Dealing with government agencies, corporations, and some humans on the telephone may be very stressful!
Does this sound familiar?
“We’re here to help you 24 hours a day, anytime day or night, whenever it is convenient for you – either by phone or on the web!”
How about this?
You dial a number and get put on hold immediately. In a minute or so you have a recording play: “All the representatives are busy. You will have a ten-minute wait. If you choose not to wait, leave your number and someone will call you back.”
After listening to commercials for a few minutes, or loud music, you are asked for information by another recording. Often times the recording answers: “I did not understand your response. Repeat your answer.” You do and then somehow you are disconnected and have to start all over again.
When you finally speak to a human they reiterate: “Let me check. I need to put you on hold.” Several minutes later they come back and say “I have to transfer you to another person”, and then they put you on hold again.
If you’ve experienced one or all of these scenarios you know how frustrating it can be. This is truly stressful as your hands are tied and you have realistically no other choice but to deal with this problem.
No matter how you would like to throw the phone across the room, or beat it with a hammer, no matter how you would like to swear at the representative or just say, “Screw this”, sometimes DEAL WITH IT – YOU MUST!
So what can you do to alleviate some of these particular stresses? Here are some examples of easy ways to lessen a dreadful phone experience and lower your stress level.
1. Use your first defense against stress. While you are on hold, just take in a slow breath and know you are getting oxygen needed to think optimally. When you exhale slowly, think: “I am calm and will not loose my cool”.
This breathing technique will be repeated over and over on this website, because when you realize it works, you will know it is something you can use any time and any place.
2. BEFORE you pick up the phone or dial the cell, do your breathing. You will be calmer before being presented with potential volatile scenarios.
3. Keep in mind that the person on the other end of the phone is simply doing a job. It could be your son or daughter, so tread lightly on them vocally. You will also protect yourself by using discretion. You may further problems for yourself if you loose your cool.
4. Write down the date, names of the persons you spoke with, and any information they gave you. It’s always good to be able to refer back with specifics, if you need to do so.
5. Make a game plan before the call. Note what you want to discuss so you won’t forget important items.
6. Keep in mind YOUR ANGER is only hurting you mentally and physically – it does not resolve a problem, but adds to it!
7. Remember: some things we have to deal with are simply STRESSFUL – There no other way to describe it! You may not have the choice to end these problems on the phone, if you are trying to resolve a problem, but you always have a choice in your response!
8. KEEP YOUR WORDS POSITIVE. Approach the meat of the matter intelligently. If NOTHING gets resolved then accept the fact you just spent the last half hour learning to manage your stress!
9.Think of it as a Saturday night live sketch and find the humor!
http://www.stressmanagementmagic.com/2010/02/contest-stress-free/