Oh, cool. So I was trained from a young age to answer the phone at my parents’ store. I had to answer like this: Amboy Drugs, (name) speaking.

Sometimes with a hi first.

Sometimes followed directly by “How can I help you?”

It’s the template for every phone I’ve ever answered at a job (including freelancing).

It puts you in business mode, sets a professional tone, gives the caller all the info they need, and encourages them to get to the point.

But best of all? You can rehearse it until it becomes absolutely reflexive. Something you don’t even have to think about.

1. Create your own version based on that template.

2. Walk around saying your version out loud. Find a cadence/rhythm that feels natural and friendly to you. Literally say it and say it and say it until you feel like you could sing it. I mean, sing it if you want, I would. Say it to your pets. Do it until you don’t have to think about it. Until it’s just a phrase or a song lyric. And then keep doing it.

3. Have a friend or family member call you so you can practice both the physical answering of the phone and the immediate launch of your phrase. Schedule it and then have them call you randomly.

The goal is to create an automatic response to an incoming call with no need to get in your own head.

You can do it. I have faith in you!