return phone calls

I can’t have an answering machine because I am obsessed with returning calls and it drives me MENTAL when people don’t… or people who say they’ll call back ina second and don’t!!!! Like my scanky sister

Seriously, it’s so bad I get messages all the time saying I’m the worst ever about this. I know it’s rude. I know it’s inconsiderate. I know it’s selfish and contributes to my lack of social life/friend list. I just dread initiating. I need to get over it already and just grow up about it!

Eh, I think I’ve done this.

I’m on the phone all day at work so the last thing i want to do when I get home is be on the phone with friends. I feel bad but I know they want to talk to me. And especially right now since I bought a new house and they all want to hear how great it is and such. I suck.

I’ve become so much more conscious and committed to this, and have been returning all calls. I’m aware I could take it further (to get the A+), but for now I’m off to concentrate on other goals. This is done!

I am doing this now. Sometimes it takes me a few days, but I do call. This is an improvement. So now it’s just fine-tuning to be more prompt. Also, I didn’t say I liked it. I force myself, but maybe it will get easier with time.

I’m not checking this off because looking back at my first entry I haven’t lived up to all my criteria yet.

I’m getting better at this. I pick up the phone and take a breath like I’m on the high dive. Courage. You just have to dive in before you hesitate too long.

This is not easy for me. I have a talent for avoiding people, and it only hurts me. I really want to accomplish this goal so I can make room for others (pun not intended, but very Freudian!).

So this is now top priority. Make room for others :) and relieve myself of the stress of owing people calls! Choose bliss, d!

Luckily it’s not the hardest goal out there (gulp). Then again, it ties into deeper issues. My plan is …
1. answer the phone unless I’m in the middle of a conversation with someone else, even if I don’t know who is calling
2. return missed phone calls the same day if possible, the next day at the latest
3. once a week call someone I haven’t been in touch with lately but want to be

I have been pretty good at this the last two weeks. I have proactively called five people (a huge number for me) and I’ve called back everyone who has called me. I even answered the phone at one point! It sounds so silly but it’s a big deal for me. I still find that after a long phone conversation I feel drained but that is outweighed by being able to connect with people. I called one friend who I hadn’t spoken with in a very long time due to my inability to call people back. It was really nice to catch up and it was nice to know she wasn’t upset with me.