

Prepare, then dial. Your voice is enough.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (Susan Jeffers), The Upside of Stress (Kelly McGonigal), The 5 Second Rule (Mel Robbins), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Phone calls feel exposed

On the phone you have no body language, the other person may be busy, and silences feel long. It is normal to feel nervous before an important call.

TRY THIS
Tell yourself, “Most people find calls harder than messages.”

TIP 2

Prepare, then dial

A few minutes of preparation do more than hoping it will go well. Write your purpose, your three points and your first sentence.

TRY THIS
Write a three-line plan before dialling.

TIP 3

Know your purpose

Ask, “What do I want from this call?” One clear aim keeps you focused and calm.

TRY THIS
Write your aim in one sentence.

TIP 4

Write your opening line

“Hello, this is Sam from the design team, I am calling about the Friday meeting. Is now a good time?” A ready opening removes the scariest moment.

TRY THIS
Write your opening sentence in full.

TIP 5

Ask if it is a good time

“Is now a good time?” shows courtesy and often gets a friendlier response. It also gives them control.

TRY THIS
Include the question in your opening.

TIP 6

Prepare three key points

Write the three things you must say or ask. Three is easy to remember and cover.

TRY THIS
List three points on a card.

TIP 7

Prepare your questions

Note any questions you need answered. A written list stops you forgetting.

TRY THIS
Write your questions before the call.

TIP 8

Have your information ready

Names, dates, account numbers, documents. Gather everything before you dial so you are not flustered.

TRY THIS
Put everything on your desk first.

TIP 9

Choose a quiet place

Background noise adds stress. Find a quiet room or step outside.

TRY THIS
Pick your calling spot.

TIP 10

Use a headset or speaker if it helps

Free hands let you write and move. Comfortable audio helps you hear.

TRY THIS
Test your headset beforehand.

TIP 11

Stand up

Standing opens your lungs and often makes you sound more energetic and confident. Many sales professionals do it.

TRY THIS
Stand to make your next call.

TIP 12

Smile before you speak

A smile changes your voice, and the listener can hear warmth even without seeing you. It is a simple, powerful tip.

TRY THIS
Smile as the phone rings.

TIP 13

Breathe before you dial

Take five slow breaths. A calm start steadies your voice.

TRY THIS
Breathe in for four and out for six before dialling.

TIP 14

Warm up your voice

Hum or say a sentence aloud. A cold voice may crack or sound tight.

TRY THIS
Say your name aloud twice before dialling.

TIP 15

Drink water

Keep water nearby. A dry mouth is common in nerves.

TRY THIS
Take a sip before the call.

TIP 16

Speak slowly

Nerves speed you up. Slower speech sounds calm and is easier to understand.

TRY THIS
Aim for a gentle, steady pace.

TIP 17

Speak a little lower

A slightly lower pitch sounds calmer. Do not force it, just relax your throat.

TRY THIS
Drop your shoulders and speak from your chest.

TIP 18

Use their name

Using the person’s name warmly makes the call personal. Do not overdo it.

TRY THIS
Use their name once or twice.

TIP 19

Listen carefully

Listening is half of a call. Take brief notes and respond to what they say.

TRY THIS
Write down one key detail they give.

TIP 20

Use short pauses

A pause before answering gives you time to think and sounds composed. Do not fear silence.

TRY THIS
Count to one before replying.

TIP 21

Summarise at the end

“So we agreed that I will send the report by Friday” confirms understanding. It leaves a professional impression.

TRY THIS
Practise a summary line.

TIP 22

Say thank you

A warm thank-you ends the call kindly. Gratitude is remembered.

TRY THIS
End with, “Thank you for your time.”

TIP 23

Plan for voicemail

Write a clear message in advance: your name, number, reason and when you will call back. A ready voicemail removes the dread.

TRY THIS
Write a 20-second voicemail script.

TIP 24

Leave your number twice

At the end of a voicemail, say your number slowly and repeat it. Clear delivery helps.

TRY THIS
Practise saying your number slowly.

TIP 25

Plan for gatekeepers

If an assistant answers, be warm and clear: “Hello, I am calling to speak with Dr Lee about the Friday session, is she available?” Politeness opens doors.

TRY THIS
Prepare a friendly gatekeeper line.

TIP 26

Plan for a no

If the answer is no, thank them and ask if you may try again later. Rejection on a call is rarely personal.

TRY THIS
Prepare a graceful reply to a no.

TIP 27

Plan for being put on hold

Use hold time to breathe and review your notes. Do not take it as a bad sign.

TRY THIS
Breathe during hold music.

TIP 28

Plan for a bad line

If the connection drops, calmly say you will call back. Technical glitches are common.

TRY THIS
Have a back-up number ready.

TIP 29

Plan for a hard question

Have a line such as “Let me think about that” or “I will find out and get back to you”. It is professional.

TRY THIS
Write your holding line.

TIP 30

Write notes during the call

Jot key words and dates. Notes help you stay present and recall details.

TRY THIS
Keep a pad and pen ready.

TIP 31

Avoid reading a full script

A script can sound stiff. Use bullet points and speak naturally.

TRY THIS
Switch a script to bullets.

TIP 32

Practise with a friend

Role-play the call. A friendly rehearsal helps you find the right words.

TRY THIS
Ask a friend to listen to your opening.

TIP 33

Practise out loud

Say your opening aloud a few times. The words will be familiar when you need them.

TRY THIS
Say your opening three times.

TIP 34

Make the easy call first

If you have several calls, start with the friendliest one. A good first call builds confidence.

TRY THIS
Order your calls from easy to hard.

TIP 35

Block time for calls

Group calls into a calm time slot. Fewer interruptions help.

TRY THIS
Set aside a calling hour.

TIP 36

Reward yourself

After a hard call, take a short break or have a treat. Rewards teach your brain that facing calls is worth it.

TRY THIS
Plan a small treat after your call.

TIP 37

Review the call

After the call, note what went well and one thing to improve. It builds skill.

TRY THIS
Write two lines after each call.

TIP 38

Call early rather than late

Putting a call off increases dread. Making it early lets you enjoy the rest of the day.

TRY THIS
Make your hardest call first thing.

TIP 39

Face the fear in small steps

If calls scare you, begin with easy ones, like booking a table. Build up gradually.

TRY THIS
Make one easy call today.

TIP 40

Celebrate every call

Each call you make is a win. Notice your progress.

TRY THIS
Say, “I made the call,” with pride.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

OPEN

“Hello, thank you for taking my call.”

PURPOSE

“I am calling about this.”

ASK

“Is now a good time?”

NOTE

“Let me note that down.”

CONFIRM

“Let me repeat that back.”

CLOSE

“Thank you, I will follow up.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Write your aim

DAY 2
List key points

DAY 3
Find quiet

DAY 4
Breathe

DAY 5
Smile

DAY 6
Dial

DAY 7
Take notes

Further reading

• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (Susan Jeffers)
• The Upside of Stress (Kelly McGonigal)
• The 5 Second Rule (Mel Robbins)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.