Well, I just made a few calls for obama

[ejpoeta]

and my hands are shaking and I can't breathe. Left messages for most of them, but I had a lady hang up on me. I am having trouble breathing. I don't know if I can keep going. I am not good on the phone to strangers. I have never gotten this far before in my life!! I think it is SOO important. but i feel like i am going to die right now!!

[Sebass1271]

1. Calm DOWN

they don't know you.. what woudl you say about canvassing? where you def are face to face with strangers!!!..

[mak3cats]

2. Speaking from experience, try not to take it personally...

...those people would hang up on Mother Teresa.

Thanks for your efforts!

[ejpoeta]

19. I will try more soon. a nd all the support is really great. what a help!

I have wanted for so long to participate. i live in new york, and i am a stay at home mom who really believes that obama can bring a much needed change. And I know he has gone through so much to get where he is. what are a few phone calls. and yet, i feel my chest constricting and i shake like crazy. reminds me of college when i took oral interpretation (speech class basically). i almost passed out!! i know i can do it. i'll keep trying.

[bdamomma]

3. breathe in and out.

thanks for your help.

[supernova]

4. Breathe.

Slowly, in and out. Yoga style.

Calm down, then dial the next number.

It's not YOU personally they are upset with. It's the state of the world.

:hug: I feel for ya. I have a slight phone phobia myself.

[CatBO]

5. I know the feeling!

I have made about 75 phone calls for the Obama campaign. Hardest thing I've ever had to do. I am not good at it, but I gave it a try. Every so often I try another 2 or 3 calls. Congratulations to you for doing something!

Now go for a walk, or try to relax a bit. You did something very courageous and I know firsthand how hard it is. I hope that you try again, and that you get one of those magical calls where they are thrilled to hear from you!

[skooooo]

6. I've called for a few days now..

...You'll get some that will hang up on you, but no one has been very rude. Don't mind the hang ups, it probably means they've already been called by Obama people.

[rucky]

7. Thank You!

:yourock:

[AndyA]

8. You should feel good about making the effort!

Don't let a hang up bother you. It's hard to not take it personally, but that person knows she's on the losing edge of the deal. She knows she's small minded, bigoted, and a hypocrite.

You'd be angry at the world too if you had to deal with all that hatred on a daily basis.

I appreciate your efforts!

[skooooo]

11. Besides that, just tell yourself their phone lost the connection!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. count to 4 breathing in, count to 4 breathing out

Keep count so that your breaths become even. Make sure you are not holding your breath. Might try some chamomile tea or go get some Calm at the health food store.

[prolesunited]

10. Breathe through it and keep going

and it will get easier.

I've been canvassing and will be shortly today. I do get butterflies at times, but once I have that first really good encounter and connect with someone, it's all easier after that.

BTW, you're not really going to die. Just remember to breathe.

Thanks for your courage.

[knixphan]

12. It's okay, we're all behind you!

The last day I canvassed, I was confronted with a GIGANTIC dog, who answered the door for a republican family...

I was a little freaked.

Still, I continued with the

"H-Hello, I'm with the campaign for ch-change...Um, nice dog..."

[Justitia]

13. Trust me, it gets easier! You get some ninnies, but you'll have some great conversations too.

And when you get an Obama supporter, they will LOVE hearing from you!

Thanks so much for your efforts!

[AyanEva]

14. You're doing well!

You can do it! :D It's intimidating at first, particularly if you're like me and hate talking on the phone. I've made hundreds of phone calls by now and I honestly still don't like it any better but it does get easier the more you do it. If someone hangs up on you just say "Oh well, whatever." and move on.

Know what you're going to say ahead of time and don't give yourself time to talk yourself out of dialing because it's very easy to do that if you think too hard about what you're doing. Does that make sense?

[ThoughtCriminal]

15. This is why when I get a call from a Democratic Volunteer

I quickly let them know that I already voted early, thank them for helping and tell them that we're going to win big.

[charlie and algernon]

16. don't worry about them

I made tons of calls this weekend and got hung up on more times than I can count. You will reach people who want to listen and you will make a difference, keep it up!

:hug:

[renate]

17. a million congratulations for doing something so difficult!

The way you've challenged yourself, felt the fear and done it anyway--it's wonderful and so inspiring!

Give yourself a giant pat on the back! You should be really proud of yourself--we're all proud of you!

:applause::applause::applause::applause:
:applause::applause::applause::applause:
:applause::applause::applause::applause:

[demokatgurrl]

18. I have the same problem, and it doesn't help that I

truly hate getting phone calls from ANYONE.
I make up for it by volunteering in other ways- down at the campaign office, answering phones, tidying up, running errands, working the front desk etc.

There's lots to do for us phone-call-phobes.:-)

[Debi]

20. You're doing great! I know it's not easy - but the time you're giving is very important

I went door knocking Saturday and ended up in tears b/c I was in a republican area (seeking out sporadic voters). I went home for a couple of hours and collected myself then headed back to HQ to do something else.

Take a break. Eat or drink something yummy to reward yourself. Remind yourself WHY you're doing it.

Get back to it.

Your next call could be someone THANKING YOU for working to change this country (heck to CHANGE THIS WORLD)!

This is our time, our election, our candidate!! :bounce:

:hug: you really are doing great!