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Maximize Your Chances Of A Positive Interaction
How many times have you heard some version of There just aren’t enough hours in the day? One way to replicate this is to pull up a picture of the person you’re talking to while on the phone with them. That way, it no longer feels as if you’re talking to an invisible robot. It cements the fact that the voice on the other end is, in fact, a real person. So, if you want to maximize your chances of a positive interaction, open a picture from one of their social media profiles before the call. It will help you feel more connected, and this will create a warmer tone of voice. People will feel that warmth right away, which will help strengthen your relationship and make the call more successful. Being in the right state of mind will influence your tone of voice, the energy you give off, and how the person on the other line perceives you. When your state of mind is genuinely positive, energetic, and upbeat, you’ll find people are far more receptive to what you have to say. It becomes easier to build rapport with them, and they’re significantly more likely to respond favorably to your requests. This ultimately leads to more success, a more positive interaction for both parties, and more enjoyment for you during your workday. So, how do you change your state of mind? Remember, body language has a direct influence on your state of mind. Begin with confident body language by sitting up straight, pulling your shoulders down and back, and holding your head up high. 
Climb That Hill
This will give you a boost of energy and confidence, which will naturally project into your voice and enhance how you sound over the phone. Next, take two physiological sighs. The duration of your exhale should be longer than your two inhales. Breathing this way has been proven to increase relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. As you take your breaths, close your eyes and imagine something or someone that makes you happy. It could be a loved one, a pet, or a favorite place. If you’re having trouble actually seeing anything in your mind, simply thinking of it works just as well. For even more quick hits of joy throughout the day, you could have a picture of this thing on your desk, as the background on your computer, or as the wallpaper on your phone. Studies have shown that smiling can improve your mood, reduce stress, and even give your immune system a boost. Smiling encourages the production of certain hormones in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine boosts our feelings of happiness, and serotonin is associated with reduced stress. As you’re taking your breaths and visualizing something you love, allow a great big smile to spread across your face. Sitting On The Fence
What if you’re having an off day and don’t feel like smiling? What if you have to force it? If that’s the case, don’t worry. Just the act of smiling itself is enough to improve your mood, reduce stress, and help you achieve an excellent state of mind. Now that you’ve achieved an optimal state, dialing those numbers and making that call will feel so much easier. Have you ever phoned a person who’s so difficult and disagreeable that you’d rather swim with sharks while bleeding than talk to them? There’s usually not much you can do to avoid those conversations. If it’s part of your job, it needs to be done. For these special calls, there is a bonus technique that can make these types of interactions easier. Close your eyes and imagine yourself going through every step of the phone call. The person seems to be in a better mood and less combative than usual. Imagine the entire call flowing smoothly and effortlessly from start to finish. It feels good, doesn’t it? If you go into the call having just imagined it going well, you’ll have different expectations and will therefore approach the conversation differently. Doing this can actually change the outcome of the phone call in your favor. The better you feel as you imagine the call, the more positive the impact. Climbing Up The Walls
It even helps if you apply it before writing emails to other people. By putting yourself in this state, you’ll be more relaxed, confident, and optimistic. You’ll have a sharper, clearer mind, and you’ll be able to communicate more effectively at a higher level. All of this will significantly improve your odds of achieving massive amounts of success. Close your email and minimize all windows. Turn off notifications on all your devices so you don’t have anything popping up and stealing your attention. Do your best to resist this urge and stay fully present and engaged. Depending on your interest level and the nature of the call, this can get very challenging. Embrace the challenge! Each time you find your attention dwindling and you feel the desire to look at something else, try your hardest to bring your focus back to the call. Like an athlete training for the Olympics, you are training yourself to focus better and actively listen when it gets difficult. The ability to stay focused and engaged when your mind wants to wander is a valuable skill in the professional world. This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when communicating with another person. When we make people feel this way, they are far more likely to trust us, like us, be receptive to what we have to say, and be more agreeable in our conversations. Expressing thanks and gratitude to others goes a long way, so every phone call should include some form of appreciation. While we’re at it, every type of interaction would be better with a little appreciation tossed in. Appreciation for a person’s time is a big one. Our time is extremely valuable, and many of us feel that we don’t have enough of it. Never pass up an opportunity to show appreciation.