Hi everyone,
Earlier today I made a phone call to a potential client who needed some web tech, help, and the client asked me a question I didn't know the answer to, and I told him I didn't know, and he told me he needed someone who knew, and then told me thanks for calling, and then I said thank you, and good luck, and we hung up.
So I did some research on this thing, and it turned out to be a real estate listings website. So I called him back and while it was ringing I had to take like really big breaths. It's almost as if I was hyperventilating. When he answered, I look a big breath and basicly tried to say what I wanted to say, and while saying it, I felt so very winded and I tried my best to hide it, and I'm not sure if I did, but he accepted my offer to send him a proposal, and we hung up.
So I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this? I tell myself I'm very confident, and I certainly feel confident, but when it comes down to situations where really it shouldn't matter at all. Why do I care if some guy decides not to hire us? It doesn't effect me. But, it really makes me nervous to the point that I lose my breath.
Obviously this.. problem is not the sort of problem I'd like to have as someone who would like to become a successful business woman. So does anyone experience this, and does it go away with time and experience, and is there something I can do to make it stop?
Love,
Luna
I usually just takes deep breathes to calm me down and refocus. Someone once told me "know how to breath", if you focus on your breath and not on what makes you nervous, everything should be alright. Well it works me for me.
As wilful said, know your stuff. You won't ever be as much confident as if you know everything about your stuff.
I work in the domain of non-verbal communication and the worst thing to do is to keep your hands in your pockets. Keep your eyes focused on the person and let your hands move as you speak. It will me more fluid and will add more dynamics to your speech.
Big mistake, looking into the eyes of the person is a good sign of confidence. It shows that you pay attention to him. I used to feel wierd when looking at people into their eyes, but now I like it and it has become a challenge :P!
If you don't feel confortable with your clients just start with the cashier in a store or with the waitress at the restaurant. Then, with a small client and so on. I'm pretty sure that if you ask them their opinion they will tell you it was alright.
Looking people in their eyes is something very important.
You're right! But isn't it an act of aggression? If you are staring someone down, that is certainly an aggressive personality, and way of communicating. I don't undersatnd how people consider this ideal.
Also, it's not like I can just look into their eyes. When I am looking into their eyes, I can't think at all. My mind is just thinking "I'm looking into their eyes, I'm looking into their eyes". Then I lose what we are talking about. 